Page 59 of Of Rime and Ruin

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This is the thanks she gives? Trying to escape?

No.

She cannot escape.

She’s mine.

This Sunfish, with the singing mind. She’s my only friend. I will never let her go.

I tighten my grip.

She squirms.

Damn this erection.

She taps at the edge of my mind, and I let her in.

Please! I can’t go back. I thought you would help me, she says.

Her voice is like sunshine on morning waters. Music in my mind. I could listen to her song forever.

But I do not speak to her. Only swim. I do not trust my thoughts. She reads them too well.

I thought we were friends.

Pain, through my chest. Like a sharp tooth.

Ignore her.

Take her.

Hide her.

Somewhere the king can’t find.

Somewhere the king will never know what I’ve done.

Is it the king? Are you under orders? I can take you with me. We can escape together.

Me? Escape?

Bah.

It’s nonsense.

I can never leave the Rime.

I could never leave the king.

The king’s an asshole. He’ll miss you, but not in the way you think.

Panic. I cover my thoughts. Hide them from her.

Sunfish can’t know the truth.

I raise a wall. Thick, cold ice around my thoughts.

She taps. Presses. Wriggles through the cracks.

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