Page 13 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

“Are you a magic wielder too?” I ask. He nods in the affirmative but doesn't offer any explanation. “And the other one?” I jut my chin toward the jungle. “Does he have magic too?”

“We all do.” Nyx smiles and hands me a plate with roasted rabbit, which I heartily accept.

“Are you finished with tea-time?” Atlas rants, stomping back from the jungle after relieving himself. “We have a long and dangerous journey ahead of us, thanks to Princess Ilaria, so we need to get some sleep."

“Ignore Atlas,” Nyx whispers, smirking at his brother. “He doesn’t like the water."

“Do you require anything else, Your Mightiness?" Atlas sits on the ground on the opposite side of the campfire. "Perhaps a seafood platter or some silk slippers?”

“What’s your problem?” I snap. The sudden rise in my voice appears to catch Nyx and Finn off-guard and I relish the feeling that I can surprise them. “You kidnappedME," I pound a hand against my chest. "I’m the one who should be acting like a complete ass right now, not you.”

He bows at the waist, sweeping a hand in front of him. “Forgive me, my lady. Is there anything else you wish to talk about? Maybe we can swap secrets or braid each other's hair?”

“Forgive me for making small talk.” I spout. “I try to make the best of situations. No matter howunpleasantthey might be.”

Nyx snickers, earning a disapproving look from Atlas.

“Are you insinuating I’m unpleasant?” Atlas asks, squinting his eyes.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I made that abundantly clear.” I spit back which tickles Nyx and Finn.

“You aren’t exactly a prize yourself,” Atlas rips pieces of roasted rabbit apart and pops it in his mouth.

“Abduction will do that to a person.”

"Do I need to be concerned about you trying to run away again?” Atlas meets my gaze. “Because you’re lucky I found you when I did.”

“Maybe, if you are nice to me, I'll be nice to you,” I say.

“We are not friends, Princess.”

“So that gives you the right to be rude?”

“We kidnapped you!” Atlas throws his hands up in frustration. “We are not here on a friendly camping trip. You are a Midorian -”

“You wouldn’t be in my presence at all had you left me the hell alone!”

“Do you think we want to be trekking through Bava with a Midorian!?” He spews.

“I would think having a Midorian princess with you in Bava would be beneficial.” I push my unfinished plate off my lap. “They are our allies after all.”

“Allies? Alli-” Atlas rubs the heels of his palms against his green eyes. “Seven hells, are you that naïve or just messing with me?”

I snort in frustration. “Everyone in the Six Kingdoms knows that the Tronovians are nothing more than thieves and warmongers.”

“Oh really?” He bites his lower lip, and a flash of mischief crosses his face. “How many magic wielders are in Midori?”

The sudden change in subject throws me. “T-T-There are no magic wielders in Midori.” I hate that I stutter.

“Oh, there are. You just don’t ever get to meet them.”

“Atlas,” Nyx warns but he ignores him.

“You do know one magic wielder though.”

I shake my head. “I told you, there are no magic wielders –”

“Your precious fiancé, Bastian.” Atlas spits on the ground when he says his name. “He makes sure he gets rid of all magic wielders.”

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