Chapter 5

Atlas

Istared in disgust at Japhyr's so-called elite. They were strutting and flaunting their attributes, each male and female rivaling each other in their pursuit of power. Only a handful actually cared about protecting the Prism.

The poor human had already been discussing with potential candidates for the past forty minutes. Despite the maximum of five minutes awarded to each person to make their case about how they would be the right mate for her to choose, Xarin's Prima would still need another two to three hours to go through the line of hopefuls.

Thankfully, she seemed to be a good judge of character. The speed and firmness with which she kept dismissing the vultures one after the other gave me hope. Granted, they brought the Ambassador's mate who could apparently read souls in order to help Venus make her decision. But from what I observed so far, he offered very little input, content to nod his approval every time she cast a suitor aside—which was every single one of them.

On a few occasions, I caught him studying me. It was unnerving. Knowing he could sense what emotions coursed through people, it shamed me that he likely felt what uncharitable thoughts filled my mind about my own people. Did he think me unfit to lead the Black Guard or disloyal because of it?

"Look at Ajustus, huffing and puffing with anger," Pythus said mockingly. "At this rate, he will give himself a heart attack."

"Indeed," Leodros replied with a smile in his voice.

I slightly frowned as I glanced sideways at my guards. They spoke in a hushed tone, and we stood far enough from the crowd that none would hear us—not that they would even pay us any attention. But it was still inappropriate behavior.

"Truth be told, I wish the hunan would choose him. Can you imagine Ajustus being married to a Monochromatic?" Pythus said with a chuckle.

Leodros snorted. "Worse, by her looks, she would qualify as an Achromatic. Although I've never seen one of that brownish color."

Both males laughed. I squashed my own urge to snort at the thought of that self-aggrandizing narcissist in fact marrying one of those he regularly made sure to remind everyone were lower than dirt and beneath him.

"Enough!" I snapped at the two males.

They immediately wiped the amusement off their faces and stood at attention.

"Apologies, Razus," Pythus said sheepishly. "We didn't mean to gossip. But it's such a unique situation…"

"It is," I conceded in a softer tone.

I wanted nothing more than to join in on the gossiping, but as the Commander of our homeworld's Capital City Black Guard, I had to set the example. That didn't prevent me from sharing their petty thoughts.

"What do you think of the hunan?" Leodros carefully asked. "You spent more time in her presence."

"It is not hunan, but human," I absent-mindedly corrected.

"Apologies," Leodros replied.

I grunted while reflecting on an appropriate response. "She seems smart but also very weak. I conversed with the human enforcer Tedrick while Ambassador Voln explained to her what would happen next. He confirmed Venus Bello does not possess magic, just like the Temerns. Apparently, no other off-worlder species channels colors as magic the way we do."

"Then why would the Prism choose her as his Prima?" Pythus asked, echoing the question that plagued me since Xarin rejected the Chancellor.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Pythus. But depending on which house she chooses to join, we may need to provide added security for her and the Prism," I said pensively.

"For her?" Pythus exclaimed, taken aback.

"If she's taken out of the equation, the Prism will be forced to choose another," I said in a factual manner.

Leodros recoiled. "Surely you don't think someone would murder her over this?!" He exclaimed in a hushed tone.

With a will of its own, my gaze flicked to the Chancellor. "I never rule out any possibility. And right now, my gut tells me that foul play is afoot."

"It can't be that bad," Pythus weakly argued.

I faced him, making no effort to hide how troubled I felt. "You know what new laws they want to pass," I said in a somber tone. "Thaudras is looming over Japhyr. When other cities were threatened, we always stood back and merely sent them our thoughts and prayers. But now that the center of the Promethean world is in jeopardy, our leaders will go to any length to preserve their way of life. Ajustus will have no qualms blindly sacrificing us in a preemptive strike. The only person who could stand in the way of him getting what he wants is the Prism. Whoever speaks on Xarin's behalf holds our fate in their hands."

My companions nodded grimly, our collective gazes shifting to the slender female as she dismissed yet another candidate. Despite her keeping a polite expression on her rather harmonious features, I knew at a visceral level that she was beyond fed up with the entire process. My eyes flicked to Xarin's chrysalis still sitting on the hovering platform. The soft pastel colors shimmering over its surface testified to his contentment.

He approved of his Prima's current decisions.

