Page 81 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

Finn exhales a breath before standing up to clear the table. "Are you finished?" he asks me, pointing at my empty plate.

I nod and smile, offering him the dish. "It was delicious, thank you."

He returns my smile, pride beaming in his hazel eyes. "You're welcome." He piles other dishes on top until he's ready to take the stack to the kitchen.

"Do you need help with cleaning up?" I stand in an effort to help, but he waves me off.

"You're our guest. That wouldn't be proper." He shakes his head and gently picks the stack up.

"Besides," Eris hops up, grabbing three wine glasses, "he already has me to help him clean up."

I nod my head and slowly sit back down as they head into the kitchen, laughing the entire way. They'd make a perfect couple, if they'd give each other a chance to explore that option. Maybe one of these days I'll feel comfortable enough to broach the topic with Eris and gauge how she's feeling about Finn. But for now, I'll keep my thoughts and opinions to myself.

"So…" I'm not really sure what else to say, but I hate sitting in complete silence, especially when all I can think of is Atlas using my body as a canvas and smearing paint all over me.

"So…" he echoes, as he finishes off his wine. "Something on your mind, Princess?"

I flash him a narrow-eyed look before shaking my head. "No. Something on your mind, Tronovian?"

"Oh, I have quite a bit on my mind," he purrs.

"Like what?"

He leans forward, rests his elbows on the table, and clicks his teeth. "I think it's better left unsaid."

Suddenly, it feels like a gust of humid Bavan air has blown through the Harland House and I have a strong urge to sprint outside to catch my breath. It's taking every bit of inner strength I possess not to shy away from his unwavering eye contact.

"Afraid to tell me?" I tease.

"Not afraid." A primitive look flashes in his eyes, heating my belly. "You're just not ready to hear what's really on my mind."

The way his eyes bore into mine sets my soul on fire. The thought of shoving him back in his seat and sitting on his lap to claim him as mine consumes me. I'm not sure if that's what I really want or if I'm allowing my emotional hardship to affect my judgment. I wonder how he would react if I straddled him right here in the middle of the dining room and bit his bottom lip? Would he welcome my advances? My eyes drift to his hands and I watch as he gently strokes the stem of his wine glass. I've seen what power he possesses in those fingers and the desire to know what he could do to me with those hands has my body tingling.

"If you need me," Atlas says softly, and a lump forms in my throat, "I'll be in my room. Goodnight,Strenlys."

"Goodnight, Tronovian." I stare at him as he stands up and walks upstairs.

The second he's out of view, I exhale and slump in my chair. Thinking of him sitting in his bed, right above my room…

No. I have to reign in my thoughts. Until I see Bastian again and talk to him about everything I've learned, I'm technically an engaged woman. Even if I am questioning my love and devotion for him.

I groan and slip out of my seat. I hear Finn and Eris giggle in the kitchen as they clean up and I smile. If there were ever two people meant for one another, it's them.

Quietly making my way up to the second floor, I take a quick, warm shower before I turn in for the evening. If I am to meet with King Soren in the morning, I need to be well rested. I slip into my bed and close my eyes. For a split second, I fear Vesper might find me and kick my door in, but then I remember Atlas is asleep directly above me and Nyx is at the end of the hall. I'm protected. I'm safe. And with that comforting thought, I drift to sleep in hopes of having sweet dreams.

Sweetdreamseludemewhen someone crashes down on top of me, waking me up. No, not something. Someone. More specifically, a man.

In terror, I two-hand shove the intruder off of me and blast him with a ball of light, shooting him across the room and slamming him against the wall. Pictures fall to the floor, and the glass frames break. I look at my assailant, and even in the dark, I know for sure it's not one of the Tronovian brothers, and that's when his hands ignite in flames. If he's a bounty hunter, he'll regret coming for me. I wave my hands, containing him with a golden shield.

"What the hell? What is this!?" The flames vanish and he taps the bubble around him in childlike wonder.

With the light from my magic filling the room, I finally get a good look at him. He's not a Soul Eater, but that doesn't mean he couldn't have been sent by them. If he is some kind of bounty hunter, he certainly doesn't look menacing.

"Who are you?" I ask, but before he can answer, my door bursts open and the brothers stampede inside. They're angry, protective, and shirtless. Shirtless? I have to do a doubletake to make sure my eyes aren't deceiving me.

"Why are you all shirtless?"

"You mean to tell me youdon'tsleep in the nude?" Nyx tsks in disappointment but laughs when I flash him a warning look.

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