Atlas' words sent a chill down Tallulah's spine as she watched the two men before her circle each other. She wasn't even sure if Atlas meant to keep the bond open as he thought those words, but Tallulah would hate to be on the receiving end of his wrath.

Atlas and Kelwin circled each other for a few moments before Atlas took initiative and made the first strike. Kelwin, even though he was far older than Atlas, was able to sidestep and parry the oncoming blow. Tallulah glanced across the circle to see Lunea on the other side. How she must feel right now, knowing her mate would probably die today even if he did not accept that himself.

If the Queen was any indication, Lunea would not survive long after Kelwin's death, at least mentally. The Queen had loved her mate and her son, but when Tallulah had left with Atlas those many months ago the Queen was not well. Delusions plagued her, and Tallulah suspected they would've only gotten worse with time. Lunea was a strong woman, but Tallulah worried-and didn't believe-she should receive the same punishment as her mate. Perhaps banishment from the kingdom, but not death.

I know what she has done for you, my mate, and for that alone the choice will be hers once her mate is dead. Atlas iterated.

You should be focused on her mate, and not my thoughts right now. I cannot, will not, lose you when I have just gained my freedom.

You won't, my mate, I will end this shortly. Came his reply.

Tallulah watched on as the males traded blow after blow. She knew Atlas wasn't pouring everything into this fight that he could; she couldn't assess Kelwin's actions as easily though. She was never given the opportunity to train with him when he held her prisoner.

The pair danced across the field in a blur of blades. The first injury of the match was a swipe from Atlas to Kelwin that split the skin on his upper arm. The injury was an obvious hindrance for Kelwin, and Tallulah couldn't help but relish in the man's pain.

Atlas continued to block every blow from kelwin, but in a desperate attempt to harm her mate, he was able to land a strike to Atlas' face. Tallulah felt his pain as if it were her own and fought the urge to cower and protect her own face as Atlas was doing the same. The wound stretched across from his left ear to the right corner of his mouth, almost matching the wound he received earlier from Gareth. Based on the pain Tallulah was experiencing, the wound was superficial and wouldn't cause lasting damage to the muscles and flesh beneath.

She could feel the rage bubble within Atlas and he no longer held back with his attacks. The thrust, parry, and block maneuvers now became thrust, parry, and attack. Tallulah couldn't help her own glee bubbling up inside her as Atlas had the clear upper hand in this match. All bystanders could see this as well.

Her emotions seemed to well over and mix with Atlas', or he too was experiencing the exhilaration of the match coming to an end. After a very weak block from Kelwin due to his injury, Atlas was able to thrust past and stopped right before his blade could enter Kelwin's chest.

Atlas stood, staring down at his opponent, and spoke, "I will not kill you here, you will come receive your punishment in Aria so that the whole kingdom may witness your betrayal and its consequences," and he stepped away, beckoning for Ander and Mykel to come and shackle Kelwin whose cries of indignation that his own son would turn his back on his father echoed across the field.

Tallulah took the opportunity to go to his side as a show of support and because her instincts wanted her to comfort her mate. I am surprised you stayed your hand, you seemed bent on ending his life. Tallulah said to Atlas with a gentle touch to his arm. She appreciated the display of mercy, despite it being meant for her captor, and knew it would go a long way with his people-that he was merciful.

Our agreement was that he return to Aria for his punishment, I couldn't kill in cold blood when I swore that in front of my people he would see justice. He replied.

Atlas spent the next few hours assessing the deaths, spending time with the grieving, and making plans with his people to get troops back to Aria in a timely manner. As much as Tallulah wanted to be part of the process her wounds would not allow it, and she found herself seated on a log with Benna and Rika for company as they'd made their way from the camp.

The trio watched as Atlas went to each grieving person; he did not discriminate from those who marched with him and those who marched against. Tallulah's heart swelled with pride at his compassion for his people, even though some were ready to go against everything he stood for.

