Page 117 of Heart of the Deep

“Commander,” Jason Dane stepped forward, “please. This was just a short lapse, sir. You did your best, based on the information you possessed.”

A few of them spoke up in agreement.

Nicholas raised his hands, and they fell silent. “It has been my honor to lead you, but I’m not fit for it any longer. Maybe I haven’t been for years. Either way, my children arehere, so this is where I need to be.”

A small hand reached up and touched Nicholas’s back. Nicholas turned and to see Melaina looking up at him. Brow creased, he knelt to get closer to her eye level.

“Randall became my father when he fell in love with my mom,” Melaina said, glancing between Randall, Rhea, and Nicholas. “Does that mean you are my grandfather?”

Nicholas’s features softened. “I guess it does.”

“So you have to let your face get really hairy too, right?”

Breckett barked laughter.

Nicholas smiled; it was the most genuine smile Larkin had seen from him in a long, long time. “Maybe. I don’t think grandfathershaveto have big beards, but…I’ve never been one before. You’ll…have to help me figure it out.”

Melaina smiled. “I would like a grandfather. I never had a father before Randall, and that’s been really fun. A grandfather should be even more fun, right?”

Nicholas looked at Randall, making no attempt to hide the pride in his expression. “I’ll try, but I have a feeling that your father’s already better than I can ever be.”

Slowly, the kraken and human groups moved closer to one another; their interaction began with awed, awkward stares, but soon, tentative conversation began between the bravest on both sides.

Dracchus pulled Larkin into his arms. He raised a hand to her cheek, claws lightly sliding into her hair. The nearby water reflected in his amber eyes, increasing their depth, giving them a sense of motion. “You have created a future for our people to share.”

“It’s up to everyone to make it a good one, but it’s a start.” She cupped his face, brushing her thumbs over his cheekbones. “Thank you for trusting us. For trusting in me.”

One of his tentacles coiled around her waist, its tip gently stroking her lower back. The rest of the world faded away — the crowd, the voices, the swaying dock beneath her feet. In Dracchus’s eyes, she was all there was, she waseverything.

“You stand with me,” he said, voice rumbling in his chest, “and I will forever stand with you. I will be your strength when you do not feel strong. I will be your comfort. I will be your heart.” He lowered his head and caressed her lips with his. “Just as you are mine.”

Epilogue

363 Years After Landing

“Hurry up! There’s something I want to show you!” Larkin tugged on Dracchus’s hands.

He pulled himself up a few more steps along the narrow, spiraling staircase. He’d always felt heavier on land, but he’d never imagined how much worse it would while climbing stairs. No matter how many times he’d seen it from the water and the town below, Dracchus had never realized just how tall the lighthouse was.

“You will be late,” he replied. “Your father does not appreciate when you are late for his hunts.”

“He can wait. This is important.”

They continued upward, moving around the enclosed central shaft — Larkin had said it was anelevatorthat used to carry people to the top, but it had ceased functioning long ago.

Perhaps she should have had Arkon tinker with it beforehand to see if he could repair the device.

By the time they reached the door at the top, Dracchus’s muscles were ablaze. Even when he’d swam for a day and a half without rest, he hadn’t felt as drained as he did now.

“Close your eyes,” Larkin said, one hand on the door button, the other holding his.

He closed his eyes without hesitation.

The door opened with a soft sound, similar to the sound of the doors in the Facility. It provided him a bit of comfort.

“Duck down a little,” she said. “A little more. And turn your shoulders.”

His tentacles brushed the doorframe as she led him through. The air in the chamber was different; it bore a faint, metallic scent, and he could almost sense sound attempting to intrude upon the quiet from some unseenoutside. Larkin’s boots echoed gently on the floor as she led him forward.

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