The air on Polis held a preternatural stillness.
Each breath he breathed was singular. He had called animals into being, knowing how much she would enjoy them. Yet, no other beings resided on the planet. Save for himself when he stole away from watching her, Polis was a barren scape, floating in a galaxy not yet discovered.
The halls of the castle were silent. A tapestry he had stitched by hand fluttered as he walked past. The grand double doors opened beneath his hand, revealing the wide throne room. Two thrones, large and imposing, sat at the far end of the golden carpet laid out—one smaller than the other, made for a queen. Five smaller chairs—not quite thrones—resided on the dais.
Atlas walked to the large throne and sat, his cape swooshing behind him. He rested his chin on his hand with a disgruntled sound as he stared at the empty room. He had seen the parties and dances, the laughter and cheers, that would soon fill the space. But for now?
He was the King of nothing.
11
BLUE
Breaking: Former Prince Cyrus Soltren of Sibeth Has Abdicated the Crown!
Rin lifted her hand out of the pool, water dripping from her fingertips as she reached for the remote she’d laid on the dark tile nearby, flicking the television off.
Silence settled over Rhyden’s private penthouse pool.
It had been a few days since Cyrus had abdicated the crown, and it had finally hit the news. It waseverywhere. They all knew now.
After Cyrus had formally sealed his abdication decree, his father had taken it upon himself to announce to galactic news channels that the former Prince Cyrus Soltren of Sibeth had made his home on Earth, in Solar City. Rin knew Cyrus hadn’t yet left Rhyden’s penthouse, but it was only a matter of time—and when he did, reporters would descend like vultures, desperate for the no-longer-protected playboy prince.
Rin dove beneath the water, closing her eyes so the chlorine wouldn’t burn them. She swam to the bottom, fingers brushing the cool tile. She stayed there for a moment, lungs tightening, before pushing back up. She emerged with a gasp, pushing away her wet hair as she lifted her arm to stare at her watch.
Only a minute.
She huffed in frustration.
The large window revealed the shining full moon. Her heart pounded in her chest, so she let herself drift for a moment, kicking her feet up to float on her back. Neon strips of blue light lined the ceilings, reflecting against the water, making it feel like she was on another planet. The sides of the pool curved, and she let her fingers drift over the slippery tile as she floated.
Lucien had been the one to suggest swimming to meet her training hours. It was supposed to be lower impact, but she still struggled.
The water lapped at her ears, drowning out the surrounding city noise as curfew approached. Car horns honked, and she heard the distant drone of ships leaving and returning.
Slowly, her heart rate evened.
Her thoughts drifted to Kit—what he was doing, how he was. He’d hurt her, and yet she couldn’t help but love him still. Their Souls were tied.
Her thoughts then drifted to Cyrus, who had given up everything for her. Though he’d lied, Rin wasn’t angry. His quiet lies—like failing to tell her he’d recognized the succubus on television when Lunar City news interviewed a bystander after Kit’s… rampage—had only drawn them closer. Yes, he lied, but he’d made up for it tenfold, throwing everything he’d ever known to the wind, all to have her.
She wondered if she should be angry, but how could she be when he’d given up his entire life for her?
The water shifted. Her side bumped into the tile as a new current displaced her. She blinked water from her lashes and saw Lucien approaching. Her feet touched the tile beneath her.
Lucien moved slowly, his bare chest pale and toned with lean muscle. She saw ripples of his lower half through the water, his borrowed swim shorts hugging his thighs. From his height, hestood easily; whereas, she strained to keep her mouth above the water, calves burning from standing on her tiptoes.
Gentle waves formed from his movements, pushing her nearer to him.
Lucien caught her elbow beneath the water, steadying her. "I thought you’d be out by now. Auren said you came in an hour ago." He lifted her hand from the water, trickling over her pruned fingertips.
She felt like a mess—wet hair in tangles, wearing a simple black one-piece, the thin straps digging into her shoulders. The front was cut in a straight line over her breasts, while the middle was ruffled. Her nipples brushed the thin material, pebbling under his attention and the coolness in the room.
"When did you get back from the hospital? I thought you weren’t going to be able to come tonight." Water brushed her lower lip and entered her mouth as she spoke.
Lucien lifted her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her pulse. "Just now."
The chlorine masked the sterile scent that usually clung to him after a shift.
