Page 6 of The Kraken's Queen

“Did you bring the salve?” I ask, ignoring her questions.

“Of course I did. I don’t have the memory of a goldfish.” She searches the small bag slung across her shoulders. There are a few patches, hastily sewed, from random fabrics. One thing about my sister is she will use something until it disintegrates.

Which is why I’m surprised to see her in lavish clothing. Well, lavish for her, at least. She wears a flowy white tunic with a navy-blue and gold coat atop, perfectly tailored to her body. Her black breeches also fit her seamlessly and don’t look like she stole them off a drunken sailor. Her freshly waxed leather boots complete the ensemble. If she’s not careful, someone may mistake her for royalty.

She is, but Atina likes to pretend otherwise. Luckily, she has that ability because the throne will never be hers—only mine—and not because I wish to keep it from her, but rather because she is the product of my father’s infidelity. It’s not proper for a bastard to become queen. And even if was, Atina would never take it. She wasn’t built for that life.

She was made to sail, sail because shenever steps fin in the ocean, even though she is part merperson. She claims there’s nothing down there for her, but I believe it goes deeper than that. My sister fears very few things, but being stuck below the water is one of them.

“Just rub it in like a lotion. You should start feeling the effects immediately.” Atina hands over the jar and scans my nude chest. “I don’t see injuries on you.”

“It’s not for me.”

Atina’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before they darken. “I see. Is that why she’s not out here?”

I nod. “It’s bad. I was even afraid to carry her here. Every part of her body is covered with bruises. Her neck is the worst, though. I think someone strangled her so severely that they injured her vocal cords. Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened.”

“Fuck. Does she understand the deal she made with Ender to be here?” Atina knows about my contract with Ender. She was the first person I approached when I originally contemplated it.

“I don’t know. Ender seemed to think she did.”

“Do you have everything the human needs? Clothes? Feminine products?”

Luckily, I had things arranged before Erin got here. King Malix, the Dragon King, was the first to get his human mate. He graciously agreed to provide me with items for my human wife after I spoke with him during our meeting with the six kings of Mescos.

“I have that covered. Anything else she needs, I will retrieve.”

“Always so gallant, Kraken.” She sighs dramatically before falling onto the couch, spreading her body acrossit. “So, other than your new wife-to-be, any news from down under?”

“I’ve heard an interesting story from a man I sentenced to death,” I say, remembering back to Kaleo’s sentencing. His words still replay in my head, and although they very well could be the musings of a man facing death, there could also be some truth in them as well.

“Yeah? What did he say?” Atina prompts.

“He brought up the Leviathan again. What do you know of them?” If there is a creature to be discovered or known, my sister is my fountain of knowledge. She hears and sees things I can’t by spending her time on the surface. My knowledge of these creatures is minimal at best.

“Seriously? Did they teach you anything in those posh lessons of yours as a child?” She laughs humorlessly. Our childhood is always a sore subject. Our experiences were vastly different. My father was a good man, but he had his faults. Infidelity was one of them, and Atina is a walking reminder of that.

“I was a little preoccupied with learning how to run an entire ocean,” I growl. “I remember whispers of them, warnings, but that’s all I recall.”

Atina waves away my comment. “The Leviathan are the closest cousins to the Nephilim. Or so we assume, since we don’t know the origins. You know of the Nephilim, don’t you?”

I scowl at her taunting tone. Even if I lived under a clam, I would still know what and who the Nephilim are. They are the whole reason Mescos isfighting for their territories. We grew up learning about The Great War. I often wondered how these creatures would endanger my people, but I think I’m beginning to understand.

“Are they working with the Nephilim? Are they more dangerous?”

Atina sighs like she is feigning patience for a guppy who isn’t understanding their lesson. “I’ve been tracking the Nephilim since the meeting with the six kings, as you requested. Wolf territory was hit, but they managed to come out victorious. They've split up, but the majority of the Nephilim are headed to Demon’s Clan and Fae Court. Want to hear my theory?”

“Obviously, Guppy.”

“One, don’t fucking call me a guppy. Just because I’m younger and smaller than you doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass. King or not. And two, my theory. I think the Nephilim are trying to surround Pixie Cove. Fae Court and Demon’s Clan will provide them entry from both sides, an entry point through land and the other through water. The water access is dependent upon the Leviathan…” she trails off, and I fill in the blanks.

If the Nephilim are able to access land and sea because of the Leviathan’s help…our world and people will fall.

My mind is still fixated on the idea of these creatures surrounding Pixie Cove. It makes sense, though. Pixie Cove houses the majority of Mescos magic, the magic we use to heal, shift, make enchantments, and many other things that would debilitate us if we lost it.

Already, the Nephilim are powerful. But with accessto a nearly endless supply of magic? I shudder to think of a world where that happens.

“I don’t need to tell you how disastrous it would be if the Nephilim gained access to Pixie Cove.” Atina shudders, not from the crisp air, but rather the grim reality of the potential future we face.

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