Page 70 of The Kraken's Queen

“They are…big,” I whisper, but hear a snort from the dragon—Malix.

“Trust me, I know.” Hettie smirks in a way that makes me think we aren’t talking about the same thing. “If the women back in Grym Hollow knew who waited over here in Mescos, The Guardian would have a line ten miles long.”

I laugh, nodding in agreement. The Guardian would certainly have his hands full.

Rip steps up, casting a shadow over me and Hettie. I’m unable to hide my nervousness around this intimidating man and step closer to Hettie. He seems to sense my discomfort and stops, dipping his head. “Queen Erin, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Your husband is a good man.”

“But a foolish one. Which seems to be a common trait amongst the males of the species here,” Hettie says. That comment earns her a disapproving glare, which she returns tenfold. Neither one of them holds their ire for long, soon smiling like teenagers in love.

It’s beautiful.

Also a little sickening.

My dumb heart flutters, thinking of Allarick.

“But Erin plans to join her husband.” Rose steps away from her dragon, but Malix doesn’t let her get too far, blocking her with his tail. “Don’t you, Erin?”

“I do.” My voice doesn’t waver and thankfully doesn’t convey my fear. I’m scared. Scared at what I might—or might not—find. But fear isn’t going to stop me. Allarick needs me.

“What do you need from us?” Rip asks. “We know a threat to the sea will turn into a threat to our land. As long as the Nephilim roam, we must stay on alert.”

“Isn’t he hot when he gets all valiant?” Hettie giggles.

“Hettie,” he groans, no true malice in his voice.

“Our fight is with the Leviathan, but from my understanding, they are cousins to the Nephilim and are just as dangerous to the sea,” I say. Their pale expressions tell me just how uneasy they are with this situation. “I need to know my people are safe while I’m away.”

“Done,” Rip says immediately. “Wolves can patrol the area.”

“Dragons too,” Rose speaks for herself and her husband. “I would volunteer to stay myself but…” Malix’s tail squeezes around Rose, pulling her close to his body. She laughs and rolls her eyes.

“But my husband barely lets me leave the castle these days,” she finishes, placing her hand on her belly.

For just a moment, I picture my future with Allarick. We deserve a future filled with love and precious memories. I never thought about becoming a mother, but my heart does a weird flutter when I think of Allarick holding our half-kraken, half-human baby.

I want a chance at that future.

“What else do you need?” Hettie asks.

“I need someone to carry the harp onto the ship.”

“Go, Muscles, that’s all you.” Hettie pushes Riptoward the door. He disappears inside. A few seconds later, he comes out carrying the harp like it weighs nothing at all.

Even I swoon a little.

“We will take good care of your people, Erin. Worry about channeling your energy into your music. Everything else should work out the way it needs to,” Rose says confidently.

I want to ask her how she’s so sure about this, but something in the way Rose smiles at me lessens the knot forming in my stomach. She has faith in me. I need to have that same faith.

“You should get going,” Hettie says gently.

She’s right, but I’m not quite ready yet. I reach out for both of the women’s hands. Something passes between us, an understanding only three women from Grym Hollow could have. They remind me that I’m not alone, that just because I’m human doesn’t mean I don’t have power.

“Thank you. Both of you. I wish we had more time.” I think I could be friends with these women. Maybe even best friends.

“We will soon. Just go and save your husband’s ass first,” Hettie says.

We laugh, and I bring them in for a hug. “Thank you,” I murmur one last time before letting them go.

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