Page 107 of Crimson Oath
“That would be stupid.” She shrugged. “But criminals are often stupid.”
“We’recriminals.”
Ludmila grimaced. “Not anymore, boss. You’re very law-abiding these days. It’s lucrative—don’t misunderstand me—but it can be a little boring.”
“Perhaps I can convince some pirates to target our shipping fleet.”
“That might be fun. I’m sure Ivan is already planning on it.” She looked up at him. “You’re going to have to kill him.”
“René DuPont?”
“Ivan.”
He’d known she was talking about Ivan, he just didn’t want to deal with it right now. “I think I might be in love with Tatyana Vorona.”
“That’s not bad. She’s not crazy like Luana if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“No, I’m more concerned with being in love with someone.” He lifted one shoulder. “I did not plan on this.”
“Life is unexpected. You think I planned on falling in love with a water vampire who collects painted ducks and enjoys watching English baking shows?”
Ludmila’s mate Oksana looked like a rugby player, wielded anaxe like a Varangian, and Oleg had witnessed her take the heads of three vampires with one broadsword strike.
“Oksana collects painted ducks?”
Ludmila sighed. “She found this pottery-painting café in Odesa that is open until midnight. There are five of them in the apartment now.”
“All the same ducks?”
“No, different ducks.” Ludmila frowned. “I believe there is a collection of complementary ducks that go together.”
“Little ones too?”
“Yes, the little ones are the cutest, but they’re harder to paint.”
“Huh.” Perhaps Tatyana was missing her mother’s cat. “Maybe I should get Tatyana a kitten. She likes cats.”
“If you are in love with this woman, do not give her gifts that require time, money, or maintenance.”
“That’s probably good advice.” He frowned. “She thinks I want to own her.”
“Of course you do. You want to own everyone and everything you care about, because then you can fit all the things you love into carefully controlled borders that you can protect.”
“There’s nothing wrong with protecting the things you care about.”
“No, but you have never been known for your moderation, Knyaz.” Ludmila looked up. “She’s not your soldier, and she’s not looking for a leader to follow.”
“Then what is she looking for?”
“How am I supposed to know that?” Ludmila turned and started walking back toward Lazlo’s cave. “That’s what you have to figure out when you’re courting her.”
She’s not your soldier, and she’s not looking for a leader to follow.
Ludmila’s wordswere circling his head the following night as he watched Tatyana’s trailer from the forest.
Tatyana had woken at dusk and gone to the play she’d skipped the night before. That night the performance was a repeat, the players were more relaxed, and more of the Poshani humans had joined the audience, including Tatyana’s friends. When she returned to her caravan, Oleg was waiting for her.
And now they were playing a game of chess on the coffee table while he listened to her relate details about the play.
