Page 21 of Alien Kraken's Prize

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I tell him, embarrassed and relieved and still so panicked I might throw up the little I’ve had to eat. “I can’t do it. My brain knows rationally I’ll be okay, but I just can’t do it, I can’t do it?—”

His mouth meets mine, cutting off my plaintive cry with a decadent kiss that leaves me wide-eyed.

What is happening between us?

“Do not apologize, little sea star. You are not made for the depths. That doesn’t mean you weren’t made for me.” His hand tracks down my face, and I realize I’ve been crying. “I will bring you a feast here, anything you like, and I will fetch the tentacle.”

I nod, as it’s obvious he’s waiting for an answer from me. “Okay.” I sniffle, grateful to feel the air inflating my lungs again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to freak out.”

“You would not even be here were it not for my meddling court.” His brow furrows, this time in real anger. “I think they have a reckoning coming.”

He kisses the tip of my nose, and my toes curl slightly.

Into his back, because I’m still wrapped around him and trembling with leftover panic.

“Go, warm yourself under the lamp. I will get some things to make your, ah, new home more appealing.”

He doesn’t make me swim; instead, he carries me sweetly to the shore, depositing me on the edge of it.

He watches me for a moment, then, apparently satisfied I’m not going to run headfirst into the terrarium walls again, he finally disappears into the murky water.

Then it’s just me, alone with my thoughts, my hunger, and the fear that I might be trapped in this damn tank forever.

CHAPTER

NINE

BORUMOR

Well,that certainly did not go as planned.

Zayros executed a flawless coup in the hours I spent with my Bridget.

My few loyal retainers were prepared, however, thanks to the fact that I had put a plan of action in place the moment I took the throne. All I have left to do is collect my sea star from her cage.

The two squid who accompany me have their tentacles full, and my private ship is prepared to leave the planet in less than twenty minutes.

“She’s going to be hungry,” I tell them, for the fourteenth time.

They share a look of irritation. “Your ship is fully stocked,” they remind me. “The female will be fine, as long as you leave within the one-hour window they’ve given you to depart.”

One of my squid henchmen carries my belongings, the other weighed down by the things I instructed him gather for Bridget’s comfort on our journey. While my ship is undoubtedly well-equipped to handle any trip we might take, I want to makesure that my courtship of the little female goes as smoothly as possible.

I am more nervous about pleasing Bridget than I am annoyed with the fact I am no longer the king.

Actually… if I have to put a name on how I feel about it—it’s relieved.

I should be upset, I should at the very least be plotting revenge or a coup of my own.

But I’m not.

I want nothing more to do with Zayros and his ilk and the ungrateful folk of the realm.

I do want time with my Bridget, and a fresh start, and perhaps I can find a place that will allow both of those things.

The tentacle she named Harry flops in my grip, and I’m relieved that Zayros only took him to use as a lever to get me to leave without conflict. This Harry is the one thing I know Bridget would be loath to lose were he left behind.

Besides me, with any luck.

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