Chapter 8
Eight
Shaye
"Nyx was chosen by a Frost Dragon?" Eris' mouth flops open and her eyes widen. "How is that possible?"
Dinner tonight is certainly more lively than previous meals once the crew learns about Nyx's Frost Elf lineage. At first, Nyx is hesitant to mention anything, but one Eris starts rattling off question after question, he loosens up and a smile is secured to his face.
Atlas is the first to congratulate him and when I observe him during the rest of dinner, I don't detect signs of jealousy or anger.
I know Nyx was concerned his oldest brother would be upset, but either Atlas masks his true feelings exceptionally well – which I know he's capable of – or he's genuinely happy for him.
I'll know more once everyone separates for the rest of the evening and Atlas and I are alone in our room.
Despite the awkward start, the six of us enjoy a well-earned night of revelry.
We've all been so busy the last month – Ronan up to his neck in meetings, Finn and Eris doing whatever it is they do to occupy their time here, Nyx shadowing me while I train, and Atlas with Ronan whenever he's not with me – that we've barely had time to enjoy each other's company.
I can count on my hand how many dinners we've shared as a group since Bastian attacked.
As depressing as our reality is, I know no matter what happens in the next few months, they've got my back.
Once dinner has been consumed and desserts devoured, we all part ways for the rest of the evening.
I squeeze Finn and Ronan tighter than ever knowing they'll be boarding a ship tomorrow and leaving without me.
And when I wrap my arms around Eris, we both fight tears stinging our eyes.
She's become a sister to me, and I wish we didn't have to separate, but I keep reminding myself I will be reunited with them soon.
And hopefully, I'll be able to find some way to open the portal to Orabelle.
Apart from the fact my mother wants to see my father again, part of me feels like we will need Enver Sol in the upcoming war. I don't know if it's possible to reconstruct it, but once we make it to Tronovia, we'll have a better idea of what's possible.
Goodbyes offered and hugs have been given, one-by-one they all slip into their respective rooms as Atlas leads me into our chambers and closes the door behind us.
Finally alone, I can finally check on Atlas. "Are you all right?" I ask, attempting to get a proper read on him.
He flashes a bright smile my way and wraps his arm around me, tugging me against his chest. "I'm better now that we're alone." He kisses my forehead. "Are you all right?"
I slip my hands up the planes of his chest and over his sculpted shoulders, tempted to hop up and wrap my legs around his torso. But I refrain, remembering why I asked my question in the first place. "I wanted to check on you. Nyx is worried you're angry."
He pulls back, staring down at me, surprise in his green gaze. "Angry? Why would I – "
"Drexel choosing him."
Atlas' mouth opens and shuts, mulling over his words. "I'm not angry," he confesses. "Jealous, yes. But not angry."
His vulnerability makes my heart ache. I figured he wouldn't be upset with Nyx, but I hadn't considered he would be jealous. "Did none of your ancestors have traces of Frost magic once Baila married Kallias?"
"As far as I know, their oldest son, Erik, had fire magic, and their youngest son, Vali, had frost magic.
" He releases me from his grasp and plops down onto our mattress.
He rakes a hand through his hair. "When their youngest married a Tronovian, their children only had Fire magic.
After generations of no new frost wielders, it was assumed there would be no others. "
"What of their middle child?" I ask, claiming the spot beside him.
"Tor was born a non-Magical."
"Do you know what happened to him?"
"He went into politics from what I recall," Atlas sighs. I wish I could read his thoughts.
"Which son does your family stem from?"
Atlas barks out a hearty laugh that takes me by surprise.
"What?"
"I'm just realizing I could give Riggs a run on Tronovian lore." He snakes his arm around my waist, leaving his palm to wander across my hip. "To answer your question, my mother's side is descended from Tor. My father's side stems from Vali."
"So, what Thrane said is plausible? Nyx has Baila's magical blood?"
"Would appear so," he nods, tucking me closer against him, kissing my temple. "Train him well. Nyx might be as stubborn as a mule, but he'll listen to you."
Now it's my turn to laugh. Nyx listening to me is a feat I don't dare claim. But maybe Sylvane, or even Thrane, will have some success. But to ease Atlas' mind, I kiss his cheek and smile.
"I'll watch over him."
His own smile fades as he wipes strands of hair from my face.
"What's wrong? You seem lost in thought."
