Page 116 of Heart of the Deep

Murmurs of assent rippled through the crowd; these people’s lives had been disrupted by the rangers for over a year. They deserved peace, they deserved security, they deserved normalcy. Even if it was a new normal, at least it wouldn’t be guided by hatred or fear.

“And me!” called another voice. A woman ran past the rangers, heading straight for Macy. Camrin followed close behind her.

“Mom?” Macy stepped into the woman’s embrace, returning it with equal fervor.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” the woman sobbed, cupping Macy’s head and pulling her closer. “I missed you so much.”

“It’s okay. I’m here,” Macy said gently, running a hand down her mother’s back.

“Madeline,” Breckett coaxed.

Madeline raised her head and looked at Breckett. She stilled. She glanced between Macy and Sarina before pulling away. “Is that…? Is it her?”

Breckett nodded. “Our granddaughter.”

Madeline covered her mouth with her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks. But instead of going to Sarina, she turned to Jax and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

Jax — only a bit awkwardly — hugged the woman back.

Nicholas had turned his head to watch this unfold. He slowly returned his attention to the kraken. He had to tilt his head back to look Dracchus in the eye, but he made no sign of being intimidated. For a few moments, he was the commander and Larkin’s father simultaneously.

“You and I have to have a talk, kraken,” Nicholas said.

Dracchus’s mouth tilted to one side in a smile. “Randall already spoke with me. I am aware of the consequences.”

Nicholas nodded stiffly. “We’re still going to have that talk. I need to make itexplicitlyclear.”

“What is this talk you speak of?” Rhea asked.

“Just some lighthearted death threats, one male to another,” Randall replied.

Taking a deep breath, Nicholas stepped past Dracchus, stopping in front of Larkin. “I…I guess I made a mess of things, Elle…”

“We all do crazy things out of fear for the people we love,” Larkin said.

He dropped his gaze to the dock. “It’s just…after your mother died, and you were hurt… I…”

Larkin holstered her pistol and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her father. He clutched her against him. “I know, Dad. I know.”

“You’re so much like her, Elle. I didn’t want to lose you, too. Icouldn’t.”

“You didn’t lose me. And it’s not too late for all of this. Please. Please just give this time. Make peace. He makes me happy, Dad.” Larkin looked at Dracchus, meeting his gaze. “I love him.”

With deep concentration on his face, Dracchus moved his hands slowly through a series of human signs.

I love you, too.

“Gone for a month and a half, and you fall in love?” Nicholas asked.

Larkin chuckled. “What are you going to do with me?”

Nicholas drew in a shaky breath. “I guess…the first step is to accept that you’re not my problem anymore.” He laughed, more a relieved sound than an amused one, and held her tighter still, leaning his cheek against her hair. “Come here, Randall.”

A few seconds later, her brother wrapped an arm around her. Larkin’s chest ached with emotion. She’d missed this so much. Her father, her brother, her family.

Nicholas pressed a kiss to her head and Randall’s before he released them and stepped back. He turned toward the crowd. “The kraken are not a threat in the eyes of the rangers,” he called, voice echoing over the water. “We will gather our belongings, repair any damage we might have caused, and return to Fort Culver.”

He lowered his gaze to the rangers in front of him. “You men have served bravely, and you deserve time with your families. Once the lingering matters concerning this excursion are settled, I will appoint a successor to take my place as Commander. I have failed all of you.”

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