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I cared little for ranks or classes, but I would play his game.
“If you want more, little bird, all you must do is ask.”
“Then you must play a game with me, little bird. I’ll tell you two truths, and one lie. Guess the lie, and I’ll do as you please. Get it wrong, and you do as I please. Agreed?”
I simply didn’t know if it was fear a stranger might harm me, or that I’d be ruined for anyone else come morning.
“Hello, love. I promised I’d come for you. Have you figured my lie yet? For I have figured yours.”
“You will be a pleasure to break.”
“Foolish games bring dangerous rewards,” he hissed near my ear. “Remember that.”
The princess was mine to ruin by right and destiny, and I planned to begin now.
She tasted like rain on the sea, fresh and wild.
The magic of transferring breath was myth, but . . . something was happening.
What was meant to be a moment of torment, slipped into an obsession for more. More of her taste, more of her softness. More.
Lust and need were weaknesses expected of others, but not—bleeding hells—not from the damn sea king.
“Careful with your threats of my untimely death, love, or you might end up stealing my heart.”
Bloodsinger hummed at his horrid wheel, a tune low and terrible as a dark omen. His voice was almost lovely, like a ballad honoring a fallen lover.
The trouble was, hate was passionate and walked a fine line beside other passions—desire, lust, obsession.
“We’re bonded, you and I. From the moment you began your little tale.”
“You want to think I am lying,” he went on, “because it means those who love you with such tenderness might be as monstrous as me.”
The desperate will do anything to survive.”
“You think your people are innocent, and I do not blame you. How could you know any different when all your life they have painted us as the villains?”
We all have a darkness within us, and desperation to survive can reveal the cruelest pieces.”
“Perhaps it is not you who disappoints me. Perhaps it is disappointment in myself for ever thinking a creature like you could have a shred of a heart.”
“Do your worst, Bloodsinger.
Kindness is not free, love. There is always something expected in return.”
I would pay the price to keep them safe, for I had brought the danger by believing there was something deeper in the heart of a villain.
Now, sleep, scream, beg, I care little, but accept that you’re mine, and you always were.”
But strength did not mean there was no fear.
I could stand tall, I could defy my enemies, and I could still be afraid.
“Called you back home with him. Not the usual way of things, but strange seas toss us now. Don’t let them see.”
The houses are kinship, as much as they are power.
“Words are hardly a weapon against your blade and crew.”
I’ve no doubt you have the power to destroy me.”
“Better to do the killing than be killed.”
“I do enjoy my name said with such passion from your tongue,” I said. “But afraid it won’t be enough for this.”
“Dark tides, little fox. Best stay in the burrow.”
Brutal. Cruel. Mesmerizing.
She’s either got no brains, or bigger balls than you.”
Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night.
“When I claim that moment of bravery, it will not be sudden. It will be slow. It will be well thought out. I will wait until I have you in my grasp. You may not even realize it has happened. In that moment, I will strike and watch you bleed.”
“Ah, but you might be my greatest treasure.”
“Yes, you’ve been given that same chance, but you seek the approval of your sire too fiercely. Follow in his footsteps, and you will lose your mantle the same as him.”
“This fear takes your thoughts, and I won’t tell you not to let it; things are never so simple. But I will remind you of who you are, for you are a formidable foe.”
“I found my mantle, Songbird. It’s you.”
“Then let me hate you and want you, and let us get back to it.”
Erik’s mouth turned up in a half grin, but his words were rife in something soft, something vulnerable. “Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.”
It breathed deliciously of oakmoss and rain and a hint of smoke. It breathed of Erik.
“If you want them to take the air from your lungs, swim with merfolk,” Tait said sharply. “They will offer a kiss to see your thoughts. Be wise and never let them.”
“I understand why my king must do what he has done, but whether you believe it or not, there are some of us who want peace. Not hatred.”
“Your ability to conjure such brutal scenarios is, quite possibly, my favorite thing about you, but you won’t be doing any of it. You’ll be in the royal coach.” “Why?” A wickedness, dark and a little mad, lived in his gaze. He used a thumb to wipe some of the sour juice off my cheek. “Because you are mine.”
Be fierce, little love.
“I won’t hide dangers from you, not when you deserve to hear them.”
