Page 4 of Atlas Epilogue

Lifting his head from where he’d dropped it on Gavin’s collarbone, Atlas looked up at him and smiled. “I think you’re going to be great at this mage thing.”

Flames danced in the pit at the center of the circular room. Violet and Fred had conjured big, comfy couches from somewhere and set them to bracket the fire on all sides.

Gavin watched the flames and rested against Atlas’s side. Charlotte sat on his other side talking to Violet. The rest of the mages and Fred were spread over the other couches.

In celebration of his becoming a mage and his air element, Fred insisted they’d needed a party. They’d had pizza, beer, and now Lark and Pike were skewering marshmallows to make smores. It had been a fun evening. Gavin leaned more fully against Atlas, enjoying the feeling of his strong arm draped around his shoulders.

“I’m sorry Kerak wasn’t able to make it,” Atlas said quietly.

Gavin tilted his head back enough to meet his gaze. “It’s okay. He said he needed to stay with Reid for the time being. Which I get.” He rested his hand on Atlas’s thigh. “If you needed me, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Warmth—more potent than any fire—filled Atlas’s gaze. He pressed a kiss to Gavin’s forehead before resting his own against it. “Neither would I.”

Gavin took it for the vow it was. He’d learn to fully control his power. He’d learn how to be an effective mage and protector for other carriers like him. And he’d do it all with Atlas at his side.

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