Page 18 of Taken By the Alien Kraken King

I felt her smile through our bond. “It’s not about proving anything. I used the wrong word. It’s about protecting what matters. You, your people. Us.”

“Then return to me.” I sent her an image of the Trench creature’s communication system. “If you can, disable it.”

“I will.” She severed our connection.

“Ahtu, I did it. She heard me.” Pride filled my voice. “Kendall is going to destroy their communications while we take the breach.”

Ahtu handed me my father’s helmet. I slid it over my head and joined the battle below. He and I worked in tandem, darting between the invading creatures, our tridents slashing at their legs. We fought like men possessed.

“Bourne!” Ahtu screamed as an enormous creature chopped at his body with a partially severed claw.

I funneled inner electricity into my tentacles and shot over to him, wrapping my tentacles around the creature. I pulled with all my might, releasing the pent up shock down the creature’s spine. Its body seized as the electricity passed through its nervous system. I wrapped my humanoid legs around its neck and twisted. The creature’s neck snapped. As its body slackened, Ahtu pierced one of its eyes with his trident.

We joined the rest of the soldiers, fighting shoulder to shoulder. Waves of creatures emerged from the Trench, and we held them back. As I predicted, the water ran red.

A loud crack clapped over the commotions, and the creatures slowed, staggering. They wobbled, waving their weapons wildly, thrusting into empty space. Our warriors looked on in confusion, and I ordered them to continue the battle.

Cheers erupted from soldiers on the front lines as swaths of creatures crumbled and collapsed on the ground. Kendall had crippled their defenses.

I left the front line, swimming above the fray. I scanned for my mate from my position above the chaos, listening with my hearts instead of my eyes. An invisible thread connected us, and I rushed to her, knocking anyone who blocked my way to the side. She knelt on the seafloor, hands on her thighs. Her chest heaved from exertion. “Kendall? Are you injured?” I asked, pulling her close. “You kept your promise,” I whispered.

Clear blue eyes met mine. “I’m fine,” she grinned. “That’s something else you’ve learned about me. I always keep my promises.”

“My queen,” I said, kissing her for all to see.

“Kendall,youhaveavisitor.” Bourne opened the door to the terrace.

“I do?” I sighed. I’d had a constant barrage of well-wishers after the incident.

“I have a gift for you,” a soft voice I recognized said.

“Eta?” I lowered my feet off the railing and raced to my friend, enveloping her in a hug.

Tears filled her eyes. “I was worried about you, my queen… Kendall. The whole time you were missing, we prayed to the gods for your safe return. Then Yubwyl heard from someone inthe halls our king had gone to rescue you. You’re amazing. We’re so happy you’re home safe.”

“I’m glad too.”

Eta thrust a box into my hands. “A gift.”

I placed the box on the table and pulled off the lid. “My tablet!”

“It works now. I think. At least it should.” Eta’s words rushed. “If it doesn’t, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” I gave her another hug.

“I have to go back to the laboratory now, but I wanted to drop it off to you as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” I walked her to the door. “I’ll visit you soon.”

“I’d like that,” Eta said.

I wandered back to the terrace after pouring myself a drink. Bourne sat on the ledge overlooking the city and the grotto as we’d done two nights prior before everything changed. I climbed onto his lap and sipped at my drink, staring at the box.

“It was nice of her to come,” he rumbled.

“Yes.”

“What did she bring?” He pointed to the box.

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