Page 14 of Kiss for My Kraken
The exchanges continued over the next few days. He left her a cluster of the fall lilies that grew in a hidden grove on his island. The next morning she left him a watercolor sketch of those same lilies. What’s more, she tucked the sketch inside a waterproof bag, a tacit acknowledgment that he was of the water—an acknowledgment that both thrilled and terrified him.
She drew a picture of his island the following day, and he left her a piece of fossilized wood, the once living material now perfectlypreserved in smoothly polished stone. And then it was her turn again.
He waited until darkness fell and she was safely asleep before he surfaced. The moon was full, and the pale glow illuminated the surface of the dock. There, waiting for him, was a picture of his own face.
The only time she’d seen him was when she’d opened her eyes after he revived her, and yet she’d captured him with surprising accuracy. He looked… not human, but somehow magical. And there was a swirl in the water around him that could have been his tentacles.
How was it possible? How had she seen him so clearly in such a short time? And if she had seen him so well and still wanted to communicate with him, perhaps he could reveal himself more fully. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating and it haunted him as he settled down to rest and keep watch. Perhaps…
CHAPTER 9
Nina walked down the river path that led into the center of town, her fist clenched around the two twenties that Ben had pressed into her hand when he insisted she take the rest of the day off. She’d protested, of course—she needed the money, and she didn’t want him to think she wasn’t grateful for the job.
“You’ve been working lunch and dinner shifts for a week straight, plus two breakfast shifts,” Ben said, his tall ears twitching with annoyance. “The kitchen’s cleaner than it’s been in years, and I’m not about to have you collapse from exhaustion. Go explore the town.”
The unseasonably warm weather continued, the sun shining clear and bright in a crystal blue sky, but more of the trees across the river had turned red and gold. Winter would be here soon, but this year that thought didn’t terrify her. She’d learned from Annabelle that the Tavern was open year round, and only a little quieter in the winter. Which meant she should be able to keep working.
The thought of staying in one place thrilled her—especially this place with the charming town, and her little shack, and her river prince. Even if she did need to find a way to seal some of the cracks in her walls. And even if her prince remained stubbornly out of sight. So far.
Fairhaven Falls was everything she’d hoped for when she’d first heard about it—a place where Others and humans lived side by side. A werewolf mother pushed a stroller past her, smiling as her toddler waved. A vampire held the door of the local coffee shop for an elderly human couple. A group of teenage fairies giggled outside the ice cream parlor.
In the small community where she’d grown up, fear of the “unnatural” dominated every aspect of life. The Elders had preached that Others were abominations, soulless creatures sent to tempt the faithful. But here in Fairhaven Falls, they were just… people. People living their lives, raising families, running businesses.
A small storefront caught her eye as she strolled up Main Street. The sign read“Second Chance”in flowing emerald script, and the display window featured an eclectic arrangement of items amidst an artful display of colored leaves. Without quite meaning to, she pushed the door open, setting off a small bell.
“Be right with you!” called a cheerful voice from somewhere in the back.
She wandered through the shop, trailing her fingers over furniture that had clearly been loved by previous owners. Wooden shelves held knickknacks and small treasures—figurines, candle holders, small framed prints. She picked up a small ceramic fox, admiring the craftsmanship.
“That’s a sweet little piece, isn’t it?”
She turned to find a pretty brunette in a stunning vintage dress smiling at her. She looked like a 50s pinup girl, but her smile was warm and genuine.
“It’s beautiful,” she agreed, carefully setting it back down.
“I’m Posy,” the woman said, extending her hand. “This is my shop. Looking for anything in particular?”
“Just browsing. I’ve… recently moved into a place, and it needs a few touches to make it feel like home.”
The words surprised her even as she said them, but the little shack felt more like home than any place she’d lived since escaping Haven’s Grace.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” Posy said, breaking into her thoughts. “Everything here needs a second chance at being loved.”
She couldn’t help smiling at that. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”
“It’s the truth. Things get better with use and care, I’ve always thought.” Posy gestured around the shop. “Take your time looking. I’ll be at the counter if you need anything.”
As Posy moved away, Nina found herself drawn to a shelf of kitchen items. A small teapot caught her eye—white porcelain with hand-painted blue flowers. Next to it sat two matching cups, slightly chipped but still beautiful. She picked up the teapot, turning it over to check the price. Five dollars seemed more than fair.
She continued browsing, collecting a small basket of items: the teapot and cups, a soft throw blanket in shades of blue and green that reminded her of the river, a battered copy of “Pride and Prejudice” that had clearly been read many times, and a small framed watercolor of a forest path.
At the counter, a small curvy blonde was chatting with Posy. She turned as Nina approached, revealing sparkling blue eyes and a friendly smile.
“You must be Nina. I’m Elara.”
She blinked in surprise. “I am, but how did you know?”
Elara laughed. “This is a small town. Everyone knows there’s a mysterious new woman working at the Moonlight Tavern. And I heard about you from my mate, Grondar.”
