Night-flames

Chapter Two: The King

I rushed over to Atlas. His body was shaking and his hands were digging into the floorboards. His face was pale and his eyes tearing with blood. Those dark blue eyes redden with flames. As my soul left my body, I felt my hands shake. My heart pounded and my mind raced. Could this be over for us?

" Atlas!" I kneeled by his side and placed him hunched over in my lap. His head against my chest. His hands clutched my left arm as I rubbed his back. I spoke angelic.
" Atlas... You'll be all right?" I stroked his back. He gasped for air. His body still shaking.
" Corsette.. darling... The isle is hurting me.... I fear as if I might die.." Atlas said as he gasped for more air.
" Grab my healing lotion.." He pointed but quickly grabbed the floor.
I laid him in his bed and pulled his hair back. I gently kissed his forehead, while he clenched my hand. " I don't want you to die Atlas.." I said tearfully, " You can't leave me like this... I won't let you..."

If Atlas died I would be killed. I was powerless and Atlas kept me safe in his palace. The guards would force me out and have me executed, in front of my people. I weaken the rulers and the Isle. I was burned upon the cause of their pains. Yet I felt no pain for my Isle had already died.

I walked over to the table in front of the doors to the balcony. I grabbed the lotion and heard banging almost like cannons. I walked to the door and pulled the curtain up. Fireworks. I've never seen fireworks before. The only thing I saw were four beige brick walls in my palace. Yet I could only wonder what was going on outside. But when I opened my mouth to say something Atlas groaned.
" Corsette... I need you.." he gasped.
" I'm coming Atlas." I hurried over to him and popped the tin lid off the healing lotion.

The lotion was gold and simmered in the light. I began rubbing it onto his chest. Where he kept pointing. He gasped for sighs of relief and began to sit up.

"Atlas no. You can't sit up right now—you're hurt. My eyes began to swell, as Atlas grabbed my face.
" Darling you make me wish I was immortal." He began to walk around the room putting the lotion on himself. " It a good thing I could feel your every emotion and thought. Do you think I would die leaving you stranded without me?"
" I didn't know what to think," I said " You weren't breathing and my mind was racing."
" A test I've given you."
" What? The games don't start until tomorrow night."
"Mmh, I'd make any accepted for you, Corsette."
Chills went down my spine as he said those words. And I knew he didn't mean anything about the games.
"You're feeling nervous Corsette. Do you want me to make you better?"

My heart pounded as he took off his shirt to apply the rest of the lotions. His skin was oily and tan. He had a six-pack and massive arms. I felt my soul leave my body as he called me over.
" Put this on my back. And don't get any ideas back there." He scolded.
" Y-yes Atlas." I gasped.
Atlas laughed. " You haven't been around guys much have you, Corsette?"
" Wasn't allowed." I felt his hand on my hip, pulling me to his lap.
" We'll Corsette." He said while placing his index finger over my mouth. " We can change that."
I jumped up and ran with my head tucked into my arms. I ran down the forest hallway still tripping over every branch until I reached my room. I quickly went inside and slid down my door, placing my head on my knees. And there I saw a letter on my balcony. I walked over to pick it up. I lifted the rock and saw it was from Skiey.

" Dear Corsette,
Meet me at the Hall of Thrones before the games. You mustn't be late. I have the information you seek to find. But promise me you'll seek no one in answers...
Love, Skey."

My head began to spin and my heart kept racing. I started to see stars in doubles floating around my head. And before I knew it I was passed out on the cold branchless emerald floor.
What if she didn't have the information I needed so desperately, but had plans to kill me?