Page 44 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

He doesn't look surprised by my question; perhaps, that's why he had thought carefully about making a deal with me. He knew what I was going to ask and was weighing if it was worth being truthful with me to ask a question of his own.

"It happened seven years ago," Atlas makes himself comfortable, even though his face is strained. "To celebrate my eighteenth birthday and enjoy a rare break from our studies at the School of Magic, me and eight of my classmates decided to go to a small village off the coast of Tronovia. We had a great time fishing, camping, swimming…" He trails off, his eyes are hazy.

This was a mistake. It was selfish of me to ask about his scars when he'd already told me it was none of my business.

"Atlas, you -"

"We didn't hear them coming." Atlas continues, ignoring my attempts to stop him. "At first, I thought they were pirates looking for money or trinkets, but we quickly found out they were looking for magic wielders."

"What?"

"I thought they were planning to kidnap us to sell us, but right there on the beach, they tied us up and slit three of my friends' throats. There was no warning, just bloodshed." His voice is steady, but not much louder than a whisper. "With the rest of us, they took their time slicing us up. Partly for their enjoyment, but mostly because they wanted information."

"What information?"

Atlas meets my gaze, and my heart nearly shatters. "They were looking for someone, but none of us knew who."

"How did you escape?" My voice cracks.

"Most Tronovian magic wielders possess fire magic, but as you know, I'm an anomaly and deal with shadows."

"You escaped during the night?"

"I waited until the pirates were asleep and tried to free my friends, but they were all…" He rubs a hand against his cheek. "I was too late. By the time I made it back to the city for aid, the pirates were gone and what remained of my friends was burned."

"I'm sorry, Atlas." I reach for him but stop short. His eyes watch the gesture, but he makes no effort to meet me half-way. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"It's been seven years, and I can still see their faces, hear their screams." He combs a hand through his wet locks and sighs. "I just wish I could have done more."

"Did you ever find the pirates who did this?"

"Not until two days ago," he says, "when I recognized Vesper's voice."

"Vesper?" My eyes widen. "Are you saying the pirates who tortured you were actually Soul Eaters?"

Atlas shifts his weight, visibly uncomfortable. "They wore masks so I didn't see what any of them looked like, but I will never forget her voice."

Uneasiness upsets my stomach and my heart races. If the Soul Eaters were the ones who tortured and killed Atlas' friends, and Vesper was the one leading the assault, then that would mean Bastian was either involved or knew about it and turned a blind eye, since they are his personal guards. It was seven years ago, but that still places Bastian as a freshly titled Lord Commander at the age of eighteen.

Atlas said they were looking for someone and mutilating magic wielders for information. I hate to even think it, but what if they were searching for me? All this time, they've been looking for someone with my light magic – Enver Sol's magic. How did Bastian even meet Vesper? I'm sure there must be an explanation, but I'm terrified of the answer.

"Don't go all soft on me, Princess," Atlas teases. "It happened a long time ago."

"No wonder you hate Midorians." I can't bring myself to look at him.

"Princess."

I tear my eyes from the steaming water and force myself to meet his gaze.

"I hated Midorians long before that." He says it with a smirk, a playfulness in his tone. I know he's trying to make light of the heaviness of his past, but it doesn't draw a smile from me. "My turn," I stare at him from across the spring, hoping the tears that well in my eyes don't slip down my cheeks.

"Ask your question," I whisper, nodding my head.

"Why do you think you're in love with Bastian?"

"Think?" I crinkle my nose. "A very aggressive question, don't you think?"

He smiles. "I answered your question, now answer mine."

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