"Well, that went… not well." I claim the seat Ronan abandoned.
Atlas stands from his relaxed position. "Ronan is spoiled. He's known for years he would need to take a wife, and his father has been more than generous with him taking his time."
"But he was promised a year." I remind him.
"Yes," Atlas agrees. "But Ronan is a fool if he really believed his father would give him that full year. Such is the way of kings and rulers." I flash him a dirty look and he puts his hands up in surrender. "I didn't say I agreed with it. I just understand how these political games are played."
The room goes quiet. I can't argue against what Atlas is saying. I myself was in an arranged marriage so I know what duty to my kingdom means. Had the Harlands not kidnapped me, I would be married to a monster, and Stars knows how long it would have taken before I learned the truth. If I ever learned the truth.
But I have a soft spot for Ronan. He's young and has so much weight on his shoulders. I understand why he frequentsPrue'sand spends most of his free time with his cousins. He didn't askto be the next king but at the end of the day, he will be and he'll have to act accordingly. Unfortunately for him, the time is now.
"Well, dinner won't be ready for another hour," Eris breaks the silence. "So, if you want to rest or unpack before then…"
I smile and nod. "I could definitely use some time to relax."
Finn sniffs the air. "Did we leave the rolls in the oven?"
"Oh, shoot!" Eris cries out and darts into the kitchen. "They're all right!" she yells.
Finn bobs his head at me and Atlas before following Eris into the kitchen.
Atlas motions toward the staircase. "Care to rest upstairs?"
All the sadness I carry for Ronan suddenly dissipates and heat radiates through my entire body.
"That sounds nice." I smile and make my way up the stairs.
Up, up, up, to the third floor where my room is. I'm practically sprinting to reach for my bedroom door but suddenly, Atlas catches my hand and tugs me back toward the staircase. "Come with me."
I don't argue because if he's leading me to his room for some much-needed alone time, I'm all in. Well, once I shower first. Then I'm all in.
We traipse up the wooden staircase one more level and sure enough, he pulls me to his door. With a gentle nudge, he pushes me in front of him and presses his chest against my back. "Open it," he whispers.
I swallow hard, not sure why butterflies are fluttering in my belly, but I do what he instructs and open his bedroom door.
My mouth falls open when I see he's moved my things in here and sitting atop his mattress is a narrow-tufted box with the dagger Bastian gave me nestled inside. I whip around and he smiles down at me, although his typical swagger is waning.
"Figured you would want the dagger back," he says when I don't speak. "The decoy mission didn't run into any trouble, so they brought it back."
For some reason seeing the dagger leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I'd much rather toss the knife into one of the canals than holster it to my hip again. But then I hear Nyx's voice in the back of my mind reminding me it's Dwarven made and extremely valuable.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," I lie but then decide to be honest. "Actually, yes. I… I'm not sure I should keep this dagger anymore. Since it was a gift from Bastian and all."
He shrugs. "A weapon is a weapon."
"So, you think I should keep it?"
"It's Dwarven made." He looks at me like I'm crazy.
"You sound like Nyx," I huff.
"Keep the knife for now," he says. "But if it bothers you that much, I'll purchase you another one so you can replace it."
"You'd do that?"
"I think you should know by now that I would do anything for you, Shaye." His smile nearly brings me to my knees. It's then I remember it's not just the dagger he's brought to his room. All my belongings, the few I've acquired since I've been here, are all now in his bedroom.
