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His long strides devoured the distance between corridors, leaving me bouncing gently against his shoulder while the palace blurred past. I still hadn’t actually seen much of where he lived, yet somehow, we were already halfway there. This, despite the fact that I was being transported like some stolen treasure, gave me full license to tease him about it.

“Do you think we’ll actually get there before sunrise?”

The growl that answered me was entirely playful and also made me shiver against him.

“Behave, my unruly little bird.”

“You know, I feel at this point I should remind you that my legs work just fine.”

“So do my muscles,” he stated, making me scoff.

“Yes, yes, very impressive, macho man, but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that I could be making this journey right next to you.” I pointed out, which was, unsurprisingly, ineffective.

“Yes,” Atlas replied without missing a beat. “But they are so little and therefore don’t walk as fast as mine.”

I narrowed my eyes, but from my current angle, the gesture was largely wasted, although the floor got a really dirty look.

“Well, I would suggest we run there, but I think that might look strange, and you’ve probably frightened enough of your staff for one evening,” I said dryly, and his chest shook with a chuckle, which meant so did my legs, which were still pinned to his torso.

“Impatient?” he asked in a smug tone that made me scoff.

“You would be too if you felt like a sack of potatoes,” I grumbled with a huff.

“I think you’re being rather harsh on yourself,” he stated, making me frown before falling into his trap by asking,

“How so?”

“I can think of a better vegetable.” His reply was met with a roll of my eyes, which, once again, was entirely wasted, especially since I was still staring at the floor.

“You’re comparing me to vegetables now? What am I then, a damn turnip?!” I snapped without any heat, and the laugh that escaped him made me bounce slightly over his shoulder.

“Stop laughing. You’re gonna make me pee myself, you brute!”

“Then I suggest you stop making me laugh by saying ridiculous things,” he answered to this predicament. Not, ‘here sweetheart, let me help you with that and put you down on the perfectly useful feet you own…’ Oh no, it was to stop making him laugh. Yeah, well, I wasn’t about to do that anytime soon… not when I was addicted to the sound.

“And I suggest you get there quicker.” Was my own witty response.

“Would you like me to jog?” he asked. “Because I don’t think that would help with your bladder.”

I considered it and then admitted, “Perhaps not.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” The insufferable man sounded entirely too pleased with himself.

A few moments later, we rounded another corner and came upon an enormous set of double doors. Even from upside down, I could tell they were impressive. Dark wood carved with intricate patterns stretched from floor to ceiling, framed by polished stone and decorated with enough gold detailing to remind anyone approaching exactly who lived beyond them.

The King.

Atlas didn’t break stride as the doors swung open as if on their own accord. Of course, he could have just kicked them open, and I didn’t see… either way, it looked impressive.

And then we stepped inside, and suddenly I forgot all about the conversation.

“Wow.” The word slipped out before I could stop it as I put my palms to his lower back and pushed myself up so that I could take in the room. If it could even be called that, as it was enormous, easily several times larger than my own bedroom I had been shown to earlier. It also somehow managed to feel both regal and unmistakably masculine at the same time.

A massive stone fireplace dominated one wall, its carved mantel depicting ancient battles and crowned warriors, while rich tapestries hung between towering windows overlooking the mountains beyond the palace. The colors of the sunset spilled across polished floors and dark furnishings. A warm glow illuminating a seating area large enough to host an entire gathering, complete with deep armchairs, carved tables, and shelves lined with books and maps.

My attention continued traveling. Then, traveling some more. Then stopped entirely.

The bed.