Page 24 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

He gently brushes hair out of my face and offers me a reassuring smile. "I won't let you fall. Trust me."

And like a fool, I believe him. I nod as Vesper and her crew emerge from the jungle and edge closer to us. She flashes a victorious, serpentine smile.

"There's nowhere else for you to run, Princess." She extends her hand to me. "Come. We will return you to your fiancé."

Indignation courses through my body. If this is who my fiancé sends to procure me, then I would rather fall off this cliff with Atlas. I am not to be fetched by some wild ruffians.

I spit on the ground, which seems to take both Atlas and Vesper by surprise. It's the most unladylike thing I've ever done, and I like it. "Piss off."

I'm waiting, waiting patiently, waiting with trembling hands, for the last two members of Vesper's crew to step onto the overhang. I feel the magic humming in my fingertips, ready to be released.

"Lord Commander Bastian will be most disappointed by your defiance."

And for a reason I can't explain, I don't care. "You tell Bastian to come for me himself and not to send his rabid dogs to do his job."

Atlas laughs. It's the first time I've heard the sound and it warms my chest, giving me the confidence I need to defy Vesper, and in extension, defy Bastian.

"Bring her to me," Vesper commands. "Kill theTrinkiti."

Quickly obeying their master's orders, the Soul Eaters all step onto the overhang and inch closer to us.

"Now," Atlas says.

With all the magic I have left, I slam my hands down, and a crack zings down the center of the rocky overhang. It splits and every one of us falls toward the water below. My stomach lurches and I close my eyes. This is it. This is how I die. In the middle of the Bavarian jungle, fighting side by side with my enemy.

The sensation of falling is interrupted when Atlas scoops me in his arms and shadow dashes back to the mainland.

I hear the rogues scream as they splash into the water below, and I sigh in exhaustion and relief that we're safe. Hopefully, they all drown.

Atlas is lying on top of me, cradling my head. His chest is pressed against mine and for a few quiet moments, we just breathe. I can't believe we survived that.

I finally open my eyes to see he's already staring down at me. Something feels different between us. I just wish I could put my finger on what it is.

"You came back." His eyes change back to their natural green color. "Why?"

"You were in trouble."

"You could have escaped and went back to Midori on your own."

I could have. I should have. But I didn't want to, and that's what scares me.

"Let's not kid ourselves, Atlas." I whisper, injecting a lightness into my voice to slice through the tension. "We both know I wouldn't last one day on my own."

"I believe I said, you wouldn't lasttwodays on your own." He smiles and my heart beats a little faster.

Thunder rolls and within seconds, rain starts to pour on us.

"Great," I mutter, thankful his hovering head shields my face from getting wet. I take a second to stare up at him, those green eyes of his are hiding something. I can sense it. And the last thing I need in my life is more secrets. "Why are you looking at me like that? And why are you still on top of me?"

"Thank you."

Well, that's not what I expected him to say. "What?"

"I said, thank you." He tilts his head to the side. "Thank you for coming back to help me."

I hate this humbling feeling in the pit of my stomach. He's thanking me for theonetime I helped him, when he's rescued me from danger three times now. What is happening? I should hate him. I should push him off me and tell him not to touch me again, but looking up at him, seeing those curious eyes staring back at me, I find myself wanting to kiss him, to see how his lips feel pressed against mine.

No!

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