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She lifts a slender hand up, choking whatever words I was going to fumble on next. "Is that what I should have done, Atlas? Just hopped on your uncle's ship and sailed back to Midori?"
"I didn't mean it like that -"
"Oh, then how did you mean it?"
I sigh, stroking my fingers through my hair, trying to give myself a second to think through my next words carefully. I'm always calculated when dealing with people, only saying what is pertinent and keeping my personal feelings out of it. But with her, I either upset her or open up too much and let a vulnerable side of me be made known. And honestly, I'm not sure which I hate more.
When I don't immediately answer, she scoffs, rolls her eyes, and stomps out the double doors to the buggy. I take a deep breath, look up to the ceiling, and muster the strength to keep my hands to myself while enduring what will most likely be an intense ride home.
Two
Shaye
Irefuse to sit next to Atlas, taking the seat beside Nyx, which seems to irritate him, but he doesn't say a word as he settles into the leather cushioned seat directly across from his brother. Tapping the ceiling of the carriage, he signals to our driver that we are ready to depart and stares out the window to my left. I can feel Nyx's arm tense against mine during the quiet ride, but I don't meet his line of sight. Instead, I glance out the window to my right, and silently take in more of the city as we head back home.
Home.
It seems Tronovia will be my new home for the unforeseeable future which doesn't bother me. I'm not in a rush to go back to Midori, especially with Vesper under Bastian's command. King Soren promised he would send a ship with a messenger to visit my parents and inform them of my decision to stay in Tronovia for a visit. If they want me to come home, I'm sure we'll receive word back and then I'll have to make harder choices. For now, I'll soak up all the knowledge I can and hopefully get some answers to all my burning questions.
Nyx fidgets beside me spurring me to chuckle internally. I don't mind Nyx being my watchdog. He's fun to be around and I know he'll do whatever he has to do to keep me safe without irritating me. Though, my treacherous heart wishes Atlas had been instructed to guard me instead.
The closer we get to the house, the more anxious I am for Atlas to break down and apologize for his comments, so we can go back to working on our friendship. Is that even what I want? Part of me wants to apologize for how I spoke to him, but the other part of me is determined to double down and refrain from looking in his general direction for the next week.
"So," Nyx clears his throat, drawing my gaze, and breaking the intense silence. "It seems like we'll be spending a lot more time together, Kitarni."
"There are worse fates." I nudge him playfully with my elbow.
"Do tell, Princess." Atlas lazily leans against the corner of the carriage. His posture indicates that he has the utmost disinterest in my answer, but those green eyes of his say otherwise. "What would be worse than being attached at the hip with Nyx from morning to night?"
"Being stuck with you all day and all night," I retort, feeling just as childish as I sound.
He scoffs and shakes his head as a smirk snakes across his tan face. "How clever, Strenlys."
His nickname for me shouldn't send a shiver down my spine, but now that I know what it means, I can't help the flutters in my belly. By the tilt of his head, he's noticed the change in my demeanor. I cannot allow him to have such power over me.
"You don't even want me here," I cross my arms over my chest. "You said it yourself in the castle. Maybe I should have taken your uncle up on his offer to return to Midori."
A flash of anger flares in his eyes but as quick as it comes, it vanishes. "It was a stupid thing to say."
"But it was probably the truth," I sigh. "Maybe I should go back."
"You would rather risk Bastian getting his hands on you than – "
"Than be trapped here with you breathing down my neck?" I spit back, silencing him. "I've already lived that life, Atlas. My parents, Bastian, my people – watching my every move, disapproving of my choices, forbidding me from leavingthe prison that was my palace…" I stop, because arguing with him about this seems almost pointless.
"Do you think I am trying to control you?" His question comes out so softly that it almost sounds broken.
"Do you think making a deal with your king was a mistake?" When he just stares at me, I rub the heels of my palms against my eyes and sigh. "What was I supposed to do, Atlas?"
"Promising to fight at the frontlines in a war when you aren't remotely close to mastering your magic, nor trained in battle combat, is a serious error." His answer feels like a punch to the gut. "I've trained my entire life for war, and even I could still fall in battle." He leans forward, his elbows rooted to his knees, hands hanging between his knees. "You've known about your magic all of two weeks and you're expected to be the one to bring Drogon to his knees?"
"You don't need to worry about me." I clear my throat and shift in my seat when I remember this isn't a private conversation; that Nyx is beside me listening, watching, and waiting patiently for this interaction to be over with. "If your professors are as knowledgeable as I've been led to believe, then I should be able to wield myself as a weapon if called upon."
Atlas drops his head and rubs his hands against his face. A groan escapes him before he wearily looks up at me, a twinkle in his eyes. "Do you like arguing with me?"
"What?" His question catches me off guard. Even Nyx sputters a choked laugh.
"You might be the most infuriating woman I've ever met, but for some reason, I would rather argue with you than let you stew in silence."
