Page 34 of Rising from the Depths

Aymee rose and held out her hand. “Let’s get you standing.”

Eva took it and slid off the edge of the bed. As soon as her weight pressed down on the prosthetic leg, there was a click. The pressure on her stump was strange but not entirely uncomfortable. Using Aymee as balance, she lifted her left leg, and the prosthesis rose off the floor. Tears stung her eyes as she lowered her foot.

“I…I don’t know what to say.” Eva looked up at Aymee and Arkon, smiling. “Thank you.”

Aymee’s smile widened, and, though it seemed impossible, Arkon beamed withmoreexcitement. His tentacles moved restlessly beneath him and his eyes were bright.

“Try walking,” he said.

Leaning on Aymee, Eva took a tentative step forward, then another, and another. She kept a tight grip on Aymee’s hand as she walked slowly around the room. Her gait was clumsy; being unable to feel her left foot reminded her of the times she’d sat on her leg for too long and made it go numb, of those moments when all she could feel of her leg was dead weight before the pins and needles struck. It would take time to adapt her stride to the prosthetic leg’s movement, but she waswalking. Her lack of grace made no difference.

Eva turned her head and stilled; Kronus filled the doorway, one of his hands curled around the doorframe. His brow furrowed as his gaze swept over Aymee and Arkon, but the confusion smoothed from his expression when he looked at Eva. For the first time since she’d met him, Kronus smiled — not the smug half-smirk he sometimes wore when he was amused, but a real, genuine smile that sparkled in his golden eyes.

Feeling suddenly shy, Eva turned toward him, placed her free hand on the bed rail for balance, and lifted the hem of her gown to reveal the prosthesis. “What do you think?”

“You are walking,” he said.

“Arkon and Aymee made it.” She lifted the leg off the floor and extended it. “It’s amazing!”

“A little practice, and she’ll be walking without any help,” Aymee said. She gently removed her hand from Eva’s and stepped aside as Kronus entered the room.

He approached Eva slowly, his eyes not once leaving hers until he was immediately before her. His tentacles spread wide, and his torso dropped low. Carefully, he cradled the back of her prosthesis in his palm, tucking the heel against the inside of his elbow, and trailed the fingertips of his other hand over its patterns.

Were she to close her eyes and concentrate hard enough, Eva might’ve been able to imagine how his touch would’ve felt against her real limb. The thought sent a warmth through her that coalesced low in her belly, and she found herself wishing he was touching her right leg instead.

“I recognize Arkon’s work,” Kronus said, lifting his gaze to meet hers, “but this leg belongs fully to you.”

Eva’s cheeks flushed, and she smiled. “You like it then?”

Kronus nodded. He guided her foot back to the floor, withdrew his hands, and rose. “More importantly,youlike it.”

Her smile widened, and she turned her gaze to Aymee and Arkon just in time to catch the startled glance they exchanged.

“You…you met with the others this morning to discuss the situation with the razorbacks, did you not?” Arkon asked, turning his attention to Kronus. “Do you have any news?”

A sliver of fear raced down Eva’s spine at the mention of razorbacks.

Kronus seemed reluctant as he shifted his gaze to Arkon. “A few more sightings along the coast, but even one sighting is more than there should be. Dracchus is organizing hunting parties from both The Watch and the Facility to stalk the spawning areas for razorback along the coastline. For now, it is still unsafe to travel the water without an armed group.”

“Guess we’ll need to organize an escort,” Aymee said, frowning. “Macy is going insane with worry about our trip back to the Facility as it is.”

“W-Why would you go then?” asked Eva.

“Thana is nearing her birthing time. She normally assists the other female kraken during their births, but she wanted me to be there to help when her child comes.” Aymee glanced at Arkon and smiled softly. “Kraken females have difficulties getting pregnant, so it’s an exciting thing, and I want to make sure she has all the aid she needs for a safe delivery.

“Which brings us to our next topic of discussion.” Aymee stepped closer to Eva and took her hand again. “I think you’re ready to leave the clinic.”

Eva felt the blood drain from her face. She withdrew her hand from Aymee’s and stepped back, bumping against the bed. Where would she go? She had nowhere, no place she belonged. “I-I don’t…”

Aymee held up her open palms in a placating manner. “Shh, I know. And we’d never force you out of here without somewhere to go. My parents have a couple open rooms, if—”

Kronus clasped Eva’s hand, his hold firm but not painful. “She will stay with me.”

“What?” Eva breathed, turning her wide eyes toward Kronus. Had she heard him correctly? Had he just…

He held her gaze. “You will stay with me, female. In my den. My…house.”

“Oh, um,” Aymee cleared her throat. “Are you okay with that, Eva?”

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