Page 121 of The Stolen Crown

The boneweaver smiled softly at me and covered my hands with her knobby fingers. “Room’s awaitin’ for you, sweet one. Be in the back of the Tower, last one in the corner. Ordered some wine and a bit of stew, give you some heat back in the blood.”

“I’m not leaving the princess,” Tait grumbled.

Poppy huffed. “Never said you were, boy. Your men already told us to expect as much.”

“What’s happening here?” Gavyn spoke to Sander, but his voice was hardly a whisper.

“I’ve read that sometimes when people survive something deadly, there is a bond that forms for a time,” Sander muttered in return.

I snorted and threaded my fingers with Tait’s. “I assure you, Sandy, that is not what this is. I’d be taking him to my room whether we shipwrecked or not. I won’t tell you why; it will only embarrass you.”

Sander chuckled. “Bleeding hells, Mira.”

“Better get some rest in,” said Poppy, a mischievous sort of gleam to her eyes. “I expect the king and queen’ll be here in a few chimes.”

Tait tugged on my palm. I offered a wave to Sander, who, all at once, seemed uncertain if he should leave me again.

“I’ll be all right,” I shouted over my shoulder. “Listen to Poppy and rest. See you soon!”

Patrons of the Tower chattered around chipped wooden tables. The air was heavy with smoke and ale, but the thrum of lyres and panpipes kept the tavern hall boisterous with laughter. We shoved through the crowd, aiming for the rooms in the back corridors where folk could sleep off too much debauchery, bed their lovers, or breathe fresher air.

Nightseer and Swordeater sat at a far table, more life in their skin and some herbal pastes on their wounds. The crewmen raised their drinking horns at the sight of us in the bustle.

I could not help but take note of how often the matron’s broad son cast glances mingled in both relief and panic at Swordeater’s side of the table while he dried washed horns.

Rooms in the Tower were not glamorous unless noble folk took spaces on the upper levels. Even then, it was nothing so grand as more than a washbasin, bed, and small table for a quick meal.

Blister Poppy saw to it the small inglenook had a flame glowing inside, the bedding smelled close to fresh, and two clay bowls with steaming fish stew rested on a narrow table.

The back corner room was adjacent to a washroom. Only large enough for one, the basin would proffer a swift wash. The water had grown tepid, but a basket of soap pearls and oils left my skin screaming for a cleanse.

We’d not washed since our night on Eilifur, and a layer of brine from the sea crusted over my skin.

“You go first.” Tait nodded at the washbasin.

“Might need help with my dress, Hearttalker.”

He smirked. “It does seem complicated.”

With tender hands, he removed the chemise over my head, the tips of his fingers tracing lines over my skin, through the cleft of my breasts, around my hip bones. Tait helped me step into the water, then settled behind me. Though it was tight and uncomfortable, I did not want him to leave. Not for a moment.

Cramped as we were, Tait took his time with the oils and soap pearls, scrubbing my hair while I worked my skin.

He pressed small kisses to my shoulder after the suds were rinsed and tugged at the lobe of my ear with his teeth.

“We survived, Tait,” I whispered, head tilted to offer him better access to my throat.

“And nothing has changed, Vicious.” His words were warm on my skin. “I have not stopped wanting you.”

I turned and took his lips, slow, gentle. There was no rush now. This was when new beginnings unfolded.

36

The Illusionist

A woman from the tavern knocked on the door not a chime after we’d slipped into the room. Under the command of Blister Poppy—who seemed more like the damn queen of the Tower than an independent boneweaver—the woman delivered stacks of clean clothes.

Tait set them aside, then insisted we sleep. With the best intentions, we slumped back onto the bed, but gentle kisses grew passionate, hands worked over skin, and we ended in a tangle of naked limbs and short breaths before sleep took us.