We continued dancing in silence, while the music flowed around us, creating a bubble where time seemed to stop.

I raised my face to look at him, observing every line, every mark that time and pain had left on his face. My fingers gently traced the contour of his jaw, feeling the roughness of his unkempt beard.

—Atlas —I whispered his name like a prayer—, you can't continue like this.

I saw pain cross his eyes, while his arms held me tighter, as if afraid I would vanish.

—I know —His lips curved into a melancholic smile, reflecting the hidden pain in his heart. —. I know, Adelaide. But every time I close my eyes, I see her. I see her face, her smile... and then I remember that I couldn't protect her.

I forced a smile on my face while giving him a hug, a hug we both needed.

—Anna... —he began, Atlas clenched his jaw tightly while his eyes looked at me with different conflicting emotions.

—Don't say anything —I whispered against his chest—. Just dance with me.

Because in this moment, in this dance, I can pretend that nothing has changed. I can pretend we're the same as before.

The musical notes wove a tapestry of memories and hopes, while our bodies continued moving in perfect synchrony. It was as if the music had created a sacred space where time stood still, where we could simply be ourselves, without the weight of our losses and responsibilities.

The music stopped, but we remained embraced, as if we feared that upon separating, the magic of the moment would vanish and we would return to being the strangers we had become.

—I need to find him, darling — Atlas's crimson eyes fixed on mine, his gaze imploring and hopeful, but conflicted.

—I know —I responded, feeling how tears threatened to spill.

I felt his lips press softly against my forehead, a gesture so familiar and comforting that it made my heart ache.

—I'm sorry —he murmured against my skin—. I'm so sorry, darling.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

—I don't want your apologies —I said softly, stopping broken—. I want my husband back. I want the father of my children, the man who smiled without the weight of the world crushing him.

Atlas sighed, his gaze meeting mine.

—I received a letter a few days ago. It's about my sister, Angeline.

My heart stopped for an instant. I knew that tone of voice, it was the same he had used when he gave me the news about Anastasia.

—What happened? —I asked, although a part of me already feared the answer.

—She's dead —the words fell like stones in the silence of the room—. She was murdered.

We stopped and I could feel how tension accumulated in his shoulders under my hands.

I licked my lips while asking. —How? Who?

Atlas frowned while responding. —I don't know. The letter didn't give specific details, only mentioned that her body was found on the outskirts of the city of Mitra in the Cassio kingdom. Adelaide... I must go.

I shuddered while my grip on his arms instinctively tightened.

—I'll go with you —I declared firmly.

Atlas shook his head, separating slightly from me.

—You can't. It's too dangerous. You're pregnant and Arceus needs you.

He was right, but...

—Atlas, you can't go alone. As you say, it's dangerous —my voice trembled slightly remembering the ambush we had received.

—I have leads, contacts who can help me. Besides —he added, caressing my cheek—, our children need you more than they need me.

—What if it's the same person? —I asked, expressing the fear I knew we both shared—. What if it's Enigma?

—It's a possibility I've considered —Atlas interrupted, his face hardening—. That's why I must go. If there's any connection, I need to discover it.

I moved away from him, walking towards the window. The full moon bathed the gardens with its silver light.

—Then you'll understand why I don't want to let you go alone.

I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his.

—I understand —he nodded—. But I also understand that our child deserves to have at least one of their parents. We can't risk losing both.

His words hit me like an icy fist in the stomach. He was right, of course. Arceus had already lost his sister; we couldn't risk him losing his parents too.

«A mother's duty... isn't that the most sacred of all?»

Atlas leaned down and kissed my forehead with infinite tenderness. —I promise I'll be careful —he whispered against my skin—. I won't make the same mistakes of the past.

I raised my face to him, studying his features as if wanting to engrave them in my memory.

—When will you leave?

—At dawn —he responded—. Cassio is several weeks travel from here. The sooner I begin the investigation, the better the chances of finding answers.

I nodded slowly, making a decision.

—I'll give you six months —I declared—. If you haven't returned by then, I'll come looking for you with an army of elves, with or without your permission.

A small smile formed on his lips.

—Six months —he agreed—. And I'll maintain regular contact through the communication crystals.

—Every week —I added—. No exception.

—Every week —he confirmed.

I stood on tiptoes and kissed him, pouring into that kiss all the love and worry I felt.

His arms surrounded me, drawing me closer, and for a moment we lost ourselves in each other, forgetting the shadows that loomed over us.