Atlas slides his hand into mine and squeezes. "I've travelled all throughout the realm, but this time it's different." He lifts our clasped hands and presses his mouth tenderly against my knuckles. "It's going to be weird not traveling with you. Not having you to warm my bed at night."
I've avoided thinking about this since my mother asked me to travel north with her without the others. But tomorrow, Atlas and the rest of my friends will board a ship and sail to Tronovia. I admit, I feel like I'll be missing out but I made a promise to my mother. I won't fail her.
"We won't be parted for long," I encourage him, though the words feel bitter on my tongue. "Just a few days, a week at most."
"To me, it will be a small eternity." With swiftness, he hoists me onto his lap to straddle him. "Who am I supposed to cuddle at night?" He plants small kisses against my neck. "I doubt Ronan will be a willing participant or an adequate replacement."
"I dare say he might throw a few well-deserved punches your way should you try." I chuckle, sadness washing over me. I cup his face in my palms and turn his chin upward. "I'm going to miss you, too. Don't do anything dangerous without me."
"I'm afraid you're taking the danger with you."
I suppress a smile. "You're referring to Nyx?"
"Oh yeah," he bobs his head, grinning like a fool. "He's been walking chaos since the day he was born."
"I'm sure he's going to miss you, too." A silence stretches between us before I say, "He feels bad you know."
"Bad about what?"
"Drexel. He thinks it should have been you."
Atlas exhales a deep sigh, filled with crushed childhood dreams. "I have accepted my lot in life, Shaye. A dragon isn't in the cards for me. Drexel chose him. That's the way it's supposed to be."
"But -"
He grips my chin between his index and thumb, silencing me. "Fate gave me you. And you are far more valuable than any dragon."
"How can I argue with that?" I tease, drawing a bright grin from him.
"Finally," he jokes. "Something we agree on."
"Oh, there are plenty of things we agree on," I undulate my hips and watch his eyes turn molten.
"Woman," he warns playfully.
I giggle before a seriousness passes over me. "Promise me you will be careful." The thought of Bastian and Vesper still at large is unsettling. My recent nightmares haven't helped ease my anxiety either.
He rests his hands on my ass, "I will be in Tronovia when you arrive. I promise." Mischief dances in his eyes. "Don't be surprised when all your belongings end up in my bedroom."
I arch a brow. "And why would they be there?"
He shrugs one shoulder. "Well, I would ask if you want to move in with me, but you already do. So, I'm moving you into my room."
I cross my arms, "Is that so?"
"Do you have any objections?"
"One."
"Name it."
I puff out my bottom lip. "What will I do when I get mad at you? Do I get to go back to the guest room?"
He digs his fingers into my hips, securing me in his lap. "Be angry all you like, Strenlys, but don't run away. No more running. We already know I'll chase you. Let's save us both the trouble."
"Fine," I succumb. "No more running."
"Good."
I reluctantly slide off of him and make my way to my closet to slip into a silk nightdress.
I might be dreading him and I parting ways tomorrow and want to take advantage of what time we have left, but if I don't sleep, I'll regret it in the morning.
And I know he won't make the first move to sleep, so I have to be mature for the both of us.
I slip behind my changing curtain and undress.
"Make sure Nyx doesn't do anything stupid," his voice rings out, and I sense his worry. "As much as he annoys me, I love the idiot."
"I doubt you need to worry about Nyx doing anything brash." I make quick work of stepping into a silk nightdress. "He's traveling with me, Thrane, and Sylvane."
"All the more reason to watch him." I hear Atlas padding around the room, undressing for bed. "Nyx has never been good with authority. Now that he has a dragon I fear he will be insufferable."
A laugh escapes my lips as I finish dressing.
"He will be fine." I circle around the curtain barefoot and spot Atlas leaning against the balcony railing.
Like every night, his shirt is nowhere to be found, and his sleep pants hang low on his hips.
My heart leaps to my throat and my lower belly aches. Suddenly sleep no longer interests me.
"Enough talk of Nyx," I approach him, swaying my hips side to side. "It's our last night together for a while and I don't intend to waste it."
"Oh?" His muscles tense with each step I take. "What did you have in mind, love?"
I tap my fingers to my lips, a coy smile overtaking my face. "I've never made love on a balcony before."
His hand slides up the fabric of my short nightdress and pauses between my thighs. "Until tonight."
I run my fingers through his hair, my breath already fragmented by his featherlight touch. "What if someone sees us?" I whisper, overlooking the city below.
"I'm not shy." Is all he says before he pins me to the cold outer wall and claims me beneath the stars.