CHAPTER 36 

(RHEA’S POV - IN ATLAS'S BODY)

"Ugh… I can’t wait for this banquet to end," I muttered to myself, each step feeling as heavy as lead, my enthusiasm about as high as a deflated balloon. "And staying alive, of course."

With a final deep breath, I braced myself for the grand entrance into the banquet hall. But as I stepped out from behind the towering mahogany pillar, I collided with someone.

“Ah!” A familiar voice yelped.

The figure in front of me staggered backward, and instinctively, I shot out a hand to steady them before we both ended up on the floor.

“Are you alright…?” I asked, trying to get my bearings. As my eyes adjusted, I realized who it was. “Atlas?”

“You! Rhea!” Atlas gasped, breathless and wide-eyed. He glanced over his shoulder, clearly rattled. “Dud! You've got to listen! Hera approached me at the banquet, and Caden—he told her to apologize! Then he took me outside, and—”

“Whoa, slow down!” I interrupted, gripping his shoulder gently. “Take a breath, Atlas. I can’t unders