Page 46 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

I glance around the plaza until my sights are set on a bodega at the corner. I smirk at Nyx, and I snatch his hand, pulling him where I want to go. "I want to get my nose pierced."

"What?" He nearly chokes.

"Zuri told me I would look good with a small hoop piercing," I quickly explain, not letting up on dragging him toward the piercer's cart. "And don't tell me I can't. It's my nose and I'll do what I want."

Nyx tugs his arm back, stopping my advancement. I whip around, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but he says, "I would never tell you what to do, Shaye. No one should have that power over you."

I'm taken aback and he seems to notice. "You didn't expect me to say that, did you?" he smiles triumphantly.

"No," I admit. "I didn't. I thought I'd have to fight you."

"Fight me?" Nyx scoffs and sticks out his tongue to show me the silver piercing. "I might just get another one myself." He winks and I smile. He is quickly becoming my favorite Harland brother.

Nyx holds my hand as I get my nose pierced. It's a prick of pain before the delicate silver hoop I picked out is threaded through. Nyx decides to get his brow pierced to go along with the three dots tattooed on the left side of his face. When I ask what the tattoo is for, he says it represents him and his brothers. I suppose I should have guessed that, but it's actually sweet to see him express his affection for Atlas and Finn.

We make our way to another plaza that has live music and dancing. Nyx, I find, is quite the avid dancer, swaying his hips perfectly with the beating of the drums. His smile is infectious and draws one from me. When he extends his hand for me to dance with him, I shake my head. Even though I am a trained classical dancer, I only know ballroom routines suitable for highfalutin parties hosted by my parents in the Golden Palace. And even then, I only dance with Bastian or old men that make up my father's counsel. The way Nyx is moving, rolling his torso, wiggling his ass, and waving his arms, I'm honestly not sure I can keep up.

"Come on, Shaye," he turns in a circle, beckoning me forward. "Let loose. Have a little fun. You only live once."

A part of me wants to shrink and keep to the shadows, but Nyx is right. I need to let loose and have some fun. I should enjoy life and all it has to offer, especially since it might be my only opportunity before I marry and take the throne.

I smile at Nyx and take his hand. "I don't know what I'm doing," I say.

He pulls me close to him. "Well, it's a good thing I'm an excellent instructor."

"So, just move my hips?" I sway side to side and immediately feel weird. Nyx shakes his head with a reassuring smile.

"May I?" His hands hover above my hips and I bob my head. He gently presses his palms against me and moves me in sync with the beat of the drums. "Like this."

I start to understand and once I catch the beat on my own, Nyx lets me go, and shows me how to move my arms and knees. At first, I feel ridiculous, but then I begin to feel sensual and empowered. I'm no longer rigid, but fluid, and I can feel the music flowing through my body.

"You got it!" Nyx rolls his head and grins.

Before long, I'm dancing with Nyx, other Bavans, and anyone within an arm's length. Everyone is smiling, dancing, and having a wonderful time. I shed all of my inhibitions and truly let go, embracing the rhythm and living in the moment.

A beautiful pale blue troll slides over to Nyx and wraps her arms around his neck. Together, they sway in perfect harmony and for a second it looks like they are about to kiss in front of everyone. I turn my head, not wanting to watch them, but instantly feel the unmistakable feeling of being watched. I slowly glance around the crowded street, hoping not to come face to face with Vesper or one of her Soul Eaters, but my sights settle on Atlas leaning against the side of a building, arms crossed over his chest, a gleam in his eyes.

He doesn't make a move to come toward me. He just watches me with keen interest. How long has he been staring at me from a distance? I keep in beat, swaying side to side, rolling my belly and moving my arms the way Nyx taught me. I throw my head back and roll my neck, draping myself in my long, white hair. This time, when I meet his gaze, there's a darkness, a hunger, and all trace of amusement is wiped clean. I have him under my spell, as if no one else in the world exists. It makes me feel powerful to have this shadow wielder's undivided attention.

Eris and Finn show up beside Atlas and even though they're talking to him, his eyes haven't left mine once. He says something to them, but I don't catch what happens next because a hand slips around my waist and pulls me.

A Bavan male I don't know takes the liberty to grind against me, robbing me of the joy I was experiencing. I try to pull away, but he doesn't release me.

"You are a lovely dancer," he whispers in my ear and takes a deep whiff of my hair. The hotness of his breath and dampness of his skin instantly sours my stomach. I once again try to escape him, but his hold on me tightens. "Let's go find a quiet spot to get to know one another."

"Let go of me!" I try to wiggle free but fail. He's so much bigger and stronger than I am, and he easily drags me deeper into the crowd, away from the others.

In a panic, I try elbowing him or stomping on his feet, but he wraps his arms around me, pinning my arms down to my sides and lifts me off my feet, so I'm literally at his mercy. I reach for my magic. I know Atlas doesn't want me to use it, because it will draw unwanted attention, but I need to escape. Before I am forced to summon my magic, someone grabs my wrist, stopping the troll.

"If you know what's good for you," Nyx's eyes are so ferocious even I feel threatened, "let her go."

The troll doesn't release me immediately but when Atlas, Finn, and Eris surround us, he begrudgingly drops me.

"Humans," he spits on the ground and blends into the crowd.

"You alright?" Nyx's eyes soften and are filled with apology as he helps me stand up.

I nod. "Better now. I guess you were too good of a teacher. I seem to attract the wrong type."

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