Page 64 of Rising from the Depths

“I have worked with Breckett often,” Kronus said, “and thus know your words are true.”

Camrin’s smile stretched into a grin. He manipulated the ropes and rigging to adjust the sail, matching the speed of the boat hauling the razorback.

The blazing orb that was the sun hung just above the horizon on the port side of the boat, casting the sky and sea in brilliant reds, pinks, oranges, and purples. The coast was visible to starboard, already blanketed in deepening shadow. The gentle sounds of water in motion all around were soothing, easing Kronus’s hearts back to a normal pace.

“How is your female, Kronus?” Dracchus asked.

Instinct sparked fire in Kronus’s gut; he could not hold back the surge of protectiveness rising within him, could not prevent his suspicion. Eva washis, unquestionably, irrevocably,forever. Another male taking interest in her was unacceptable. Though he’d never bested Dracchus in a challenge, Kronus would not hesitate to fight. He would not relinquish her.

Dracchus has a female of his own already, riding in one of the other boats. He is just asking after Eva’s health. Just…making conversation.

The thought cooled Kronus’s agitation, but only slightly.

“Fine,” Kronus replied.

Dracchus swept his gaze across the surrounding water. “I am glad.”

No one said anything for some time. Heat crackled beneath Kronus’s skin, a clear indication of his lingering displeasure and defensiveness.

“I was told to invite you and your Eva to my den,” Dracchus said after a while. “Larkin wants to meet her.”

Kronus and Dracchus looked at each other in that moment, gazes locking. Dracchus wore a wary but hard expression. Despite all the changes that had overtaken the kraken way of life, dens remained private places, shared only by mates and younglings. Even Dracchus, who had been one of the kraken to lead their people to embrace those changes, had not fully overcome the old way of thinking.

Clenching and unclenching his jaw, Kronus nodded. “I am sure Eva would enjoy that.”

“Larkin, as well.”

They held each other’s stares. Camrin coughed, but neither kraken looked toward him.

“If you mean to challenge one another, get into the water and do so,” Vasil said at length.

His words finally broke both Kronus’s and Dracchus’s focus; they turned their heads to face the gray kraken, who was positioned at the bow. Vasil’s back was to them, his attention on the sea ahead.

“There is no reason for a challenge,” Dracchus said.

“None,” Kronus agreed, though he’d not shaken off his irritation. Part of himwanteda challenge, though it would accomplish nothing.

Vasil shook his head. “You inquired about his mate, Dracchus, while their relationship is still new.”

Dracchus tilted his head, brow falling low. He stared at Vasil’s back for many moments before his expression softened with sudden understanding and he turned back to Kronus. “I felt the same.”

Kronus gritted his teeth. The same about what? AboutEva? He sank his claws into the wood beneath him. “Clarify your meaning, Dracchus.”

The black kraken’s lips fell into a deep frown, and his eyes shifted toward a neighboring boat — toward Larkin. “When Larkin became my mate, I felt the same as you.”

“And how is it that I feel?”

“Guys, this is clearly just a misunderstanding…” A hint of unease colored Camrin’s otherwise calm voice.

“Protective,” Dracchus said.

Pressing his lips together, Kronus dropped his gaze. The emotions flitting through him were far more complicated than that single word, yet, somehow, it seemed to encompass all of them.

“Even now, after two years, I bristle when other males are near her. I trust her to take care of herself, but even this distance between us feels too great. And when she first became mine, I constantly battled the urge to crushanyonewho dared even glance at her.”

Kronus briefly flicked his gaze to the bow. Vasil had not changed his position, but there appeared to be a tension in his posture at odds with the easy rhythm of the boat.

“It is instinct,” Kronus said after returning his attention to Dracchus.

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