Page 131 of Fate of the Sun King

Atlas crowded her space, bringing his face so close to hers, she could feel the drops of spittle as he hissed, “If you do anything I deem suspicious, I will not hesitate to kill you. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” she said as she nodded, trying to hold back the tears of rage and frustration building in her eyes. All she wanted was to serve her goddess. Was that too much to ask? “Yes.”

Finally, he eased off, his lip curling in a snarl as he paced away, running a hand through his hair and muttering to himself.

Cloris could practically feel the ark’s presence behind her on the shelf and wondered if Atlas understood what he had in his possession. It sat amongst what appeared to be other objects of great value, safely locked in a case she suspected could be opened only with Imperial magic. But the ark wasn’t valuable; it was beyond value. The second most powerful object in this kingdom.

“Can I ask?” she ventured. “That’s a lovely piece you have there.” She gestured to the ark, testing Atlas’s face for any signs of recognition.

“Yes? And?”

“Where did it come from?”

He shrugged. “How should I know? It’s used to transform the warders.”

Atlas spun on his heel, still dragging his hand through his hair. She wondered if he’d meant to let that bit of information slip. He really was quite distraught.

“Oh,” she said. “Is that all? Does it have a name?”

Atlas gave her a look like she was a lunatic. “Why should it have a name?”

“No reason. I thought I saw one like it in the market the other day.”

His face deepened into an ever skeptical scowl.

“Why the fuck are we talking about this?”

Cloris smiled. Atlas was not the Primary nor the true king. He had no idea.

“You’re right,” she said. “About the girl. If you’ll release her into my care, we can proceed.”

“Where will you take her?”

“That is yet to be determined.”

“How can I trust you’ll return to do what you’ve promised?”

Cloris pressed a hand to her chest as though she were offended by the question.

“Your Majesty, I am a messenger of Zerra. I would never lie.”

Atlas narrowed his eyes. “You’ll take an escort of my guards with you. My captain will see that you’re watched.” He paused.

“And protected,” he added as an afterthought.

Cloris shuddered at being in the presence of those creatures, but she dipped her head. It made sense, and Atlas was actually doing her a favor. When Lor’s magic released, she might be hard to control. Cloris would need someone to contain her. Once she had her hands on the ark, she would simply disappear, leaving the girl with Atlas’s guards.

She’d also have to find a way to return and get her hands on Aphelion’s ark, but one problem at a time.

“Very well,” Cloris said, bowing at the waist, ever the obedient servant.

Atlas clenched his jaw. “Fine. But if I find out you’re lying to me again…”

“Understood,” Cloris said. “Just bring her to me.”

They turned their heads at a knock.

“Come in,” Atlas called.