Her King

Regina’s POV

There is an unknown ache inside my heart since the moment I have left Atlas.

Today has been really strange for me. First meeting Atlas, then all the feelings that have invaded my heart accompanying him. Then my reaction to that strange guy, like he is someone really close to me... like I have some kind of relation with him.

The feeling which stirred in my heart for him is quite different, it is love but at the same time, it is somewhat different. Not the kind of love that a man and woman have, it is more like motherly love.

The moment he placed his head in my lap and held my hand I know in my heart there is nothing I would not do for him.

I feel a strong sense of protectiveness over him.

His pain-filled whimpering cut my heart into two, that I would have done anything in a heartbeat to take away his pain.

However, my heart was filled with relief when he slept peacefully in my lap as my touch provided him comfort.

I was afraid what would have Atlas thought of this, as for the world it would have seemed something different. Something which was nothing but pure and innocent would have been considered as something dirty in the eyes of the world.

But all my fears died the moment Atlas glanced at me with nothing but admiration and gratitude.

“Atlas,” I whisper in my empty bedroom as a smile forms on my lips as I say his name.

I whisper his name as a chant.

Each time my heart clenches in a good way when his name falls from my lips that makes me want to experience this feeling again and again.

Smiling to myself, I turn on my side as Atlas’ face comes to my mind instantly making me crave his presence. The more I think about him, the ache in my heart dulls. However, the yearning to meet him almost consumes my entire being, at the same time, there is a sense of warmth surrounding me.

Restlessness.

My soul seems to be restless without him. Somewhere a voice is saying in my mind, this feeling has something to do with the strange connection I feel with him... like he is my other half.

It takes me a painfully long time to finally fall asleep, as all my thoughts are focused on one person keeping me awake.

I can’t tell how long has passed since I fell asleep, but the feeling of being watched forces me to open my eyes. Propping myself up on my elbows I look around in my dimly lit room to find the source of this sensation or it is just my imagination.

Surely, it is not my imagination when my eyes land on the silhouette of someone standing far in the dark corner of the room. I am not scared, as it will take a lot to scare me. One wrong move of the person and I will not hesitate to blow off their head with the pistol, that lie under my pillow, which my dad gifted me on my seventeenth birthday.

My eyes adjusted in the dark and now I am able to see more clearly than before. I notice the person, who is definitely a male because of his strong built and tall height is hard to miss, hasn’t moved from his spot but I feel he is staring at me.

The person doesn’t seem like a threat, so I relax a bit and slowly sit up on the bed still keeping my eyes on him. There is a slight rise and fall of the shoulders as if he is inhaling deeply then he turns his back to me.

Suddenly, my eyes widen and a wave of happiness washes over my heart as I leap on my feet taking long purposeful steps towards the person.

“Atlas...” I whisper unable to hide my happiness in my voice.

He stills then slowly he turns around to look at me, instantly, I take a step back when dull light falls on his face.

He is Atlas but at the same time, he is not.

Something is different about him which I am not able to figure out.

Slowly, I take notice of his appearance noting the difference. He looks taller and packed with more lean muscles, his skin is paler and smoother than usual.

My eyes move towards his face, his feature looks more prominent and defined, but a small gasp leaves my lips when I finally look at his eyes. They are even more beautiful, even more captivating.

His eyes are faintly glowing with a golden ring around his violet iris.

All this while, he patiently watches my reaction but I can see a flash of uneasiness in his eyes.

Taking a step forward I touch his forearm with my fingertips, and instantly pull back my hand, when I feel the burst of warmth encasing me.

“Are you afraid of me?” His voice sounds deep and rough, but there is a hint of pain behind his words which doesn’t seem right to me.

“Why would I be afraid of you?” Frowning at him, I ask. “I know you will never hurt me.” My voice is confident and firm, as this something I can feel from inside of my heart that he can never hurt me.

My words bring relief to his face which makes me smile.

“But you are not Atlas.” I shake my head, “So, who are you?”

“Yes, I am not Atlas, yet I am him,” he answers in riddle while his lips curves in a secretive smile.

His presence brings the same comfort which I feel with Atlas. Moving to the bed, I sit on the edge of the mattress as I look at him studying my room curiously.

“What is your name?” I ask this Atlas.

“I don’t have one, you are going to name me,” he says as he picks up a romance novel from my bookshelf which instantly makes my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

“Our story is better than these humans.” He scoffs and puts back the book.

Humans?

“What do you mean, you don’t have a name?” My mind goes back to his answer.

“Will you name me?” He ignores my question and asks me hopefully as it is something really important to him... almost like it is something honorable.

“If this means so much to you, then I will.” I smile and for the first time I see watch him smiling.

His smile is breathing taking, a complete contrast against his hard features.

“What are you going to name me, my Queen?” He asks excitedly.

“Queen?” Throwing my head back I laugh, “Is that what is your name for me?”

He looks at me with an unreadable expression and nods his head with a hint of a smile on his face.

“Well, then I name you as King.” I laugh, but when I look at him it seems no other name can to justice to him than this name.

He carries an aura of someone as powerful and strong as King.

“My King.” I smile and watch the hardness of his features soften slightly.

Suddenly, my eyes snap open and I find myself alone in my room.

Disoriented, I look around in my room for King but feel disappointed to realize that I have been dreaming.

Of course, it was a dream otherwise how could Atlas eyes glow?

The knocking on my door forces me to get out of my bed. Opening the door I find my nonna standing there with a large bowl of ice-cream in her hand.

My nonna is not like normal grandmothers, she is going to make you piss in your pants if you get on her wrong side. But at the same time, for me, she is more like a best friend... my partner in crime.

“From tomorrow I have to cut my sugar.” She walks inside my room as I follow her inside, “So, I thought I should not let this ice-cream go waste and have a midnight ice cream party with my granddaughter.” She offers me the other spoon as we get inside the covers and settle in the bed.

“Who is the guy, whom you met today?” She asks, with a mischievous smile on her face.

“Of course, your spy Raymond has already told you about Atlas.” I roll my eyes, but can’t stop myself from smiling.

“When am I going to meet this man, who brought this glow on my Regina’s face?” She caresses my face affectionately.

“I don’t know.” I shrug, “We have just met, nonna...”

“It just takes a moment to find the right one, mia Cara (my dear)” She kisses my head, “Listen to your heart, and leave the rest.”

"However, if he ever hurts you then leave it to your nonna to deal with him." Her tone turns dangerous, and I know she means it.

But, I know she doesn't need to worry about anything as Atlas will never going to hurt me in any way.

Turning to her, I put my head in her lap allowing myself to sleep in her lap.

The same lap which became the source of comfort for me after the death of my mother.