Page 5 of Heart of the Deep

Jax grinned. “Dracchus will have to learn to live with one arm if you cling to him like that all the time.”

“He could do it if he wanted to,” she replied. “He’s the strongest.”

“But your father still bested me every time I challenged him.” Dracchus worked his fingers between Sarina and his arm, mindful of his claws, and gently broke her hold. “Strength comes in many forms.”

“Daddy’s the fastest,” Sarina said, holding her arms out for Jax.

Jax accepted the youngling from Dracchus. She climbed onto his back, latching her tentacles on his shoulders, and wrapped her arms around his forehead.

“I guess I don’t need to ask why you’re here,” Macy said as she stepped around Jax. She smiled up at Sarina before looking at Dracchus. “You spoil them.”

Dracchus tilted his head. Meat spoiled if it went too long without being eaten, but he wasn’t sure what that had to do with the younglings.

Macy bent down and lifted Jace into her arms. “Thank you for watching them, Melaina.”

“I love to spend time with them,” Melaina replied, moving forward to brush her cheek against Jace’s. “Ikaros helps.”

Macy met Dracchus’s eyes and smiled. “He’s an excellent protector.” She turned back to Melaina. “Why don’t we take Jace to visit Aymee in the infirmary?”

Melaina grinned. “Okay. Can we play hunters-hunted when we’re there?”

“Hunters!” Sarina bounced on her father’s shoulders.

Ikaros sprang to his feet at Sarina’s excited tone and bounded back and forth around Jax, chirruping.

Macy laughed. “Yes. We can play.” She reached for Sarina, and the youngling climbed into her mother’s waiting arm. As Macy leaned closer to Jax, their eyes met, and her smile changed.

Dracchus was still learning to read human expressions and body language, even after so much time spent around them, but he knew what Macy’s smile meant.

Jax’s understanding was evident in his grin.

“Wecan play tonight,” she said softly.

“I will not let you break that promise.” A flash of maroon passed over Jax’s skin, there and gone in an instant.

She rose on her toes and brushed a kiss over his lips. “Never.”

“Can I play, too?” Sarina asked.

Macy pulled away from her mate with a chuckle. “It will be after your bedtime, Sarina.”

“And some games are only for your mother and father,” Jax added.

Sarina pouted. Jace cuddled against Macy’s chest and yawned wide, displaying his small, sharp teeth.

“I’ll see you later,” Macy said to Jax.

“I look forward to it.” His gaze followed Macy as she, Melaina, and Ikaros exited the room.

The gleam in Jax’s eyes was both familiar and utterly foreign to Dracchus. Macy and Jax had far surpassed the depth of the bonds shared by most mates long ago, and their connection seemed to strengthen with each passing day.

Dracchus couldn’t begin to guess what that felt like. He adored Sarina and the other younglings, but what Jax and Macy shared was much different from anything the kraken had known before she entered their lives. Their relationship had sparked something, and more pairings had followed — Aymee and Arkon soon after, and then Rhea and Randall. Everyone around Dracchus was forming such bonds, it seemed. Buildingfamilies.

Dracchus had no mate and did not share his den, but he recognized these relationships as something worth defending. As something that could strengthen their people and help them build a future in which they wouldn’t merely survive, but thrive.

“You are planning to find the new boat, are you not?” Jax asked, turning his head toward Dracchus.

“I am.”

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