Amon/Dragon King's POV
Atlas huffed in my head, and I swear I could literally hear him roll his eyes in my mind, mumbling and growling about stupid, glorified Tinkerbelles while letting our eyes find Eir again. His interest in him was lost, and the need to see her itched every nerve in our body. Hades kept talking but to deaf ears.
"Write a diary or find someone who cares!"
Atlas` voice was deep and hoars but also way sharper than needed, even I felt that, and Hades flinched a little at his sudden outburst. But that god damned death-mutt would not give up.
"You should care!! They sacrificed 81 of their people! You know what that means, right? Or have your lizard brain turned into pink mush and a boner?"
"Well, they have always been a glorified species. They are probably trying to find the source of extreme beauty or sparkling hair. "
"No, you idiot! 81! Like nine times nine! The number of Odin's sacrifices, nine worlds, nine times. Think about it! And you do know how obsessed they were with Eir, right? You know this can't be good!"
"Okay, I admit that is a bit creepy. Even for those overgrown garden gnomes, but what does any of this have to do with me? With us? Or Eir, for that matter?"
I couldn't help that strange feeling that erupted high up in my stomach area, An itchy tingling that never meant anything good. Our vision yet again became devoured by Eir; everything around her blurred out to insignificant colors, but a cold disturbance would not let me enjoy the moment. Fay. How I hated those vain creatures. Dragons and fay once had a peaceful life together; at least, that is what the tales say. But as any dragon knows, the fay used us, held us back and down with their magic, and treated us like their personal slaves and pets. Their magic hold had long ago faded, but dragons still kept their distance. Not because we were scared of them but because, apparently, it's not allowed to kill them on sight. Stupid rule if you ask me!
"It doesn't matter, and she has me. And she has friends in places she doesn't even know herself, and nobody will ever touch her! As long as she doesn't ask for it."
The last sentence Atlas breathed out between my lips, filled with pride and lust without a trace of shame or attempt to hide it. Hades rolled his eyes and made a grimace while I snickered.
"They are up to something, and only a fool would overlook it."
"For now, she is here; for now, she is safe. That is all that matters. "
"And the moment she's not? Or the second it is too late?"
"That won't happen; I will never leave her side."
After a longer pause, Hades stated like it was the most obvious thing,
"Ahhh... She's your mate, isn't she?"
"Dragons don't have mates!"
"Keep telling yourself that, you overgrown reptile. That doesn't change the fact that the fay is up to something, and I am sure it all involves your little fling."
Hades' words swirl inside my head, churning over and over again while watching her. Tears had dried up on her skin, and now she was glowing. Her beaming smile sent warm waves over everyone around her. Atlas itched beneath my skin, aching to touch her, swoop her away, and keep her safe. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, and she turned towards us. Her beautiful eyes found ours, and again, my heart skipped a beat seeing how she smiled.
Even when watching me, and I struggled to keep Atlas down when she wrapped her arms around my neck, gave me a long, warm hug, and whispered thank you in my ear.
Her soft breath brushed the tender skin on my ear and neck, so I closed my eyes and let myself devour in the feeling of her scent and touch all around me. Breathing her, filling up my nostrils and lungs.
"For saving me, for taking me back here, and for being so kind."
"No, you should never thank me for something so marginal. It is the bare minimum."
Hades snickered behind me, and I quickly cleared my throat and straightened up when I heard my own breathy voice.
"I want to take you back. We need to keep you away from the fay."
Her soft hands slid up my cheeks, cupped my face, and met my stare with a warm smile.
"I know, but I need to stay here."My heart nearly exploded; the incredible sensation of her touch and her warm skin filled me with a feeling I'd never experienced before, but her words turned my heart to ice. An ice rock that dropped to my stomach in a beat of a second. Atlas growled and pushed, and all the arguments available in this world filled my presence.
But her stare never wavered, and her smile never faltered. Instead, she snuck closer, her little figure disappearing by my massive figure, looking up. Her hands still warm against my face, slowly pulling me down,
"I need to stay; I can't hide from this. I also need to find my sister."
She paused; the only thing between our lips was our hot breath and increased heartbeats. Before she continued,
"I want you here; need you to stay with me. Please?"
It was never a question in my mind, and there was never an inch of my being able to say no. She needs me, and she wants me. That is all I need.