The last seven days had been hell in all sense of the word. He wished he could have done like Talon, and walk away every time a woman approached him. Every woman made an attempt to touch him and he wanted nothing more than to squirm away and let everyone know he had a mate.
Half of him hoped that she would come tonight but why would she? She hadn't made an appearance thus far. It baffled him, her shy nature towards him that is.
Tonight he would appease the people. Almost every unmated female was here for this event. Most he hadn't met during this week.
His mother had taken care of the preparations for this as he had taken care of the preparations for his departure in two days. Talon had never ridden a horse before so finding him a horse that wouldn't shy away from them all was a task for sure. All of the horses in the stables had been claimed, but thankfully they were able to borrow one from a soldier that wouldn't be leaving his station any time soon.
It was funny to watch Talon learn how to ride. The horse in question was very temperamental, but within two days both horse and rider were used to the situation.
Atlas didn't miss the fact that Talon ate in his room the last two days and had meant to say something about it but he hadn't gotten the chance to do so. Something was irking the boy, and while he showed up for his shift and for training, he wasn't all there.
He had given him the night off for that reason, and would hopefully see him in better spirits come morning. He had done a lot of training sessions with his traveling group so they could form a comraderie and for the most part it was working. Raylen seemed to be the odd one out though, and he hoped to fix that as they traveled.
Mykel was to attend as his personal guard tonight. Atlas had allowed him to have a guest, and he'd obliged, it was a girl from home he said. One that he considered a dear friend. Atlas was intrigued. He didn't know much about Mykel's personal life other than the parts everyone knew. This woman wasn't something or someone everyone knew though.
The festivities had started already and he greeted each woman and her escort for a time before mingling with the crowd. The women had their scales on display as a way to tell if any were his bonded. They were all beautiful women, but none were his...
"My prince, I've been looking all over for you," it was Mykel. He had almost forgotten about his presence.
"Forgive me, friend, I felt the need to hide away from expectations for a few," he replied. Atlas noticed that Mykel's companion had yet to arrive. He commented on her absence.
"She is on her way. It was a last minute decision on my behalf so it left her little time to prepare," Mykel responded.
It was time for a dance. The musicians had their instruments ready and he needed a partner. Leaving Mykel he found a female with sky blue scales.
"May I have this dance," he asked
"Of course, my prince," she curtsied and taking her hand in his all he felt was a cold clamminess. She was nervous.
"You were introduced to me, but I don't recall your name," he said. She replied with Lyra. She was not his mate. Once the dance ended he thanked her for the opportunity and she thank him. This continued for three more dances and three more females. He focused on the females with blue scales because he thought that maybe she would be here.
He took a break from the dancefloor. Mykel was standing on the edge of crowd and Atlas made his way to him.
"I had hoped she'd be here Mykel," he whispered. Mykel either didn't hear him or ignored him.
"I'm sure you'll find her my prince," he said a few seconds later.
"Has your partner come? I don't recall any new faces or people being introduced.
"Oh, yes, she did. She didn't want a grand entrance. She's getting us some drinks and here she is now," he pointed behind him. It was here he saw a woman in a gray dress, modest one at that, every inch of skin was covered by the fabric except hands and her head.
She was tall for a woman with shorter hair, red, much like Mykel's.
"I couldn't find a red w-" she stopped, and did a curtsy while balancing the two glasses she held, "My prince,"
"My lady," he gave a small bow to her in return.
"You mistake me, I'm no lady," she replied, "merely here for a friend," she gestured towards Mykel.
"Well, I'll consider your friend very lucky, you're a very beautiful woman," he said. How was his tongue so loose around her? She was indeed beautiful. Sharp features and slim. Her dress hugged her body nicely. She met his chin, which was hard for a lot of men to do, in height.
He face turned red in response to his comment and she fought back a grin.
"Thank you," she gave a small head bow.
"My prince, this is Tula," Mykel introduced after their little banter.
"Pleasure to meet you," he said.
"Likewise, I hear a lot of good things about our prince," she grinned.
They stood about watching the rest of the people for a bit. It didn't take long for Tula to down the glass of wine she'd picked up. She was nervous about something, he could tell by the way she shook her hands randomly.
"Mykel would you like a dance? I find myself itching to move," she asked. Atlas was very intrigued by this woman. She held such a confident demeanor yet there was something slightly off about her. Tula did not fit her, it didn't roll off of his tongue right and it was too simple for such a powerful presence.
He watched the way she danced with Mykel. They were truly friends, it wasn't some odd relationship. She was comfortable around him. And her smile was toxic because it had him wishing to know what she was smiling and laughing about.
They came back to him standing against the wall, watching others mingle. He noticed how everyone gave Tula the side glance. Curious but cautious.
He decided to ask a couple of ladies for a dance. He didn't bother to remember their names.
Once those dances had finished he took a break outside.
"-know why I can't,"
"You're risking everything by being here, so why not go the full length,"
"I won't argue about this anymore, too much is at stake for me personally,"
It was a couple...maybe.
"You're being incredibly selfish," that marked the end of the conversation and someone left. Atlas decided to be nosy and walk in the direction of where the voices were coming from and was almost barreled over by a woman.
"Fucking hell, I haven't do-oh! My prince, forgive me I thought you were someone else," it was Tulah. She was obviously flustered. An she assumed that the male voice belonged to Mykel.
"Dance with me, my lady. It sounds like you need a distraction,"
"I suppose a dance wouldn't hurt," she replied. He took her hand in his. Her hand was warm, not the clammy feeling he had grown accustomed to tonight.
"You'll have to forgive me, my dancing is poor, I didn't grow up learning to dance for social events,"
"I doubt you're that bad, but it is noted in case I'm proven otherwise," he replied. This earned a laugh. They positioned themselves as the musicians got ready. He liked the way she felt in his arms. Once the music began they moved fluidly.
"Earlier I was stepping on Mykel's feet, I'm surprised I'm not doing the same with you, it was why we were laughing," she said, "I only say that because I saw you watching us and I wanted to give you clarification," he was certain he was beet red. Had he been that obvious?
"Yes, you were being that obvious," she said. He hadn't said that allowed but merely thought it. He had to do a double take. Her face paled noticeably. The music was still going but she pulled away from his embrace.
"I have to go," she said.
"Wait, please!" He called. But she weaved through the crowd of people faster than he could. He was able to catch up to her at the front of the hall. He grabbed her sleeve but it tore displaying an arm full of vibrant blue scales, black creeping out from their center.
"I can't!" She yanked her arm away and broke out into a full run. He tried to keep up, but once she ran down the steps she was too far ahead for him to catch her. The option to transform would take too long and by then it would be far too late. He wouldn't even know where to begin looking for her.
I can't. Her words echoed in his head. He had
"What happened?!" Mykel suddenly appeared by his side.
"She was my mate, please Mykel, I have to know her, surely you'll be able to contact her," he said fervently.
"She had to have had a reason for running, my prince, I do not think she would be so foolish to return to a place where we might easily find her," Mykel told him bitterly. Atlas didn't like his words, but he was right.
He finished the night standing on the side of the floor. Pondering all of what had transpired. She carried no scent on her person which was interesting and concerning.
He knew she was out there, that was all that mattered now, and once he ended things in the south he would hunt her down.