Page 39 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

“Is that Atlas?” Castor cocks his head at me and back to the door.

“For cod’s sake, open the damn door,” the king shouts.

“That’s Atlas.” I yank the door open, and our king stumbles into the room.

“Fuck, Holter.” He dusts off his knees as he rights himself.

I give him a shrug before I pull him into a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too.” He slaps me hard on the back, like he’s trying to play the drums or test if I can take it. Hell, there aren’t many who can take a back slap from our king. Atlas is taller than me. His shoulders are broader. Moreover, his charismatic smile makes most fall over backwards to his will. He’s Diamont by birth, but his father was Glyden. Atlas spent a good portion of his childhood being doted on by his grandmother here, two floors above Muster and Alder’s pod apartment. When the Diamont Dome announced the king, all of Glyden was momentarily shocked. I swear there were a few who thought Atlas Zennon was Glyden and one of our own.

I’m glad he’s back. The power play amongst the governors hasn’t been able to tolerate a king who wants to go lead his troops in war. We need him here controlling the likes of Tinom, Stele, and Vitrom.

“When did thePolarisget back?” I ask.

“A few hours ago. I didn’t want a formal docking, not when our nation is falling apart.”

“Falling apart?” Castor raises his eyebrows.

“Yes, when we let a hero bleed out on the floor, I call that falling apart. We were scheduled for a private docking tomorrow, but I had the commander of thePolarisaccelerate our arrival. I was hoping to be here before Nico was sent out to the chasm, but that wasn’t possible.”

“Have you been up to see him?”

“Yes, and I was sent away. Even Muster wasn’t allowed in. Your mother is being quite the overprotective duchess.”

Castor shrugs; there’s no denying it. We’ve had quite a few governors over the years, but Ophelia Drakos runs our dome. With a golden glove.

“Where is my father now?” I ask.

“Muster’s gone to his apartment, I imagine. We’ll have his retirement ceremony when Alder gets better.”

“Retirement ceremony?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, you didn’t know? He told everyone on thePolaris. I figured his family would be aware.”

“No, but that’s not uncommon for Father.”

“I can see that.” Atlas stands just inside our doorway, Belle’s doorway. “Love what you’ve done with the place. The boxes add to the mystique of living on the seafloor.” He turns his head sharply to Castor. “Why in the hell is Nico living on the seafloor?”

“It’s the only thing available right now.” Castor touches the kitchen counter. “It’s not a bad apartment.”

“I see,” Atlas says, clearly not believing it. I suppose I don’t either. But Belle liked it, and that’s all I care about. Atlas cranes his neck around the room. “Where is this mate of his? I want to meet her.”

“She’s not here right now,” Castor says, his voice as calm as if he’s waving off a second drink from a server at the Crystal Snail, a favorite place of older mermaids.

“Okay then.” He walks around me. “Oh, coffee. How human. I would like a cup.”

I look at Castor and then go over to the machine. I know Belle is coming home. I suspect I know where she is, and I know I’m going to go get her the second Castor and Atlas are out of the way.

But then I remember the violence at the Glyden entrance. Maybe her staying with Eros right now isn’t too bad. And if we’re having that much trouble tracking her down, she’s definitely safer there than here. At least until Nico is healthy enough to help protect her.

I set myself up to make the strongest cup of coffee I’ve ever made. Atlas’s mother is one of the politest people on the planet. Is it wrong that I’m tricking her son, who is home from battle—a battlefield that I know personally? A place I never want to see again, perhaps? But I need them gone.

Atlas has settled himself into the sofa. He’s all but taken his shoes off.

“You’re going to stay?” Castor’s glare penetrates my senses.

“As soon as I go to the government center or over to Diamont Dome, my time is no longer my own. Right now, no one knows where I am. Well, no one but your sister, who told me to check down here.”

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