Page 16 of Taken By the Leviathan King

I should pull away, should break this spell that was binding us together. But I couldn’t. I was caught, trapped in the orbit of his presence, drawn to him with a force that defied logic, defied reason.

My gaze flickered to his mouth, to those full lips that hid such dangerous beauty. I remembered the feel of his fangs against my skin, the sharp sting of the bond-bite, the rush of his venom flooding my veins.

It shouldn’t be arousing. It should be terrifying. But it wasn’t. It was... exhilarating.

“Imoogeen,” he said again, my name a plea, a warning, a promise.

And then, he closed the distance between us.

Chapter eight

KRAK’ZOL

Theadrenalineofthefight fades, leaving behind a raw, throbbing awareness of Imoogeen. Her scent, heightened by exertion and the strange, electric energy that still crackles around her, fills the water. It is a heady mix of human and Leviathan, of defiance and a burgeoning power that calls to something deep within me.

“Come,” I rumble, taking her hand. “There’s a place within my private chambers where the waters accelerate healing. It will help with the lingering effects of the venom…and the changes.”

She doesn’t resist as I lead her through a labyrinth of corridors, each turn spiraling deeper into the heart of my palace. Here, the stone gives way to living coral, sculpted by centuries ofgrowth and the ebb and flow of Abyssian tides. Bioluminescent creatures throb within the walls, painting the passageways in hues that shift with every pulse. It must be a stark contrast to the cold, metal cage of her ship, and I watch her, searching for a flicker of recognition, a spark of understanding in those wary green eyes.

My little warrior.She has endured horrors, stared down death, and accepted a transformation that would shatter most. Yet, here she walks, her emerald eyes absorbing this alien world with a blend of wariness and burgeoning curiosity. The sight of her stirs a fierce pride within me, a possessive satisfaction that thrums in my very marrow—she is becoming, and she is mine.

We reach a hidden alcove, veiled by a curtain of shimmering, bioluminescent kelp. I push it aside, revealing a chamber unlike any other in the Abyss. The walls are lined with crystals, massive geodes that thrum with a gentle, internal light. The water here is warmer, infused with minerals that swirl and shimmer like liquid starlight. It is a sacred place, a sanctuary where Leviathan rulers have retreated for centuries to heal, to meditate, to connect with the ancient power of the Abyss.

“What is this place?” Imoogeen breathes, her voice hushed with awe.

“A refuge,” I answer, watching as she runs a hand through the water, mesmerized by the way the minerals cling to her skin, making it glow with a faint, otherworldly luminescence. “The waters here possess properties…restorative properties. They will ease your transition.”

She looks at me, a question in her eyes. “Transition? You mean…becoming more like you?”

I nod, unable to resist reaching out to trace the emerging scales along her arm. They are more pronounced now, shimmering with a faint iridescence that echoes the colors of the crystal cave. “The venom accelerates the process, but it is alsoharsh. These waters will soothe the discomfort, help your body adapt. You will not become a monster, Imoogeen, but…more. More than human, more connected, more powerful. Yet, still you.”

She shivers at my touch but doesn’t pull away. The air between us crackles with unspoken tension, a potent mix of fear, attraction, and the undeniable pull of the bond. It is a dangerous combination, intoxicating and volatile.

“Undress,” I command, my voice rougher than I intended.

Her eyes widen, and a spark of defiance flares. “Whoa, hold your seahorses, Kingy. I may be all bonded up, but I still call the shots when it comes to my wardrobe—or lack thereof.” She crosses her arms, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Besides, after that little sparring session, I think you owe me a striptease.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, a chuckle rumbles in my chest. “A tempting offer, little warrior, but time is of the essence. The waters will accelerate your healing. And besides…” I step closer, my voice dropping to a husky murmur, “I suspect I’ll have ample opportunity to see you…unburdened…later.”

A blush creeps up her neck, but she doesn’t back down. “Fine,” she concedes, her gaze challenging. “But don’t think this means I’m going all docile queen on you. I get to pick the music next time.” With a playful roll of her eyes, she unfastens the unfamiliar human clothing she wears slowly, hesitantly, revealing the curves and planes of her body. The sight of her, bathed in the ethereal glow of the crystal cave, steals the breath from my lungs. She is magnificent—a warrior’s strength tempered by a delicate beauty that makes my claws ache with the need to touch, to protect, to possess.

She steps into the water, the shimmering liquid rising to encircle her waist. The effect is mesmerizing. The minerals cling to her skin, highlighting the subtle changes already wrought bythe venom: the faint shimmer of pale scales, the elongated curve of her neck, the way her eyes seem to glow with an inner light. She is becoming something more, something…other.

I follow her into the water, the warmth enveloping me like a lover’s embrace. I watch as she closes her eyes, her head tilting back, her expression a mixture of apprehension and…something else—something that makes my heart pound in my chest like a war drum.

“Relax, Imoogeen,” I murmur, moving closer. “Let the waters work their magic. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

She opens her eyes, her gaze meeting mine. There’s a vulnerability there that I haven’t seen before, a raw honesty that strips away her defenses. It is intoxicating, terrifying.

“God, I don’t know,” she admits, her voice barely audible over the crystal’s hum. “It’s just…a lot. One minute I’m fighting aliens; the next I’m sprouting scales and practically married to a sea king. I don’t even recognize myself anymore.”

The admission pierces me, a sharp pang of guilt that cuts through my possessive instincts. I brought her here, forced this transformation upon her. Yet, I can’t regret it—not when the bond sings between us, a vibrant, undeniable force that binds us together.

“You are not losing yourself,” I say, my voice firm, reassuring. “You are evolving, Imoogeen. Shedding the constraints of mortality, embracing a legacy intertwined with the very fabric of this Abyss. You are becoming something…magnificent.”

I reach for her, my hand hovering over the curve of her shoulder, hesitant for once. It is a strange feeling, this uncertainty. I am used to taking what I want, to dominating, to controlling. But with Imoogeen, there’s a different impulse: a need to protect, to cherish, to…earn her trust.

She meets my gaze, her green eyes searching, questioning. And then, she nods, a silent invitation that sends a surge of heat through my veins.

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