Page 4 of Fate of the Sun King

Atlas uncrosses his long legs and stands, approaching Apricia. He’s wearing his most charming smile, the one I know so well. I can practically feel Apricia’s panties melting at the sight. I have no idea how she can possibly still be attracted to him.

Atlas cups her face in his hands.

“My queen. I want this bonding to be the most momentous. Most significant. Most memorable one to ever occur in Ouranos. I want them to strum ballads about it. Immortalize it in the history books. I want the story of our love and our joining to be one generations of High Fae tell their grandchildren centuries from now.”

Apricia looks up at him with such tender hope in her eyes that I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

“You do?” she whispers, clearly on the verge of blubbering and ruining her caked-on eyeliner.

“You know I do. I want everyone to understand how much my love burns for you, my queen. How much this means to me and to Aphelion. You will be the greatest queen they’ve ever known. And that, my love, takes time to get just right.”

Atlas uses his thumb to wipe a tear escaping down her cheek. I’ve nearly bitten my tongue clean off from holding in a derisive scoff.

“I hope you can understand and give me a little more time to sort out every detail. I don’t want to leave anything to chance. Hmm?”

He tilts his head with an imploring expression, and I watch in fascination, always amazed at how Atlas can talk anyone into doing anything for him, often to their personal detriment.

Including his own brother.

Including me.

When Lor lost her shit on him in the throne room after the fourth Trial, it was so satisfying to watch. I wanted to stand up and cheer. Finally, someone saw through his charm, even if it took her a little while to get there. It makes me even more suspicious about who or what she is.

“Okay,” Apricia finally says with a sniff. “I understand. It’s just that I want to bond with you so much.”

“I know, my dear,” comes his smooth reply. “And I do too. It’s my greatest desire, but I refuse to proceed until everything is as perfect as you are. Understood?”

She nods slowly, and he releases her face before he plants a soft kiss on her cheek. “Head back to your rooms, and I’ll come see you later. I’ve ordered some of those fancy pastries from Auren’s for you.”

Apricia’s eyes light up. It’s a little pathetic how easily she’s bought.

“Okay,” she says, somewhat mollified, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Will you have supper with me?”

“Of course,” Atlas says. “I just need to finish talking with Gabriel and take care of a few tasks.”

“And will you…” Apricia’s eyes dart to me, but she must decide I’m not worth censoring herself for. “Stay the night with me?”

Atlas gives her another patient smile and taps the tip of her nose. “You know I want to, but we agreed to wait until after the bonding, didn’t we? Please don’t bring this up again.”

She nods, her momentary buoyancy deflating like she’s been stuck with a thousand tiny pins. “Of course. Right. I’m sorry.”

With one last lingering look at the king, she turns to leave.

As the door falls closed, we both watch her.

Then Atlas whirls on me, a hard expression on his face.

“Find Lor, Gabriel. Now. I don’t care what you must do. Find her, or I can’t be held responsible for what happens next.”

With that, he spins away and strides for the exit before he pauses and looks back at me.

“I’ve also received word that Erevan is stirring up shit in The Umbra again. Deal with it.”

Then he slams the door behind him, leaving me staring after him alone.

CHAPTER TWO

LOR