Page 8 of Fate of the Sun King

“What are you doing here?” he asks again, poisoning it with even more venom. “Do you have any fucking idea what will happen if Atlas finds out you’re in Aphelion?”

“Of course I know!” I snap. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in your fancy palace.”

Gabriel closes his eyes and sucks in a long breath as he begs for patience. “I’m supposed to be out here, Lor. But you are not. Where have you been?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “What are you going to do with me?”

He presses his mouth together, conflict warring in his eyes. Nadir told me Gabriel is essentially a slave, unable to disobey Atlas’s orders, existing with little agency of his own. At the time, it made me feel sorry for him.

“Are you going to take me to him?”

There’s no need to elaborate on whom I mean.

“I should,” he replies, but his words precede an unmistakable moment of hesitation.

“Do you have a choice?” I ask carefully, wondering how touchy he is about this subject. I can’t really hold it against him if some magical oath forces him to obey Atlas. Not that I think he’d be inclined to protect me either way.

His fierce gaze slides to me, his eyes blazing with fury. Okay, definitely touchy.

“I have my ways of getting around his orders.”

My breath hitches with surprise.

“Does that mean you’ll let me go?” My question probably sounds more hopeful than it has a right to be.

He seems to consider my question, his blue eyes swirling with that blend of anger and irritation I remember so well.

“I want to know everything,” he says finally. “Who are you? Why did I steal you from Nostraza? And how did you run away? Tell me everything, and I’ll do what I can to keep you out of his hands for now. But I can’t make that decision before knowing why he wants you and if you’re a danger to him or Aphelion.”

I try not to groan. What he’s asking makes sense, but how many people will learn my less-secret-with-each-passing-day secret before all of this is over?

That’s when a set of sharp footsteps draws our attention to a hooded figure ghosting down the alley. Someone else might find it ominous, but I know exactly who’s prowling towards us.

Gabriel visibly reacts as Nadir pushes off his hood, first in surprise and then with resigned exhaustion as he drags a hand down his face.

“I should have known,” he says.

Nadir smirks and then shrugs. “Probably.”

“I take it you two know each other?” I ask, picking up on the familiarity between them.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Gabriel says, and I don’t know why there’s something nice about the fact that he’s also irritated by Nadir’s presence. At least it’s not just me.

“What are you both doing here?” Gabriel asks, throwing up his hands. “Atlas banned you from Aphelion.”

“Mmm,” says Nadir. “You know I’ve never been very good at following orders. Especially where Atlas is concerned.”

Gabriel once again runs a hand down his face and then through his hair, mussing the halo of his curls.

“I want an explanation. Start talking,” he says to me. “Now.”

“Not here.” I shake my head. “Anyone might find us.”

“Come on,” Nadir says. “Follow us.”

Nadir’s gaze falls on me before he jerks his chin in command. I roll my eyes as I push myself from the wall. Zerra, he’s so bossy.

Then he turns, and we both follow behind as we curve our way deeper and deeper into the twisting alleyways. As we continue, I listen for the sounds of the confrontation in the square, but either it’s over or we’ve moved out of hearing range.