"I am still in shock at what Aurora did to you," Rika said. "I think that was the worst betrayal anyone has ever done," Tallulah knew from her readings that other kings and royalty experienced worse betrayals, and that was from within their own household. Tallulah learned from Benna and Rika that Aurora was being held in one of the ammunition carts; one that was emptied early on the battlefield, and currently contained the prisoners to be tried in Aria.

"We should have known about Aurora. When his highness first sent us to you, she was so enthusiastic about it, and I thought it was weird, especially knowing we could be killed if Lord Kelwin found out. Unfortunately, it makes more sense now," Tallulah chose not to brood over this fact. If the last few weeks had taught her anything it would be to expect the unexpected. As she sat, Tallulah's gaze drifted around and was caught by Lunea who was neither in shackles or being watched. She simply stood in an open area.

"If I move, I fear my body will split open, but Benna or Rika, could you ask Lunea to join us?" Rika moved from their area and did so. The gesture seemed to surprise Lunea, but she obliged Tallulah's request and came over. Already, Tallulah could see how worn and weary she was.

"So, all is as it's supposed to be," Lunea said with a wan smile.

"Yes, but what of you? Has my mate given you an option?" Tallulah asked, gesturing for the older female to sit with her.

"Aye, he has, and I am willing to accept it while my mind lasts. Your mate is a generous man and this kingdom will flourish under his and your rule," Tallulah nodded.

"I would argue that in some areas he's too generous. I would have killed your mate, diplomacy be damned, for what he inflicted upon me," Lunea didn't flinch at those words.

"There were many times where I wished someone would, even before you became his prisoner. I know I have told you that our mateship was doomed from the beginning, and while he never hurt me as the bond wouldn't allow, he would hurt our children...especially Mykel" Tallulah already had that inkling. The hatred her brother held for his father stemmed from more than just being bonded to another male, and this made sense. "So I knew, in the long run, he would die before I did," there was no sorrow, only acceptance in her tone.

"What offer did my mate give you, if you don't mind my asking."

A small, happy, smile graced Lunea's mouth before she replied, "to be your lady's maid," shock ran through Tallulah at this. "Then, as my mind deteriorates I would be allowed self exile to be at peace," another wave of shock. Atlas was kind beyond all measures in this.

It was because of the mercy, the kindness, and the strength to go against her bonded mate in such a way to rescue you that I decided to do this. I know from your memories and from the small things I have picked up since we met that your own mother was not so nurturing or caring towards you.

Thank you, this means more to me than you'll ever know.

"Tula!" She turned, and if she'd moved a little slower it would not have felt like her ribs were ripping themselves from her body, to see Mykel coming their way. The relief on his face was evident as his eyes passed from her to his mother. She never told him she liked that nickname, and was mildly glad he still remembered their little deceit from many months ago.

"They're going to move the troops within the hour, and I have nowhere else to be as we've put away that traitorous bitch with Kelwin," he spared a brief glance at his mother, who was unbothered by her son's statement. So he sat with them. "Ander is helping guard the prisoner wagon, but he sends his regards to all," Mykel looked pointedly at his mother. Gods, Tallulah just wanted to sleep and to heal right now. Her body ached almost unbearably. She couldn't move without exacerbating the pain. She needed to change her bandages and put salve on her wounds.

"Who's going to be in charge of the city?" Rika asked. Tallulah was curious about this as well, but didn't have it in her to contribute to the conversation; she paid attention to Mykel's response though.

"My younger brother Elias; he's already sworn allegiance to Atlas. Once all is said and done in the capital I will come back here to help him, but once he has his bearings I will return to my duty as part of the guard," the tone of Mykel's voice suggested he would rather not come back to Idris, and Tallulah couldn't blame him.

"I worry about Kelwin's indoctrination of your brother into his ways. Yes, he's sworn allegiance, but so had Kelwin," Rika said.

"My brother despises our father, so I am certain nothing like this will happen," he replied.