Movement at the edge of my vision drew my attention. I groaned inwardly as Aletros spread out his wings and bunched his muscles in a menacing fashion as he invaded Temnon's personal space. What in the world would possess the silly male to provoke a Green Polychromatic? With their affinity with toxins and poisons, Greens could make their opponents ill and even kill them with little effort. Thankfully, the Great Hall didn't have any green that Temnon could channel to launch an attack—not that he would be foolish enough to do so.

I hurried to their location while they started shoving at each other. Beyond my annoyance at this childish display, I felt embarrassed that our elite should make such a spectacle of themselves in front of off-worlders, and above all in front of the Prism.

"That's enough!" I shouted.

Aletros, with his red wings and light-green eyespots, reined himself in first, ready to stand down. But with his volatile temper, Temnon continued to grapple with him, forcing me to intervene. I grabbed his forearm and yanked him back forcefully. The idiot turned to face me with an angry growl, raising his palm in a threatening fashion.

My eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the halo swirling around his hand. This magical energy could be used to destroy, sculpt, or transform whatever it entered in contact with. Its weak amount would barely bruise anyone he used it against. But it confirmed he was attempting to channel. The only source of green would be found in the clothes worn by the other guests. As there was a limited amount and all in varying shades of the spectrum, they didn't allow him to achieve a level that would be cause for alarm.

"You dare?" I hissed, spreading my own wings.

As a Black Achromatic, I was immune to magical attacks. My wings absorbed all light wavelengths and dispelled the halo energy. As I couldn't reflect light—and therefore colors—it also kept me from casting magic. The silver eyespots in my wings were the only thing that allowed me to perform a small amount of magic, but as silver wasn't a color commonly found in the environment, that already weak ability was further stunted.

Temnon paled as he snapped out of his anger. He immediately folded his wings and lowered his eyes, the green glow of his halo around his hand vanishing.

"I didn't cast," he mumbled.

"But you were going to," I replied in a harsh tone. "You invoked your halo in these hallowed halls, in the presence of the Prism, with the intent to harm another."

"He cut in front of me!" Temnon exclaimed in self-righteous indignation.

"And for that you violate our laws?" I retorted, flabbergasted.

The fool had the decency to look embarrassed, his scales darkening.

"You will leave this hall immediately," I commanded.

"You cannot do this!" he snapped.

"Be grateful I am giving you the opportunity to leave rather than jail you, as your trespass dictates," I said in a dangerously calm voice.

"He should be arrested," Aletros interjected, looking at the others for support.

Realizing the real possibility this could happen should he linger, Temnon turned on his heel with a furious growl, then marched angrily out of the room under the jeers of a few of the remaining candidates.

The contempt I felt for the lot of them cranked up another notch.

What a shameful display.

After a final warning look at the people still lining up, I glanced towards the human. Venus was sitting at a table with the Temern as her suitors took turns on the guest chair across the table from them in the hopes of swaying her in their favor. To my surprise, instead of talking to the male in front of her, she was looking at me with a grateful and approving smile. It did the strangest thing to me. I wasn't used to this kind of reaction, even when I did nice things for people. To them, they were entitled to it.

But the Temern's intense stare unnerved me the most. I'd caught him stealing glances my way on a few occasions since these speed interviews began. What did he want with me?

To my dismay, he whispered something to the Prima before rising to his bird's feet and following me as I headed back to the edge of the room where my unit stood watch. I tensed when he continued his approach.

"Calm," the Temern said, raising his feathery palms in an appeasing gesture. "I'm not a threat and would simply like to have a word with you."

"I'm afraid it will have to wait. As you can see, I'm on duty," I replied in a firm tone despite the curiosity that burned my gut.

"I'm well aware," the Temern said in a cheerful tone. "However, this is important. It concerns the Prism."

I stiffened, my senses going into full alert as I cast a worried glance towards the chrysalis.

"All is well," the Temern said quickly upon noticing—or was it sensing?—my reaction. "There's nothing wrong with him, but I want to discuss matters concerning him with you."

"Very well," I said reluctantly. "Speak."

He cast an apologetic look at Pythus and Leodros. "It is for your ears only," he said gently.

My frown deepened, but I gave him a stiff nod.

"Pythus, you're in charge," I said.

"Yes, Razus," he replied promptly.

