Page 21 of The Kraken's Queen

I want her happy.

I wanther.

Erin has shared so much with me, more than I could have hoped for. It is only right that she has a piece of me too. “Can I tell you something?”

At my question, Erin perks up, intrigued. “Of course.”

“I never wanted to share my throne with anyone,” I say. “Not because I don’t think another person is deserving, but the burdens that come with the throne eat away at you. I didn’t want to be responsible for another’s light extinguishing from their eyes. This job hardens you. Makes you do things you didn’t know you were capable of. At times, it can be downright scary.

“I saw firsthand how it changed my father,” I continue. “People flock to you when you’re a king. He met so many different people and unfortunately took it too far one night. Atina? She’s only my half-sister,” I say.

Erin’s eyes widen, understanding the implication.

“It was the first and only time my father cheated on my mother. But it was enough because the mermaid got pregnant. It was my mother who told my father to step up and raise the child after Atina was born and her biological mother wanted nothing to do with her. My parents never fully recovered after that.”

Erin’s hand squeezes mine, providing comfort. “I suppose I don’t want to make the same mistakes as my parents. Hurt the one I love the most in the world.” I won’t be unfaithful to Erin, but I fear the burdens of the throne could change us in ways we never expect.

I’ve never voiced my fears of being king, but they always linger not too far from the surface. Erin deserves to know what she is getting into before she becomes part of my world. I don’t mean to scare her off, but I also can’t have her clueless.

“My duty will be to my kingdom and to you,” I say. “I meant it when I said you are safe with me, Erin. I will doas much as I can to shield you from the burdens of royalty, but there are things not even I can control. I don’t wish to frighten you?—”

“You aren’t frightening me, Allarick,” Erin says gently, as if consoling me now. “I’ve known fear before, and this does not fill me with fear. Apprehension and nervousness? Most certainly. But if Tetria is half as good as their king, I don’t think I have anything to worry about.”

I search her face to catch her lie, but I don’t find one. Yearning grows deep in my chest as I play back her words over and over again until they are imprinted on my heart. There’s a lot I want to say, but the words don’t come. Instead, I say, “The Guardian knew I needed you.”

A faint smile crosses Erin’s lips, and her posture relaxes. “Is it crazy that I trust you?”

“Is it crazy that I want you to trust me?” I ask as warmth spreads through my chest. Erin trusts me. It’s not something I take lightly, and it’s something I vow to never break. Her trust is the most precious gift I’ve ever received.

“I guess that means we’re stuck together?” She laughs but only to hide the nerves I see she’s trying to conceal.

“I suppose it does, my queen.” At the mention of her title, she blushes. It’s going to take her some time to get used to it. I felt the same way the day I became king. She’ll see she belongs with the sea tomorrow. When I’m finally able to take her home.

Erin’s eyes start to droop, and she suppresses a yawn.One of the side effects of the earlier elixir. “We should get you to bed.”

“Bed…I’m not tir—” Her words are cut off by another yawn. The elixir is working fast, and I suspect Erin will be asleep within minutes. I chuckle softly and stand up.

“Bedtime.”

Erin sticks out her lip in an adorable pout. “Fine. Bossy,” she murmurs and stands up. She sways on her feet, but I catch her before she can cause herself any harm.

“Kings are meant to be bossy. Now, I’m going to pick you up and carry you to bed. Okay?” I warn. I don’t trust her walking by herself. As it is, she’s hardly holding herself up. Still, I wait for her consent.

“Okay,” she murmurs. It’s all I need to pick Erin up in my arms and carry her to the bedroom. We aren’t even in her room before she falls asleep.

Chapter 14

Erin

Idon’t remember going to bed or lying down. I definitely don’t remember sleeping the day away. I do remember pouring my heart out to Allarick and him accepting all my baggage involving James. I thought I would regret sharing with him, but I’m actually relieved. Someone else finally knows my story.

When I finally come to, I’m back in my room. Only this time, I’m not alone. Stuffed into a small chair is Allarick’s sleeping form. His large frame is contorted into what cannot be a comfortable position. Meanwhile, I have a large bed all to myself, but Allarick didn’t join me. He respected my space.

I melt a little bit.

I shift in bed, causing it to creak. Allarick is alerted immediately, and his eyes snap open as he takes me in. When he sees I’m fine, his tense posture relaxes a fraction. “Hey, how are you feeling?” His rich baritone voice is raspy with sleep.

“I don’t feel any different than I did yesterday. Did itnot work?” What would it mean if I can’t go down to Tetria with Allarick? Does that make me useless to his cause?

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