Page 145 of Fate of the Sun King

I look over, feeling eyes on me, and notice Atlas watching. I keep my expression neutral—I am nothing but a servant clad in golden armor who knows how to keep his mouth shut—but I worry that he can sense what I’m hiding.

I inhale a sharp breath at a stabbing twinge below my ribs, and resist the urge to bend over. Fuck, that hurts. I hope that whatever Nadir and Lor are planning, they get on with it soon. A bomb is ticking over all of our heads.

For the next two hours, I stand on the sidelines, shifting from foot to foot as I grow increasingly miserable. It’s hot in here, and the air stirs with a toxic residue of bodies and alcohol and noble snobbery.

Another couple enters the room, and I tense, recognizing Hylene, the woman who was with Lor. She’s stunning with her long red hair and that body of luscious curves. If I were a freer man, I’d fantasize about all the things I’d like to do with her bent over a table.

What is she doing here? I think I recognize the Fae she’s with as Apricia’s brother; her arm is looped through his as she pretends he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever seen. At least, it seems like she’s pretending. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, and her laugh sounds a little forced, but her date seems oblivious.

Either they’re in a relationship, or she’s here to spy for Nadir. I’d bet money it’s the latter, and the twist in my stomach intensifies. How many more secrets can I keep before I collapse under their weight?

Hylene and her companion sidle up to Atlas and Apricia, kissing cheeks and uttering bland platitudes typical of these gatherings. When they’re done, they find themselves refreshments and mingle with the crowd.

I blow out a breath and roll my neck, wondering how much longer I have to stand here. I wonder if I threw myself from the window, whether I’d survive the drop to the rocks below. I’d probably break a few bones, but at least that would get me out of this.

Finally, after what feels like a hundred years, the guests start to slowly drift away, returning to their respective rooms to sleep off their inevitable day-drinking-induced hangovers. It’s moving towards evening, and everyone will want to get some rest before the presentation begins tomorrow. I’m dreading it already.

Eventually, Apricia stands, and Atlas follows. They toss out a few more goodbyes and then retreat further into the queen’s apartments.

To everyone else, it will look like Atlas plans to spend the night with Apricia in her room, but I know he has no intentions of doing so.

I’ve never quite figured out if it’s because Apricia holds no attraction for him or if he’s too consumed with his schemes to consider such matters right now. Atlas has never been one to shy away from female company, but I don’t think anyone has truly held his attention in years.

Once Atlas and Apricia disappear, I catch the eyes of my brothers. Not waiting another moment, we all duck out of the room, heading towards Atlas’s apartments. He’ll use one of the palace’s many hidden corridors to make it back to his study, where he’ll be expecting us.

We arrive at his wing, and the door to his study flies open a second later.

“Gabe!” he barks. “Enter.”

I exchange a look with the others but do as I’m told, closing the door behind me.

Atlas paces the room, and it’s obvious I’m not the only one feeling the physical effects of current events. Atlas looks tired and worn in a way I’ve never seen him before.

“Any news?” he asks.

“I’m sorry, no,” I say, and then tamp down my wince at the pain that shoots up my spine. He stops pacing and looks at me carefully. I try to keep my face bland, hoping he can’t read my lie.

“Atlas,” I say, hoping to distract him and finally learn what’s going on. Maybe if I understand what he wants from Lor, then I’ll feel less guilty when I’m forced to reveal her. Maybe it’s not that bad. “Please. For the thousandth time, tell me why. What do you want her for? Your bonding is in two days, and I don’t think you’re going to find her in time.” I carefully use the word “you” and not “we,” hoping that’s enough of a half-truth.

Atlas spins on me. “You think I don’t know it’s in two days!” he shouts, his face turning red. He’s shaking with fury, his hair wild and his eyes wilder.

“This is all going to fall apart if I have to bond to that… woman!”

“What is?” I ask, taking a step closer. I’m no stranger to Atlas’s outbursts, and more often than not, he’s all bark and no bite. “What is going to fall apart?”

“I’m going to bond to Lor, Gabriel,” he says, and only part of that surprises me. There was a reason she was in the Trials, and after what she told me, I understand he wanted access to her power as a Primary.

What I don’t understand is how Atlas plans to make any of this happen.

“I don’t follow,” I say, pretending I don’t know who or what Lor is.

He looks over with a patronizing smile. “No, you wouldn’t.”

“Atlas, please,” I say. “I’ve spent a century holding my tongue. Years wondering how you’ve managed any of this. Why has the Mirror allowed you to keep up this charade?”

The words hang in the air. These kinds of sentiments have always been forbidden, but there is no hiding from this anymore.

The corner of Atlas’s mouth curls up.