Page 49 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

We stomp side-by-side down the hallway toward our rooms. They're across the hall from one another, so there's no ditching him early. Once I reach my door, I slip my key out of my pocket and unlock it. Reluctantly, I turn to tell Atlas goodnight, but he's grinning at me like he has a joke to share.

"Why are you gawking at me like that?" I break the silence and he exhales a sigh of relief.

"Normally, I'd be overjoyed that you weren't talking to me, but I don't want to part ways with tension between us."

I fold my arms over my chest, popping my hip to the side. "What exactly do you want me to say?"

"You can say anything you want as long as you talk to me." He steps closer. "I've come to appreciate the sound of your voice and the last hour of your silence has been maddening."

I tilt my chin to look up at his towering frame. "You irritate me."

"And you drive me insane."

His breathing is heavy, his shoulders are slightly hunched curling above me. There's that same hunger and twinkle in his eyes he had as he watched me dance earlier. He looks like he wants to kiss me, but that cannot happen again.

Bumping my door open with my behind, I take several steps away from him. His hands are pinned on either side of the doorframe, but he doesn't follow me inside.

"Goodnight, Atlas."

That seems to catch him off guard. "Goodnight? We haven't eaten dinner yet."

"I think it's best that we maintain as much distance between us as possible."

"Oh?" He strums his fingers on the doorframe. "And why is that?"

"You know why." I narrow my eyes at him.

"Am I that repulsive that one kiss to avoid the Soul Eaters has you giving me the silent treatment?"

"Hmmm." I tap my chin. "Maybe it's the fact that I'm engaged to the man you're still determined to assassinate, that has me wanting some space."

He rubs his hands over his face, frustration clear in his features. "You don't need to constantly remind me that you're engaged, you know. I have an excellent memory."

"Clearly, I do have to remind you."

"Really?" He stalks inside the room, but I stand my ground, not the least bit frightened by his looming figure. "Are you trying to remindmethat you're engaged or remindyourself?"

I scoff. "What a ridiculous thing to say –"

"Is it?" He cuts me off. "Because if memory serves me right, Princess, you kissed me back."

"I did not!"

"Oh, yes, you did. Don't even try to deny it." He flashes a sensual smile at me as strands of his hair fall over his eyes. "If I hadn't pulled away," he says softly, "you wouldn't have."

I'm so flustered by his accusation that I don't even know how to respond. As much as I want to deny it to my dying breath, he's right. I did kiss him back and I wouldn't have pushed him away. Maybe I feel guilty for enjoying his body pressed against mine and subconsciously I want to start an argument with him, to keep him at a distance. Being away from home, away from Bastian, I'm finding it difficult to keep him and my royal responsibilities in the forefront of my mind. I haven't even considered trying to escape again after Vesper found us at the temple ruins. What is happening to me? I can't afford to let this Tronovian confuse me further.

I narrow my eyes. "What are you doing?" I hiss at him, and he throws his hands in the air in exasperation or surrender, I'm not entirely sure.

"What are you talking about?"

"I told you before that I intend to go back to Midori and marry Bast – "

"You think Bastian cares about you?" Atlas interrupts me, rage lacing his words. "He has Soul Eaters hunting you down -"

"You don't know him!" I shout, but Atlas isn't finished.

"I know the true Bastian. Do you?" That shuts me up, tears well in my eyes, and anger burns the back of my throat. His face softens at the sight of me on the verge of tears. "Why do you refuse to acknowledge that the monster exists?"

---