Page 63 of The Kraken's Queen

Chapter 36

Erin

There’s a hand on my back. No…not a hand. A tentacle. It caresses my shoulder and moves down to my hip. I shiver at his touch, knowing it intimately. My fingers hesitate over the strings of the harp. A lost note hangs between us.

Then I remember I can’t get distracted. Not from fear or because my husband touches me.

But he’s here. He’s alright. He has to be.

I spare a glance over my shoulder, expecting to see my put-together husband, his warm smile and kind eyes.

The man behind me is Allarick, but not a version of him I’ve seen before.

Hollow eyes and a tight smile that looks painfully forced. A deep crimson stain colors his chest.

Blood.

His blood?

A sword swings at his side, clean except for dark flecks hanging off the blade. It strikes me that I’ve never seen Allarick with a weapon before. I should have knownhe would know how to fight, but seeing the evidence for myself makes my breath hitch. He looks frightening.

Sensing my poorly concealed alarm, Allarick leans down and presses a tender kiss to my lips. He lingers for a moment and reluctantly pulls back.

“Keep playing, sweet girl. Just a little longer.” His voice is gruff, tired even. Maybe even melancholy. Dread settles over me, but I can’t figure out why. Something just feels…off.

“My king?” Delmare questions, ready to take orders.

Allarick sighs. He brings both of his hands to my arms, rubbing me absentmindedly. I’m not sure he even realizes he’s doing it, but I hope it brings him a semblance of comfort.

“We need to get our people out. Erin’s music is the only defense we have against the Leviathan down here. She can’t play forever,” Allarick says.

I knew this would be a logical next step, but it still feels like a blow. Uprooting and displacing everyone will be no easy task and still won’t solve our problem. True fear chills my body—something I haven’t felt since leaving James.

“We need to test out Atina’s theory. We must meet the Leviathan where they’re at and shut the gate for good,” Allarick says.

All color drains from Delmare’s face. It’s the first time I’ve seen the large, tough guard scared. It does little to quell the growing fear.

“So, what does that mean? What do we do?” The questions leave my mouth without second thought. If there’s a plan set in place, my mind can focus onsomething else. It would give us a purpose. I continue with my music, making sure not to miss even a small note.

“We have an evacuation plan in place in case of disasters. I never thought we would actually have to use it, but…” Allarick trails off, a tortured expression on his face. He hates this as much as I do.

Allarick then looks down at me, squeezing my arms gently. “Do you remember the cove I took you to while we stayed at Atina’s cabin?”

The cove he took me to while I was in the midst of a panic attack. He took me into the water and held me until I calmed down. I nod slowly.

“There are more coves similar to that along the coast and safe cabins located on the outskirts of the wolf and dragon territories. The ones surrounding my sister’s cabin. Those who are able to stay on land will take the cabins. Those who need to stay in the water can stay on the rocks or in caves in the coves, close to land. I’m going to need your help though, sweet girl,” Allarick says.

I don’t have to think. I just nod. “Anything. Whatever you need.”

“Keep playing.”

It is the simplest of instructions, and yet it carries a heavy weight. I need to play to keep Tetria safe. No matter how badly my fingers hurt from the strings, or the way my back has started to ache from my horrible posture. Those are all small sacrifices in the grand scheme of things.

“What is it you need of me, my king?” Delmare asks, gripping Iris’s hand. It is clear, whatever he does, his wife will be at his side.

If Allarick sees this, he clearly doesn’t mind since he makes no comment. “We need to lead the people out of the castle to the current behind the city. It will lead everyone to the surface the quickest. Guards need to be stationed at the front and back of the groups. Have a few guards stay behind to accompany me to the Leviathan’s prison. But warn them of the dangers and risks.”

Delmare, ever the faithful servant, nods. He takes Iris, and the two of them head toward a group of guards to carry out Allarick’s order.

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