Page 97 of Fate of the Sun King

It was partly the truth. She knew the arks could channel the magic of the Artefacts, though she wasn’t privy to the true extent of their power. She was almost certain she couldn’t actually force a bonding with the heir of Heart, but she just needed Atlas to believe she could long enough to get her hands on the girl. Once she had the ark, she’d do away with her and hopefully end Serce’s miserable line forever.

“And what if I refuse?” Atlas asked.

She hadn’t quite worked that part out yet. Go to another ruler? Could she risk yet another one of them knowing? Alluvion would be the only remaining kingdom that made sense, but Cyan already had his hands full.

Atlas was far more malleable towards this proposal. A pretty young face and a promise of power—that would sway him. Cloris hoped the girl was pretty enough, though she worried what the years in Nostraza might have done to her.

“How long have you been waiting, Your Majesty? To bond with someone who holds real power? When Queen Serce… declined you, was that not… troubling?”

His gaze flashed at those pointed words, the subject clearly still a sore spot all these years later.

“How do you know about that?” he snarled.

“Does it matter?” she asked, watching him with an unwavering expression.

But there it was. The moment she knew she had him.

This would be his chance to redo history. To take back what he’d lost.

“Do we have an agreement?” she asked.

He nodded, his eyes far away, as though he was turning over a thousand thoughts in his head.

“I’ll have to make some arrangements.” He’d long abandoned his drink and was sitting with his elbows on his knees, a thumb running across his bottom lip. “It might take time to get her out without alerting Rion.”

“Of course,” Cloris said. “It will need a deft hand to maneuver it, but I’m sure someone with your skills and resources can accomplish the task.”

“You’ll stay in the city then,” Atlas said. “As my guest, of course.”

“It would be an honor,” she said, concealing her triumphant smile with a deferential bow of her head. “I look forward to working with you.”

Atlas stood up then, rubbing his palms on his thighs. “I must get back.”

“Thank you for hearing me out.”

“I’ll make arrangements for you to stay in the city. It will be comfortable.”

“Thank you again,” Cloris said, once more dipping her head. When she lifted it, the Sun King was already gone.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

LOR

ON THE ROAD TO APHELION: PRESENT DAY

We make our way back to Aphelion. I haven’t said anything to Tristan about what I’ve learned, because I’m not sure how to break this to him. The Woodlands Primary. Will he be happy? Scared? As overwhelmed as I am?

Somehow, we’d always imagined it would be me on a throne with Tristan and Willow at my side—that was the story our mother painted for us. But maybe we should have anticipated our paths would eventually diverge.

“What’s wrong?” Nadir asks after we stop for a rest.

Mael and Tristan have gone off to explore, arguing with one another about what kinds of fish inhabit the nearby stream, while Nadir and I remain by the fire. Etienne has returned to the settlements to ensure everything is stable after the king’s men evaded their previous surveillance. After another sweep to ensure they’ve truly evacuated this time, he will meet us back in Aphelion to help with the next phase of our plan, whatever that is.

“Nothing,” I say.

He takes my hands in one of his and gives me a serious look.

“You can’t hide from me anymore.”