Chapter 15

Venus

The next morning, I was disappointed to wake up in an empty bed. It shouldn't surprise me as Atlas displayed rigorous discipline with his daily routine. He got up with the birds, reviewed any report received overnight from the Black Guard, planned or revised assignments, as well as answered any other communication involving security details for officials, prominent visiting guests, or special large gatherings or events. He would squeeze in one hour of training before, after, or in between those tasks, depending on their urgency.

Still, I wouldn't have minded a bit more cuddling with him or even a good morning make out session.

My stomach fluttered as memories of last evening flooded my mind. I had not meant for our first kiss to take us this far—not that I had any regrets. I was more worried about pushing his boundaries too quickly. Although I wouldn't have minded going all the way with him last night—after all, we were soulmates—I was glad we had not. The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I grew about what had taken place between us.

His whole life, his society convinced him that coupling for someone like him was essentially a crime against the people and the gods themselves. Had I caused him harm by indulging in my own desires? Granted, Atlas had been a willing participant throughout the process. He even took charge a few times. So it wasn't like I coerced him into anything.

But he's in heat…

That thought twisted my insides. Atlas was indeed in heat. So much so that he'd felt compelled to drink that tea to dampen his libido. But I stopped him before he could. Therefore, had he truly been in the right mental and physical state to make that decision last night? Had I involuntarily taken advantage of him in a vulnerable moment? With him being a virgin and having had no prior hope of experiencing intimacy with a female, it just added to the list of external factors that could have influenced his choices.

The pleasant warmth I initially felt thinking about last night gave way to a queasy feeling. I needed to find Atlas at once to assess the extent of the damage I might have caused and grovel for his forgiveness. Fuck, I knew better! For someone who prided herself on being level-headed, calculated, and very analytical, I'd utterly failed in properly assessing the situation before acting on my impulses.

I jumped out of bed, slipped on my dress, and made a run for my room where I took a shower and changed. As expected, I didn't run into Atlas who was likely training in the garden. By the time I stepped out of my room, I'd rehearsed what I would say in a billion different ways. All of them felt weak to me.

As I approached the glass doors looking out onto the garden, I stared at Atlas. He had apparently completed his training and was doing a few final post workout stretches while cooling down. He was truly a stunning male. Any other day, I would be drooling. But guilt clouded the possessive pride I felt.

Taking a deep breath, I slid the door open and stepped out onto the patio. Alerted by the discreet sound, Atlas jerked his head up. His instant smile upon seeing me froze then faded, replaced by a guarded expression. He straightened and watched me approach quietly. I silently berated myself for allowing the look on my face or my body language to give away my inner turmoil. I had hoped to ease into it. However, his initial smile gave me hope that maybe I was overthinking things.

Or maybe it's wishful thinking because he's still too addled by his current state to fully think rationally.

"Good morning," I said, the smile I tried to give him feeling stiff on my face.

My heart sank when his wariness shifted into a cool and closed off expression. Man, I was seriously fucking this up.

"Good morning," he replied with the distant politeness one gave a stranger.

I licked my lips nervously, annoyed that the speech I previously rehearsed conveniently chose to fly right out of my brain.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, flinching inwardly that this was the best opening I could come up with.

He narrowed his eyes at me, and his posture further stiffened. It was subtle but undeniable.

"I'm feeling just fine," he replied matter-of-factly.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it."

Fuck me sideways. Where the hell had snarky, smart ass, I-don't-put-up-with-anyone's-bullshit Venus gone to? I was acting totally brain dead right now. But then, I'd never been in such a situation.

This time, his face hardened, and a hint of anger sparked in his dark eyes.

"If there's something you want to tell me, Venus, just go ahead and say it," Atlas said in a clipped tone. "Is it about last night? Are you having regrets? If that's the case, just say so. I will not impose myself where I'm not wanted."

