Page 54 of The Kraken's Queen

I feel the discomfort wafting off my wife and squeeze her tighter, hoping the pressure can provide a little comfort. She presses back against my chest, and I can’t help myself. I lean down and kiss her neck. The soft whimper of surprise has my body on full alert.

I want to ask more about what Iris means, but Erin is obviously uncomfortable. This is a conversation better suited for just the two of us.

“Iris, Delmare, I see my wife has opened the castle for merpeople. Please attend to the guests. I need to steal mywife away. Please don’t let anyone disturb us unless it’s critical,” I say, hoping we are allowed one night of rest.

“Of course,” Delmare says.

Iris offers Erin an encouraging smile before I take my wife’s hand and lead her away from civilians. I don’t stop until I reach our private chambers on the second floor. Water drips down my body, pooling on the stone floor until I’m completely dry. Erin’s eyes bore into me, and I let her drink her fill. It fills me with wicked satisfaction to have my wife lusting after me.

Being pulled out to secure our borders, I’ve seen very little of Erin. I waste no time getting her into our room and pulling her into bed, even though she hasn't completely dried off yet.

“Allarick!” She laughs, trying—and failing—to fight me off, but I pull her closer to my chest. “We’ve made a mess of our sheets,” she complains.

“Not yet, we haven’t.” It’s adorable to watch red flush her cheeks. She bites her lip but playfully swats at my chest. As much as I want to devour my wife, Iris’s words ring through my mind.

“We should discuss what Iris said,” I say after a moment.

Erin rolls her eyes. “It’s really nothing. People like music and enjoy listening. It’s not deeper than that.”

“Perhaps,” I say gently, not wanting to rile her up. “But your music is different from what I’ve heard played here before. It calls to you like that of a siren song.”

Erin tilts her head up to look at me. “What do you mean?”

“The music played by our skilled musicians isbeautiful and can be moving. But the way you play music, it’s…different. It seeps into your skin, warming you from the inside out. Everything else fades away, and there’s only your beautiful sound. It feels cleansing.” There’s no other way to describe it other than a full body and mind cleanse after a day of being pampered.

Erin seems to consider this, thrumming her fingers against my chest. After a pregnant pause, she asks, “So, you think my music holds magic? Real magic?”

“I don’t think we should discount it. Ender saw magic in you. Knew you were destined to take up the throne alongside me. If this is your gift, you may very well help combat the song of the Leviathans.”

“They’re getting stronger,” she says.

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “They are. Which is why I think your music is so important to our people right now. It’s not only beautiful, but healing.”

“That only works if they can hear it.” Erin props herself up with her elbow to look at me. “And I’ve been thinking… It could be dumb, so you don’t have to agree to anything.”

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up on her insecurities about her ability to lead. Anger heats my body. Not at her, but at myself for not being around to give her the validation she rightfully deserves.

I cup Erin’s cheeks, and she sucks in a deep breath, eyes downcast. “I will only say this once, sweet girl, but your opinion and guidance mean more to me than anything. Speak, and I’ll hear you. I’ll always hear you.”

Erin’s frown slowly spreads into a grin. “Careful, Allarick. You sound like you love me.”

“You make it easy to love you.” The words come out so effortlessly. It’s not a loud declaration of love, or even a fancy one. It’s soft. New. Fragile.

Erin’s lips part as she opens and closes her mouth, looking like the fish swimming through Tetria. She doesn’t have the words, and that’s okay. She doesn’t have to return the sentiment. I’m a competitive man, and when my sights are set on something, I’ll do anything I can to achieve it. Earning Erin’s love will be the most rewarding prize yet.

Erin clears her throat, quickly getting us back on topic. “If the song is getting stronger, I think we need to take protective measures now before it’s too late. Not just mandatory curfews and border cutoffs.”

“What do you propose?”

“Well, I don’t really have all the logistics for it yet. I’m not entirely sure it’s possible, but I think we should open the castle for families to move into temporarily, not just someplace they can spend the day at. This would help eliminate missing family members and keep people safe. From the sounds of it, some merpeople are already picking up the song. Pretty soon, it will do more damage than just a headache.”

I consider her suggestion. The castle is grand, built to host and house many sea creatures. We wouldn’t be able to supply everyone a private room, but we could provide meals, shelter, and security. It’s not a bad idea, especially since the song is becoming more than just a nuisance. I want to attack the noise head-on, but the civilians need safety in the meantime.

Not every merperson will come. I have stubbornsubjects, but perhaps those who choose to remain outside the castle will help guard our borders against the Leviathan.

“It would only be temporary. Until we can seal the gates off,” Erin adds, but I don’t need any further convincing.

“We will prepare the castle tomorrow.”

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