Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 64359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Atlas stands up, hands me to Kronos, and proceeds to beat the hell out of Emrys. Another human suit is sacrificed in his protective rage as he comes bursting out of all semblance of civilization, fists replete with dozens of sharp edges as he lays into Emrys with gallant conviction.
“You are not father to anything, blood drinker. You are a corruptor of innocence. You defiled our mate and now you have defiled her offspring inside her very womb. You are fortunate we allow you to continue to have anything to do with her.”
The valker guards are looking incredibly perturbed, but there’s not a single one of them prepared to defend their king against the brutality and fearsomeness of a scythkin. Atlas is the kind of force of nature that awes even those who are sworn to protect.
“Beg for mercy,” Atlas demands. “Beg me to allow you to continue existing, let alone be in the presence of our pregnant mate.”
“She’s not pregnant with any offspring of ours!”
“You’re complaining that this one is too much of yours. Kronos and I do not care that the infant is not going to be ours. We know what matters is keeping our mate safe. We know that we love her no matter what her past. Kronos cleaned up every mess she made from that diner to this bloodied planet, and I am staying because I know she might not survive you.”
“Why let me live at all then?” Emrys asks the question while streaming rivulets of his own essence. “Why not kill me now and share her between yourselves?”
“Because she loves you. And because you are the only one who seems able to make her stop running. You have forged a connection she needs, and so I will tolerate you. But it will not be without pain if you cannot control your natural cruelty.”
I bury my face in Kronos’ golden mane, and I do my best to shield myself from the violence Atlas is enacting on Emrys. The valker king deserves it no doubt, but Atlas is right. I do love Emrys. I love him because he broke me. He took me to a place beyond despair and denial, a place you can only get to if you have experienced both of those things completely and entirely.
I suppose I don’t mind that he is being beaten. It might help him reach the same place eventually. Valkers are tyrannical, arrogant, vicious creatures, and Emrys is the literal king of them all. What Altas is doing is probably the best thing for him.
Emrys starts to laugh, lying on the floor and making no attempt to shield himself from Atlas’ onslaught. He’d let the scythkin kill him, I think. I don’t think he cares. I think I’ve had an effect on Emrys that he could never have predicted. I might have broken him as much as he’s broken me. I don’t know how, but I recognize that reaction.
“Atlas, that’s enough,” Kronos says, setting me down on my feet. “We need him alive. Or we at least want him alive. I think.”
Atlas backs off, a hulking, seething, sharp-edged beast flecked with blood all over his hard exterior. I will never get over seeing him like this. In his human suited form he seems powerful but mild-mannered. In this form, he seems devastatingly dangerous.
I am aroused just watching him. I need a protector, and he is a protector through and through.
Emrys rises from the floor without a whimper, much to his credit. He can take a beating just as well as he can give one.
“It would seem such questions are not going to be answered until such time as the little bastard is born,” Emrys chokes out. He says the term little bastard with enough affection that Atlas hesitates before smacking him across the face, open palmed.
“Enough, scythkin,” Emrys rasps. “I enjoy pain as much as the average valker, but your point is already made.”
10 ANCIENT HISTORY
Iam glad my mates know about my pregnancy. Kronos and Atlas are incredibly attentive. Foot rubs, massages, as many cuddles as I can tolerate. Kronos has me cuddled up in his arms on one of this poor planet’s natural wonders, a geothermal hot spring with sparkling effervescent water that feels lovely and tingly against my skin. The spring is located on the side of a mountain, which would be out of range for me, but Kronos carried me up here, refusing to allow me to walk on my own.
“Are you angry at me?”
I risk the question, which feels so natural to me even though there is less than zero indication that Kronos is even capable of being annoyed at me. He is the kindest, sweetest, most incredibly nice person I have ever encountered. I’d be concerned it is too good to be true, but his every action backs it up.