Page 121 of Pawn of the Cruel Princess

“Ah yes. I’ve noticed that it’s less distinct than it used to be. The royal tattoo mage of Thannira is not very skilled. Ruelle tells me some of her tattoos hold, and others don’t last long.”

“Interesting.” Locke is still frowning at my arm. “Well, I suppose that means you’ll be truly free soon. Except for the tattoo you’ll take tonight, the one protecting the secret of this place.”

“Of course.”

“And what will you do once the thrall tattoo wears away?” Locke’s eyes bore into mine.

“I will stay with her. Always. She became mine the moment she claimed me.”

A smile breaks over his face. “Odd how that works, isn’t it?”

We chuckle, and then I say, “I’m going to wake Ruelle. She needs to see this.”

As I turn, I nearly bump into Veronica in my haste. She steps aside with a wry smile and says, “Rue isn’t going to be happy with you, Ducayne.”

“I know.” I keep running, threading among the deckhands and descending below, to our tiny cabin in the hold, where I lift Ruelle straight out of the bunk. She comes up bleary-eyed and rosy, clutching a knife like a child might grip a favorite toy.

“What is happening?” She rubs her eyes with her free hand and pushes aside tangled blonde hair.

“We’re approaching Ravensbeck. It’s beautiful, Rue, and I want you to see it.”

“Fuck you,” she mumbles, her head lolling against my shoulder. “You snored last night.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Awkwardly I manage the ladder with her on one arm, and then I scoop her up with both arms again, cradling her to my chest.

“Locke noticed that my tattoo is fading,” I tell her as I carry her across the deck.

She blinks up at me. “What did he say?”

“Asked if I would stay with you once it was gone.”

“Of course he did.”

“I told him always. I will always stay with you.”

A moment of quiet—and then she grips my jaw, so hard it hurts, and she drags my mouth to hers. A quick kiss, full of everything she doesn’t say.

“Even if you decide you don’t want me, I’ll linger,” I promise. “I’ll hide under your bed and leap out of dark corners. And if I die, I’ll haunt you—”

She gasps and slaps me. “You bastard.”

“I will.” I bend my head, nuzzling against her neck. “I’ll haunt you with ghostly snores, and I’ll be your reflection in mirrors. And when you’re asleep—” I shift her in my arms, reaching between her thighs— “I will put my ghostly fingers right here—”

She jumps out of my arms and runs away, ducking behind Veronica, who turns with an indulgent, “What’s he done now?”

I hold up my hands innocently. “I was merely proclaiming my undying devotion to my Princess.”

“You stay away from me,” says Ruelle, brandishing her dagger. Her eyes sparkle, and the smile hovering over her mouth is the sun of my world.

“Or you’ll cut me? Oh Princess—you forget how much I enjoy your sweet tortures.”

“How could any of us forget?” Locke says dryly. “We hear the sweet tortures all too often. Nick, darling, when we get home remind me to have Madam Thora put these two in a room very far from ours.”

I guffaw. “You two are worthy rivals in that area. The sounds I’ve heard coming from the captain’s cabin—gods. It’s enough to make a thrall blush.”

“Can’t help it.” Locke tugs Veronica closer.

She shakes her head at him. “Speaking of thralls—did you know that when Locke first brought me here, he led me through the streets with a collar and chain, as his paid whore?”