I grabbed my clothes, hissing as I brought the sweater over my head. By the time I was dressed and heading outside, Atlas was nowhere to be seen. I scanned the area, frowning as I began to pack up the tent. Time dragged on and worry quickly took over as I followed the sun through the sky. The thought that Ri knew what had happened made me feel sicker than I already was. What if he’d take Atlas? Hurt him? Worse? If Ri discovered we were mated, he’d kill my other half.
Turning, my pace increased. Atlas, dead? I heaved, slapping my hand over my mouth as adrenaline mixed with emotions I hadn’t had since Ri’s clearing. This fear, anger, these sensations were new to me—never felt before by my soul. I couldn’t lose him. I couldn’t even imagine being separated from him. The world wouldn’t stand a chance if we were parted. Ri’s tie told me that. I could feel the evil in me for the first time. Its weight grew, only to slink back into hiding, but the damage was done. Joined with my new bond, no one stood a chance if they tore us apart.
Movement blurred in the distance, and I jolted to a stop as Atlas rushed through the clearing of the trees. His shirt was off, and he was holding something. Although curiosity was there, I knew nothing but his presence. Once I started running, I couldn’t go fast enough. Worry clouded his face, and he scanned the area as he met me.
“Thank god you’re okay.” I threw myself into his arms, holding tight.
“I’m okay.” He searched my face, brushing my hair back. “You’re not.”
“No. You were taking so long. I was scared.”
A smile pulled at the side of his mouth.
“You were worried about me?”
I dropped my hands, clasping them in front of me. “You know I was. You felt it, didn’t you?”
“I may have. Don’t worry, it was horrible. I didn’t enjoy your fear at all. But I got you this.”
He held up a bag, smiling more as his arm wrapped around me, leading me to the camp.
“What is it?”
“Berries. They’re my favorite. These, only these. No others will do. I want you to try them.”
I grew quiet, waiting until he stopped next to the burnt logs before I continued.
“Atlas, I couldn’t feel you. It wasn’t like that yesterday. I could feel you at all times. I can’t anymore.”
He didn’t look at me as he put down the shirt.
“I blocked you. I wasn’t sure it would work, but I had to know. For…” his lips curled, “him. I don’t want him hearing us. You’ll have to learn to block him too. It’s more of an awareness. Like a flip you switch in your mind. You’re strong enough now. Watch.”
His emotions flooded me, only to disappear.
“Try on me.”
My eyes closed, and I imagined just what he said. Lips crushed into me before I could ask him.
“Perfect. You were there, and then you were gone. Do that. Think of him and turn his communication off. To be safe, flood the switch with white light. We’ll take every precaution we can.”
I did as he said, feeling a weird twist in my stomach.
“I got you something. I think this might help too.”
He pulled a black stone from his pocket, placing it in my palm and wrapping our fingers around it to hold steady. Tighter, he squeezed, emphasizing what he wanted me to hear.
“This is what took me so long. It’s obsidian. It will absorb any negative energy that gets near you. With the protection of the land, and you holding onto this, you should be safe. He won’t want to come near it. But if for some reason he does, you have me. You always have me.”
“You have me too.”
Atlas leaned in, kissing my forehead. His attention went to where the tent had been, only to lower to where everything was packed. Lust ignited within me as he picked up the berries.
“You didn’t have to put away the tent. I would have done it.”
“That’s not what you were thinking.”
“Ah.” He laughed, pushing one into my mouth and pulling me in. “I will admit, I was hoping to have you again before we left. But I don’t need a shelter for that. I’d much rather take you right here under the sky. Let the universe see first-hand what it has done by bringing us together.”
“Let it see?”
“Yes. Do you know the odds of us finding each other? Of our mating? It’s a miracle. I’ve been thinking, and I know I’m right. I was meant for you, and you for me.”
“And if the universe could speak, what do you think it would say about us?”
“She has already spoken, my mate, and she rejoices. You have proof of that on your back. The size and detail says everything. We are more than a good match. We are the match.”
