Chapter Thirty-two
LOR
strain against Gabriel’s grip. “What the fuck are you doing?” I yell atI him. “Why did you lie to me?”
It’s then that several things happen at once. Atlas bursts through the crowd, fury in his blazing eyes. He grabs me by the arm and yanks me towards him.
“Get him out of here,” Atlas says, gesturing to the Aurora Prince, and several guards materialize around him. “Now.”
“Why?” the prince demands.
Atlas’s voice is cold. “You are not welcome in Aphelion, Nadir. If I see you within my kingdom again, you will be shot through the heart with an iron
bolt on sight. Do I make myself clear?”
“You can’t do that, you pompous asshole.”
“You are in my territory. I absolutely can.”
The two Fae square off against each other, hostility radiating off them. I
don’t know who would win in this fight, but right now I’m pinned between them and am hoping it doesn’t come to that. The prince’s eyes flick to me, his expression unreadable before he steps back and casually smooths down the sleeves of his jacket, as if suggesting a fight with Atlas isn’t worth his time.
Nadir snarls at the guards hemmed in on every side. “Call off your dogs, Atlas. I’ll see myself out.” With that, the prince sticks me with a look that
implies he’s not done with me, spins on his heel, and walks away. My heart is beating so hard it feels like it’s trying to explode from my chest.
As soon as the prince clears the room, Atlas lets go and turns me around.
“What did you do? Why were you dancing with him?” He’s shaking with rage, his eyes blazing. He’s gripping my arms so tight he’s pinching my skin.
“Atlas, you’re hurting me.”
“Why were you dancing with him?” he roars, and I flinch.
“Gabriel said he was my mark,” I say, my voice trembling. The entire room has gone quiet, and everyone is staring at us. “He said I had to get his ring.”
Atlas’s expression darkens as he finally lets go and whirls on Gabriel.
“What did you do?”
Gabriel’s posture straightens, his hand going to his sword. “I was trying to protect you, as is my sworn duty.”
“You had no right!” the Sun King roars so loud that it shakes the entire room, a chorus of gasps emanating from the crowd. He’s breathing so heavily
his chest is heaving, his eyes wild as his gaze finds me. I step back, sensing everyone gathered behind me doing the same.
“This challenge is over,” Atlas declares. “Everyone will compete in the
final round.” Another ripple goes through the guests, this one confused, and I look around the room, wondering where Tesni, Halo, and Apricia ended up.
Did they trick their marks? It doesn’t matter anymore.
Atlas addresses his guards. “Make sure Nadir is gone and set up extra security to ensure no one else from The Aurora enters Aphelion. Every guard is on duty until the Trials are complete. Do I make myself clear?”
Gabriel takes a step, preparing to follow through on Atlas’s orders.
“Not you,” Atlas says to him and then gestures to the warder that once
guarded Solana before she fell to her death in the first trial. “Rhyle, you’ve been promoted to the Captain of the Guard. See to it this traitor is thrown in the dungeons until I can deal with him.”
Atlas points a finger at Gabriel. The other warders exchange wary glances, clearly hesitant to touch him.
“Do it!” Atlas roars, and Rhyle finally leaps into action, signaling for another warder to join him. Gabriel doesn’t resist as they each take an arm and escort him to the edge of the dancefloor. Before they ascend the steps, Gabriel turns and says to Atlas, “I was doing this for you. You’re making a mistake.”
“Get out,” Atlas snarls. Rhyle and the second warder guide Gabriel from
the room. “The party is over!” Atlas shouts to the shocked crowd. Then his gaze finds me again, fury mixing with something desperate and full of hunger.
Despite everything, I feel that look flare through my skin and plummet right to my toes.
He takes my hand. “Lor. You’re coming with me.”
