Page 11 of The Kraken's Queen

I sent word with the merpeople shortly after Erin arrived for Delmare to bring history books with him upon his visit with me. These books are magically protected in water and detail the history of Tetria, or, as the people of the land call us, Kraken Lagoon. I never corrected the people of the land when they called Tetria such a simple, idiotic name. The less they know about my world, the better. Knowledge is power, and even if my relationship with the other kings of Mescos is amicable, they are still outsiders I keep at arm's length.

“There’s something I want to show you,” I say after a moment, producing one of our history books from the chair next to me. Erin watches me curiously, eyeing what I have in my hands.

The book smells of the sea, handbound in leather. It’s in perfect condition—thanks to the magic keeping it safe from the water—and holds pictures and history of Tetria. Very few people have access to the original copies, just me, a few trustworthy guards, and the scholars ofTetria. As future queen, Erin has access to all the original books and scrolls of our history.

When I place the book in front of Erin, she reaches out and fingers the golden script on the cover. “Tetria,” I explain. “That’s the name of my kingdom—our kingdom.” At my use of “our,” Erin tenses, but only for a second. Her brown cheeks darken in a blush.

There’s so much we need to discuss and put into motion, but I can’t in good conscience force her into a life she knows nothing about. So, I’m willing to take it slow. At least until she’s more comfortable around me. My people aren’t in immediate danger, and with Delmare and Atina searching for answers, my time can be spent getting Erin acquainted with me and my kingdom.

She opens the first page to a castle made from white pillars and stone, adorned with jewels of the sea, pearls, diamonds, peridot, and serpentine. The castle stands high above the rest of the city, shining like a beacon in a vast ocean. It’s a symbol of our power and perseverance. I can’t help but feel a sense of pride each time I see it.

“This is our home.”

Something like admiration crosses her features as she takes the image in. Just like the title, she touches the page, running the pads of her fingertips along the outlines of the castle. My chest tightens for reasons I can’t explain. I’ve ruled alone for so long, and now that I get the chance to show Tetria off to someone else, it feels…good.

“Do you want to know more?” I ask.

Erin nods with more vigor than I’ve seen her capable of. Her curls bounce with the movement.

So, I try my best to describe our people, the warriors all the way down to the smallest of guppies. How each person plays a pivotal role in our community. I share our values of loyalty, trust, and family. Of celebrations Tetria has throughout the year. But my words and stories don’t do Tetria justice. I can’t capture the feeling of complete peace or the sheer vastness of my world. I can’t describe the humility it brings, knowing you are but a small part of our goddess’s ocean.

You can’t bottle that feeling. It’s something you can only experience within her depths.

Erin takes in all the information, curiously flipping through the pages of the book. She pauses when she reaches a darkened figure depicted on the page and points to it. My blood runs cold when I notice what she found.

The Nephilim.

Erin peers up at me expectantly. I can’t lie or shield her from these creatures. They are the reason she’s here. “Those are Nephilim.” I point to the distorted creature with broken wings on the page. “They are creatures of chaos and destruction. They roam the land, set on ruling Mescos.

“They are a danger to us, but the more prominent danger are creatures called the Leviathan,” I say, searching her face. She’s giving little away, and I don’t know if my words are scaring her. I don’t mean for them to frighten her, but she still has a right to know what we are up against.

“In a lot of ways, Leviathan are like the Nephilim, but we know even less about these creatures. Right now,they are locked away in an underwater prison. There have been rumors, though, that the prison is weakening.” A weakening prison means freedom for the Leviathan—the beginning of the end for the ocean and our safety.

But Erin is trying to heal and doesn’t need to burden herself by learning all about these hellish creatures. I certainly don’t want to make her recovery any more difficult than it has to be. We can talk more about them at some other time, but for now, she knows the basics.

Before we can go any further down this dark path, I turn the page and show her more of the beautiful history and landscapes of Tetria. Thankfully, Erin doesn’t seem to mind—or notice—I’ve skipped over the Leviathan and Nephilim.

I speak for what feels like hours. The sun makes its descent, and soon night will come. Erin’s eyes start to droop, and I know she’s hit her limit for today. It’s more than I could have hoped for.

“We should get some rest,” I suggest and reach for the book. Erin pulls away, clutching the book to her chest. It’s the first move of rebellion against me. A glimpse of the fire behind her sad eyes. After a moment, shame colors her features.

“Sorry,” she croaks, raspy and low. The simple word costs her because she winces. It must still be painful. Erin reaches out and tries to hand me the book, but I don’t accept it and push it back toward her.

“No, keep it. It’s yours to read and look through.” I try to keep my voice even, but inside I swell with pride. Erinwants to know more about Tetria. More aboutus.It’s a damn good feeling.

Erin cradles the book once again. I watch as she leaves the table and walks back to her room, closing the door behind her. Was there a new lightness to her step?

My human surprises me. She’s full of layers I want to peel back and expose until she stands bare in front of me. I want to know her secrets. Her fears. Her desires.

More importantly, I want to watch as she puts her broken pieces back together again and finds her strength.

Chapter 8

Allarick

Over the next few days, I try to engage with Erin as much as she will allow. Some days are better than others. There are times when she stays in her room for most of the day reading the book I lent her and occasionally coming out to point at a section she doesn’t understand. I’m happy to go over the history of our people.

Sometimes I hear her crying, and sometimes I hear nothing at all. I don’t know if her silence or cries are worse.

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