Again, he pushed a berry into my mouth, then popped one into his own before going back to the pile.
“These are from the universe?”
“They are.”
I leaned back, staring at the open sky. Teeth grazed against my neck, and the love and light I held inside increased a million-fold.
“I’ve been waiting my entire life to feel like this. There’s so much peace in the air. So much…love.” I breathed in deep. “I like being with you in this place. It feels right. Like I’ve found what I’ve been looking for.”
“That’s because we’re finally home.”
The pang in my chest had me looking over to Atlas. The happiness faded, and he shook his head, stepping back.
“As home as a Paltenian can feel anyway. I’m sorry I’ll be taking it away from you. I’ve missed it here. I could have made you happy as your king. Happier than some real estate guy in Los Angeles. I’ll make it up to you, though, I promise.”
“The location or what you do is irrelevant. As long as we have each other, that’s all that matters.”
“Maybe.” He nodded. “We’ll figure it out. Perhaps we can go back to Boise. Or you can move to Los Angeles. Wherever will make you the happiest, we’ll make it work. For now, we need real food. And this,” he said, pulling out the blanket from the bag. “You lay here and rest. I’ll get a fire going. Let’s see what we have to eat.”
One by one, he withdrew the boxes of food, scrunching his face as he did. When he noticed I was still standing, he pointed to the blanket. I couldn’t help but smile as I sat and watched him.
“This is not going to do at all. My mate needs a meal. Something good. Something fitting for our first meal together.” He stood, glancing toward the mountains in the near distance. I laughed at his thoughts.
“What do you plan to hunt with? You have no weapon.”
“You’re talking to a former king. We’re never without a weapon. These,” he said, lifting his hands, “can bring the mightiest of monsters down. Be right back. Feel free to test yourself. Watch me. See what I do.”
Chapter 16
Cara
A happiness radiated from Atlas I hadn’t felt before. It made my own flourish. I laid back on the blanket, closing my eyes as I tuned into him. Darkness surrounded me, as did his concentration. I held to his emotions, searching for what he must see. A good minute passed before elation shot through, but nothing else. No scenery. Only emotion.
Watch me. It was so important to him that I see what he was made of. Not that I had any doubts. His body was a tank, heavily built with muscle. And he was quick. I’d seen that first-hand. Still, I was curious to witness him in his element.
Pressure in my forehead built as I stared at the black ahead. Trying to link my sight with his wasn’t working in the way I had hoped it would. My thoughts drifted to school lessons. To things I never thought I’d use. Of what I knew of the brain and how it worked. I moved my attention to the general location of the pineal gland. It was located between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, what some referred to as the third eye. In a book I once read, it showed a picture of a spiral, meant to be energy, rising through the throat and into the pineal gland. From there, a cone radiated from the forehead. It was true the pineal gland had a lens, much like an actual eye. There had been accounts on the s
ubject in school. We’d even had to do a paper on our views. Why couldn’t I remember more? It’d been so long ago, and halfway through was such a blur.
Deep, steady breaths left me as I tapped into Atlas’s knowledge on meditation. His brain was at my mercy, and the new bond between us had to be the reason. The quick flashes of who he was and what he stood for nearly took my breath away. Anything I wanted to know about him was a thought away.
“Do you see me?”
His voice pulled me from the realization, and I quickly grounded my energy to the center of the earth like I was supposed to.
“I’m trying. Give me a minute.”
Instead of trying to penetrate where I thought the vision should show, I tuned into my heart. It felt right from what I had suddenly learned from Atlas. The power radiating through my chakra made itself known in a tingling richness. Slowly, I followed it up, pulling the energy so it merged with the energy of my throat chakra. A suffocation sensation was brief, fading as I didn’t give into the fear.
“Rise.”
My command sent the power moving higher. I imagined it reaching my pineal gland, sending images of what Atlas could see like a projector.
Nothing.
