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I didn’t know what the future would hold for Atlas and me. I didn’t even know if I’d ever tell him that he was my twin flame. My equal and my universal match. I didn’t know a lot of things. But I knew this imperfect man was perfect for me, and even if we ran from the world, we’d at least have each other.
* * *
Glistening snow covered the ground, but somehow, giant pillars of fire still circled the castle as the Solstice festivities began. I had a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with the queen, but when I asked and Atlas only winked at me, I knew that was information I may never know.
With a warm drink in my hand, Atlas led me through the crowd until I finally caved and agreed to meet the king.
“Your grace,” I said, swallowing my fear as I curtsied and shifted until I stood slightly behind Atlas. “Thank you for helping Atlas find me.”
The king dipped his chin, the gold circlet on his head catching the last rays of winter sunlight. “It was my honor.”
“This is just weird,” Kirsi said, entering the circle we’d made in the crowd. “You don’t have to bow to His Too Highness. It makes his head too big.”
“Are you well?” Nym asked, resting her hands on my shoulders to search my face for discomfort. “You really should get her back inside, Atlas.”
“I’m okay. Plenty warm, thanks to the queen’s Solstice gift.” I held out the tiny bracelet on my arm, showing off the little flame. It didn’t burn but warmed me through.
“I’m glad they found you safely,” a deep voice said from behind.
I whipped around to take in the larger-than-life man staring down at me.
“Tor this is Marley. Marley, you remember Torryn, right?”
“Have we met?” he asked, furrowing a brow. “Surely I would remember such a pretty face.”
“Unofficially,” I answered, unable to hide my blush as Atlas slid an arm around me.
“Back off, pretty boy. She’s already taken. And I think someone’s here to talk to you.”
Andrew approached the friendly group, sliding his hat from his head as he looked at Atlas and then at Torryn. Atlas gave an encouraging head tilt toward Tor before frantically nodding.
“Atty said you wanted to see me?” the man asked, wringing his hat in his hands.
“I apologized to Andy here for keeping you the other night for work. I remember you saying how badly you felt, so I hope you don’t mind, I invited him to join us.”
“But I didn’t—”
“Happy Solstice, buddy,” Atlas said, clapping his friend on the back before pulling us away.
“Ha-happy…” His words were lost to the crowd as we let them have their space.
The moment we were alone, Atlas wrapped both arms around my shoulders and held me firmly to him as he sighed.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a Solstice gift for you,” I said, hugging him back.
“You saved me, too, Frostbite. Shared freedom.”
A freedom I still did not know the true cost of.
“Atty!”
I would probably never get used to the Dark King standing within a ten-mile radius of me. Never mind a few feet as he held a hand out to Atlas.
“I’ve been thinking about what we discussed earlier, and I want you to have this.” He gestured over our shoulders, and we turned to see a man carrying something the size of a ship’s wheel wrapped in brown paper. “It’s for both of you.”
“Aw, Bash.” Atlas nudged me. “See? I told you he was a softy. You open it.”
I peeled the wrapping as the man continued to hold the object, revealing what looked to be a giant, ornate gold mirror with delicate filigree around the edges. But when the mirror rippled, I drew my hand away in shock.
