Page 94 of The Kraken Games

“True. Past tense though. You’ve changed that, my lover.”

They sat in silence, his tentacle looped around her, gently stroking her hip bone. “I’ll ask Brooke when I go visit Tom next,” Luna said.

“No. This can’t wait, Luna. We have to find out. Hey—” He hesitated, biting his lip. Then his face lit up. “Brooke told me to go see Waldo.”

“Why?”

“I admitted I had feelings for you.”

“You told Brooke aboutus?”

“You trynottelling Brooke when she puts her mind to finding something out.” He huffed a laugh. “She challenged me to admit my feelings. And then she said that we should go see Waldo. That must be it. There’s no one else who would know how to fit gills to a human.” Kai jumped up. “If we go now, we’ll be at his rooms before daylight. We can wait outside until he gets there.”

Luna groaned. “I’ve just had multiple O’s, taken a kraken’s mating arm, and you want me towalkall night?”

“I’ll carry you if need be.”

They rolled together on the rock, laughing, before he tossed her to her feet and slapped her ass. “Go grab your things. Let’s go.”

As Luna joined him moments later, Kai looped a tentacle around her shoulders. She reached up and tenderly kissed his parted lips, heard his contented sigh. And even though the sky above them was dark as they set forth, to Luna, the world was suddenly flooded with light.

She’d rarely been into the old quarter of the city, which was crazy really, considering she’d lived in Motham all her life. But there had never been time or money to spend on visiting the health centers, the food halls, and the art galleries that had sprung up here in recent years. The cobbled streets were picturesque, andeven though it was early, a few eateries were opening up, the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee making Luna’s mouth water.

“After we’ve talked to Waldo, we’ll stop for breakfast,” Kai said, seeing her sniff the air longingly. “Unusual for you, to want to eat?”

“Yeah, well, lots of unusual things seem to be happening to me lately, and I’ve had a LOT of exercise.” She smirked and, reaching up, kissed the striated muscles of his neck. They linked hands, earning themselves a few glances. The big blue guy and the small blonde human made for an interesting pair, no doubt. Or maybe they recognized them from the games. That was more likely, Luna concluded. Her life in the last few weeks had taken so many twists and turns, she’d almost forgotten that she’d won the Kraken Games. And then renounced her victory to the world.

They turned another corner, Kai striding so fast, her feet almost left the ground. Down a twisty narrow street they went, until Kai stopped abruptly outside a solidly built Malibar stone building, with a big oak door and the wordsWaldo’s Apothecaryswinging on a sign above it.All species welcomewas scrolled below in smaller letters.

Luna guessed that had to include humans.

But when Kai rapped hard on the door, there was no answer.

“Guess it is only 8 am,” Kai said. He let go her hand and started to pace up and down. She could see his tentacles moving below his blue skin; he was agitated.

She went and circled her arms around his waist. This time, it washerturn to comforthim.His body relaxed into her, and she hugged him right there on the street. It was different and wonderful to take this role, but since being reunited with her little brother, she’d felt so much more at ease with herself. Or was it their lovemaking last night? Magical, beyond her wildest dreams. The fact that Kai had reverted to full kraken right therein those warm pools, just for her. Had that made her realize, finally, that she did deserve love? To have someone worship her with every cell of his being, to the extent that he’d change shape and form, just for her?

“This will get sorted. I feel it, deep inside here,” she said softly, fisting her hand above her heart. He sighed, and they stood on the uneven cobblestones, holding each other close, until a deep voice rumbled, “Kai?”

Luna looked up to see a handsome man—though definitely not human. She immediately recognized him from his YouTube channel, but in the flesh he glowed with a kind of energy that was almost hypnotic, his smile gentle behind his thick dark beard, his eyes immeasurably kind.

“Waldo.” Kai’s face lit up in a beaming smile.

“My boy.” He hugged Kai, patting him on the back. “It’s been a while.”

“It has. What, ten years maybe?”

“At least. All grown up now. How are those tentacles?”

“Still painful, but I use meditation and the other skills you taught me, and I cope.”

“More than cope. You competed this year in the games.” He looked at Luna. “And hello to you, Luna Storm.”

“Oh, you know my name?”

“Naturally. It’s been all over the media.” Somehow, she sensed Waldo would know who she was, regardless.

“Come, come inside.” The mage unlocked the big oak door and ushered them in. “My first patient doesn’t arrive for an hour. I felt an urge to get here early and now I know why.”

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