I want so badly for Cindi’s words to be true, that she might not hate me. I might not be the monster everyone makes me out to be.
Only her opinion matters, but she doesn’t get it. They’ve made me hate my own reflection, but what is there to like?
The hairband around my wrist grows heavy. Cindi likes my hair, does she not?
The last time she braided it, she tied it off then came to stand in front of me. There was a soft smile on her lips and a gleam in her eyes that stopped my breath. She tucked a loosestrand behind my ear, then said, “There. Now I can see your face clearly.”
I spent the entire day worried I’d burst from happiness. I could hardly contain it. She doesn’t want me hidden.
The currents shift.
A new scent taints the water. Another kraken.
My claws dig into my palms. There are too many around. I’ve seen more in a day than I have in months. It has been years since non-Council members have dared speak to me. Still, my nerves refuse to settle.
I am larger than other krakens, stronger. I hold value. They would not dare attack me, but words can still hold venom.
A growl erupts in my chest when Lazell comes into view. He’s like an urchin, vermin that needs to be killed—exactly as he thinks of me. I swim harder, hoping he doesn’t try to engage in conversation that never ends well for one of us.
“Ordus,” he calls.
I’d rather be attacked by a swarm of jellyfish than endure a minute with him, but alas, I must.
“KingOrdus,” I correct, slowing to a stop. It sounds like a joke, even to my ears.
Lazell adapts to the movement of my tentacles the closer he gets until it is like looking at my own reflection.Strong and sure. It doesn’t suit him. Or me.
His eyes are sunken, cheeks more prominent. His skin has taken a pale, sickly hue. He looks nothing like the kraken who smiled as I was hooked and dragged away.
A warning sound vibrates in my chest when he looks me straight in the eye and sizes me up like he wants to finish what his brother couldn’t do. As if he senses my thoughts, his lip twitches when he looks at the scar on my ribs before averting his gaze in faux respect.
“Out with it,” I snap. The sooner I visit the healer, the sooner I can return to Cindi. I want to make her dinner again.
I want her to acknowledge my existence again.
Lazell’s lips peel back for a split second before he rights himself, but not soon enough. I puff my chest out in a show of intimidation. He bows his head, palms out as a sign of submission.
“Speak.”
The column of his throat bobs. His mantle enlarges in irritation before he boldly looks me in the eyes again. “One of our sentries on the border reported seeing you haul a boat to your island twice in the past month.”
I dislike the insinuation he has eyes on me. My inner beast slams against the walls, begging to rip the male to shreds for posing as a threat to my mate. It’s an ugly, bloody feeling that raises my internal temperature to the point of boiling.
I know which two occasions he speaks of. I sensed the kraken female nearby but chose to forge ahead on my path. I saw no point in diverting my route to avoid her detection when bringing loot from the mainland is an activity I’ve been doing since my mother lived.
Lazell tilts his chin up to look down his nose at me. His brazen disregard for authority has always enraged me, but he’s becoming far too emboldened for my liking. He mustn't think he has anything to lose—he likely doesn’t anymore. “I believe you understand the risks posed by such?—”
My claws dig into my palm. Blue blood twines in the murky water. “I did not ask for your recount of a report.”
His nostrils flare before his attention drops down to my fist. I scowl when he flexes his four fingers. “Your Majesty, I only raise it as a concern for our people. Adding rubbish to decorate your island is not worth jeopardizing kraken-kind. If a human were to?—”
My inner beast tears at the walls. I lurch forward. “The only one who saw is a kraken who should not be spying on their king. Should it happen again, I may find it is a punishable offense.”
The wrinkles around his eyes deepen as he brazenly glares at me. “We are losing more viable land every passing day. As our king, it is your duty to ensure the survival of your people. Your continued gallivanting amongst humans is killing your people. Females. Cubs. They either leave or perish. The sooner you take a bride?—”
I’ve heard enough.
“I will not be lectured aboutdutyby a pest who shares blood with that demon who tried to kill a child. If I ever wish to seek your counsel, I will.” My lips peel back, my sharpened teeth on display. “Nowleavebefore I decide to act upon your insolence.”