I recoiled and gaped at him in shock. "No! I don't regret what happened! Well, not exactly. Not really…"

I flinched and groaned inwardly at how fucking clumsy and pathetic I was being. The deeply hurt look in his eyes, quickly hidden, stabbed at my heart. I couldn't handle this more poorly.

"I see," he said in a frigid tone.

"No, you don't," I said forcefully. "I don't regret what happened between us. You are my soulmate, and I want a future with you. I'm just worried it happened too soon, that you were not ready, and that I took advantage of you."

It was his turn to recoil. He blinked then stared at me with complete confusion.

"How did you take advantage of me?" he asked, baffled.

"You were in heat. I came on to you while you were under the influence of a hormonal imbalance. Had that not been the case, had you been clear-minded, would you have consented to this? It goes against everything your society dictates. And I didn't perform my due diligence last night to make sure you were in the right headspace before taking what I wanted."

"You're trying to protect me!" he whispered to himself, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Of course, I am!" I exclaimed with conviction. "I don't want you to regret anything or resent that it happened or how it happened."

He stared at me with the strangest expression, his antennae flicking, and his mind spinning. I held my breath, waiting for his response. To my surprise, he snorted, then shook his head as if he couldn't believe this situation.

"This is the first time anyone has ever cared what I wanted and deliberately put my wishes and welfare before their own desires," he mused aloud with an air of wonder and disbelief. "You didn't take advantage of me. You didn't trick me into anything. I want you, Venus. I've wanted you from the first day. Granted, it was weak at first, but it has steadily grown. Yes, I'm in heat, and it influences me. But only a female I feel physically, spiritually, and emotionally attuned to can trigger that response. My entire being not only already consented, but it also longed for us."

The immense weight that had been crushing me since waking up suddenly lifted, and my shoulders slumped with relief.

I gave him a hesitant smile. "So… You're really okay with all of this? You're not having second thoughts?"

"Absolutely not! Last night was… the most wonderful day of my life. I want to be with you in every way… always. I chose you, just like you chose me. Yes, my society disapproves, but the past few days since your arrival has forced me to rethink and challenge many of the things I never agreed with but accepted as simply being our way. You are right that for our society to change, it has to come from us."

My heart soared, and a wave of emotions surged through me. He timidly extended his hands towards me. I willingly took them and let him draw me closer to him.

"But before I can push for global changes, I have to start with me. You made me realize that I deserve kindness and respect, that people cannot take from me and deny me basic rights and dignity unless I allow them to. Since birth, I've walked at the edge of life, content with the crumbs others deemed sufficient for me. No more. You are the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me. With you, I've finally gotten a taste of what it's like to truly live. You have given me a reason to fight. And fight I will, for us, for the future I never thought possible. So long as you'll have me, I'm yours, Venus. By choice."

I'd never been the overly emotional type, but his words, the look in his eyes, the depth of feelings emanating from him almost like a physical entity wrecked me. Tears pricked my eyes, and a quivering smile settled on my face.

"Then you are mine forever," I said in a shaky voice.

He looked at me with an air of pure adoration before leaning down and kissing me. I melted against him, my arms closing possessively around his firm body. I gasped against his lips when he picked me up then wrapped his wings around us. I'd never felt so sheltered and wanted than in this instant.

Obviously, we weren't in love just yet, but this further confirmed that we were made for each other. Things could have gone so horribly wrong due to stupid misunderstandings. But that we managed to openly discuss our respective positions on the matter boded well for our future. With us coming from such different backgrounds ethnically, culturally, and technologically, honest communication would be vital.

Atlas broke the kiss then buried his face in my neck. We remained in each other's embrace for God only knew how long. I could have stayed like this forever. When he finally released me, Atlas gazed at me with a tenderness that made me warm and fuzzy inside.

"Let's go feed you, my mate. Then we can run the tests you wanted your medical device to perform on me," he said in a gentle voice.

