Page 9 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"All of it?" Before I get a chance to retort, Nyx asks, "Are you hungry? I can grab you something from the kitchen."

"For you to poison me?" I crinkle my nose, tilting my chin a fraction higher. "I think not."

"Why would we poison you? That's irrational." He leans his shoulder against the wall and crosses one leg in front of the other.

He has a point, but I refuse to admit it.

"We need you alive and well to negotiate your release," he continues, nonchalantly. "Poisoning you would not only be stupid, but counterproductive."

That might be true, but since I can't drink my tea, I'm as good as dead anyway. Maybe there's a chance I won't die. Maybe I'll just get sick, or my body will weaken -

I shake the thought of my fast-approaching mortality free. Dwelling on it won't save me, but maybe when they all fall asleep, I can save myself.

"You've got plotting eyes," Nyx's voice brings me back to the present. "Whatever ideas are running through that head of yours," he points at me with his reefer for emphasis, "give it up. Like it or not, you're stuck with us." He straightens to his full height, and I'm reminded of just how much he towers over me. "My room is directly across from you."

"And why would I want to know that?"

"If you need anything, let me know." He turns and heads toward the stairs leading up to the others. "Oh, and Princess," he glances over his shoulder at me and winks, "you wouldn't be the first woman who tried to slit my throat and failed to kill me."

I roll my eyes and slam my bedroom door shut behind me. One way or another, I'll get back home. Even if I have to bloody my hands in the process.

Four

Ican'tsleepandoddly enough it has nothing to do with the uncomfortable cot in Atlas' cave of a room.

I'm waiting for something bad to happen to me. I haven't had my tea for an entire day. Will all of my hair fall out? Will my skin wrinkle to that of a hundred-year-old woman? Will I fall ill? Will I die?

When I first woke up in this room, I didn't notice how it smelled until Atlas got close to me. Pine, leather, and a bit of sulphur. That's what he and subsequently, his miniscule quarters smell like. I want to hate the intoxicating scent, but I don't. That won't prevent me, however, from doing what I know I must.

I heard Atlas and Eris walking through the hallway earlier discussing how they would have to stay within sight of the Bavarian coast because their boat isn't geared for the open sea. All I have to do, is get to Bava, and the king will ensure I make it home – that is, if I survive without my tea.

I take a deep breath. It's now or never. I haven't heard any of them moving about the vessel for at least an hour. From the snoring across the hall, it's safe to assume they're asleep. No one is guarding my door. They believe being adrift at sea will deter me from trying to escape, but underestimating the lengths I will go to break free from them is their mistake.

I leave Finn's jacket on Atlas' cot, not wanting the heavy fabric to slow down my aquatic escape. Quietly, I step toward the door, crack it open, and peek to see if any of my captors are wandering the hallway. Relieved I'm the only one up, I slip out of the room, and tip toe to the steps leading to the deck.

The light breeze dances around me, spurring goosebumps to spread across my body. The stars twinkle brightly above me, and the full moon lights the Bavarian coastline. It's a good distance from the boat, but swimmable. My teeth chatter at the thought of how cold the water will be but I'm determined to get home, and this is the only way. I take a deep breath but as I clutch the wooden railing to leap into the sea, a deep voice startles me, causing me to whip around.

"That's quite a long way to swim, Princess. You sure you want to risk it?"

I glare at Atlas perched on the railing on the opposite side of the deck. He swings his feet like a child, a glass bottle of liquor in his grasp. I want to slap that brutish smirk off his face.

"I'm an excellent swimmer."

Atlas nods his head and takes a swig of his drink. "I'm sure you are."

The sarcasm in his voice isn't missed. "You don't believe me?"

"I'm sure a princess of the sand lands is quite adept at swimming."

"Shall I prove it to you, Tronovian?" I cross my arms across my chest to hide any signs of how truly cold I am.

He chuckles and the predatorial sound sends an unwelcome shiver down my spine.

"As much as I would like to see you try, I can't let you do that."

"Let me?" My nostrils flare. "I don't take orders from you,Trinkiti."

"Insult me all you like, Your Mightiness, but if you jump, don't expect me to save you."

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