Page 7 of Taken By the Alien Kraken King

I waved my hand. “I will teach you. My hearts beat for you. Kendall, you are my mate, just as the fates foretold.”

Her lip trembled, uncertainty written on her delicate features. “Do you wish to see our kingdom?”

“What do I have to do?”

I clasped her hand in mine. “Come with me. I will show you our world.” I guided her into the water, taking care to keep her close to my side. She had begun to trust me, and I would do all I could to keep her faith in me. I spoke in soft commands in my native tongue rather than her language.

Hidden doors opened behind movable walls of kelp. Deep sea eels with bioluminescence wove around us in gentle swirling paths, illuminating a tunnel system that descended deeper thanshe’d ever been before. The pressure where I planned on taking her would test her upgraded lungs.

“A garage!” Kendall exclaimed.

“Of sorts. These pods are biological. They are the only creatures capable of accommodating our bodies. While they’re not necessary, they are fun.” I winked in her direction. “Grab the hand-grips. For one not used to this method of travel, it can be disconcerting.”

“Got it.”

The translucent pod sealed around us before gliding forward with ease. While she watched the water pulse with life, I watched her, gauging her reaction to my world. Coral towers stretched toward the surface searching for elusive light. Schools of radiant fish shifted in waves in front of our conveyance.

As we descended, the temperature shifted subtly, and the water took on a richer, darker hue. I scanned Kendall’s body language for subtle signs that she could handle the chill.

“Our realm is not just the sea and beneath, we control the convergence of the currents. Nonmore Chasm is equally beautiful and dangerous.”

Kendall tilted her head, intrigued. “Tell me about the dangers.”

“The sea remembers. It holds the memories of our ancestors and the battles they fought. I don’t know how to explain it, but I trust the water. I allow it to lead me where it wants to go. It is impossible to fight the water’s desires. For us, the kraken, the outcasts, we are safe everywhere. We are the largest predators outside of the Trench. The creatures who dwell there are mindless eating machines. They destroy and consume. Only our kingdom has the strength to keep them contained.”

“Sounds scary.”

I didn’t know if she posed a question, and if it was, I was unsure how to answer. As her mate, I wanted to prove I couldprotect her. Her life wouldn’t be in danger as long as she remained by my side. Instead, I hummed noncommittally. The pod slowed and emerged over a dome of living glass surrounded by palatial coral spires. “Welcome to the palace.” Shifting hues of sapphire and emerald, powered by pulses from deep thermal vents cast dazzling light over the city. Between archways and towers kraken and merfolk swam with grace.

“How beautiful. You live here?” Kendall’s eyes widened, taking in my home.

“I do.” I left the conveyance pod and swam to Kendall, holding my hand to aid her descent. Together, we stood on a sparkling platform.

“Is this mother-of-pearl?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know what the surface calls it. But it is sturdy and prevalent.”

As the platform descended, Kendall curled into my side. I preened at her confidence in my ability to protect her as my people watched. Ahtu met us at the bottom. His eyes flicked between us. “Mate of Bourne. Welcome.”

“Kendall, please.” She extended her hand. Ahtu stared, a quizzical look on his face. “Place your palm in mine,” she said. “It’s a greeting among my people.” She pumped her hand once, and then returned her hand to mine. “What is your name, and how do you know Bourne says I’m his mate?”

“Ahtu. I witnessed the explosion. Bourne rescued you, and I protected you both while he brought you here.”

“Thank you.”

Ahtu’s tentacles folded until he bowed before her. “It is an honor to meet the one who will bridge our realms, healing the rift among the inhabitants of our planet.”

“Let me give you a tour.” I guided Kendall toward the palace walls. Once inside, with my friend and mate, I let down my guard. Ahtu and I told her of the old wars between surfaceinvaders and the kraken defenders. Of the ongoing battle with Trench inhabitants, and of the prophecy whispered in the tides.

Kendall chuckled. “You both think that’s me? I’m not anyone special, just a scientist. I didn’t come here to fulfill a prophecy.”

Ahtu studied her. “Prophecies do not wait for belief. They arrive. And so did you. If Bourne’s hearts both beat, you are the catalyst.” He bowed at the entrance to my private quarters. “Here, I take my leave for now.”

I lead Kendall into my chambers. As I did, the energy between us shifted from something cautious to more personal. My tentacles moved gently, brushing her arm with reverence. She met my gaze and held it. I expected her to pull back, but she didn’t.”

“If I choose not to be part of this world?” she whispered.

“Then I will take you to the surface. You will be free. But know this,” I pulled her closer to me, keeping my voice low, “something inside you belongs to the ocean. Don’t you feel it? Does it call to you as it does to me? Before you decide, think about your past, and what you could have.”

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