Page 3 of Fate of the Sun King

“No,” I say, my words clipped. “But this is killing him.”

I emphasize the last word, hoping that might rouse Atlas’s attention at the very least. In the eyes of the Mirror, death by neglect amounts to the same outcome as slicing his throat with a dagger.

“If you don’t do something…” I trail off, allowing the threat to dangle between us.

“Everything will be fine once I’ve bonded,” Atlas says with a wave of his hand, and I want to demand an explanation for what that means.

“Speaking of which,” I ask instead, even knowing he won’t answer, “I’ve heard you’ve pushed the ceremony date again. If bonding will solve this, why do you keep delaying?”

What game is Atlas playing? He’s refusing to bond to Apricia while simultaneously extolling the virtues of doing so. None of this makes any damn sense.

“I have my reasons,” Atlas says, evasive as ever. “Do you have any leads on where Lor is yet?”

“This all has something to do with her,” I say again. This is far from the first time we’ve had this conversation, and it definitely won’t be the last. “Tell me what’s going on. Why does she matter?”

Atlas rolls his shoulders before he takes a deep sip of his drink. “The less you know, the better, Gabriel. I’m doing this for your protection. I only ever have your best interests at heart.”

I ignore the colossal absurdity of those last statements as I press him further.

“But if I knew, I might be better positioned to help you. I wouldn’t be searching blindly.”

It’s the truth, but it’s only partly why I want to know.

What I really want to understand is whose side I should be on.

Atlas exhales a drawn-out sigh as though I’m the one who’s in the wrong here.

“Knowing why I need her won’t help you find her. Do you have any leads on where the fuck she is?”

I shake my head. I have thoughts and theories about where she might be, but something is keeping me from sharing that information with Atlas. A deeply rooted premonition tells me this is the right move.

Nadir came to the Sun Queen Ball asking about a missing girl. Worried Atlas was doing something reckless with Lor, I revealed her to Nadir, or at least I tried. Did he see the tattoo on her shoulder before Atlas threw him out of the palace? Was Nadir the one who took her? Why would he care about her at all? Why do I care?

Despite everything, my duty is to protect Atlas, not for his sake but for Tyr’s.

There were no clues left the night she disappeared, and I’m starting to wonder if she dissolved into mist. It wouldn’t surprise me if she somehow got herself out. Almost from the beginning, I was positive she was hiding something. And she proved she was resourceful when she made it through the Trials, even with help.

“You need to find her,” Atlas says. “The future of this kingdom depends on it.”

“Why?” I try again. “Why? She was a prisoner from The Aurora. Why does she matter?”

“Come on, Gabriel. You know by now she’s more than that.”

I clench my teeth at the condescension in the king’s tone. I’m this close to going over the edge and beating him to a bloody pulp. But that would be pointless. It would land me in the dungeons again, or worse. I shudder at the idea of Tyr’s fate, locked in a tower, never able to roam free. Just the suggestion dredges up too many memories I’d rather forget.

Thankfully, I’m saved from my murderous impulses when the door to the study slams open.

“Atlas!” Apricia spits as she storms into the room. Her long dark hair is peppered with streaks of gold, and she wears an over-the-top golden gown that is completely ridiculous given the hour of the day. “I’ve just been told you postponed the bonding ceremony again!”

Her voice is high and fever pitched, shrill enough to shatter crystal. It complements her face, which flushes red. Her eyes shine like she’s about to dissolve into a waterfall of raging tears. Why did she have to be the winner of the Trials? Literally any of the other Tributes would have been better.

“My darling,” Atlas says, the words infused with false warmth. “It couldn’t be helped.”

“Don’t ‘darling’ me,” Apricia says, raising a finger. “My father is furious!”

“Hmm” is his reply as he places his mug on the table with a clink.

“Answer me!” she practically screams. “Why have you delayed again?”