Page 36 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

She nods in understanding but doesn't press for more information. "Will you be wanting your usual suite?"

He shakes his head, avoiding my inquisitive stare. "Not this time. Do you have two rooms with private bathrooms available? Preferably near one another."

"For our most valued guest, we can certainly make something work." Jayna pulls her spectacles down and quickly flips through the leather-bound tome in front of her. She picks up her pen and taps against the sheets as she reads each line.

Atlas side eyes me, but I keep my thoughts and opinions to myself for the time being. For a moment, I think she won't be able to find two adjoining rooms, especially with the uptick in tourists in town for the festival, but then, in her sing song voice, she points to the ledger and says, "Here we go. I have two rooms on the same floor. One has two single beds and the other has one large bed. Both have private bathrooms and have excellent views of the city. Would that be satisfactory?"

"That would be perfect. Thank you." He takes a handful of gold coins out of his bag and slides it across the counter. "Will this be adequate?"

She smiles brightly. "Hotel Zulmara thanks you for your continued generosity, Mr. Harland. As you know, as a VIP member, you and your party have access to the exclusive dining parlor, the swimming pool, the spa, and of course, the private hot springs located on the lower level." She hands Atlas two brass keys. "Do let us know if you need anything else during your stay."

"Thank you," he taps the counter twice before we walk away.

Instead of ascending the grand staircase, we head toward the lounge area of the lobby, fitted with leather armchairs, velvet couches, and an enormous bar with a glass chandelier hovering above.

I bump my elbow against Atlas' arm and smirk when he meets my playful gaze. "Most valued guest?"

He shrugs, the corners of his mouth tug upward. "I suppose I have a reputation here."

"Where are we going?"

"The others will be in the dining room stuffing their faces with Bavan delicacies. It's one of our favorite places to relax."

We slip through the lounge and pass floor-to-ceiling windows before heading up a flight of steps to the glass enclosed dining parlor. Rich, dark wood tables with white marble countertops and navy chairs with gold spindle legs fill the space. I look around but fail to see the other three members of our group.

"Over there," Atlas says softly, pointing at one of the circular booths in the center of the room. There are only three such booths, fashioned with luxurious navy cushions and crystal centerpieces. It's then I see Nyx, Finn, and Eris sipping exotic cocktails, laughing, and taking bites of food off small ceramic dishes.

Atlas places his hand along the small of my back and leads me through the bustling dining room filled with humans, trolls, frost elves, sea elves, and dwarves. As we approach our table, I feel as if everyone's eyes are on me, and all the loud chatter tapers to hushed whispers. My heart races and my eyes dart around the room only to find they aren't staring at me; they're watching the man I'm with. I lift my chin, and look toward him, but he's watching me, not seeming to care about anyone else in the room.

Quickly, I face the direction we're walking, not interested in unpacking what just silently transpired between us. Nyx notices us first and places both his arms along the top of the cushioned booth.

"Well, well, well," his eyebrows bounce playfully, "nice of you two to join us."

Atlas motions for me to slide in first next to Finn. Then he takes the space beside me, shielding me from the prying eyes of other diners.

"We said to meet here in two hours," Atlas says flippantly, making himself comfortable. "We made it within that time frame."

Nyx laughs, "Just in time." He glances across the table at me, and something sparks in his eyes. I'm dying to ask why he's looking at me that way, but I'm petrified he has some secret way of knowing how close Atlas and I were in that alley, so keep my mouth shut to avoid embarrassment.

"How did you manage to reserve a table?" I ask, fiddling with the silverware in front of me. When no one immediately answers, I glance around the table and notice all four of them are exchanging odd looks.

Nyx takes the cigarette from behind his ear, lights it, and exhales a puff of smoke up into the air. "This table is always reserved for us."

"Really?"

"Well, when you spend as much time here as we do, you get whatever you want," Nyx shrugs, twitching the reefer between his index and middle fingers.

Finn takes a sip of his exotic yellow drink and says, "And being the nephews of the King of Tronovia doesn't hurt either."

"You're –" I stare at each brother individually before landing on Atlas, whose arm is resting on the cushion behind me. "You're King Soren's nephews?"

Atlas nods. "Our mother is his younger sister."

"Does that make you…?"

"Princes?" Atlas laughs. "No, thank the Stars."

"We have royal titles," Finn explains, "but we don't use them."

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