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He smiles at me, his lips quirking up at the corners with a lazy grin.
“As long as you want, Penn,” he says. “Now we should get going—Atlas is waiting.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
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PENN
Atlas is waiting for me.
He stands outside what look like wooden doors, painted with intricate details, his silhouette casting a long shadow in front of him. His entourage of guards surround him, all standing upright and at attention. The sun sets behind the house, making the whole scene look like a passage from light to dark.
I feel like I’m crossing into the underworld.
No one says a word as Keon helps me out and we walk together, in silence, to Atlas. Corvus stays behind me, but I can still feel his presence.
He’s staying closer than before. Every movement he makes reminds me of it. I can’t exactly tell him to back off, but it’s harder to do my job with him breathing over my shoulder.
“Wife,” he says, a smile on his face. “How were your travels?”
“Fine,” I reply. “Exceptionally fast, considering how far we are from Solis.”
“Yes,” he says. “Solis is far, which means this place is a safe haven for my family. Walk with me? I’ll show you around.”
We’re just…strolling along in front of his house. Because that’s what couples do. I resist the urge to look back at Keon or Corvus, and a smile tugs at the corner of Atlas’ mouth.
“Don’t worry,” he says. “Your belongings will be taken care of, and you will be safe with me and my guards. Your travel companions can stay here and get their bearings.”
I don’t think that was part of their plans, but he is in charge, so when I look from the corner of my eye, I watch them both walk into a large courtyard. Neither one of them looks back at me, but I can tell neither one of them is happy.
And they’re talking…whichcannotbe good.
Not that there’s much time to think about them, since Atlas is walking away, his hands behind his back and his shoulders square. He walks like he’s been in the military, his posture making him look even taller than he is, and he’s fuckinghuge.
“I don’t stroll around in Solis,” he says. “The city is dangerous, especially for royalty. But this…”
He takes a deep breath. The air quality out here is amazing, the kind of thing you’d read about in a historical novel. Above the village, trees flank each home, the canopy providing shade for the paved path.
“It’s better,” he continues. “Not perfect, but better. This is home, and I want you to feel more comfortable here than you did back in the city.”
“That’s very nice of you,” I say softly.
“Not at all,” he replies. “It’s your life. You deserve to feel safe. I know you’re not even on your home planet anymore, so I want to make sure to introduce you to what my life was like. If…”
I watch him as he trails off. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think he’s getting a little choked up.
“If we manage to produce a natural heir,” he says, and it’s clear to me he’s choosing his words carefully. “This will be their home. You will raise our child here. I want it to be your home, too, Penn.”
Okay, now I’m getting a knot in my throat. Keon was right. There’s something very likable about Atlas’ sincerity. Despite his inclination for domination in the bedroom, he seems so wholesome. He’s genuinely caring, and kind, and he’s done everything in his power to make this transition good for what he believes to be a random woman from Earth. It would be hard not to like that.
Plus, he’s definitely going to be a freak in the sheets.
“It’s beautiful here,” I say.
He smiles. “It is,” he says. “What was your home like?”
“Where I grew up? The suburbs of Seattle,” I say. “My parents weren’t rich, but they worked very hard to afford what we had. The suburbs itself weren’t very nice; you’ve probably read all about how bad pollution was on Earth before first contact. I know your species has helped, but…”
