Page 34 of The Kraken's Queen

“For letting me play. For being patient with me. For accepting me as your future wife when you probably expected someone a lot braver and less broken than me.” Her cheeks redden at the last point.

Does she truly believe she’s not brave?Still?

“Erin, don’t speak of my future wife like that.Because, as far as I’m concerned, you are the bravest person I know. You’ve looked true evil and darkness in the eyes and didn’t let it destroy you, even if that would have been the easier option. You saved yourself time and time again, all the while agreeing to take on a husband and a kingdom you knew nothing about. If that isn’t bravery, then I don’t know what is. I have seen men crack under the same stress you’ve had to live with most of your life.”

Erin’s lips part in silent surprise, like she can’t quite believe my words. I watch as she opens and closes her mouth multiple times, words eluding her. Then, she leans up and presses her lips to my cheek. It’s soft and perfect. Not enough, but everything at the same time.

Her lips linger, only for a minute before she pulls away, this time out of my grasp. A cheeky smile crosses her lips before she swims away. “Do you want a private show, King Allarick?” she asks as she swims over to the harp this time.

I definitely want a private show. One that involves less clothing, but this will do for now. “I’d be honored, my queen.”

And for the next hour, I watch and listen to Erin as she gets lost in the music.

Chapter 20

Erin

My new home is nothing short of magical. Tetria is a vision of beauty and grace. Creatures I once believed only live in dreams and fairytales come to life. Beautiful merpeople and hauntingly alluring sirens. The krakens hold their own majestic charm that I’ve come to appreciate over my week in Tetria.

Most of my time has been spent with Allarick. He’s a busy man but makes time for me. He gives me the choice to go to any meetings with him, and I’ve taken him up on a few, but I’ve mostly been escaping into the music rooms. They’ve been my favorite places in the palace.

“My lady, King Allarick has requested your presence for lunch. Would you like to join him?” my new maid, Iris, asks. I learned recently she’s married to Delmare, Allarick’s favorite guard, who now watches over me when Allarick isn’t around. She’s also one of the few maids who can switch between having legs and having a tail.

I like Iris. She’s kind and a motherly figure. Her job title is maid, but she spends most of her day with me, and I try to keep her from fussing over me—“try” being the key word. Iris swears she enjoys the job, so I need to get used to having someone do things for me.

Admittedly, maids and guards have been the hardest thing to wrap my mind around during this transition. I’m not used to people waiting on me hand and foot and making sure I’m safe. I would almost feel guilty about it if it weren’t for Allarick’s constant reassurance that my safety and comfort are a priority.

Still not sure I fully believe him, but I go along with it, regardless.

“Join him now?” I try to keep my voice as neutral as possible, but judging from Iris’s smirk, I failed spectacularly.

Ever since four days ago when I willingly went into his arms and let him hold me, I haven’t been able to get the feel of his body off my mind. Or the way I kissed his cheek but desperately wanted to feel his lips against mine. I can’t remember the last time I’ve wanted to be kissed or the last time I even had butterflies for someone.

“Yes, my lady. He awaits you. And he wanted me to assure you he isn’t the one cooking,” Iris says.

I laugh, thinking back to the meals Allarick cooked me back at his sister’s cabin. They were edible…but that’s about the only compliment I can give them. I appreciated his efforts, but I don’t think I can stomach more of his food.

“Good to know. I’m ready to go now.” I push off thepiano bench, having had another successful day of playing. Like always, I drew another crowd of merpeople, but Iris took care of them a bit ago. A vain part of me loves the way people gravitate to me while I play. The look of pure tranquility that overtakes them is something truly special. Like I can make them forget about their problems for just a little while.

Goodness knows we all need that.

“I’ll escort you, my lady.” Delmare swims next to his wife. Her body instantly molds against his, and Delmare’s shoulders relax. Their love is quiet, yet so evident. Something that feels a lot like jealousy stirs in my chest. I want that. Not with Delmare, of course, but with…somebody.

A certain kraken king, perhaps.

I push all thoughts of my betrothed aside and follow Delmare down the hall. We resurface on the second floor. The moment my clothes hit the air, they instantly dry. Even my hair dries, thanks to a serum I comb through my hair every morning. Tetria has really done everything they can to accommodate humans. I wonder what it was like when more of us walked the castle halls and swam these oceans.

Delmare surfaces behind me, shirtless and only wearing brown pants. Thankfully, I didn’t have to awkwardly look away and pretend I didn’t notice his dangly bits. I’m really starting to like Delmare and Iris, and the last thing I want is to have to pretend I’ve never seen her husband’s penis. So far, so good.

“This way, my lady.” Delmare takes the lead, eventhough, for the past week, Allarick and I have taken most of our meals in this dining room, so I know how to get there on my own. I’m content with letting him lead, though, because it gives me time to take in the beauty of the palace and the vast ocean that surrounds us. I’m not certain I’ll ever get used to it.

Allarick is already seated by the time we arrive. He’s frowning, tapping his fingers against the table. But the moment he sees me, his whole demeanor changes. He stands, stunning me with his beautiful smile. “Erin. It’s good to see you.”

“You saw me this morning.” I giggle, trying to hide my blush and racing heart.

“And yet, I still managed to miss you.”

Allarick reaches for my hand with a tentacle, bringing it up to his lips and placing a soft kiss to my knuckles. His gaze never strays from mine, and the act appears more intimate than it should. His touch doesn’t scare me. My body no longer tenses up in anticipation like it did when I was around James. My kraken is gentle. I find myself feeling less anxious underwater. I don’t feel the need to constantly look over my shoulder in case danger is following me.

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