A Song of Shadow and Starlight by Morgan Gauthier

Author:Morgan Gauthier [Gauthier, Morgan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Published: 2023-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

The grueling uphill trek to Hotel Zulmara is a quiet one. By the time we arrive, I'm drenched in sweat, my hair is sticking to the back of my neck, and my fingers and feet are swollen. I'm sure I'm a blessed sight to behold, especially walking next to Atlas, who is glowing like a damn celestial, unaffected by the heat and humidity.

As we approach the center fountain, a light breeze whips some beads of water our way. The cool mist gives me a blast of welcoming chill and I can’t wait to get to my room to take a cold shower and scrub the dirt and grim off my skin.

The doormen open the doors for us. It's cooler in the lobby. The wooden fans I failed to notice yesterday are mounted in the ceilings, scattered strategically around the space. They're working overtime to supply a decent breeze, and for someone like me, who isn't used to the merciless humidity, it's a blessing.

Nyx, Eris, and Finn aren't in the lobby or restaurant, so we head upstairs to our rooms. We still haven't spoken a word to one another since we left the Brothel District, so it's far too late to casually stir up a conversation. I chuck the remainder of this evening up as a loss and I'm determined to forgo dinner and slip into my bed and forget today happened. But the second I think about Atlas kissing me, my treacherous heart beats a little faster.

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.

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