Page 82 of Liar Witch

I frown, uncomprehending. “Why?”

“When we mated, your clan became mine,” Klaus explains. “The trident is my mother’s clan symbol. The water in the ink means sirens can sing our tattoos into new shapes when allegiances change.”

“And you wanted my symbol?”

He nods, grinning. “I thought it fit; deadly, but graceful. They camouflage with the ocean floor, just like you do with the shadows, and they strike when threatened… If you’re not a fan, I can get it changed if we ever come back.”

Val makes a retching noise at the other end of the table and I shoot a glare in his direction.

“You don’t have to have them if you don’t want them,” I reply, still a little uncomfortable with the idea.

He smirks. “And why, exactly, would I not want to let the world know that a beautiful warrior chose me as her mate?”

Now it’s my turn to blush.

“Not a warrior,” I mumble, turning to my food. “Assassin, remember?”

The first bite is heavenly, bursting onto my tastebuds with a richness that rivals anything I’ve ever eaten before.

“Okay, the siren can stay,”Opal confirms, looking up from her own dish on the floor.“Goddess, this male cancook.”

I smile. “Opal likes your cooking.”

Klaus grins and reaches down to pet her. “Just Opal?”

I brush a loose piece of hair behind my ear and take another bite, savouring the moment. “Maybe notjustOpal.”

“Oh great, keep flirting with the enemy,” Val growls.

“I’ll flirt with my mate whenever I like,” I retort. “We’re all on the same side, remember?”

“No. There’s you two, and then there’s us.” Val shoves his chair back. “We can’t help you. We can’t betray—” His words cut off suddenly, his face quickly turning blue at the lack of oxygen. He shoves Cas away as the shifter tries to help, making gasping noises until he can speak again. “We arestuck,and if you cross the line, the bargain will compel us to stop you. By whatever. Means. Necessary.” He glares down the table at all of us. “Think about how that will affect the rest of these lovesick fools before you start plotting.”

He grabs his plate and strides away through a wall, the whole ship shaking with the force of his displeasure.

“Ignore him,” Cas mutters.

“He has a point,” Nos counters. “You can’t tell us anything, but at least you’ve got Klaus now. If something goes wrong, siren…”

“You do whatever you have to do to protect Nilsa,” Rysen growls. “Even if it’s fromus.”

“I’m right here,” I snap.

Ugh, the rest of the men are already nodding.

“I won’t put you in that position,” I promise. “As far as your bargain with the Eagle goes: I’m just a passenger on your ship, I have no plans.”

“Delusion won’t work forever,” Klaus mutters. “We need a solution.”

I hum in agreement, but my mind is running in circles.

A fae bound bargain is unbreakable. It’s not witch-made, though I know witches have tried to break their own bargains before.

The only thing that can free them is death.

The Queen’s… or theirs.

Kier’s presence made those the only two possible outcomes.