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?"