I gestured for the Temern to follow me, and I led him to a nook in the back corner of the room, designed specifically to prevent sound from traveling. It also gave a commanding view of the room. We often used it to stand watch over official proceedings held here.

"My name is Kayog," he said with that same energetic tone. "I understand yours is Razus?"

I shook my head. "Razus is my title as Commander of the Black Guard. My name is Atlas. Atlas Zaos."

"Ah, I see! Well, it is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance Razus Zaos. Would it be acceptable to address each other by our given names? I am very informal," the Temern said in a friendly tone.

That took me aback. Achromatics were rarely addressed with such consideration.

"I… uh… yes, if you wish," I replied clumsily.

"Excellent! I was curious about your thoughts on the ongoing situation," Kayog said, as one would speak of the weather.

"Ongoing situation?" I echoed carefully, uncertain which specific topic he was referring to.

"The Prism, of course. Finding a suitable mate—temporary though it will be—for Xarin's Prima. If I may be so bold, my empathic abilities tell me that, like Venus, you do not approve of the suitors who have approached her so far," he said in the same friendly and casual tone.

Nevertheless, my scales darkened with embarrassment to have my suspicions confirmed that he could read my uncharitable thoughts about my own people—or at least what emotions their actions stirred within me.

"My opinion is irrelevant. And anyway, I am in no position to pass judgment on—"

"Yes, you are," Kayog interrupted, his silver gaze slightly hardening, like when a parent caught his child lying. "You are the head of security of your capital city. Until he hatches, the Prism will also be your responsibility. Venus is tiring, but with the number of suitors remaining, this could go on for at least a couple more hours. Her choice is too important to have her settling out of exhaustion. Your insight could significantly help."

I tilted my head to the side, confused as to why he would approach me about this. Granted, I was the Razus, but I would have expected him to speak with one of the Senators—all of whom were already married, and therefore ineligible.

"Why me? How is my insight more valuable than the opinion of one of our high-ranking officials?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

"Because in the entire hour we've been going at this, you're the only one to have emitted no self-serving emotions. You truly worry for the Prism," the Temern said in a factual manner.

I shifted on my feet, flattered that those were the emotions from me that had retained his attention.

"I am the Razus. It is my duty to worry about the welfare of all my people, and especially of the blessed one," I said with a shrug.

It was silly of me to pretend like his words hadn't touched me. Judging by the slight amusement quirking the corner of his beak, Kayog was once again well aware of the emotions coursing through me.

"Excellent. In this case, in your opinion, who among these suitors would be a good or at least acceptable fit as a temporary mate for Venus?" he asked.

I hated being put on the spot like this. In my opinion, none of them were a good fit. However, if my words could truly have an impact on the outcome, then it would be foolish of me not to try to increase the chances the Prism would be surrounded by the one who cared at least somewhat for his welfare.

I scratched my chest fur in a gesture that betrayed my unease or embarrassment, depending on the situation.

"This is merely my opinion," I said cautiously. "But among all of these candidates, Lord Cassius or Lady Elana would make decent spouses for the human. They have fairly agreeable dispositions, and they would put the interest of the Prism before their own. Both their houses are a little weak, but with the Black Guard as added security, all should be fine."

I didn't add that neither constituted a great choice in my humble opinion, but they struck me as the best options.

Kayog nodded slowly, his silver eyes seeming to delve into the deepest parts of my soul, leaving me feeling exposed.

"Interesting. And what of the human? What do you think of her?"

I blinked, wondering how that was relevant. "I do not know her. I believe Xarin made a strange choice by selecting her. But who am I to question the wisdom of a Prism? He undoubtedly sees something in her that we don't."

"You did not answer," Kayog insisted. "What do you personally think of her, based on what you've observed so far?"

I shifted my wings and scratched my fur again, confused as to this pointless line of questioning. I almost called him out on it. Considering my actions could reflect on his opinion of our people as a whole—and in light of the less than impressive display the others made moments prior—I elected to show myself cooperative.

"In truth, I do not know what to make of her. Everything in me says she's a terrible choice. She doesn't know our world, can't fly, and according to Agent Tedrick, she possesses no magic. What's her purpose? On top of all those shortcomings—at least as far as living in Sylvar is concerned—she's Monochromatic. For that alone, I foresee much hardship for her, especially from her mate who will likely deem themselves superior. I'm genuinely confused."

