Page 20 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"You're annoying."

"When I'm right? I know." He tucks his hand behind his back. "Reach for that power. I know you can feel it bubbling beneath your skin, begging to be unleashed. Your job is to let it loose."

"What if I can't control it?"

"It's new to you. You probably won't be able to control it."

"I could hurt someone," I say softly, and his gaze softens.

"It's just you and me, Princess." He cocks his head to the side; an odd expression overtakes his face. "Unless, you're frightened of hurting me?"

Right on cue, Nyx bellows out a laugh as he, Eris, and Finn finish up in the river just around the brush. I point in their direction, satisfaction smeared across my face. "You're not the only person within the vicinity, oh vain one."

"Perhaps, you care for my brothers' safety above mine?"

"At least your brothers aren't making my life miserable."

He circles me, amusement in his tone. "Believe me, you'd hate them just as much as you hate me, if they volunteered for the job."

When Atlas stands before me, I'm hit with the reality that if I do access my magic again and lose control of it, I could harm him. I don't know what my power is capable of, and this could go wrong. But Nyx has regeneration magic, he might be able to withstand a mishap.

"Maybe I should try this with Nyx." I say and I'm surprised with how taken aback Atlas looks. "Not that you're a bad teacher, but because of his magic." I backpedal, hoping I didn't offend him. "If something does go wrong –"

"I'll be ok, Princess." His face softens and my stomach flips. "Trust me."

I'm skeptical, but if there's one thing I've learned about Atlas Harland over the last few days, it's that he's just as stubborn as I am. Reluctantly, I nod in agreement, and he smiles.

"Unleash your power and let me worry about the rest," he says, and his voice soothes my rattled nerves.

I close my eyes and search for the power within me. Just like he described, I feel a humming, a bubbling beneath my skin, and the only way to relieve the prickling sensation is to release the magic. I sense it, like a ripe fruit just waiting to be plucked and consumed. I mentally reach for the power, ready to unleash the magic within me. For a split second, I hesitate, fearful that I might harm Atlas who is standing in front of me, but I hear his voice reassuring me to trust him, that he will be alright. And with a final push, breaking through my fear and doubt, I take hold of my magic, and something in me shifts.

"Keep going," Atlas whispers, "keep going. You can do this. Visualize the force field and try to replicate it."

"I'm trying."

"You can do it," his voice sounds urgent, desperate, and it's then I realize I'm losing the little connection I managed to harness. "Don't give up, you can – "

But it's gone. With its sudden absence, I drop to the ground, exhausted from the effort.

Atlas crouches in front of me and gently rubs his hand up and down my arm. I should swat at him for having the audacity to touch me, but it's inexplicably comforting and I welcome it.

"You were so close. You had sparks of light in your palms."

I look up at him, meeting his proud gaze. "Really?"

He nods. "Really. Once you catch your breath, we'll try again."

"Again?" I blurt, dumbfounded. "I tried -"

"And you'll try again. How else are you supposed to succeed?"

"How about you go practice your magic and let me rest," I snarl, making myself as comfortable as possible on the ground.

Atlas lets his shadows dance around his hands. His eyes change from their natural green to a deep violet as he plays with his shadow magic. "I know how to wield my magic." He smirks when I furrow my brow. "You're the one who needs to practice."

I drag the sleeve of my jacket across my face to soak up the beads of sweat from my feeble attempt to access my magic. "I'm tired and everything hurts."

"Did you think this would be easy? It takes years of -"

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