Page 52 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
No, no.
He refused to leave her in the deepest recesses of her own mind, when he knew she wouldn’t be able to find her way back by herself.
“I’m not afraid of you.” He glanced around the lengthening shadows. “Or your magic.”
She blinked in surprise. “You’re not?”
“No, Everinne. I’m not.” Atlas raised his arm, uncurling his fingers one at a time. “Take my hand.”
She hesitated, scraping her teeth along her bottom lip. Her gaze remained focused on his outstretched hand and when she lifted her eyes to meet his, those captivating pools of turquoise ringed with gold held him spellbound. And he knew then he would go to the ends of the world for her.
“Come back, Wildheart.”
Her hand reached for his own, hovering above his open palm.
“Come back with me.” To me, he wanted to say.
Everinne placed her hand in his, interlacing their fingers together, and Atlas didn’t waste a second. He pulled her flush against him, withdrawing his magic and bringing Everinne back with him.
She was still in his lap on the floor of her room, and he quickly moved his hand from her heart to her shoulder. The looming black and violet shadows receded, vanishing from sight as her power waned. He continued to stare down at her, holding his breath, silently counting each second until her lashes fluttered open.
She looked up at him with sleepy, hooded eyes. “Atlas?”
“Yes, Wildheart?”
“Thank you for coming to get me.” Everinne relaxed against him, her body going pliant in his arms.
“You’re welcome.” His fingers idly toyed with a few fallen strands of her hair.
Her full lips pursed to one side. “I’m still mad at you.”
Finally, Atlas grinned, pulling her into a sitting position. He pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead. “I know.”
A deep, almost devastating sigh escaped her.
“Zoryana told me she can’t be seen with me anymore. She said she has to go into hiding and made it sound like she wasgoing to leave the city. Perhaps even leave Prava.” She dropped her head onto his shoulder. “I’m assuming it has to do with what you told me the other night, about immortals disappearing.”
“It’s likely,” Atlas agreed. Zoryana was a notorious witch with the ability to absorb and harbor the emotions of those around her. Not only that, but her coven was one of the most powerful within Prava’s borders. It would stand to reason that they would conceal themselves and seek refuge elsewhere, especially if the situation became more out of hand. “One of the vampires from Morvayne has gone missing, as well as a few other immortals. I’m afraid it’s becoming a more serious matter than I originally thought and the kralv refuses to do anything about it.”
Everinne sat up then, moving away so she faced him fully. Her sweater dipped low but he ignored it, forcing himself to look into her eyes instead.
“Should I be worried?”
“No. I—Veros and I won’t let anything happen to you.” Atlas ran his hand along the back of his neck, hoping she wouldn’t implode with his next suggestion. “That being said, I know I can’t change your mind about working at the Mystic Obscura…”
She instantly stiffened, planting both hands behind her on the hardwood floor. Her brows narrowed, but he continued before she could interject.
“But,” he added quickly, “would you at least consider finding another form of employment? Preferably in a place not hidden away by a veil of glamour?”
Her nails tapped against the flooring, and she tilted her head so a tumble of dark waves fell around her. “I’ll think about it. But the pay is good, and I need this job. Besides, I’ve only worked there one night. I need to stay for a few months to start. It won’t look good if I bounce between jobs every couple of weeks.”
Atlas didn’t even care, a win was a win. “So, you’ll consider it.”
“I’ll consider it.” She pushed up from the ground and planted her hands on her hips. She peered out the window of her bedroom where twilight was bleeding across the sky like spilled ink. “But I have to get ready or I’m going to be late.”
“Alright.” Atlas stood, dusting his hands on his pants. “But I’m going with you.”
She groaned then, rolling her eyes before pinning him with a hard stare. “And what will you do while I’m working?”
