Page 18 of The Kraken's Queen

“Please don’t leave me.”

Atina and I both turn toward the new voice. One I didn’t realize was listening in on the conversation.

Standing in the bedroom doorway, dressed in a new outfit, is Erin.

And she looks terrified.

Chapter 12

Erin

I’m up early the following morning. Sleep wasn’t restful. Thoughts of James plagued my dreams, but also thoughts of Allarick. His smile. His gentle nature. And the way he was able to calm me down by sharing a part of himself with me. Still, I couldn’t help but feel bad that James still has this power over me.

This would be so much easier if James hadn’t ruined me for any other man. I might have physically escaped him, but he still haunts me. His voice plays in my head in every decision and conversation I have. It’s exhausting.

I hear movement outside my door. I’m not the only one who wasn’t able to sleep. Allarick is moving about—probably making breakfast, but the poor guy is a terrible chef. I don’t mind though. It’s sweet to have someone else cook for me for a change.

I’m determined to make today a better day with Allarick. Despite my lack of sleep, I woke up feeling the best I’ve felt since I arrived. No aches or pains. I feel much more like myself.

I put on another dress Allarick has supplied me. Either this man loves his women in dresses, or he has no idea how to shop for women's apparel, and this is the best he can do. Either way, it’s nice that he tried. He also left me a few toiletries, for which I am thankful.

I disappear into the bathroom to brush my teeth. The humidity in the air is no friend to me, constantly making my hair frizzy. I do my best to put it into a slicked-back bun to get my hair off my neck. Luckily, there are no bruises I’m trying to hide behind my hair, and that’s such a fucking great feeling.

By the time I’m finished in the bathroom and head back into the bedroom, a new voice joins Allarick from the living room. A feminine voice. My body freezes, but this time not in fear. This feeling is different and leaves a bitter taste on my tongue. Unexplained anger leaves me immobile, but only for a second.

Jealousy.

I don’t like it.

Slowly, I creep to the door. I shouldn’t be listening to a private conversation, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Their voices are muffled, but I hear a few things the feminine voice says. Words like “Nephilim” and “Leviathan” are said in hushed whispers. They make little sense to me, and I almost tune them out until I hear Allarick’s voice.

“I need you to stay here with Erin while I go back to Tetria. I don’t know for how long yet, but I need to check on things. Catch up with Delmare and speak with the scholars.”

My whole body freezes, breaths coming out ragged.My body is teetering on panic once again. He’s leaving? And asking a stranger to stay with me? He can’t leave. No, not when I’m just starting to feel comfortable with him. Is he leaving because he’s mad about yesterday? Mad that I’m still the weak girl he met that night with The Guardian?

I’m not even thinking. If I was, I wouldn’t be rushing out of the room, out to where Allarick is talking to a beautiful pirate-looking woman. They are both standing, Allarick’s back to me. Neither one of them notices me yet.

The words tumble out: “Please don’t leave me.”

I have no right to ask him. No right to keep him here if he’s upset with me. But he’s the only thing I know here. The only person I’m coming to trust. A better woman would never be this selfish, but in this I’m going to be. Allarick can’t leave. At least not without me.

Allarick turns, his handsome face a mixture of confusion and…hope? “Erin…how did you?—”

“You can’t leave,” I say, and for the first time, I realize my voice is completely my own again. No more rasp—whatever the healer gave me worked quickly. I don’t even have the chance to be excited about it, though, because I’m terrified about what’s going to happen next.

“Please don’t go,” I repeat again, stepping closer. Having him not immediately turn me away gives me the confidence I desperately need. The couch separates us, but I reach for him. Allarick’s eyes widen as I grab his hand, holding it. His hands are soft, and when he squeezes mine, it’s gentle. I’ve seen Allarick smile before, but never like this: full, white teeth on display, eyes squinted, and muscles relaxed. It’s beautiful.

He’sbeautiful.

“I won’t go.” His words alleviate the tension in my body, and my stiff muscles relax. “Your voice is beautiful.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I drop my gaze down to our clasped hands. “The medicine really helped. Thank you.”

Unlike with James, I don’t feel the need to pull away. His touch doesn’t make me feel dirty or disgusted. I don’t fear his temper will flare, and I’ll be his closest punching bag. This feeling of comfort makes me feel worse for pulling away from him yesterday. It wasn’t him, really. Just his touch reminding me of something sinister.

“Not to be the one to break upthis,” the woman speaks up, gesturing between Allarick and me, “but not going back to your kingdom isn’t really an option right now, Brother.”

Brother.

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