Page 10 of Craved By the Kraken Warlord

“This is a bad idea,” I whisper.

*“Yes.”*

He steps closer. His free tentacle brushes my hip, feather-light. I suck in a breath.

“You’re shaking,” I say.

*“You are…*” He shudders. *“Too much.”*

“Then stop.”

*“I cannot.”* His forehead drops to mine. The contact sends a jolt through us both. *“You are in my blood.”*

I fist my hand in his hair. It’s silky, cool. “So do something about it.”

He freezes. “What?”

“Claim me.” The words surprise us both. “If it’s inevitable, stop fighting.”

His growl deepens. Tentacles wrap around my thighs, lifting me until we’re eye-level. My legs instinctively lock around his waist. The proximity is dizzying. His scent engulfs me—salt and something darker, primal.

*“You don’t understand,”* he rasps. *“The heat… it will consume you.”*

“I’m not them.” I press my palm to his chest. His heartbeat thunders under my fingers. “I’m not afraid.”

A lie. I’m terrified. But not of him.

Of how much I want this.

His claws graze my jaw. *“You should be.”*

Then he’s gone.

The tentacles unravel. I drop to the slab, knees buckling. Va’thar staggers back, chest heaving. His markings flicker erratically.

“Wait—”

He’s already at the pool. Dives in without a ripple.

“Damn it!” I sprint after him.

The water is clear, lit by his fading bioluminescence. He’s a dark shape sinking fast, tentacles churning. I don’t think—just leap.

The bubble reforms around my head as I plunge in. Va’thar whirls, eyes wide. *“No!”*

I kick deeper. “You don’t get to run!”

He surges upward, catching me around the waist. We break the surface, crashing onto the slab. Water sloshes around us. He tries to pull away, but I cling to his shoulders.

“Let go!” he snarls.

“Make me!”

His control snaps.

Tentacles pin me flat. His body cages mine, radiating feverish heat. The markings blaze white-hot, searing my skin where we touch. His breath comes in ragged bursts, lips skimming my throat.

*“Last chance,”* he grits out. *“Tell me to stop.”*