My gaze flicked to the human who had just dismissed yet another suitor. To my shame, I couldn't help a mocking smirk at the disgruntled expression on Nereus's face. Like Ajustus, He tended to be full of himself and wasn't used to being refused anything he wanted.

"For all that, she seems smart, and so far displays good judgment. More importantly, in the brief interactions she's had with Xarin, she appeared to genuinely care about his welfare. That's extremely good."

"She does," Kayog said with conviction. "Venus would not have chosen this path for herself, but she understands the importance of the moment and has always been a strong defender of those in a position of weakness or unable to speak for themselves."

"That could explain why the Prism chose her," I mused out loud while studying her rather pleasant profile.

The texture of her skin and especially of her hair fascinated me. I had never seen such tightly curled locks. She had bound her hair into two thick and long elaborate braids. Venus absent-mindedly caressed the right braid while listening to yet another suitor make his pitch. I doubted he realized this was a telltale sign that he was already dismissed. She had a few tells that I had come to identify. Although I could be wrong, this one signified he was boring. When she twisted the tips, it meant she wanted to strangle the idiot babbling in front of her. And to hide an urge to laugh at some stupidity, she would chew on her bottom lip.

Suddenly realizing what heavy silence had settled between the Temern and me, I turned my head to look at him. The intense way he was staring at me had my skin darkening again. By the Lights, when had I ever acted so distracted while on duty?

"What of you, Atlas?" Kayog asked in a mysterious tone.

"Me?" I repeated, confused.

"Would you be a suitable husband for her?"

This time, I flat out recoiled at such an outrageous question.

"What?! Are you insane?" I asked, taking a step away from him as if he was contagious.

"Why do you ask that? You're a Promethean and unwed, are you not?" he asked, the pretend innocence of his question not fooling me in the least.

"Because I'm Achromatic! We cannot marry!" I said, anger seeping into my voice as a part of me suspected he already knew that.

"Really? Is it stated in your books of law?" he challenged.

I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times, my instinctive inclination to say yes dying on my tongue as I weighed the question.

"Well… no. Technically, it is not stated in the law, but it is common knowledge," I conceded uneasily.

"Therefore, you would be eligible. So would you be a good match?" Kayog insisted.

"No," I said firmly. "Such a pairing would be scandalous. If we had offspring—"

"It is not a real marriage," Kayog interjected, interrupting me. "This union only seeks to provide legal protection for Xarin for the remaining four months of his incubation. Can you think of a better protector than yourself for both him and her?"

I stared at him at a loss for words. No, I couldn't think of anyone in the Capital City who would be more devoted to both their protection. After all, I was the Razus for a reason.

"Whatever my opinion on the matter is irrelevant, Kayog," I said in a reasonable tone. "No one would ever accept this."

"It is not their call to make," Kayog challenged. "Venus is the only one who can decide who she will take as a mate."

I waved a dismissive hand. "She would never agree."

"Are you sure?" he asked with a hint of defiance.

"Yes. Who in their right mind would choose me?"

"Let's see!" Kayog retorted with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

To my dismay, he turned on his talon and headed straight back to the table where yet another candidate was approaching to settle in the guest chair. The Temern raised his palm to stop Ludus from taking a seat, apparently requesting a moment of privacy to speak with Venus.

A wave of panic surged through me, snapping me out of my horrified frozen state. I almost ran over there to stop him. But I couldn't make a spectacle of myself like that. Anyway, there was no need for me to get myself worked up. Although her imminent rejection would sting, I would be spared the public humiliation of everyone rallying against me should she make the impossible other choice.

Heart pounding, I stared at her face while Kayog whispered to her. Her eyes widened in shock, and her head jerked towards me. My scales burned with embarrassment. To my shock, instead of the look of horror I expected, Venus's surprised expression gave way to something akin to approval. My heart leapt when she nodded distractedly to Kayog, her eyes still locked on me as she gave me an assessing once over.

And then she smiled.

My stomach dropped when Kayog turned around with as wide a smile as his stiff beak allowed, and he waved for me to come over. Shocked murmurs rose from the crowd wondering what was going on. Seeing my hesitation, the Temern waved me over again with a bit more insistence. Mortified, I complied under the confused stares of my unit and the outraged ones of the suitors—both those who had been dismissed but lingered to see who would win her in the end as well as those still waiting for their chance to make their case.

