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And more sand.
Not a helpful aid.
Focusing her attention back on me, she gaped a moment before saying, “The love mark is a special tattoo, given only by a qualified person of magic who’s passed a purity test. A priestess, in fact. They use a very specific type of ink, and it has to be this exact symbol in this exact size, given on this exact temple, otherwise it doesn’t work.”
“And when it does work?” I hedged slowly, already fearing her response.
“Then the mark bearer is able to recognize their true love at first sight. Even before then, actually. I felt your presence the moment you were brought into the castle as a prisoner at the end of the war.”
Cold unease spread over me like icicles. Unable to accept her words, I said, “That—But that’s not possible.”
She released a breath of exasperation. “What’s not possible is that you didn’t already know about all this. Why in God’s name did you think I’d just abandoned the only home I’ve ever known to come with you? How did you suppose I knew you were outside, waiting on me to begin with? Holy hell, why would I have even saved you that first night—a man I only k
new had come into my homeland to kill everyone I hold dear—unless I had the presence of this damn tattoo right here, assuring me you were my destiny? A person would have to be completely daft and soft in the head or desperate beyond all reasoning for a husband in order to do all that.”
“I…” She had a point. A lot of good points, actually. Why hadn’t I questioned things more than I had?
When she merely stared at me, waiting for an explanation, I flushed. “I guess, um, I figured you were just that simple-minded. I don’t know.” I swallowed, embarrassed about my own ignorant acceptance of it all. “Besides.” I frowned at her. “How can you be so sure that I’m—that we’re—” I waved a finger between the two of us because, Lord, I couldn’t even form the words. The entire idea was madness.
She arched a pointed eyebrow. “That we’re true loves?”
I nodded and cleared my throat, uncomfortable about the mere suggestion. Just thinking about her belonging to me—completely—made my body flush with instant desire. A very unwelcome desire.
Because we didn’t have time for desire.
“Well, aside from the fact that I can sense it within every molecule of my being, I could feel you the moment you entered Donnelly.” She flushed as if embarrassed before admitting, “Granted, it took me a moment to figure out what I was experiencing, but once I realized it was you, I knew exactly where to find you last night, did I not? And I can tell you every emotion you’re feeling right now.”
I shook my head, not convinced. “That could all be pure, dumb luck or a misaligned digestive tract. It doesn’t prove—”
Her irritation was obvious. She scowled and slammed a hand to her hip. “If you had the mark, you’d understand what I’m talking about. You’d experience this awareness just as strongly as I do.”
With a snort, I said, “No way in hell will I ever get a High Cliff tattoo.”
Her eyebrows lifted over my judgmental tone. “Fine,” she said, notching up her chin loftily. “If you need proof you can see with your own ignorant, unmarked eyes, I’ll give you proof.” She pointed toward her temple. “Tap it five times. Only my soul mate and I can make the mark respond.”
I eased a step back, eyeing the tattoo untrustingly. “Respond how?”
A smile lit her face, transforming her irritated features into one of pure beauty and reassurance. “Don’t worry, my love. It won’t hurt you.”
Great. Now I’d look like a coward if I didn’t fucking touch her tattoo. I raised my hand, only to hesitate. I had no idea what to expect here. But the princess didn’t seem concerned, so I hovered my hand over her temple for a moment before bringing the tip of my index finger into contact with her mark.
She gasped in surprised delight, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from exposing my own response. But a hot, edgy thrill of anticipation darted through me, causing me to hold my breath as I touched her skin four more times, slowly so I could draw out the delicious sensation.
As soon as I finished the fifth tap, her tattoo crackled and ignited, shooting red sparks a couple inches from her temple.
“Holy shit.” I jerked my hand back and skittered away from her.
Nicolette laughed, charmed by my reaction.
I could only blink. “It…” I pointed toward the mark. “You…”
She nodded. “Yes. You are my match.”
Unable to control the punch of feeling I experienced, I drew in a shocked breath, letting the lure of that possibility consume me. But true love? A perfect match? Soul mates? I couldn’t say the idea was bad. Having one person belong to me completely—as mine and mine alone—someone who would never leave me, always love me, be my family, my home…
An ache so frantic and full of wild craving spread like wildfire through my chest before I realized how stupid such a desire was. Because who was I kidding? I was the son of a monster and a courtesan. I didn’t get true love or happy endings, especially with beautiful, exotic princesses from distant lands.
With a jolt of awareness, I returned to reality. “You could just be putting one over on me,” I told her, unable to trust what I’d just seen. “Maybe anyone who touches your tattoo can make it do that.”
