To Find The Lost Queen

Chapter 3: Giving In

Sana didn't know what to think when she found a charm necklace in the palace library. It was a thin golden chain with a pearl. It was beautiful, eye-catching.

And not hers.

Only a handful of people had free access to the library: herself, Atlas's brothers, the members of the council, and...Atlas. And even then, the others all being men would never bring a woman into the palace library for "fun times". She heard the large door open behind her, a good distance away in the extremely spacious room, and a familiar scent wafted into her nostrils as it drew closer to her.

"I did not know you often brought your lovers in here," she started, her back still turned to the door.

Atlas made his way up behind Sana, barely any distance left between them as he leaned down over her shoulder.

"Just one," he replied, slipping the necklace out her fingers.

She hummed in response, not allowing the ache in her heart to break her façade. She refused to show weakness in front of him, rather he found her crying in the arms of Orion. But having him so close made her falter, he could always do so without even touching her. And suddenly she felt Atlas's muscled arm snake around her waist, pulling her against him as his hot breath landed on her neck. Feeling her body instinctually respond to him, she attempted to escape his hold only to find herself captive in it.

Atlas hated it. The way his being would automatically draw itself onto Sana like a moth to a flame. He sometimes couldn't control his subconscious actions, and he'd be lying if he said he fully detested it. As Sana tried to leave his grasp, he tightened it, locking her against him as her breath hitched. He wouldn't dare deny how much he loved it when she reacted that way, as though his every touch made her burn. And he figured her off-shoulder dress didn't help as he gently brushed his thumb over her exposed flesh, eliciting a minimal shiver from her. He decided to tease her a little, they hadn't had a real physical interaction in months since she always tried to avoid him. But now that he had her where he wanted her, he would play around a bit. And so, he lowered his lips down to her bare, smooth, chocolate skin, planting butterfly kisses on it whilst slowly moving up. She smelt of Winter dew and melted chocolate making him inhale a whisk of her scent, allowing it to mesmerize him. Before he could realize his actions, he had his lips firmly lodged on her neck's weak spot as he imbued himself with her taste. Light moans left Sana's mouth whilst her husband exploited her sensitivity, his hands beginning to roam her and landing on all the right places.

She probably should've stopped, both of them should've. But rationality was lost due the ignited flame as each touch set their bodies on fire. They lost themselves in each other, clothes being a removed barrier and passion encamping them both on the library floor.

Atlas was zipping up his pants, Sana covering her body with her dress. Silence. No one said anything, both avoided each other's gaze. Well, Sana blankly stared into space, internally scolding herself for such a moment of weakness that led to the demolition of her pride, once more. It was the first time they had made love in months. After all that work to resist him and all he had to do was kiss her neck to break her. She hated herself, how easily she gave in. She had no strength to clothe herself, nor any care for her dignity as she let a couple of tears stream down. Atlas had been watching her as he wore his kingly gear, and was startled when he saw her begin to cry. He supposed she was already regretting their session of heated sex, and he regretted it too. Sana always topped because of the emotional attachment they had. Marriage for nine years was enough time to solidify a bond no matter how much he tried running away from it, from her. He guessed she was cursing him that moment, and he quite frankly wouldn't blame her.

He bent down before her and took the dress off her. He gathered her undergarments and started slipping them on her. She put up little resistance, and he needed a lot of strength to keep himself from sliding his fingers in between her thighs as he put on her underwear. She held a steady stare on him as he worked, wondering why he was acting so caring. Sana stopped him when he was about to pull the dress over her, looking him right in the eye with the stoniest glare she'd given him in a long while. He wasn't fazed, he knew he had caused the searing hatred he felt radiate off her.

"Please, Sana," he gently pleaded.

Her resentment was one thing he absolutely loathed himself for. Whilst in her presence, it was not something he could handle. Sana searched the begging sapphire eyes of the man she loved with everything in her, looking for any signs of deceit. She relaxed a bit and let him continue to clothe her, concluding that perhaps he felt he owed that to her. Atlas helped her stand by using himself as something to lean on, his arm firmly latched around her as he placed her crown on her head, where it belonged.

He made the mistake of pulling her against him once more, captivating eyes enchanting him instantly.

Sana was losing her composure against him again, and she leaned into him. This time she initiated the fiery spark by capturing his lips with hers, Atlas immediately conceding with hastiness. The kiss grew eager, hunger reawakened in them as their arms encircled each other. Atlas was just about ready to rip off her clothes for a second round when a knock interrupted their lovers' craze. An irritated groan left Atlas as they separated, Sana's breath slightly heavier than his. They stared in silence, seemingly having an unspoken conversation between them. And as he held her in his arms, for that moment where he wished they could remain like that forever, she was all he wanted, all he needed; his drug, his wife, his Sana. Another knock broke their stupor, cuing Sana to gradually release herself from Atlas, seeing he wasn't doing it anytime soon.

Sana gathered herself and the book she came for, and with one last look at Atlas, reluctantly made her way to the door. Opening it she was met with the King's Advisor, General Amon, holding scrolls in his hands.

"My Queen," Amon greeted with respectful bow.

"Amon. I hope you're well. Atlas is inside," Sana gracefully replied.

She never called Atlas anything but his name to his friends and family, in which General Amon was also a close friend to Atlas. She only ever referred to him as the King when speaking to citizens, or when she was acting ambassador in another kingdom. But otherwise, he was merely Atlas to the circle. Amon shortly watched her depart before entering the library.

"Your Majesty, I hope I wasn't interrupting." Amon bowed with a knowing look as soon as his eyes found Atlas.

Atlas rolled his eyes, knowing damn well his moment with Sana was very much ruined.

"What do you have for me?" he asked, getting right into it.