I started over, this time reaching further into my solar plexus. As I drew it toward my chest, what sounded like a voice cut through in the distance. My eyes opened, not sure whether it was in my mind or from the thick trees not far from our clearing. Sitting, I looked around, but didn’t see anyone.
“Hello?”
Even as I said it out loud, I mentally projected the greeting. What I got back was a chilling warning I couldn’t quite understand. My skin began to crawl, and intuition begged for me to run.
“Hello?”
Seconds passed.
“Due…north.”
Jumping to my feet, I grabbed the blanket and shoved it into the hiking bag. I didn’t wait as I picked up the smaller one holding the tent. I didn’t know this place or what it held. And I sure as hell didn’t want to find out unprepared.
I took off toward the trees at a sprint. The whisk of air that spun around me came from nowhere, yet it was all around. Oxygen exploded from my lungs at the arm that locked around my waist from behind, and the bags went flying from my grasp.
“Atlas! Atlas!”
I thrashed, throwing my elbow up, half expecting to connect with Ri’s face. What I hit had me screaming even louder. Somehow, I managed to twist in its grasp, pounding into ghostly skin like my life depended on it. Solid black eyes oozed liquid the same color as night, and specks of light glittered throughout the wetness. It streamed toward its cheek, and I found myself slowing…mesmerized as a scent I couldn’t place magically calmed me. It was a man. And he wasn’t hurting me. The half-ghostly apparition wasn’t even moving anymore.
“Put me down.”
I fell in a heap. Still, it stood, staring down at me, crying the most beautiful tears. Footsteps pounded up from behind me, and Atlas pulled me to my feet, tucking me into his body as he moved us back a few feet. His fear overwhelmed me. The thought of losing me was all I knew. He was panting heavily, and the slight growl that rumbled his throat reminded me of an animal.
“Impossible,” he whispered.
“What is it?”
“Dron. Are you injured? Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head.
“I didn’t think so. If he wanted you gone, you’d be dead. You wouldn’t have even known he was coming.”
“What does he want?”
Atlas grabbed my shoulder, leading me behind him. A high-pitched screech shot from the Dron’s mouth as the front part of his body dropped forward. The piercing sound sent my hands slapping over my ears. I stepped around Atlas as angry voided eyes narrowed, but he grew quiet.
“He shouldn’t be here,” Atlas whispered.
“Is the Dron forbidden too?”
Atlas’s arm protectively wrapped across my chest, holding me tightly. “No. They’re ninth density. They don’t live on this plane. Has he said anything to you?”
My brow creased as I tried to remember. “I think he said due north. I couldn’t tell. He’s not coming in clear.”
“Is there something we need to know?”
At Atlas’s question, the man drifted forward. He was more floating than walking, but he was solid. Birds chirped in the distance, and the wind howled through the trees as the sky suddenly darkened. Tighter, Atlas held, while we waited.
“I don’t think we’re able to hear him,” I whispered.
Slowly, the man’s hand rose, fading out so much, it almost disappeared. An image dyed the air a good foot above his fingertips, wavering with the breeze as it became clear.
“See.” The deep tone drifted through our minds.
A dim cavern of stone spun in a slow circle, revealing old symbols and what looked to be runes carved into the walls. The picture flickered, and bodies sprawled across desert ground, covering almost every inch. A deep groan from Atlas vibrated my body, and I felt his heart break as a large throne suddenly became centered again. Big pillars towered on each side, carved with designs I didn’t understand. As if someone was walking, a crown grew closer, sitting in the middle of the large seat, glistening in the dim light.
“Future or past?” Atlas exploded. “Future? Or past!”
The image disappeared, and my knees buckled as vibrant green bled from the trees around us. The grass turned brown in a wave, and where there was once life emerged a valley of death.
“Past.”
“No. I did this.”
The Dron shook his head once. Again, his hand rose, the air above turning black before a mass of conflicting forces rushed each other. I jumped at the solid contact, feeling it reverberate through me as if I were there. But I wasn’t. What I was feeling was Atlas’s response. He’d been to war before. He knew what to expect. Metal clanked, and screams became haunting in my ears. Although the sky was dark, it was an eternal night. The land of Ri.
