Page 37 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"Speak for yourself," Nyx scoffs as he cracks his neck side-to-side. "The ladies love addressing me as Lord Harland."

"Don't you mean Lord Nicodemus Harland?" Eris pokes his side with her elbow, drawing a tight-lipped, narrow-eyed look from him.

"Your name is Nicodemus?" I stifle a laugh. He certainly doesn't look like a Nicodemus to me.

"It's a family name," Nyx rubs his forehead as if a headache just sprouted.

"It's…"

He points an accusatory finger at me, "Don't."

"…dashing." I fight to keep a neutral face, but a giggle sneaks out and before long everyone is laughing, including Nyx.

"I'm glad you find that funny, Finnigan," Nyx snorts and Finn rolls his eyes.

"Why lash out at me? Eris is the one who used your birth name." Finn calmly wipes his glasses before slipping them back on.

"So, if you're Nicodemus and you're Finnigan," I tilt my head up to look at Atlas, "what is your full name?"

He watches me intensely as he takes a long sip of his water. A wicked gleam crosses his face. "I'm afraid I'm just Atlas. No fancy name for me."

Nyx cocks his head to the side and squints, "Welllllllll –"

"Nyx." Atlas says in warning, eyes darting from me to his youngest brother.

"Why don't you tell her your middle name?" Nyx grins in triumph as he pops a piece of fried meat in his mouth.

"What's your middle name?" I beam up at him and it's then I realize how Atlas is looking at me. There's a warmth in his eyes. His arm outstretched behind me, the mere inches separating us, has my breath waning and my sanity hanging on by a thread. What is going on? Why is my heart fluttering and my stomach flipping all of a sudden?

"Cathmore," he whispers, and my skin feels like it's on fire.

"Cathmore," I whisper back like it's a secret he's entrusted me with.

Thank the blasted stars the waiter arrives with a round of drinks and a tray of what I'm told is calledtapas– small plates of delicacies to share with the table. I scoot slightly closer to Finn, hoping Atlas doesn't notice, and pray I can make it through the rest of the meal without another intimate moment. To my surprise and relief, Atlas doesn't comment about me inching away, but lowers his arm and rests his hands on his lap. Now all I have to do is keep my emotions in check.

Once our meal is ravaged and we make our way upstairs to our rooms, the porter ushers me inside a spacious room with two single beds, a balcony overlooking the brightly lit city, and a spacious bathroom. I see a leather suitcase on one of the beds with a folded piece of paper with my name on it. Like a child on their birthday, I snatch the note up and tear it open.

It was good to meet you, my darling. Keep Atlas in line and he'll come around. Zuri

My face hurts, my smile is so wide. Zuri came through and delivered the clothes Atlas purchased. I sift through the case and I'm thrilled Atlas got me the black pants, juniper shirt, and brown leather boots Zuri recommended. There are a couple more shirts, an extra pair of pants, socks, and a couple sets of pajamas. Without further hesitation, I grab one of the fluffy white towels artfully arranged on my pillow and head for the shower.

The bathroom is completely tiled in white marble and the stall has a showerhead dangling from the ceiling. I strip off what used to be my favorite silk nightgown and the random pieces of clothing the Tronovians gave me throughout our trek through the jungle, and turn the hot water on, nearly melting in the steamy heat.

I pick up the white soap that smells like jasmine and vanilla and lather my skin in a thick layer of suds. I moan – this feels amazing. For the first time in days, I feel like myself again, even though I'm still getting used to my new appearance.

As soon as I step out of the shower and wrap my towel around my torso, I spend several minutes just staring at my reflection in the mirror. It's weird seeing myself and not recognizing the face gazing back at me. It'll take me awhile to get used to my new look, but at least I'm clean and have cozy sleepwear waiting for me in the adjoining room. I swing the door open, the steam of the bathroom escapes and cold air smacks against my skin, sending goosebumps rippling up and down my limbs.

I immediately see I'm not alone and tighten the towel around me. My mood sours and the peace I had from the hot, relaxing shower is ripped from me and replaced with irritation. I should have known Atlas would give me a roommate.

Twelve

IfImusthavea roommate, I would prefer Finn. He at least wouldn't seek me out to talk. Quite frankly, the quiet Tronovian and I could find ourselves as perfect friends. He doesn't speak excessively and gives sound advice. He's easy on the eyes too, so all around, he is a desirable roommate.

But no.

Staring at me like a lost puppy, sitting on the twin size bed next to mine, is Eris; meaning the brothers must have the room across the hall. Knowing Atlas, he probably wants her to have the private moment she's been longing for since I woke up on their boat a week ago.

Those blue eyes of hers are piercing, as if the sea itself danced in her gaze. Her eyes once conjured the feelings of friendship, trust, and safety. Now, they make my gut bubble with the sting of betrayal. Was anything she told me in Midori true?

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