Page 57 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
Atlas drained his drink.
The sensual music crescendoed, signaling her act was drawing to a close as she swung, soaring on the hoop as applause ruptured around her. Atlas was fixated, enthralled, when the barest of movements down near the bottom of the stage caught his eye.
Jarek loitered near the bottom of the winding staircase and there was no mistaking the lascivious glint flashing in his eyes.
Atlas stood immediately, abandoning his suite.
Not today, demon summoner.
He would be the one taking Everinne home, not Jarek.
Atlas made his way to the menagerie, moving with speed and ignoring the calls of females who recognized him. He dodged their advances, heading directly toward the main stage, fully aware no one would dare stand in his way. Sometimes, being the imperial prince had its perks.
Heady magic coated the air as the glamour ensconced the stage once more, its ethereal veil concealing Everinne from view. She emerged a moment later, passing the next performer with a quick smile, and Atlas’s lips twitched with a smug sense of satisfaction when she noticed him waiting for her first.
Jarek didn’t miss the snub of her gaze and tossed a hasty glance over his shoulder to where Atlas stood. His eyes fired with indignation and simmering rage. The demon summoner forced an easy, carefree smile, but it was strained. Tainted with envy.
“Don’t you belong in your suite, Your Imperial Highness?”
Atlas tucked in hands into his pockets as Everinne descended the stairs. “I prefer the view from here.”
“Come on, Everinne. There’s a party downstairs.” Jarek tossed his arm around her shoulders, and Atlas knew it was only a matter of time until he had the demon summoner’s blood on his hands. This time when Jarek grinned, it was a taunting sneer. “Performers only.”
Atlas closed the distance between them in two strides, a silent challenge. “Where she goes, I go.”
Jarek barked out a grating laugh. “What, are you her bodyguard now?”
“Where she goes,” he repeated, the icy promise of death dripping from his tone. “I. Go.”
Everinne’s teeth sank into her bottom lip and she shimmied a bit, sliding out from under Jarek’s hold.
“Actually, Jarek, I promised Prince Atlas we’d explore the menagerie for a while.” She peered up at him, her sultry eyes imploring him to play along with her game. “Ready?”
He offered her his arm and she readily accepted, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. Atlas drew her to his side, his brows drawing together as Jarek glowered at them.
There was a pulse of dark power, like the chill of a thousand lost souls. It was almost imperceptible, the violent shift in the air, but it was just noticeable enough for Atlas to maneuver Everinne behind him. Jarek’s hands fisted at his sides, the ruby eyes of the skull rings he wore glowing like fire. The demon summoner snarled, and a low growl rumbled through Atlas’s chest. He bared his teeth in retaliation, arching one brow in a threat, daring Jarek to show the truth of his sinister nature.
“Got something to say, demon summoner?” Atlas taunted.
Jarek rolled his neck, his chest heaving. A vein bulged and throbbed at his temple. “You’ll regret standing in my way.”
Atlas scoffed, the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer. “We’ll see about that.”
He turned around, shuffling Everinne away from Jarek, guiding her through the throng of people milling about the menagerie.
“What was that all about?” she asked, her brows knitting together in a frown.
“I don’t trust him.” Atlas bit off the words, annoyed by her complete disregard for her own safety. She needed to pay more attention, to not be so oblivious to her surroundings.
“You mean you don’t trust me.”
Everinne released his arm and he spun, blocking her from walking away from him.
“Stop twisting my words. Sure, you can handle yourself in most situations.” When she even knew a threat existed. He held up one finger. “But to be perfectly honest, I’d rather not take any chances when it comes to you.”
She rolled her eyes, sliding past him to a display of treats behind a glass case. The gold tiers were filled with swirledlollipops, bags full of crystal gems which were nothing more than flavored sugar meant to look like diamonds, and an assortment of fizzy bursts. That particular candy had been his favorite as a child, he loved the way they popped and crackled on his tongue. He hadn’t had those in years. Everinne’s eyes widened, and she peeked up at him from beneath her long lashes.
“Will you buy me a lollipop?”
