Page 28 of Away in a Tentacle Lair
“I felt a spark with you. I know it's still early, but I'd really like to see where this goes,” I admit.
“A spark? Like you think I'mthe one?”I can’t read the expression flashing across his face, but he looks flighty like he could run from this moment.
I take his hands and pull him into me, his head resting against my collarbone.
“I didn’t expect you to feel the same,” he stammers.
“But I do,” I confess.
Kai's bedroom is quite a dark space, but it's not due to its lack of size or lighting. It looks like he had a deep purple love as a child but covered it with black when his heart was broken. I'm not sure how old he was when his mum passed; he was probably not old enough for a morbid redecoration spree.
I head to his wall for a better look. The wall is painted a lovely plum purple, then covered in sheets of cream paper covered in black ink. I imagine a toddler with an ink well attempting to draw, which an octopus child could have made. Either way, it somehow works. Other than a single bed and a wardrobe, the dominating feature in the room is an aquarium, filling one entire wall. It's enormous, with a pretty living coral display across the bottom, but the lack of fish is haunting.
Why is this house filled with unoccupied fish tanks?
An octopus paradise?
What a ridiculous assumption, yet it is the only one that makes sense.
“You are going to be harassed all day today. I apologise in advance, and if you need to get out for a bit…”
“I will be fine.” I hook my fingers through his, pulling him close. I understand what is going on here. I'm being evaluatedto see if I'm worthy of hearing that these people spend half their lives as octopuses. And if I'm in, then I'm all in.
Or, people can't turn into octopuses, they have empty tanks for no specific reason, and the family just runs a cult.
“Back home, it's just me and my parents. It will be nice to experience a big family Christmas.” Leaning forwards, my lips meet his, and we kiss. I could easily keep doing this for the rest of my life. But instead, a low gong rings out, and he pulls away.
“Are you ready for this? Dinner with… everyone?”
The way he stresses everything implies dozens of people, but I can handle anything they throw at me.
We head downstairs to find the dining room filled with people I don't know and some I recognise.
“Hey, man!” Jonus greets me. I feel different about this guy now that I know his main job is tending to the sheep. He doesn't seem so imposing as a sheep farmer. I met Peter, the lawyer, the botanist, Freda, and all the cousins who came without job titles.
After nodding politely at the first, I decided not to remember their names. It only really matters if they want me in the family, and then I'll have plenty of time for that.
"Quite the gathering," I murmur to Kai, who stands close, his arm brushing mine with a static spark.
Kai guides me to our seats, and we wait like a devoted couple as everyone else brings in trays and pots of food.
Those who work together eat well together. Or is it that those who own the island eat like kings?
Today, I eat like a king. Chatter begins in the background of clanking serving spoons as the serving dishes are passed around. There is no shortage of conversation between these people who spend more time together than the average extended family. I can't stand my uncle and his son, and the fact we don't see them more than once a year means they probably don't like us much either. But everyone here is genuinely interested in each other.
“I promise they get bearable once you get to know them.” Kai places a comforting hand on my thigh.
“I have you, babe, and if they come as a package deal, then I have them too.”
Chapter twenty
Kai
Today has been great. Dinner went well, and Leo conversed with everyone. It all felt very natural and almost surreal. He was truly welcomed as part of the family.
Now we are sitting in the living room, drinking hot chocolate and chattering as the sun begins to set.
I'm getting nervous. Either we'll tell Leo the truth, or we'll have to ask him to leave.
