Page 38 of Voices in the Stars
I glanced over my shoulder to where Atlas stood on the raised deck, his eyes already trained on me. There was a real look of fear in his eyes the last time we spoke. Even before that, he revealed little moments where he truly cared. I wasn’t sure when my thoughts toward him changed, but he wasn’t evil.
“I don’t believe that,” I spoke, turning back toward Sal.
Sal shook their head and swiped their hair out of their face before looking over me. Piercing blue eyes held my attention.
“You really don’t belong here,” they commented, voice devoid of any emotions that would’ve changed it to an accusation. Instead, it just sounded like they were filled with curiosity.
“No, I don’t,” I answered, leaning my elbows against the railing. “It feels like I’m stuck in some twisted dream,” I muttered. I had partially accepted that somehow this world was real, and I was caught up in the middle of it. There was still a part of me clinging to the hope that I was still fast asleep.
“Sal.” They jumped as their name was boomed behind us.
They glanced behind us before coming back to me. Heavy foot approached us. Sal reached out, grabbing my arm as they spoke. “Sometimes the only way out of a dream is to do something drastic.” They then ran off, leaving me, mouth agape as their words sunk in.
I glanced back in time to see Sal reaching the captain and Atlas. The captain said something to Sal, making them run off down the stairs. I turned back toward the river, spinning my ring as Atlas walked up next to me. We stood in silence. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see him glancing at me before turning away. He did this several times as we listened to the chirping birds. I let myself sink into my thoughts since he seemed to be in no rush to speak to me.
There were several things that happened already that felt drastic. Sal’s words felt like they knew something that I didn’t. Maybe it was my subconscious finally letting me know that this was a dream. Yet, I’d almost died several times, which seemed pretty drastic to me. Maybe I needed to let it happen. Let a creature here kill me so I could finally wake up. I shuddered at the thought.
“I’m not going to be able to go back home,” I muttered.
It wasn’t a question. Just a statement that we both knew was true at that moment. This was my life now. I’d have to learn how to make it my home.
“Are you going to miss him?” Atlas asked, his attention on my ring.
I snorted a laugh at that.
“Not even a little bit. Glad to be away from him, actually.”
“Why the ring, then?” he asked, brows furrowing.
“Never given a choice,” I answered.
“If you could choose now?” Atlas’ voice was soft.
I slid the ring off my finger. Light danced off the simple band. It was the last thing I had of home. The carving of flowers made my chest clench as I stared at them before dropping the ring into the river. Even if I found a way back, it would never be the same.
“What do you mean this feels like a dream?” Atlas asked, finally breaking the silence.
I snorted, shaking my head. “You don’t get to just start questioning me.”
He opened his mouth again before seeming to think better of it, and closing it instead. He moved so his side was leaning against the railing, fully facing me now.
“Do you want something?” I asked, getting annoyed with him constantly watching me. It was one thing when he did it from afar, but this close it was unnerving. Like he was trying to peek into my soul.
“Thought I wasn’t allowed to ask questions,” he answered, fighting back a smile.
I rolled my eyes, thinking it over. This entire time it felt like he had an advantage over me. He knew everything about this world. It even felt like he knew something about me that I didn’t. I could even this thing between us.
“You aren’t, but you can answer them.” I glanced over at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
He was motionless for a few moments before giving a small nod.
“You’re a prince?” I asked, starting with something simple that I already had the answer to. My instincts wanted me to trust him, but I couldn’t help fighting back against them.
“Yes. My father is Eris, King of Feycrest.”
“Feycrest. That must be where we are now?” I questioned.
Atlas just nodded, staring at me as he waited for me to continue.
