Page 38 of The Kraken's Queen

I’m the last of my family. The only other person who shares my blood is sitting in front of me, but would her blood status as bastard-born be enough? And even if it were, getting her into the ocean would be near impossible.

“But I think I know what you can do in order to have the strength to close the gate yourself, Brother.” Atina catches my eye, and I know what she’s going to say before she says it. “If you really want to strengthen yourkingdom and give your people the best fighting chance, then you two must marry. And soon.”

Chapter 22

Erin

We don’t head back to Tetria that night. Atina offered up her cabin, and Allarick didn’t want to be too far from his sister tonight in case she needed him. He tried to get her to come back to the cabin with us, but Atina was firm in her refusal, saying she had answers she needed about safely approaching the Leviathan and would contact us when she could.

No one spoke about her suggestion of marriage.

Not even as we were leaving.

Not even as we walk back to Atina’s cabin.

It’s dark by the time we finally leave the tavern, and my sight is nearly nonexistent, so I hold Allarick’s arm. The only light comes from the moon and the warm glow from the tavern. Even though Allarick is quiet and distracted, I still feel better next to him.

I had hoped Allarick would say something—anything—before we reached the cabin, but he doesn’t. He opens the door for me, and I walk in, expectingto have a conversation. Instead, he goes into the kitchen and starts making tea.

This is how I find myself sitting alone on the couch, replaying Atina’s words.

“If you really want to strengthen your kingdom and give your people the best fighting chance, then you two must marry. And soon.”

In my desperation to leave Grym Hollow, I signed a contract with the town’s Guardian. I read over every inch of the contract, and even knowing I would marry a king to help his kingdom overcome a dangerous foe, I signed on the dotted line. Despite the fact that I didn’t know this enemy or even the man I was to marry. It all sounded better than staying home with a man who would have surely killed me one day.

Now knowing what Allarick and I are up against, I still can’t find it in me to regret my choice. I’m out of my league with mentions of Leviathan and Nephilim, but I see how much Allarick loves Tetria and his people. I want to savethat. Want to save the people he loves and serves daily. Because I’m starting to fall in love with Tetria too.

Soft footfalls turn my attention toward the kitchen just as Allarick rounds the corner with two steaming cups of tea. Our eyes meet, and he stops walking. My breath hitches, and we just stare at each other. Questions dance on the tip of my tongue. His own stiff body language tells me he’s thinking the same thing, but he’s unsure where to start.

Soon, we both break the silence at once.

“I think we should talk,” we say in unison.

Allarick gives me a shy, sheepish smile as he movesinto the living room and takes a seat close to me on the couch. He offers me one of the mugs, and I can already smell the soothing chamomile.

“Thank you,” I murmur and bring the mug to my lips, tasting the hot tea. It burns my throat deliciously, and I hum in approval. “Much better than your cooking.”

Allarick laughs deeply, and heat rushes through my body. This man is going to make me spontaneously combust one of these days.

All too soon, Allarick sobers up. His hand drops to my thigh, and I tense. He takes my reaction as negative and tries to pull away, but I cover his hand with my own, keeping him in place. One day, I’ll stop being so jumpy at his touch. I like it, but you wouldn’t know that by my reactions.

“Erin, we need to talk about what Atina said earlier,” he starts.

“About the wedding,” I interrupt.

“Yes, that. I know you are here to become my wife, but I don’t want anyone to marry against their will. I cannot get you out of the contract, but I can buy you more time if you aren’t ready. I’m not sure how much time with everything happening, and?—”

“Allarick,” I say gently and put down my cup of tea. He stops talking and stares at me like a lost puppy. I reach out and place my hand on his cheek, feeling the stubble of his facial hair against my palm. His body is warm, and he leans into my touch.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and everything you are still doing for me. Very few other men would see a broken girl and notice the strength hidingbeneath. I’m not sure I see it yet, but I’m trying. I still have a lot of healing to do, but you’ve helped me reach a place where I’ve experienced genuine happiness and what it means to be treated properly.

“So, I’m not afraid to marry you. I would be honored to be your wife. And maybe somewhere down the road, you and I will find more than friendship in our bond.” I’m already more than halfway there, but it’s still so new and raw. And maybe the fear of rejection has kept me from admitting my true feelings.

The softness in Allarick’s eyes once would have made me question his sincerity. But not anymore. He is a man—no, kraken—of his word. If he stares at me like I’m the object of his desires and the star of all his dreams, then who am I to call him a liar?

“I do have one condition though…” I try to pull together the strength Allarick believes me to have. If there is ever a time to be brave, it's now.

“Anything, sweet girl. Name it, and it shall be yours.”

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