A woman with long dark hair and a sword cut through men, making a path as she raced toward the walls. Blood splattered her beautiful face, dampening her hair. Atlas lowered next to my face, trembling from adrenaline as he clung to me.
“Kelu. My sister.”
She reared back, stabbing the sword through the creature-version of the Ri. As she withdrew, another lunged, causing her to step wide to slice it open. More and more, the monsters crowded in. So many, my mind couldn’t understand the number. Hadn’t they been near extinct?
“Not that way, Kelu. To the right. Right.”
The woman was back to running, swinging at anything that got close. Four Ri feasting on the stomach of a fallen warrior, snapped their heads around, gaining incredible speed as they made their way toward her. My nails dug into Atlas’s forearm, and I held my breath as she hurdled over a fallen pile of men. She was yelling, pointing her sword toward the large wall where their king stood. I took in the confusing look on Ri’s face, almost panic, and I felt sick as one of the creatures shredded her arm open with his claws. She spun at the force, driving the thick blade through him, but it was too late. Another’s weight hit her, and she went flying at the force.
Atlas curled around me, whispering denials for what he saw. As two more Ri flew to the ground to intercept, another went airborne at her kick. She kept trying to get up, but they were so much bigger. Just when I was sure there was no way she’d survive, a bright light burst around and encompassed her. Creatures fled, the ones in the circle with her burning alive. Ghostly arms swooped her up, and they were gone—and so was the projection.
“She lives.” Atlas wiped a tear from his face, letting out a shuddering breath. “You saved her.”
Words tried to enter our minds. When I shook my head, the Dron eased toward us. With one finger, he placed it against Atlas’s temple. The roar was immediate as Atlas threw himself to the side, falling to his knees. Light illuminated inside, so bright, his skin was impossible to look at. I reached for him, stopping as the
Dron grabbed my bicep.
“He needs help. You’re hurting him.”
Multiple expressions flashed over his ghostly features. The first was what I clearly saw as surprise. The second, a defeated anger. I was spun, the back of my sweater lifted. I barely cared that he saw my brand as I watched Atlas claw at the earth. His body arched, and he fell to his side, his legs kicking out. As if something was attached to his stomach, the middle of him was drawn inches off the ground toward the darkened sky. A finger traced the lines and curves across my back, tapping near my shoulder.
“I’m right here. Atlas, just…” My face snapped to the Dron. “What did you do to him?”
Broken sentences I couldn’t make out ended with one clear word. One that gave me hope.
“…heal.”
My lips parted at the twinges of pain beginning to affect my own body. I winced, unable to take my stare from Atlas.
As if a hole was shot through my back, thickness entered me, squeezing into the opposite side of my chest, from my heart. It had been where the man tapped. More loud noises left Atlas, but not those of pain. His eyes were right on us. Glowing eyes. Murderous eyes. With one last yell, light exploded from his body in a shockwave of power. It threw me into the Dron, who didn’t so much as budge. His hand was still in my chest, still tugging and prodding around.
“Breathe, human. There we go. You are sick, but no more. My mating gift to you. The future is hard enough without you being weak. What I cannot do is break your tie to Ri. There is one thing that will perhaps help. See the world on his level. Open your eyes and truly see, ancient one.”
Strumming against Ri’s cord was agonizing. I sucked in air, trying not to scream as he removed his hand from me. Five Ri surrounded the circle of light domed around us in their reptilian state, snarling as if they couldn’t wait to devour us whole.
“Do not fear. They can’t see you. That is why they’ve come out of hiding. They know not that I’m here. But they watch. They wait to see what is happening.”
Atlas rolled to his side, pushing to his hands and knees. He rose unsteady, swaying as he swallowed back the sickness I suddenly felt because of our bond. I went to him, grabbing around his waist. His sway nearly brought us both down, but I held tightly as we gave our attention to the Dron.
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