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He dramatically gestures to his chest, just over his heart. The skin is irritated, but I can tell what the design is. It’s a heart with fancy script. It reads Marra.

Everything seems to spin around me. He put my name on his chest in permanent ink? I look at him, my mouth gaping.

Bash sits up and runs his thumb along my lower lip. “You’ve stolen my heart, and it will always belong to you. You’re the only one who’s managed to get close, and I don’t ever want you to forget what you mean to me. In fact, I want the world to know.”

I struggle to find words, but don’t need to, because he leans closer and kisses me with a passion matching what I’m feeling but can’t express verbally.

Before I know it, we’re heading out the door.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

He turns to me. “You don’t like it?”

“I love it! I just can’t believe you tattooed my name on your chest.”

Bash laces his fingers around mine. “Like I said, you have my heart always. I’m yours as long as I live, because I can’t imagine my life without you. I think I got into so much trouble before I met you because I knew something was missing, and I was rebelling against that. Now I’m complete.”

I open my mouth to speak, but he presses his lips on mine. “Don’t say anything. I just want to enjoy being with you.”

He takes us back to the academy, and my heart sinks at the thought of having to study and face people. Part of me wants to suggest Bash and I run off together. Permanently. He cups my chin. “Are you okay?”

“Just not too excited about being back. Having to study or face anyone.”

He brushes his lips across mine. “Then we’ll avoid everyone.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see.”

“Another surprise?”

“Don’t you trust me yet?”

The corners of my mouth twitch. “Of course I do.”

“Good.” He leads me around the building until we end up at the garden.

Just the sight of it relaxes me. I squeeze his hand. “You and this garden.”

“I love bringing you here—my favorite place with my favorite mermaid.”

I press myself against him and give him a kiss.

He winces slightly.

I back up. “Did I push on your tattoo?”

“It’s fine.” He adjusts his shirt. “Come on.”

We follow the path to the bench we always seem to end up at. I collapse onto it, then he sits and puts his arm around me. More bushes have flowered since the last time we sat here, and the sight is even more soothing than before. We sit in silence for a few minutes before I turn to him. “Can I see it again?”

He kisses my fingertips. “Of course. It’s for you.”

My heart races as I wait for him.

Bash tilts his head. “You going to look?”

“I can’t see through the shirt.”