I nodded and let him lead me to the kitchen. We made quick work of our morning meal, then Atlas hopped into the shower while I prepared the medical module. Overnight, I received some initial analysis reports from the Enforcers' research center, based on the data I collected in Keryth Valley. As I mentioned I would perform this full medical evaluation on Atlas, they sent a detailed list of parameters they wanted me to set in order to test specific things that the standard evaluation didn't normally include.

Apparently, the little experiment we performed based on the vision Xarin shared with me opened quite the can of worms—but in a positive fashion. While my own scientific background gave me a lot of hints as to what the preliminary data revealed, I didn't possess the expertise necessary to fully assess them, let alone derive accurate assumptions or even make potential connections that could lead to a solution.

But that had never been my role.

Granted, I used to build medical equipment. But my job was to create the functions required by the medical experts and design the interface and data processing that would allow them to achieve their goals. That did not make me a doctor, just like being an excellent car mechanic didn't make you an ace race car pilot.

When Atlas returned, I couldn't help but ogle him a little. Technically, he could have gotten inside the medical pod still wearing his tarp and sandals. I remained quiet when he removed the latter, but weakly said as much after he took off the former.

"Do you prefer I put it back on?" he asked in a provocative tone. "Do not lie."

I scrunched my face at him. The smug look that settled on his face should have pissed me off. Instead, it turned me on. I really loved the confident and assertive side of him that was steadily emerging. It told me he was genuinely starting to believe in us.

"I'll take that as a no then, my mate," he said teasingly before sitting at the edge of the module.

Shaped like a bullet, it had a clear glass dome that opened like the lid of a box but retracted into the right side. From a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a stasis chamber or escape pod. I tapped a button on the interface located at the foot of the module. A double-sided holographic display was immediately deployed above it, allowing both the patient and the operator to see the screen.

It took a moment to comfortably place Atlas's wings within the device. It didn't help that he became aroused during the process. Having no shame, I not only enjoyed the view but indulged in a wee bit of groping while at it—not that he seemed to mind. However, I eventually got back to a more serious stance, explaining once more the extent of the test the module would perform, and the invasive information it would gather. Thankfully, by the time I was done, his erection had subsided.

"I trust you, Venus," Atlas said in a calm voice. "If you think this information can be useful, then I am happy to help provide it."

I smiled, leaned forward, and gently kissed him. I rubbed my nose against his, reveling in the gentle scraping of the small scales covering it, then straightened.

"You shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort. But if that happens, just tell me, and I'll stop it right away. Even with the dome closed, I will hear you normally," I explained.

He nodded. The trust in his eyes did funny things to me.

I launched the program. Atlas didn't flinch or stir, content to watch the multiple light beams of the various scanners run over him. He didn't balk when a few needles protruded from the sides of the module to prick different parts of his body for tissue and fluid samples. Simultaneously, the screen displayed a highly-detailed 3D model of Atlas, including skeleton, organs, nervous and circulatory systems.

Once done, I realized I had the most in-depth biological breakdown of a Black Promethean in the entire universe. The Prometheans who had been previously abducted had all been Polychromatics. As I opened the dome to let Atlas out, a sudden thought struck me.

"What's wrong?" Atlas asked when he saw me frowning. "Is there an issue with the tests?"

I shook my head. "No, but I was just thinking that your results alone are too limited a sample. Obviously, we're not doing an exhaustive study of the Promethean race. But it would be good to be able to compare your results with those of a few other Blacks to make sure we don't misinterpret things based on traits that might be unique to you, instead of shared by your people as a whole."

"That can be arranged," Atlas said without hesitation. "Many of my warriors would be happy to volunteer. And if your theory about us being the solution is correct, then you might want to test a few Whites as well."

"Oh, my God! You read the thoughts right out of my mind!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Any chance that could happen?"

He pursed his lips. "I can get a few Whites to come here, but it will stir a lot of discontent. Beyond the fact that the population doesn't like seeing them walking our streets, they will grumble even more finding out they are coming under the same roof as the Prism."

"Will they prevent them from coming?" I asked warily.

