Surviving the Beastworld

Atlas didn't answer, making me raise an eyebrow. Did he not hear the question or something? Looking closer at him, I realized his eyes were still closed. Was he asleep?!

"Atlas?" I called out, getting up to check him.

I lightly tapped on his shoulder, seeing that he was really sleeping. How the heck did he fall asleep so quickly? Standing up, I moved to the door, knowing one person likely had the answer to my question.

"Something the matter?" Ahi asked, watching as I moved.

"Just want to ask Gaven something." I replied as I opened the door. "He's the lizard outside."

 Said lizard was waiting outside and let out a gasp of horror at my words, "I'm not a lizard! I'm a Komodo dragon!"

"That's still a type of lizard." I retorted. "Anyway, does Atlas normally fall asleep so quickly?"

Gaven pouted at my words before glancing over my shoulder. "Master's asleep again?"

"Again?" I questioned. 

Was this not the first time he'd done this? Did he have a habit of just sleeping in random places? What if someone attacked him?

"Lord Atlas uses a lot of energy constantly keeping his power active." Gaven explained. "So, he tends to fall asleep a lot at random times. You get used to it. I can take him back to his nest if he's bothering you."

I gazed over at Atlas. "He seems fine there… I don't think it'll be a bother if he sleeps here?"

"Fine by me." Xavier shrugged, understanding I was asking the question to Ahi and him. 

Ahi nodded his head in agreement. "Same here."

"You don't need to move him then." I turned back to Gaven. "We're going to be out the whole day, so you can stay here with Atlas if you'd like."

"Understand Mistress." Gaven stated. 

"Please call me Elisa. Mistress is too…" I paused for a moment trying to find the word. "Formal?"

"I won't dare!" Gaven shook his head. "It would be disrespectful to Lord Atlas! You're his mate now-"

"Hold up there." I interrupted. "We're just courting… Let's not jump the gun here."

"Jump the gun?" Gaven tilted his head in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"Don't jump to conclusions and think certain things are set in stone." I answered. "Anyway, I'm going to get ready for the day. Xavier you finished eating?"

"Yes." Xavier responded.

I returned to the table and tried helping clear the table. That was until Gaven had a stroke at the sight and begged me to let him take over. Honestly, the guy was so weird.

Still, I didn't have the energy to fight him and moved to the bedroom to wash up and get changed. Once Xavier and I were ready, I quickly placed a blanket around Atlas and a pillow under his head so he'd be more comfortable.

He'd fallen on the ground, sleeping on the hard floor. I wasn't sure how comfortable that was, but Gaven said Atlas had slept in worse places and positions before. So, he'd be fine with just a pillow.

"See you later." I murmured to Ahi, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips when Xavier and I were saying our goodbyes. "Stay safe."

Ahi returned the quick kiss and added, "I will. Love you."

"Love you too." I blushed, lingering for a moment before I moved to Xavier's side.

Xavier picked me up because the walk to the queen's palace would be too much for me. I chose not to argue about it and just wrapped an arm around his shoulders. 

A small animal fur bag was strapped to his side, holding gifts for the queen and the crystals for the market. I waved goodbye to Ahi as we left.

As we were walking through the large hallways, Xavier asked, "Do I get a kiss too?"

"Do you want one?" I asked, a little amused at his bluntness. 

"Yes." Xavier nodded his head. 

"Fine… I guess I owe you one for yesterday." I chuckled, bending my head to place a kiss on his cheek.

He stopped in his tracks and gazed up at me. "Not on the cheek. Here."

He placed a finger on his lips, staring at me with a straight face. The sight instantly made my face go red. This bird really had no shame.

"Fine…" I finally said, moving to peck his lips. I then quickly pulled away. "Happy?"

"Hmm… I want more." Xavier mused, his eyes darkening with desire.

"No way!" I exclaimed. "We need to go meet your mother."

"Do we? I think it's fine if we skip this whole thing."

"Are you trying to get out of meeting with your mother?"

"Maybe…" Xavier turned his head away. "Just don't feel like going."

"You know she's just going to keep hounding you until you go." I sighed, leaning my head against his. "Best to get it over and done with now."

"I suppose so." Xavier mused. "Oh yeah… What was that cream you put in the bag?"

"A gift for your mother." I answered. "Now stop trying to stall this."

Xavier clicked his tongue, but kept moving. I knew he didn't really want to meet with the queen, neither did I, but we had to. Who knows what she would do if she didn't pitch up.

I just hoped she would like the gift I packed here. It was a small bottle of sunscreen I'd gotten and while it was precious, I felt it would make a great bribing tool.

Get the queen on my side hopefully with a rare item. Because I didn't need her as an enemy while we stayed in the palace and city. She'd likely make my life hell.

This was going to really be one tough meeting.