Page 35 of The Kraken's Queen

“Thank you, Delmare. You can leave us.” Allarick dismisses the other kraken. Delmare isn’t offended by his abrupt dismissal. He simply bows and takes his leave with Iris at his side. She winks at me before the door closes. I’m both excited and slightly nervous to be alone with my future husband.

A lot has changed between us since the day I ended up here in his care. It’s amazing how much a person canheal from past trauma when put in a safe place and surrounded by people who want them to thrive and succeed. Allarick hasn’t magically cured the last few years of my life, but he’s giving me the strength to move ahead and not look back. Maybe I’ve had it in me all along, but I needed help finding it.

“How was your meeting?” I ask as one of the kitchen staff members brings out our food. I have to do a double take because I expected fish. Just like we eat every meal, which is fine. But the chicken on my plate makes my mouth water.

“I thought we could use something different.” Allarick winks.

“How did you manage to get chicken down here?”

Allarick just laughs at my question. Not cruelly, though. “We do trade with the people of the land. I figured you’d appreciate a change.”

“I do. Very much. Not that the fish hasn’t been good, but chicken is my favorite,” I say and take a bite. It’s juicy and cooked to perfection, bursting with taste. I let out a small moan, eagerly cutting a second piece off.

“I’ll make sure to bring you chicken more often, then,” he muses. I feel his gaze boring into me. My whole body flushes just like it does every time his eyes linger too long.

“My meeting was actually to meet the new recruits,” Allarick says after a moment. “Since the threat of the Leviathan and Nephilim, I’ve opened up the guard ranks for recruitment.”

“Are they really that big of a threat?” I hate that I’m ignorant when it comes to the enemies we face. Theenemies I’m supposed to help Allarick and the people of Tetria defeat. I’ve heard Allarick speak of them back at the cabin when we first met and at the meeting he invited me to sit in on, but I can’t wrap my head around the danger they pose.

“The Nephilim are the biggest threats to our world. The Leviathan are the biggest threat to the ocean people. We cannot help our allies on land until we take care of the problem in the sea. If the Leviathan escape and seize control of the ocean, the Nephilim will have full access to ports, making sneaking into territories easier.”

When Allarick finishes talking, a tense quiet envelops the room. Panic threatens to sour my mood because who am I to help Allarick win a war against an enemy I know nothing about? I’m not strong or a leader like him. I’m just a broken girl from Grym Hollow who couldn’t defend myself from a man with a god complex.

A hand covers my own, bringing me back to the present. Back to Allarick. His presence is calming, chasing away the darkness that always seems to linger just out of reach. “Whatever happens, we will face it together,” he says. “There’s no one else I want at my side than you.”

His words are sincere and almost convince me I’m capable of everything he expects of me. I want to be that woman, and maybe she’s inside me somewhere. Deep down, begging to be let free after years of being locked away in a box.

After a moment of deliberation, I nod slowly. I’m agreeing to…trying? Not being afraid? Being with him?

“What do you need of me?” I ask.

Allarick squeezes my hand. “Come with me to the surface tomorrow to check in with my sister. She has sent word she has information for us. I want you to be with me when I hear it.”

That much I can do. So, I agree but secretly wonder just how long I can mask as his brave queen.

Chapter 21

Allarick

I’m not keen on leaving Tetria so soon. A week home isn’t enough, but my sister would never meet me in my kingdom. I can’t blame her, especially when she does so much for me. I may not fully understand her fears of being in the ocean, but I can at least respect them.

Erin and I surfaced ten minutes ago to a note left on Atina’s door.

Meet me at Sonny’s.

Sonny’s is a tavern that sits on multiple territories. It’s considered neutral ground. As much as I would rather have met Atina at her house, I’ll oblige her. Erin disappears into my sister’s cabin to get dressed and fix her hair. She’s been quiet since we’ve surfaced, but so have I. There’s a lot on my mind in regards to the Leviathan and safety of my people. The pressure of the disappearing Tetria citizens weighs on me.

As a king, I’ve never had to face an enemy I know little to nothing about. Disputes between kingdoms arerare, though they do happen. But I have advisors who are experts on each kingdom in Mescos. I have nothing but old books and vague prophecies to help me figure out the Leviathan. I had prepared for the Nephilim—to the best of my ability—but the Leviathan are a surprise in more ways than one.

A gentle hand touches my back. I didn’t hear her approach, a testament to my spiraling thoughts. I turn and am greeted by a sweet but shy smile. I return it before my eyes drop down to what she’s wearing. Erin wears a dress that must have been left in the cabin. I love this woman in a dress. This one is yellow and complements her brown skin perfectly. The bodice is a corset, cut low. Her breasts are pushed up, teasing me with their fullness. The skirt of the dress flares out around the hips, stopping just below the knee.

She reminds me of the sun, warm and glowing in her radiance.

“Beautiful.” I make sure she knows just how stunning she is.

Erin doesn’t shy away from me or try to hide her face. It’s a small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. She reaches for my arm, which I willingly give.

She squeezes my arm before asking, “Ready?”

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