Weeks and months passed as Atticus continued to make nightly trips to the mine along with Jonah and King Calarian.
By now, he knew the route like the back of his hand and he didn't need King Calarian to accompany him like a father following his son to school. But the older king still insisted, claiming that he was technically responsible for them. If something had happened to Atticus in his kingdom, it might cause a diplomatic incident.
Or King Calarian was afraid that Atticus might rob his mines dry. Atticus only wished he had such capabilities. His mining adventures were mind-numbingly boring. There were no mysterious explosions, but at least his camel had decided to finally stop spitting in his face. Instead, it merely gave Atticus the stink eye every time he approached it.
Small mercies. The only bright spot in his life was seeing Daphne's belly slowly, but surely, swell with new life as she approached the end of her first trimester.
Check out the prequel: The Hidden King's Stolen Wife