Page 104 of Fallen from the Stars

Theo knew what she needed to do.

* * *

Vasil wiped a hand over his face, brushing away the water, as he lifted his torso out of the sea and made his way onto the beach. The other kraken who’d also assisted the human fishermen’s work today — Jax, Charos, and Brexes — emerged around him. The evening sun cast the sand and cliffs in an orange-tinged, beautiful light that only seemed to exist at this time of day. It seemed fitting to return to Theo under that glow, almost as unique and captivating as her.

“You are different since claiming your mate,” Jax said.

Vasil turned his head to find Jax smiling. “Am I?”

“Always quick to notice the changes in others, but not in yourself?”

Furrowing his brow, Vasil nodded. “I am…more, with her. More myself.”

Jax looked toward the clifftop homes — toward his home. “Macy makes me feel the same way. More myself, truer to who I am.”

“You were always true to yourself, Jax.”

Chuckling, Jax shook his head. “I was always forced to choose between our people and who I am. Now I understand that there was no choice to be made — I am myself, and that is of benefit to our people. It does not mean I swim against the kraken.”

“And I…” Vasil released a sharp breath through his nostrils. “I did everything I could to be what our people expected. To work toward good for all of us. I gave everything of myself until I had nothing left. Theo was what I needed to finally understand the error of that, to finally learn that I must act not only for others, but for myself, too. I suppose I might have learned that from you much sooner. Taking for myself from time to time does not mean takingfromour people.”

“Even the keenest-eyed amongst us cannot see all, Vasil,” Jax said as they climbed the rocky path leading to the dwellings. “But you still see more than most. You are of great value to our people — kraken and human both.”

Macy awaited her mate at the top of the path. Jax’s smile widened when their eyes met. She crossed the distance separating them and leapt into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him as he caught her. She grinned, pressing a swift kiss to his lips.

Vasil’s eyes dipped to her rounded stomach, in which another youngling grew. It was a sight that had been rare among the kraken in the past, but the humans had made it more common; they had given the kraken hope. There was a future for their people. Theo had explained to him that she was onbirth control, a concept still foreign to him, but she’d also said it was temporary. He couldn’t wait until his mate was carrying their child.

Macy’s cheeks were flushed when she pulled away from Jax. “Hi, Vasil.”

Vasil nodded. “Hello, Macy.”

She turned her attention back to her mate. “Rhea and Randall took the kids into town.” She brushed her fingers along the back of Jax’s neck. “There was going to be music and dancing tonight. They…should be gone a while.”

Jax’s brow rose slowly, somehow tugging the corners of his mouth even higher along with it. “Rest well, Vasil. Until tomorrow,” he said without looking away from Macy. He moved quickly toward their home, carrying his giggling mate the entire way.

Vasil watched them for a few moments; seeing Jax and Macy together only made him ache for Theo more. He did not regret doing his duty to provide for his people, but he missed his mate throughout the days, and his want for her company often made the hours drag.

He hurried along the path to his own dwelling, anticipation speeding his hearts; was she there yet? He’d beaten her home on a few days — the repairs she was performing for the townsfolk were not always quick or simple, and Theo was dedicated to finishing each task she undertook to her own satisfaction. According to Arkon, Theo’s standards were high, and that made Vasil even prouder of her than he already was.

Without hesitation, he opened the front door and entered their shared den.

Theo was seated at the table, looking out the window. At the sound of the door, she turned her head to face him and smiled; the expression seemed oddly strained.

“Hey,” she said softly.

Vasil’s smile faded as he closed the door with a tentacle and approached her. “What is wrong, Theo?”

She rose from her seat, the corners of her mouth dropping. She looked away from him to stare down at a strange device laid on the table. “I want you to know what this is because I feel like I’ve been hiding it from you.”

Vasil placed a hand on her arm when he reached her, his brow furrowed. He turned his gaze to the device. It was roughly cylindrical with several wires extending from one side.

“What is it?” He looked at her again. “I do not understand, Theo. What iswrong?”

She held his gaze. “When we went to that submarine, I took more than the valve.”

“Speak plainly, human. Please.”

“It’s a transmitter, Vasil.”

---