جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 94

They descended the stairs together, Atlas's hand still steady on her back. The evening light had faded, but the lanterns were so bright, it seemed like daylight. The table had already been set with food, but that wasn't what caught her attention. What did, was the people seated around it. There were seven of them, seated in the lantern light. Two children, both fair-haired, heads bent over their phones and paying the world no attention at all. Beside them, a couple who were unmistakably their parents: the woman blonde, poised, watching Elara with open curiosity; the man with the same pale blue eyes Atlas had, though softer somehow and less sharp. Further down sat a woman with a severe pixie cut and an expression of profound boredom, and beside her, a younger man who looked up the moment Elara appeared and did not stop looking.And the seventh person was Victoria, seated at the head of the table. Atlas bent to press a kiss to his grandmother's cheek before taking his seat at the ot

Atlas’ mask finally broke. His hand slipped out of Elara’s before she could stop him, and he leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “WHAT?”Victoria gave him a warning glance, but he ignored it, shifting his gaze to Raphael and Amelia. “You spin that cock-and-bull shit story, and just expect me to take it like that?” “We don't expect you to take anything,” Raphael replied, cool and composed. “And you could have waited till the wedding before you made an objection.”“Atlas-” Victoria started.“She tried to sedate my wife. He tried to have my father put away, just so he could contest for a place on the Steele seat. And now, out of the blue, they're getting married?” “Those are far-fetched accusations,” Raphael snapped, his eyes glaring as well. “ I could sue you for that.” “Oh no.” Atlas’ voice was quiet fire. “You wouldn’t get to the court.” Another round of silence fell on the court. Carter took a hurried sip of his wine. Victoria shot another glance at Atlas, but he was too busy st