Page 83 of The Lost Elemental

“Release her.” Atlas’s voice was a menacing growl.

Rage coursed through King Zephyr and his grip tightened. “I don’t answer to you, boy.”

“I told you she’s under my protection. Would you throw such an insult at me? At my father?”

A muscle along King Zephyr’s jaw fluttered, but he released his hold. His gaze narrowed on my face. “We’ll be talking later.”

A shiver ran through me at words that were far more a threat than a promise.

43

Atlas instantly pulled me into his arms. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

I rolled my wrist. It ached in a way I knew would leave bruises, but no permanent damage was done. “I’m fine. I just, he freaked me out.”

Atlas pulled back, his hands going to my face. Panic swept over his expression. “You’ve been crying.”

“I’m fine.”

“Not if you’ve been crying. I-I don’t know what to do about tears.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “They aren’t a bomb in danger of going off.”

Atlas pulled me back into his hold. “I don’t like you crying.”

“Noted,” I said, muffled against his chest. “Atlas?”

“Hmm?”

“If you don’t let me go, I’m going to be late for water class and I really can’t handle detention on top of everything else.” It was a miracle I even remembered what class I had. This alternating schedule was too much for my brain.

Atlas grumbled something unintelligible but released me. “I’ll walk you.”

He peppered me with questions the entire way. I told him all about the meeting with Headmaster Acker and how the man was growing on me. Then the run-in with King Zephyr. “He wanted to know about my burns.”

Atlas’s brow rose as he held the door open to the academic building for me. “Your burns?”

“He saw the scars on my wrist when he grabbed me.”

A rumbling growl emanated from Atlas.

I patted his chest. “I’m fine. You made sure of it.”

He made another unintelligible grumble. “It’s odd that he would be fixated on scars.”

“He probably wonders why someone who’s supposed to be so powerful couldn’t protect herself from fire.”

Atlas came to a stop outside my classroom, his fingers tangling in my hair as he tipped my face up to his. “You were a child. None of us have control early.”

“I bet Phoenix did.”

He leaned forward and brushed his lips across mine. “Cut yourself a little slack.”

I let out a huff of breath but nodded. “See you later.”

“You know it.”

I slid inside the classroom just as students were finding their seats. Whispers intensified as I entered. I kept my gaze on the floor until I found my seat in the back corner. It was the only way I missed him. Glacier eyes met mine. A muscle in his cheek ticked. “I’m Riven. I’ll be filling in for Professor Belthorn today.”