Page 107 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
He's not yet had to take anyone's shadow. One day, the Lord of the Nocturne Court will call upon him, and he will need to be the executioner to someone's shadowcraft. All I can hope for is that the punishment will be just when it's required, so Hawk’s conscience can remain clear.
I’ve had his luggage packed for him, which he seems delighted by as he grabs our coffers and leads the way outside. By the time we’re boarding the ship, the moon’s gone from the sky, and the swamp lights are burning all around us as the crew adjusts thesails. The darkness beyond is absolute, but my husband doesn’t seem bothered and unpacks the snacks I purchased for him in the town closest to the castle. A woven screen is stretched across the deck to afford us privacy while we settle on a low sofa at the prow and glance at the sails bulging above. A member of the crew calls upon the wind.
“This whole magic thing is so useful. People used to get stuck in the middle of the ocean when there was no breeze,” Hawk tells me, pushing a stuffed bird into his mouth. The delicate bones fracture the moment he bites down.
“At least they aren’t at risk of being swallowed whole by a leviathan,” I jest, but Hawk’s eyes open wider, so I pat his arm. “We will be fine. This is a royal vessel, the captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and will not endanger us, even if it means turning back.”
Hawk shrugs and eats another bird, crunching with every bite.
“The vendor knew your name. You should have told me to order more snacks for you.” I smirk when he opens the cherin. The smell alone reminds me of our wedding day, and I choose to only remember how happy I felt before the Nightcloaks crashed our party.
He frowns and takes a swig straight from the bottle. “I have a fast metabolism.”
“You’ll need all that energy where we’re going, as there’s no laboratory there. I will require a lot of your attention.” I smile and sit closer, patting his belly.
Hawk’s mouth stretches into the goofiest of smiles, and he leans in to kiss me as the wind tousles our hair. “Come on, surely you can tell me where we’re going now that we’ve boarded the ship!”
I pinch his cheek. “No! It’s a surprise. All I can tell you is that the trip there will take several hours, and required me to obtain a special permit.”
He grunts and pushes his hands to my flanks. I stiffen, worried he might try to tickle the truth out of me, but he pulls closer, and our lips meet in the sweetest of kisses. “I also have something for you,” he whispers and reaches into his pocket.
My breath catches in my throat, and I get choked up at the sight of the ring in his fingers. A sapphire, a diamond, and a ruby set in titanium. “Hawk… It’s like the one you gave me on our wedding day! How did you get one just like it?” I sigh as he slips it on my finger. Unlike the one I had to leave behind, this one fits just right.
He clears his throat and kisses first the ring, then each of my knuckles, and this display of tenderness makes my chest tighten. “Remember that time I disappeared and you yelled at me for two hours once I returned?”
My ears heat up in shame. “Was I that bad? I just got really worried…”
He stops me with a gesture and smiles. “I’m not mad. Of course you were worried. But if I told you I was headed to Lepearl’s hideout to buy the ring back, this would not be a surprise.”
My breath catches as I stare at the ring. “It’s the same one? And you even had the size adjusted?” I have to bite the inside of my cheek to fight the tears stinging my eyes. “You are a marvel, my love. More than I could have ever dreamed of.”
Hawk swallows, hesitating, but then he’s pulling me close, and I curl up against his broad chest. Oh, how I love the scent of him. There is nothing more soothing in this world. “You must be joking. You’re literally a prince from another world, andI’mthe ‘marvel’?” He chuckles before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “You made me into an immortal wolf, I live in a castle, and rub elbows with royals. I still sometimes wake up and wonder if it’s all just a dream, but you’re more beautiful than anything I could imagine, so you must really be mine.”
Moths flutter their wings in my stomach when he kisses me. I have never felt more wanted and at peace. “I love you. And I…” I said that I wouldn’t tell him, but now I’m itching to see his reaction. “I thought that if there’s something you miss from the human realm, it’s sunshine. I have arranged a sunny retreat for us. Though I warn you that I will most likely spend a lot of time in the shade.”
He blinks, leaning back, and stares at me as if he were waiting for me to tell him I’m joking. Alas, I am not. “Like… to the human realm?” he chokes out, attempting to control his breathing.
“Yes! And I made sure to confirm that it’ll be safe for you there, as we are going to a remote beach in the Land of Tay.”
When he frowns a little, I wonder if I said the word correctly. “Luke has assured me you would know of this place. Teyland?” I try again, and his eyes grow wide.
“Thailand? We’re going to Thailand?”
The excitement is so clear in his smile I sigh in relief. “That is the name.”
Hawk presses his hand to his chest. “Oh shit! I never even had a passport! Wow!”
I have no concept of what a pass-port is, but after a moment’s thought I figure it must be a permit to cross the border between different lands. Who knew humans can rival us in terms of bureaucracy?
Hawk gets to his feet and pulls me up with a single tug, and before I know what’s going on, we’re dancing. “Fuck, I love you so, so much, Sylvan. You always think about my needs. But I promise I’ll bring you the best mai tais to your shadowy corner!” When he sees the question in my eyes he clarifies, “Cocktails. Sweet alcoholic drinks.”
I smile at my giant. “Will we make that the exception to my no drinking vow? An allowance in the human realm?”
He winks and slides back to the sofa, before bringing me into his lap, which happens to be my favorite place. “Don’t you worry. I’ll make sure you don’t drown.”
The End