Atlas and I finished dinner in our suite and spent the rest of the night in our plush bed. I finally slumped into a dreamless sleep a few hours later. My body was sore from training and spending those last few hours with Atlas, but the pain reminded me of early mornings spent with Nicki and Dustin, training with all of the other recruits.
As I floated in a dreamless sleep, something strange began to happen. I could see light dancing all around me, different colors and hues. Some were warm, while others felt like a cool spring day. I had no clue what they were, but reached out anyway. Some of the colors shifted and moved away from my stretched hand, while others went still, or continued about their business.
"That's incredible." I laughed, watching as Atlas showed me what he had learned so far.Alette, Atlas and I stood around the rim of a great fountain, bigger than most modern swimming pools. The tile at the bottom was iridescent and shimmered under the warm sunlight. There were fish and different aquatic life carved from the stone that made up the fountain. A stream of water spewed from the top, forming a dome over top.Atlas was currently kneeling by the fountain, dipping his fingers into the water. The stream that spewed from the top morphed into a horse. I could see the eyes and snout from where I stood. The horse was true to size, but then quickly changed into the form of a dragon."It looks like the tattoo on your back." I pointed out, touching the blue ink from beneath his shirt.He shivered from my touch and the dragon's form faltered for a moment. When he met my eyes, a lazy smirk sat on his face."Sorry, kitten. You're distracting." He teas
We met Alette back at our suite an hour later. She escorted us through countless hallways, halfway across the castle.Summer was in full bloom now, and I enjoyed every glimpse of flowers and the rush of warm air on my skin. It was especially nice in the parts of the castle that had no ceiling. Only pillars with billowing curtains, lined the marble walkway that we currently traveled down."There's multiple libraries in this place, but this one is my personal favorite." Alette told us, throwing a smile over her shoulder. "Adelina has her spying and seeing the future, and I have this.""The library?" I asked, glancing up at an ornate set of doors etched with golden filigree."Knowledge." She corrected, shoving open the doors with a single heave.My nose wrinkled initially as I expected the scent of dust and old books. Instead, I smelled vanilla and tobacco, leather and ink.Floor to ceiling bookcases lined the walls, all full of different volum
Ever since accepting Atlas as my mate, I've been learning new things about him. How unfalteringly loyal he is, and fearless in the face of danger. How he uses his words to tease and torment my body, until I'm breathless and begging for his touch. Atlas also happened to be a man of his word.I first found release with his face between my legs, his tongue making long, lavish strokes across my skin. The second time was with his hand twisted in my hair, and my face pressed into the soft pillows as he grunted and thrust into me from behind. His fingers had traveled around to the front of me, working me into another blissful orgasm.His movements and touches became rougher, and I enjoyed this side of him. The one that brought both pleasure and pain, and wielded them masterfully. His teeth scraped down my skin, nipping at me until small bites formed across my breasts. I had found my third release when his teeth scraped across my nipple. My back arched and my vision blurred as
The three of us hurried down the dark pathway within the walls of the castle. I could hear murmuring and excited chatter from the maids and servants preparing for the ball, just as I could hear the first wave of guests arriving. The heels I wore clicked against the smooth stone floor, and echoed in a symphony of short notes."She vanished once she reached the doors that open to the valley below. If she did leave the castle grounds, the forest will make it impossible to find her." Adelina huffed, hiking her lavender dress up to her knees. "We can't--"Adelina skidded to a halt; the only warning was Tamara's venom laced voice approaching.Atlas and I stumbled into one another, becoming a mess of limbs as we tried not to fall to the ground.'So very graceful, kitten.' His sly thoughts crossed over to mine.'We're the two clumsiest Fae to have ever existed.' I snorted, steadying myself on one of the smooth walls.Tamara was shouting at one of th
With the High Lady's cold, furious eyes on my face, I descended the stairs. My arm was linked through Atlas's, and more than anything, I desperately hoped I remained on my two feet. The stairs were long and curved around as they descended to the ground level where the crowd awaited.Atlas and I reached the bottom at the same time as Alette and Adelina. We stood at the base of the stairs, looking out into the sea of fae that chose to attend. As soon as our feet hit the ground, I was enveloped in the rich scents and addicting sounds of the ball. Music twinkled, upbeat and joyful before becoming slow and passionate. The mouthwatering scent of fruits and roasted meats wafted in every direction. It was easy to get caught up in the allure of it all, I realized. How freeing it would be to simply let go and enjoy myself for a change.Atlas's irritation snapped me out of my stupor, and brought me back to the present where danger accompanied the beauty that lived within this wor
We emerged in Atlas's living room, barreling through the portal so fast that I nearly took out the lamp that sat on an oak end table.Everything was shrouded in darkness. The billowing curtains were wrenched open, revealing the dimly lit street outside. It was late at night, but there was something almost somber looking about the neighborhood. There were no more toys littering the front yards, and some of the houses even had boards on the windows. It sent a sickening feeling into my stomach, one that Atlas picked up on immediately.As I flicked on the lights, I couldn't help but look around. I had spent so little time here since actually returning home. The moment I came back, things were just set into motion. Even though we weren't safe here, I felt like I could breathe just a tad better."We're here--in the human realm." Alette murmured, her eyes blown wide with both wonder and horror. She glanced around the living room, which seemed a bit less extravagant tha
"So, how did you find out I became fae?" I asked Tyra, finding it more than odd that she hadn't seemed too surprised. Nicki walked back into the room with a blanket in hand, passing it over to me before she flopped down beside Tyra. I opened the blanket as best I could with Adelina sleeping on the couch beside me, and covered her with it. She made a few sounds here and there, but nothing that would indicate she was seeing future events. I turned back to Tyra as she continued speaking. "Your fae friend, Finn, got here two and a half months ago." She explained, taking a long drink of the coffee in her hands. I felt a bit guilty considering they all looked sleep deprived. "He gave Nicki and I the run-down, told us you probably were chased into the fae realm. He let us decide to tell the boys or not." "Which we clearly didn't." Nicki chimed in with a roll of her eyes, "Dustin obviously has a thing for you, considering he's been frantically searching for you for t
Any anger I had felt towards my mom had long passed. She had made the best decisions for me at the time, but always put my best interest before anything else. Even though the pain had changed me, I had AtlasAny anger I had felt towards my mom had long passed. She had made the best decisions for me at the time, but always put my best interest before anything else. Even though the pain had changed me, I had managed to come out the other side."It's alright. What's done is done." I nodded, agreeing with Finn.I could feel the searing spikes of guilt digging their way beneath Atlas's skin. Even though his face was skilled into cool neutrality, I could feel the pain that hid beneath. He couldn't hide it from me, no matter how much he wanted to at times.'You understand what this means, right? It's not your fault that you rejected me.' I told him softly, hoping he could understand how much I meant this. 'Even if our beginning was rough, this gives us a chance