I stopped in front of her table and swallowed hard. She smiled gently at me, her black eyes gleaming with kindness.

"Hello. Kayog tells me your name is Atlas?" she asked in a warm tone.

I nodded. "Yes, that is correct."

"My name is Venus, although I suspect you know that by now. Would you mind having a seat? Kayog thinks you would be a perfect candidate."

"I… I…"

By the Lights, I felt paralyzed, words failing me both from shock and growing panic. I fought the most vicious creatures on our homeworld without hesitation and without faltering. But this simple question had me burning with the urge to flee.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Ajustus exclaimed in a thunderous voice as he approached with furious steps.

Behind him, the crowd was also loudly expressing their outrage, not only that Venus would have me skip ahead of the line, but also that she even implied the possibility of me sitting in that chair.

"Razus, return to your post and remember your place!"

"Don't talk to him like that!" Venus snapped, jumping to her feet. "And the rest of you, cut it out!"

I gaped at her in disbelief as she glared at the Chancellor. She was fairly short by our standards—maybe 5'9 or 5'10—with the delicate bone structure typical of females. And yet, in that instant, the power of a thousand beasts seemed ready to surge from within her slender body.

There is strength beneath that fragile appearance.

"He's an Achromatic!" Ajustus exclaimed, the contempt in how he pronounced that last word making it clear it was all the explanation needed to support his stance.

"And?" Venus challenged before waving at herself. "In case you haven't noticed, I would also qualify as either Monochromatic or Achromatic, however your system works."

"You're human," Ajustus countered in a dismissive tone. "It doesn't count."

"Then it shouldn't count for him either," she countered in a harsh tone, which had the rest of the crowd riled up again.

Mortified, I decided to intervene to avoid things escalating further. I should have stopped the Temern before he got back to her.

"Prima Venus," I said in an appeasing tone, "I am extremely honored that you would consider one such as I. But there are others better suited than me."

"Better suited, how?" she asked with a hint of defiance.

I scratched my fur, my mind racing to find acceptable arguments that wouldn't sound like too much of a lie to my own ears.

"All of these people have wealth, status, connections, and the proper accommodations to receive both you and the Prism," I said carefully.

"But can they fight like you?" she argued.

I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times before shaking my head.

"Can they protect him like you could?" she insisted.

"Well, no but…"

"Who do you think Xarin would prefer?" she asked when my voice trailed off.

"All of that is irrelevant!" Aletros exclaimed from the middle of the crowd where he was still waiting for his turn. "The Razus is unfit and knows better than to even consider mating, though symbolic this union will be. Let us stop this nonsense and resume this process with proper candidates."

A majority of the people lining up cheered him on, a few of them addressing less-than-gentle comments my way.

"ENOUGH!" Venus shouted, startling everyone into silence. "You know, this is truly one of the most disgraceful displays I've ever witnessed. But thank you for showing your true faces," she continued in an icy tone. "All of you are going to be a hard pass for me. I'd rather jump into a pool of acid than marry anyone who thinks this kind of behavior is acceptable under any circumstances. It's not your choice to make, but mine. The Prism chose me, despite being an off-worlder, and a Monochromatic one at that. But after this spectacle, I can see why. Atlas has shown more class, decorum, and humility than the lot of you combined."

Emotion choked me. I was the one who defended others, never expecting recognition or gratitude for it. No one had ever defended me, least of all so fiercely. And fierce, that little human definitely was. Forcing myself out of the dazed awe her fiery speech got me under, I opened my mouth to tell her it was okay, but a haunting sound silenced me.

I jerked my head towards the chrysalis. My jaw dropped as luminous waves swirled over its surface. An irresistible melody beckoned me. With a will of their own, my feet took me to the hovering platform upon which the chrysalis rested. I realized I had reached for it when its soft heat warmed my palm. A gasp—echoed by multiple voices in the crowd—escaped me as a tingling sensation spread over my hand, up my arms, and throughout my body.

"Impossible," Ajustus whispered as a blissful sensation spread through my wings.

I glanced over my shoulders and stared in awe as the normally dull silver of my wings' eyespots seemed to light from within, making it shine with the brightness of a thousand suns. Power like I'd never felt before surged within me as if the floodgates of my stunted color channeling abilities had been flung wide open.

"See, Atlas, it appears the Prism approves of my choice," Venus said in a soft voice. "He also thinks your color doesn't matter."