Evangeline A True Warrior

Atlas, More to learn

The bruises on her had already turned purple but the amount of them was startling. All up and down her arms, no flesh untouched. Her chest looked more black than purple, spreading from under one breast to the other side of her chest. I felt sick thinking her bones were definitely broken. Proteus should die for the way my mate returned to me. Florence was whispering softly in Evangeline’s ear as Alora grabbed her shoulder and yanked it back to the socket. Evangeline didn’t even move. KC moved to clean the open wound on her head and again Eve didn’t move. 

“Evangeline? Baby, can you look at me please.” Slowly her eyes opened and her head turned toward me. The blood vessels in her violet eye had burst making it hard to even tell the true color. I brushed my fingers down her check and she smiled up at me.

“I’m okay Atlas. I’ll be okay.” She didn’t look like she would be okay, she looked like I was lucky to have my mate back. How was I supposed to protect her? I’d never felt so useless in my life. I felt the brush of her fingers on my forearm and looked back into her eyes. “Wondering how you’ll be strong for someone or how to gain more strength will only bring Proteus closer to you. I don’t want you to be apart of what I am Atlas. He will only be getting what he wants if we both fight for him. He’s a sick individual who would gladly put my mate in harms way. You have to stop thinking like you are before he hears your soul crying out.” She looked close to tears when she finished talking and I don’t think it was from pain. Not physical pain anyway. 

“Okay Eve. Don’t worry about me, you focus on getting better.” I just wanted her to feel better. Not broken. Suddenly someone clapped from the doorway leading out of the room. Florence jumped bumping into me as we all turned toward the door. Standing there was the man from the woods. He was massive and dressed in a toga that hung around his knees. He was slowly evaluating us in the room until his eyes finally landed on Alora. 

“You. You’ve been healed by her before, I can feel her power in you.” He took a step toward Alora but before he could get close Evangeline was standing between them. 

“Proteus. How odd of you to visit me like this and in such a short time from our last visit. What brings you by?” Evangeline sounded heartless as she spoke to him. The lively women I was slowly getting to know was not who addressed this god. He smiled slowly at her, watching her like she was prey. I slowly pushed Florence behind me so I was closer to the two of them. My movement hadn’t gone unnoticed though. Proteus was looking right at me. 

“This is your mate. A lion, a worthy mate. A worthy general. I would do greatly with him in my war.” He smiled like a Cheshire Cat waiting to eat its next meal. “What do you say Evangeline? Should we battle again for him to stand in my war along side you?” I turned to look at Evangeline, her jaw was clenched so tight I thought she would break it. 

“That’s of their own free will. Is it not Proteus?” His gaze swung back to her and he narrowed his eyes in annoyance. He was upset with what she said. “He can pick a path for himself.” He really did not like that she added that last bit. He took a step toward me but Evangeline blocked him with her body. “Leave him be Proteus. I mean it.” She might as well have shouted at him. Leaning down he made eye contact with her again. His face inches from hers. 

“What will you do if I don’t, true warrior?” Any other time I’d heard her being called that in the last four or so hours, it sounded like praise. This time, it definitely sounded like a condemnation. 

“What’s going on Proteus? Why are you acting so out of character?” This was out of character? At least he had a normal. 

Sighing proteus sat in a chair across the room from the bed. “I can see that strength isn’t your main focus Evangeline. This mission for power is at the back of your mind. I know it’s new, this distraction, but I didn’t know how new. Even with a massive pack, other generals to command, enemies of your own, you’ve never lost focus of our main goal. I see now that it’s so new, you haven’t even marked each other.” He was happy about this, but for the life of me I didn’t know why. “You will be in my army and I always get what I want. Did you know i could take back just one gift I’ve given you, it’s not an all or nothing type of deal.” He was drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair as he leaned toward Evangeline. She didn’t look like she understood where he was going with this. I had an awful idea of what he meant. “So let’s say, I take the lion. The one I gifted you. The one currently residing in Sebastian, he would just, die. Do you think that would bring your focus back to me?” 

“You bastard! What do you want Proteus!?” She was screaming at him and practically vibrating with her anger. Looking at her though, she looked better. Realizing she looked better meant i realized she was practically naked in front of this man! I snatched the shirt off my back and handed it to her. She smiled sweetly up at me and put it on. “Thank you Atlas.” She whispered before she turned back to Proteus “I’ve done what you asked Proteus. Please. leave Sebastian out of this.” 

“I want you to heal. Now.” Proteus demanded crossing his arms over his chest. I didn’t understand what he meant but Evangeline seemed to. She stepped forward some as white light burst through her. So bright I closed my eyes. When I opened them Evangeline was completely healed from what I could see, her face wasn’t bruised. Her eye no longer blood shot. The gash on her head was nowhere, she looked like she was the healthiest she had ever been. “Good job. I’ll leave you to your life for now Evangeline.” Proteus turned and walked out of the room. Evangeline turned toward me with a sad smile on her face and I had to touch her. I scooped her up into my arms, hugging her as hard as I could. She hugged me just as hard and snuggled into my shoulder. She fit perfect.