Page 52 of The Kraken's Queen

It’s faint. Easy to miss. A light cascade of sound. It’s not just one voice but many coming together to create a song of ruin and destruction. My body tenses as the voices overwhelm me. “Phyns, give me your noise cancelers,” I speak loudly, not only for the guard to hear me but also to block out the song.

Phyns fumbles with something in his vest before handing over the putty. I’m quick to place it in my ears and feel the instant relief that comes over my body. I still hear it, but it’s dulled and easy to ignore. True fear seeps in, and it would be so easy to give in to the fear. Fear for my kingdom. Fear of the Leviathan and Nephilim. Fear for Mescos. But as king, I don’t have that luxury.

“Head back!” I command. Delmare frowns, looking like he wants to have a conversation right here, but I need to be away from this noise. I need all the guards to be away with a clear mind. Luckily, Delmare doesn’t push it as we swim back toward the kingdom.

It’s probably overkill, but I have us swim for an entire hour before giving the okay to take out the putty. “It’s getting stronger, my king,” Delmare says as soon as everyone can hear again.

“I’m aware.” I try to keep my irritation at bay. After all, I’m not upset with Delmare. I’m upset because I’m woefully unprepared.

“The sound is strong. Stronger than any siren I’ve ever heard. And we were still miles away from where your sister pinpointed their location. If this makes it to the kingdom…” Phyns trails off, but he doesn’t need to say what we are all feeling.

If this gets to the kingdom, we won’t survive.

It’s time to make a plan to silence the Leviathan once and for all. I just need more time. Until then, things in the kingdom will have to change in order to keep everyone safe.

“We must instill mandatory curfews to make sure all are accounted for. No one out past tide change. We’ll issue noise cancelers to civilians and post more guards along the border. No one comes in or out without my knowledge. We’ll have the siren mages erect a sound wall over the kingdom,” I say.

Heads nod, and I know this team will see to it. A sense of dread blooms in the water around us.

Our siren mages are powerful, but never have they created such a magical barrier expanding over the kingdom. This will test their abilities and spread them thin. It’s unfortunate, but something we need done.

War has come to Tetria. It’s time to see if she’ll stand proud against her enemies. I hope Erin is the key to our victory like Atina and Ender claim.

But sealing the prison gates again doesn’t come without risks. I’m one person with the strength of my human wife. Is that enough?

Chapter 30

Erin

Allarick came home two days ago, though he might as well still be far away. I’ve seen very little of my husband since his return from the deep sea. He’s pulled to our kingdom’s borders, making sure the guards we placed there to protect our people know what to look and listen for. He’s met with groups of sirens—those he calls mages—to help make some sort of sound barrier to surround our castle.

He’s offered to bring me along, but I wouldn’t be much help. I know little about defending our borders and knowing what to listen for. I would simply be a hindrance rather than a help, so I opted to stay at the castle and aid where needed.

It hasn’t been bad though, minus missing Allarick. Iris has been glued to my side since the day Allarick left, and Delmare joined us as soon as he returned. I’ve grown fond of both of them, but especially Iris. She’s become more than my maid, though I hesitate to say friend. I’ve never been good at making and keeping friends, and thisnew, fragile relationship is not something I’m willing to let slip through my fingers so easily.

Over the past two days, the castle has experienced more activity than normal. People complaining of headaches. Some claimed blackouts in their vision, losing entire hours. Many more took to the castle out of fear. With the uptick in guard presence and the fear of missing family members, the kingdom feels unsettled.

The role of queen is thrust upon me, whether I’m ready or not. For the first time in my life, people flock to me for support. I understood the fear breeding in the castle like a plague, the constant anxiety of not knowing what would come next. The general consensus is that Allarick will protect his people. But even supporters have their doubts. Everyone's trying to remain as positive as they can.

Today I’ve decided to open up the first floor of the castle to the public. I didn’t run it by Allarick, but he said I had free rein to run things as I see fit. He trusts my judgment, which is refreshing. My fondness for him grows, especially during his absence.

The first floor of the castle is a large enough space to accommodate at least two hundred guests. Not that I think we’ll have that many merpeople coming in for sanctuary, but I want to be prepared if we do. Iris helps me greet the merpeople and directs them to the kitchen for food. Delmare stays by my side throughout it all, and I’m glad for his presence because the merpeople look at me like a diamond in the rough. I’m a marvel they haven’t seen in years, and everyone wants to questionme. Delmare’s job is to mostly steer them away, and he takes it very seriously.

Interestingly enough, their stares don’t bother me like they once would have back in Grym Hollow. They aren’t staring at my poorly concealed bruises or looking at me with pity. They don’t see the sweet girl who fell in love with the wrong man. No, the merpeople stare at me out of curiosity and some with reverence. It’s…nice.

“More than yesterday came. It seems like people aren’t eager to spend their time outside,” Iris says as another family and their pet sea turtle swim in.

“Can you blame them?” I ask softly, not wanting anyone to overhear us. “People are nervous. They aren’t sure what’s safe and aren’t willing to risk their families.”

The songs of the Leviathan have reached the outskirts of our borders. It happened so quickly after Allarick returned. The voices are getting stronger. Most merpeople can’t hear the calls yet, which is a small relief. But a few civilians with exceptional hearing have made reports of a low buzzing call, hard to resist.

I fear for the day all of Tetria hears it and wonder if I’m doing enough.

“We need to lighten the mood, my queen. It’s not good for morale.” Iris frowns, hands clasped in front of her. She hasn’t stopped swishing her tail since we arrived. I know she’s on edge too. Just like most of the people in this room.

I rack my brain to think of something that might help soothe the crowd. At the very least, something that will provide a distraction. Visions of a pearly white instrumentcome to mind, and a thought occurs to me. I grin and quickly whirl on Delmare.

“Delmare, can you retrieve the harp from the music room and bring it out to the foyer? I think I would like to play.” My fingers itch to strum the strings and hear the beautiful melody it makes. I haven’t since our wedding night. Even then, it didn’t last long because Allarick and I got distracted.

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