"So long as the whites are wearing a shawl, they cannot stop them from freely coming and going. But be prepared for Ajustus to try and create trouble over it as he keeps a close eye on what happens around this house," Atlas warned.

"Does that mean we should pass?"

"Absolutely not," he replied in a tone that brooked no argument. "Their bigotry and narrow-mindedness will not get in the way of this research. So long as no laws are broken, they can wail all they want."

"Excellent," I said, once again feeling turned on by this commanding side of him. "I will prepare the data and send it to the Enforcers' research lab and to Kyrene. Any chance we could go see her later today?"

"It shouldn't be a problem. I will inform her that we will drop by later on. Just let me know when you are ready to depart," Atlas said, making a show of putting his loincloth back on.

To my delight, once done, he drew me into his embrace and gave me a tender kiss. He lifted his head, studied my features with infinite tenderness, and caressed my cheek. Without another word, he dropped his hand, turned on his heel, and exited the room.

Kyrene greedily pored over the data I forwarded to her both yesterday and earlier this morning. In the back of the room, two of her assistants looked on the verge of having an orgasm as they also analyzed them. Their delight thrilled me as much as it did Atlas. He had come a long way since our first visit here where he expressed so much resistance to the concepts we discussed.

"How accurate is this data?" Kyrene asked, pointing at a printout of some of the readings I gave her.

It still boggled my mind to see them work with so many physical documents printed on actual paper—or rather their version of it.

"Extremely accurate," I said with confidence. "Why? What do you see?"

"If my interpretation is right, your probe is detecting a life form in this general area," Kyrene said excitedly. "Actually, more like multiple life forms."

I nodded. "I suspected as much but wasn't certain. Based on the latest readings, Their numbers have gone up, slightly, but unmistakably."

"Latest readings?" Kyrene asked.

"I left the probe underground," I admitted sheepishly. "Considering the harsh environment below, I initially thought it had been destroyed when the signal stopped. But then it resumed while we were flying back home. I don't know how much longer it will survive, but I'm saving all the data it continues to send."

"That's excellent news!" Kyrene said with a huge grin. "This could be the breakthrough we've been looking for. For decades, we suspected the presence of that life form, but our limited technology couldn't confirm it."

"You know what it is?" I asked, perking up.

"Maybe," Kyrene said hesitantly. "After the Thaudras that decimated Orist Valley, our people found a large quantity of large insects near the remains of the sacrificed who had not been completely incinerated. Unfortunately, those insects were dead and calcinated. The scientists at the time couldn't get anything out of them. All we have are a few sketches and their notes."

"You think they are related?" Atlas asked.

"We think they're the cause," Kyrene said with a conviction that left me reeling.

"The cause?" I asked with undisguised surprise.

She nodded. "We haven't encountered that species anywhere else on all of Sylvar. After Orist, the scientists specifically looked for these bugs at the end of the next Thaudras. Once again, a couple of them were found, in a similar burnt state. As it had been of much smaller scale and quickly stopped thanks to the sacrifices, we believe that's the reason so few of those insects were found."

"So their presence in Orist wasn't a fluke," Atlas said pensively. "But how could they cause such destruction?"

"Some form of disturbance destabilizes the magnetic fields below the Sibris. If Venus's readings are accurate, and the number of those insects indeed keeps growing, then whatever they're doing down there could be the triggering factor. Ideally, we would need to capture a few of them alive to see what they are doing exactly, and what the Blacks and Whites do to counter them."

The look she gave me made it clear she hoped I would offer to retrieve that sample for them. They didn't possess the technology to achieve it.

"I don't have the ability to capture those insects alive right now," I said carefully. "But I will relay your request to the Enforcers and see what can be done. As we speak, they are thoroughly analyzing the data I sent them."

"Thank you! Any help we get is a blessing!" Kyrene said with gratitude before taking an apologetic expression. "However, I'm baffled by this other data you sent regarding Atlas. Again, I do not want you to think I doubt the quality of your work, but I must ask how accurate those readings are. These numbers are off the charts."

