Page 130 of Fate of the Sun King

Though the name was a bit ridiculous, she was sure it had to be the object she sought. That after many lifetimes of hiding, the ark had resurfaced. She had spent years orchestrating a way to get close to the royal family when she happened upon Serce. Of course, none of that had worked the way she planned, setting everything back to zero, yet again.

Despite the fact Zerra no longer spoke to her, Cloris had never given up her quest, hoping that one day, she’d find her way back to her goddess’s side.

Voices drew her attention then, and Cloris jumped just as the door banged open. She snatched her hand away, dousing her magic, tucking it behind her back as if that would make her look any less guilty. She arranged her face into a mask of calm innocence, but she needn’t have bothered.

The Sun King was furious—his hair and eyes wild—and he saw nothing as he slammed the door behind him so hard it nearly shook the entire room off its foundations.

“The Mirror fucking rejected her,” he hissed, and Cloris froze before she swallowed down a nervous knot of tension. She had anticipated this. Why would the Mirror ever select the Heart Queen for its own?

“I see,” she said. “That is unfortunate.”

“Unfortunate?” Atlas spat, approaching her with his shoulders hunched. “Unfortunate?! I ended the last Trials for this. I had those girls killed because you told me to bond with Lor! And now the Mirror rejected her and chose someone else!”

Cloris rolled her neck and clasped her hands at her stomach.

“I cannot control what the Mirror chooses to do. It seems this isn’t her destiny.”

“Her destiny? What about my destiny?! You promised me—”

“Nothing has changed,” she said, raising her voice. “Once I have my hands on the object I seek, you can use it to reverse the Mirror’s decision.”

“You lied to me!” Atlas roared, taking another step towards her as he grabbed her throat and shoved her against the bookcase, the shelves digging painfully into her back. “What game are you playing, witch? Tell me the truth.”

Cloris opened her mouth as Atlas squeezed while a small pit of fear quivered in her stomach. “I wasn’t,” she choked out. “Please.”

She clawed at his arm, but in his fury, she was no match for him. He squeezed harder as he trembled with his teeth bared.

“Please,” she gasped. “I… swear… to… you…”

“I’m not listening to any more of your lies,” he hissed.

“No… just… please… this… isn’t.”

Atlas eased his grip just enough so Cloris could breathe. She inhaled a shallow breath.

“Talk,” Atlas said. “And if you try to fuck with me, I’ll crush your windpipe and never give you another thought.”

“You can still use her,” Cloris said. Her voice was raw, and she was sure bruises were already forming on her skin.

“How can I do that when the Mirror chose someone else?”

Slowly, she straightened up. “I told you what I need is powerful.”

He glared at her. “And?”

“And if you release the girl to me, I can find the object, and we can reverse what the Mirror has done.”

“You said she’d bond to me!” he said.

“Yes, but I can’t do that without what I seek. I thought I made that clear,” she said, trying to keep her patience. Was he really this dim? “You’ll also be able to finally do away with your brother, once and for all.”

Again, Cloris was lying, but she would say anything to convince Atlas to believe her. She’d deal with the fallout of these deceptions later. The Sun King wasn’t just dim, he was also gullible because she saw the way his eyes lit up at her words.

“For real?” he asked, and she almost felt bad for seeding this tender blossom of hope.

“You will be the king.”

It was a noncommittal answer that confirmed nothing either way, but he seized on it.