Page 54 of Heart of the Deep

She groaned, eyes fluttering open sleepily, but she didn’t push him away. “What are you doing?” she mumbled.

“Resting with my female,” he said, turning his body slightly toward her and coiling a tentacle around one of her calves. The tip ended at her ankle, where his suction cups lightly kissed her skin.

“Hmm,” Larkin hummed as she drifted back to sleep.

Her scent and taste had been altered by her shower, but the underlying aroma and flavor remained, the parts that were uniquelyher. The pressure behind his slit increased as her warmth flowed into him. He appreciated the way the diving suit had sculpted to her body, but it hadn’t allowed him to feel her — her softness, her heat, the play of muscles beneath her skin.

Exhaustion closed in gradually on his awareness, creating a dark, encroaching cloud at the edges of his vision. He was beginning to understand the risks that Jax and Arkon had taken with their mates. Now he knew a bond could form between two people that was worth facing any danger. He would fight to his end for the people he cared about…and somehow, for Larkin, he’d continue fighting beyond that.

Chapter 14

Larkin shifted uncomfortably on her chair, looking between Macy and Aymee — the missing women from The Watch. They weren’t acting like they’d been abducted by monsters. They were happy.

That they’d chosen to stay here with the kraken — with their krakenmates— was clear by the sparkles of joy in their eyes and their easy laughter. These women were at home with one another, comfortable with their surroundings, and at ease with the kraken.

It only highlighted Larkin’s discomfort; she didn’t belong here, with these people. Only Randall’s presence helped ground her.

She hadn’t known what to expect when someone knocked on their door that morning. Was it Neo, come to make a second attempt on her life? Randall, ready to either apologize or rekindle their argument?

Dracchus had opened the door to reveal a large group outside the door, holding plates of food — Macy and Aymee, Randall, Jax and Arkon, and two kraken children — and welcomed them all inside.

Larkin had been shocked upon realizing the children possessed features she hadn’t seen on any other kraken thus far — hair and defined noses. She’d swung her gaze between the children and Macy and Aymee, and the resemblance, despite the alien cast of the little kraken’s features, was undeniable.

When Dracchus had told her that human females had mated with kraken, she’d never imaginedthiswas a possibility.

Her startlement faded as she watched the children. Their laughter brightened the room, and their sweet smiles sent a bittersweet pang through Larkin’s heart. Despite their appearance, they were no different than human children — they played and giggled and bugged their parents like any other kids would. One in particular — Macy and Jax’s daughter, Sarina — clung to Dracchus like he was her whole world.

Larkin would never have this. She’d never know the feeling of carrying a child, of feeling a new life growing within her. She’d never hear the laughter of her own child. That had been taken away from her.

Her attention fell on Dracchus as he lifted Sarina high into the air. The little girl’s tentacles latched onto his wrists, and she cupped his face when he brought her close. She blew through her siphons and giggled when Dracchus did the same.

Something cold closed around Larkin’s heart and squeezed. Dracchus adored Sarina, and he was so laid back and gentle with all the children.

And he wants me to be his mate.

His declaration still had her off-balance. She’d gone from hunting creatures she believed were monsters to saving them, and then to enjoying her time spent alone with one. Larkin and Dracchus had worked well together while camping on the edge of the jungle. He was often quiet, but when he spoke it was always with honesty and purpose. His directness could be unsettling, but she’d come to appreciate that he was open with her. He’d didn’t treat her any differently because she was a woman.

He praised her, respected her, supported her.

Despite all that, she was confused by her desire for him.

Larkin’s gaze fell to Dracchus’s tentacles. This morning, she’d woken to them curled around her, with the tip of one having slipped up the bottom of her pants to touch the sensitive flesh behind her knee. She could barely recall climbing into bed, much less Dracchus joining her, but she’d somehow ended up encircled by his arms, tucked against his side. Being next to him had felt so…right.

She’d slept with a few other men and had never much enjoyed being held by them afterwards. Those casual couplings, usually in the field, had only served one purpose — mutual release. Thecuddlingfollowing those acts always seemed hollow. Sex didn’t necessitate a relationship, and they always parted with the dawn. Why pretend it was any more complicated than that?

None of those experiences could compare to what was happening now. Dracchus wasn’t looking for simple release; hewantedher, and even if she thought he’d come to that decision much too quickly, she found comfort and security in his arms.

Why was it different with him? Why hadn’t she felt this way toward anyone else, toward a human man?

“Larkin?”

She tore her gaze away from Dracchus to find Macy, Aymee, and Randall staring at her. Her cheeks heated. She wasn’t often caught off-guard. How long had she been staring at Dracchus?

“Sorry, what was that?” she asked.

“We heard that you helped the kraken escape,” Aymee said. “What changed your mind?”

Larkin glanced at Randall, who sat on her right. “They weren’t the monsters they were made out to be, and they didn’t deserve what was being done to them.”

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