"No need to apologize. We were quite floored as well," I said reassuringly.

Atlas and I then took turns recounting the vision Xarin sent me, which prompted us to test Atlas's casting abilities by the beacon.

"I'd never achieved such insane power before. The lightning bolt I cast rivaled that of a Polychromatic, and maybe even a White," Atlas said.

"Are you serious?!" Kyrene exclaimed. "You're still this powerful?"

He shook his head. "No. I felt it drain over time, although I remain a bit more powerful still than after receiving the Prism's blessing. I suspect that power will return if I try drafting again using the pure magic of the beacon's halo directly."

I couldn't repress a smile to hear him use the Universal translation of Sibris like I tended to do instead of its Promethean name.

"You need to test that again to confirm it," Kyrene said in a tone that brooked no argument.

"I agree. And I will ask a few of my warriors to perform the test as well," Atlas said.

My heart swelled with pride as I stared at my man. He underestimated himself so much, he didn't understand just how smart he actually was and what a great analytical mind he possessed.

"Excellent idea," I said, not mentioning that the same thought had surged in my mind.

"There's something else you should know," Atlas continued, a frown creasing his scaly brow. "Drafting from the Sibris sent me into heat."

Kyrene stiffened, as did I. It was a relevant admission for him to make. Every detail counted. But knowing his people's stance on the matter, I feared it would turn our only true ally here into an enemy. I braced for her to express disgust and outrage. But her shock soon gave way to the focused intensity of a scientist following a promising lead.

"What heat level are we talking about?" she asked carefully.

"Full heat. Not simply an awakening," Atlas replied in a factual fashion.

"By the Lights!" Kyrene whispered.

I didn't know how to interpret her expression or body language.

"Did you couple?" she asked.

I gasped, shocked she would ask something so personal, and mortified at the thought we needed to come clean about this for the sake of science.

Atlas turned his head to look at me, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he softly caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. Looking back at Kyrene, he held her gaze unwaveringly… unapologetically.

"We didn't couple, but we were intimate," he said in the same factual tone.

Of all the reactions Kyrene could have had, I never expected it would be this almost maternal approval.

"Have you noticed any change in you?" she asked.

I blinked, taken aback by the question, which seemed to confuse Atlas as well.

"No. I feel the same as before. Why?" he asked.

"In ancient folklore, there were tales of supernatural beings called Shadows. They were magicless and dark as night. But bigger and stronger than the commonfolk. On the days of Radiance, they would cast powerful magic through the Gift of Kiaris."

"What are the days of Radiance?" I asked with genuine curiosity. "And what is the Gift of Kiaris?"

"Radiance is a temporary event that occurs three or four times a year," Atlas explained. "During a Radiance, the sky is covered in dancing lights and the halo of the Sibris nearly triples in size. It is beautiful to behold."

"Oh wow! I hope I'll get to witness it. But what of the gift?"

"I don't know," he said, casting an inquisitive look at Kyrene. "I never heard of it or of those Shadows."

"There are many tales that have fallen into obscurity. But I believe they hold invaluable information and lost knowledge." She turned to me before continuing. "Kiaris is the Goddess of Light, our principal deity. Her Gift is how our forebears used to call the Sibris."

My eyes widened in sudden understanding. "Magicless, dark Prometheans were able to cast powerful magic on the rare days the beacons were at their maximum output!"

"Exactly," Kyrene said. "The first time I stumbled on that tale, I actually tested that theory. But the Blacks who participated showed no particular increase in power. Could it be because the Prism blessed you?"

"No," I said with a visceral certainty. "I mean, it's possible that it enhanced it, but Atlas felt a noticeable surge when he took position at the specific spot Xarin indicated in the vision he sent me. Your experiment probably failed because the subjects weren't standing at the right place."

"But now we know what to do," Atlas said with an excited smile.

"We do!" I replied with a grin.