Page 20 of The Kraken's Queen

“I guess I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be back in the morning to see you off. Enjoy my house. I have a cute barmaid needing my attention.” Atina does a strange salute-like gesture and struts out of the room.

“I like her,” I say once the front door closes and Atina is gone. “She’s nice.”

Allarick bites out a laugh, but not a cruel one. “Nice is not something anyone has ever called my sister. But she’s loyal as hell for those she considers family. I think she’ll take a liking to you.”

“You’ve both been very kind.” Allarick has done everything in his power to make sure I feel safe and cared for, even when I have been reluctant or shut him out.

It’s my turn to return the favor.

“Allarick. We need to talk.”

Chapter 13

Allarick

I’m intrigued by her request to talk—such simple words, but they could mean anything. Judging by the distress written across her features and the way her body trembles, this isn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“What would you like to talk about, Erin?” I keep my voice even, trying not to show too much emotion so I don’t scare her away from speaking to me. I yearn to hear more of her story. More of her lovely voice speaking to me.

Erin rubs her hands against her thighs, looking anywhere but at me. “Did Ender tell you why I accepted the deal to come here?”

Besides the fact that she is key to my kingdom’s survival? No. That’s my reason, but what’s hers? I know nothing about the woman who sits before me besides her resilience and her adaptability.

“Ender speaks very little, as you well know. He saysyou have a story, but it wasn’t one he could tell. He said you would tell me when you’re ready.”

Erin nods. A single tear rolls down from her eyes, and she laughs bitterly. “Fuck, I swore I wasn’t going to cry.”

“Erin, you don’t have to say anything if you aren’t ready. And never apologize for crying. It’s an emotion I don’t shy away from.” I keep my voice soft, hoping it makes her feel more comfortable.

She gives me a tentative smile and then shakes her head emphatically. “No. I don’t want to start a new life in your kingdom without fully purging myself of James.”

“Who’s James?” My voice comes out in a growl. If she senses my anger, Erin doesn’t comment. She’s lost in her own nightmare, but it’s one she is finally allowing herself to work through. It’s not lost on me, the significance of Erin choosing me to help carry her burden.

“James is someone I met as a teenager in school. We started out being friends, but that eventually turned into more. At the start of our relationship, things were…not great, but they were good. We had fights, but nothing that would raise any concerns. For the most part, I was happy. Plus, he was my first love, so I didn’t have anything to compare it to.

“It was after my parents died that he showed his true colors.” Erin takes a shuddering breath. I know telling this story costs her. As much as I want to alleviate her pain and tell her she doesn’t need to share this with me, I would be doing her a disservice. She was strong enough to live through these events; I can be strong enough to hear them.

“What did he do to you, Erin?” My body acts of itsown accord, and I reach for her. She tenses, but only for a second before she lifts her head, red-rimmed eyes softening at my touch.

“It started out as an argument. I don’t even remember what for, but something stupid, I’m sure. He got so mad so quickly. I didn’t even see his hand move until it was too late. He backhanded me across the face. The pain didn’t register at first. I think I was in shock. It felt like time paused. Even James paused, equally shocked over his actions. He promised me it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him and not to tell anyone. The pathetic thing? I believed him. I actually believed him.”

Anger is a familiar emotion. During my reign as king, I have been angry over outcomes not in my favor, a criminal committing heinous crimes, and overall annoyance for close-minded councilmen. But never an anger so potent that only blood will ease the storm raging inside me. There’s no weaker man than one who uses violence to be heard. That is no man at all.

“Of course it happened again,” Erin says, and I move closer to her. It could be my mind creating something that’s not there, but I swear she leans toward me.

“At this point, he effectively isolated me from all of my friends. And since my parents were dead, I felt like I had nowhere to go. I kept telling myself that this time would be the last time. It became so easy to lie to myself. The beatings hurt, but the shame I felt was unbearable.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed about,” I say vehemently. My anger threatens to boil over, but I do my best to suppress it. Anger is not the response Erin needs to seeright now, even if it’s not directed at her. She’s experienced enough anger in her life.

“Logically, I suppose I know that. But I still feel like it’s my fault. That maybe if I did this or acted a certain way, he wouldn’t have treated me like he did. It’s fucking terrible to think that way, and I’ve been working really hard to come to terms with what happened, knowing none of it was my fault. It was his. But I’m a work in progress.”

Erin shifts in her seat uncomfortably, and with her free hand, she rubs her shoulder. “We dated for eight years, but only the last three years were pure hell. It got so bad, I feared if I didn’t get out, I would die. That’s why I went to Ender. He found me after a horrible fight that left me…well, you saw how it left me.”

I did. It is an image I'll never get out of my head. He left his dirty mark all over her body. Took her voice from her and left her feeling like she had no other choice. He’s lucky he’s in the human world and not Mescos. I would love to show him the same treatment he showed Erin.

I squeeze Erin’s hand gently. “Thank you for telling me. No one should have to live through what you did. I will keep you safe, Erin.” It’s a steep promise, but one I intend to keep. If Erin never had someone willing to fight for her, then I’ll happily take up that position.

I want her safe.

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