She pulled herself up higher onto his shoulders, nuzzling into his neck. “Thank you.”
He moved again, and a moment later, he was sinking onto a fallen tree, shifting her so that she was sitting on his lap. He slipped an arm around her waist and tilted her against his chest. “I’ll always come for you, Lindy. You’re not alone anymore.”
She nearly cried in relief at those words, and she felt the pieces of her heart slowly start to knit themselves back together. “What now?”
“That’s up to you.”
Lindy tilted her head back, unable to resist the temptation of teasing him. “I thought you weren’t respecting my wishes anymore.”
“Only if they’re foolish.” He gave her a mock glare. “Think very carefully, Your Majesty.”
She shook her head. “I’m not a queen anymore. That will be Ellie’s job now.”
“I suppose that’s for the best. Phoebe rather thinks she rules the roost, and she might not take kindly to an interloper.”
“You’ll take me with you?” Lindy searched his face, certain that at any moment, she would wake up to find that it was all a dream and she was still in prison.
“Of course I’ll take you. In fact, now that I think of it, I believe I’m politically obligated to carry you off.”
Lindy laughed as she relaxed into him. “That was spectacular.”
“It was Corbin’s idea—the carrying you off part, anyway. Throwing that nincompoop guardacross the room was mine. Maybe now people will see him for the greedy coward he is.”
“Did you see his face? He truly thought you were going to eat him.”
Atlas shrugged. “You have your reputation, I have mine.”
Realization struck her, and Lindy gasped. “Atlas. They probably think you’re going to eatme.”
His lips traveled in a slow, crooked smirk. “Between you and me, I’d rather taste you than him.”
“Atlas!” She tried to swat his chest with the back of her hand and winced, remembering too late the sorry state of her skin. He caught her wrist, bringing her fingers to his lips and gently kissing the healing blisters. Butterflies danced in her stomach.
“I’m just being honest, Lindy. If you’re coming to rule over my mountain, I want you to know: I love you. I don’t just want to keep you alive, I want you to thrive.” He cupped her cheek and dropped his forehead onto hers, and she leaned into his hand. “I want to spend each day cherishing and honoring you until you rewrite every memory that taught you to fear.”
A tear escaped, leaving a cold trail down her face until his thumb wiped it away. His hands held her securely, and his heartbeat echoing beside her ear was deep and steady. He was like the mountain he lived on, solid and dependable, and she knew:
Her heart was safe with him.
Shewas safe with him.
“I love you,” she whispered, unable to find any other words to capture the myriadof things she wanted to say.
But words weren’t necessary when he dipped his head, catching her mouth with his. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer and communicating with her kiss all of the things she couldn’t say out loud, and her giant responded, holding her fast and filling her with a love that knitted their hearts together.
And rather than be weighed down by him, she felt she could fly.
Epilogue
ATLAS
One year later…
The king was in his dining room.
Judging by Lindy’s laughter that spilled out into the hall, it was entirely her fault.
Atlas shoved the heavy doors open. Corbin, Ms. Fumley, and Lindy were all seated around the table, looking incredibly cozy and relaxed with steaming cups of tea in front of them and a tiered tray with frosted shortbread to the side.