Deciding that her pain was getting too overwhelming, and that Mykel should have some alone time with his mother, Tallulah said, "Rika, Benna, I need to go somewhere private and change my bandages," They helped her up from her sitting position before finding an empty tent.

They agreed, since Rika was taller and stronger that she would help Tallulah, and Benna would stand guard outside of the tent. The tent must have belonged to one who died on the battlefield as it was still full of items like a bedroll, a full pack, a small table, and a pitcher which stood next to a wash basin. Tallulah was grateful the pitcher wasn't empty as she began to disrobe.

The pain came back tenfold once her corset was removed and she hobbled, hunched over, to the bedroll before collapsing.

"Gods above, your clothes are all but drenched! Why didn't you say anything earlier?" exclaimed Rika.

"There were more pressing matters," Tallulah groaned. Rika helped her sit up and as gently as possible began removing the soaked clothes and bandages. Memories of Atlas doing the same just the night before flooded her mind and gods she wished he was here right now.

Me too, my mate. I know your pain in lessened by my presence, but I must do the things expected of me while there are things to be done. We are nearly finished with organizing everything for the trip back and then I am all yours. She was never going to get used to Atlas' presence in her mind.

"I wish we had another tunic for you, the best I can do is wash it off with your bandages. It will be wet for a while and we should avoid putting that corset back on until your clothes are dry," Tallulah just grunted her acknowledgement. She was so thankful that Rika brought the ointment with her when she and Benna made their way from the camp after the attack, and felt the fool for forgetting it herself.

"We could check the pack that was left in here. I assume this tent belonged to a man," she said hoarsely, biting back a kneejerk reaction to flinch away from Rika as she pulled off the last bandage.

No. I will not have you smelling like another man. Wear the cursed contraption over your bandages, a wet tunic will make infection more likely.

"Atlas says to have me wear the corset rather than a wet tunic or another man's clothing,"

" I agree with his Highness on this; I was going to say no anyways to the tunic idea, as I know my mate would have a conniption if I wore another man's clothing," All Tallulah could do right now was stay in her prone position on the bedroll while Rika rinsed and washed everything, but she did wonder about Rika's mate. To her understanding, Rika's mate was from the north and was captured with Aurora's mate as well. She felt horrible for Rika; it made Aurora's betrayal worse.

"Where is your mate?" Tallulah ground out, trying to focus on anything but the pain.

"He is south of the border, the felines took all captives from our kingdom to theirs and Kelwin took all of the feline captives to Idris," Rika responded, keeping her touch gentle as Tallulah laid on the bedroll.

"Are you able to speak with him?" Tallulah asked.

"Yes, and he knows the conflict is over. Ladrin will be in charge of the force that goes to retrieve them all. Aurora's mate is with him and is aware of her treachery now, but I know of nothing else," Rika pursed her lips when speaking of Aurora.

"Do you think he knew what his mate would do?" Tallulah whispered.

"I wish I could say no, but because we have been so close to the border for so long...I have been able to communicate with my mate since we made it to Idris, so I know Aurora has been able to communicate with hers too..." Tallulah's heart clenched.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Tallulah asked.

"Because knowing he was safe was enough," The simplicity of Rika's response spoke volumes to her character, and Tallulah was ever more grateful to have her as a companion.

"We are almost done here; we may need to go back into the city for more herbs before we leave, as we maybe have enough salves for two more days and the trip back will take at least a week,"

"Find my mother and Mararet, they'll know what you need," Tallulah told her. Rika nodded her affirmative before helping tallulah wrap herself back up. Sitting up was the worst part of the ordeal as it used muscles that had been all but shredded by her torture.

Once the corset was on Tallulah could stand again, and while it hurt-gods above did it hurt-she could move on her own.

Benna will escort me where we are needed next; Rika will visit my mother once more for herbs and join us again on the road. Tallulah communicated to Atlas.

Very well, we are ready to leave as it is.