Page 72 of Heart of the Deep

Macy laughed.

Arkon flashed violet and cleared his throat. “We cannot help that we’re drawn to our mates.”

“Which is why,” Aymee stepped away from the bed and walked to the counter behind Larkin, “we’re going to start using contraception.” She picked up a small vial and held it between her finger and thumb.

“You have said that word before. What does it mean?” Dracchus asked, seemingly unbothered by Sarina and Jace climbing on his head and shoulders.

“Whatever problems were designed into your females, kraken sperm has no problem finding its way to human eggs.”

“That does not answer my question, Aymee.”

“It means, we won’t get pregnant,” she replied.

The air suddenly filled with tension, and all three male kraken fixed their gazes on Aymee.

“Why would that be necessary?” Jax asked, his voice laced with apprehension.

Macy picked up his hand and brought it to her mouth, placing a kiss on its back. “I love the family we are making together, Jax, but I don’t want to go through a pregnancy a year for the rest of my life.”

Jax’s brow lowered. He opened his mouth to reply but closed it without speaking.

“We have always struggled to sustain our numbers,” Dracchus grumbled, “and knowing that, you will simply cease to have younglings? You have given hope to the kraken. Will you forsake that so easily?”

“Is that all we are?” Aymee asked, anger in her tone. “Just a means to repopulate your race?”

Arkon approached her from behind and settled his hands on her shoulders. “That is not what he means, Aymee.”

“Isn’t it?” she asked, scowling at Dracchus.

Larkin stared at him, awaiting his answer. Her hands were clenched, palms clammy, as she shifted them absently toward her scars.

Despite his clear frustration, he was gentle as he removed the children and placed them on a nearby bed. “Our females do all they can to ensure we will have future generations. They would not so casually give up such a gift.”

His words were a kick to Larkin’s gut.

How could I have thought he’d be happy with me? How could I think he wouldn’t regret choosing me?

Just watching him with the children that first time should have been answer enough for her.

“We are not giving it up,” Macy said.

Jax drew her hand closer to his chest. “But that is what Aymee just spoke of.”

“It wouldn’t be permanent.”

“I’ve already researched this through the computer,” Aymee said. Her voice was more controlled, but her expression made it clear that she wasn’t backing down. “The effects are temporary. If, orwhen, we are ready to conceive, we either wait for it to wear off or use a different shot to neutralize it.”

“I still do not understand why you would choose this,” Dracchus said.

Aymee closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. “Dracchus, I understand what these children mean to you, that you’re thinking of the kraken’s future, but we are not broodmares.”

“It’s not wrong for us to want control over our bodies,” Macy said. “To live and enjoy life.”

“Not to mention, it’s unsafe,” Aymee added. “The equipment here is likely the best in the world, but if things go wrong — and they often do, with pregnancies and childbirth — there’s not going to be a whole lot I can do. Especially if it’smein one of these beds.”

Arkon’s skin paled, and Jax’s features tightened. As tough as the kraken were, Larkin guessed that neither male had ever considered pregnancy could end in tragedy.

“We’re not giving up this gift,” Macy said. She wrapped her arms around Sarina as the child climbed up onto the bed with her. “We know how much this means to you, to all the kraken, and our children mean the world to us, too.”

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