Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
She swept inside, already grinning. “I’ve seen Freyja’s schedule.” Her gaze flicked over the racks. “I know exactly what message we want to send to the kraken.”
Chapter
Fourteen
The first warning means you’re already in the danger zone.
–An Incomplete Guide to Kraken Survival
Istood in an antechamber leading to another antechamber that led to the throne room, not yet ready to come face to face with Sebastian. Gunnar towered behind me, holding my music box.
Only days ago, I’d gathered near here as ambassador after ambassador filed inside to meet the kraken king. Oh, how things had changed, and so quickly too. I’d been so nervous to face Sebastian then and discover the depths of our connection.
The man could still make me nervous, but also breathless with a look, unravel my common sense with a smile, and leave my dragon curious if fire and water could mix. They certainly had in the ocean, amid battle.
This next encounter was a hinge point. How we would be going forward.
The gown Soley had chosen fit as if woven in my dreams, structured at the shoulders, fluid through the hips, the fabric dark as deep water and shot through with subtle ember-thread that caught the light when I moved. Strength, not softness. Grace, rather than fragility. The kind of elegance that suggested I could dance or decapitate without requiring a wardrobe change.
Soley had also braided my hair back from my face, the style severe enough to bare my throat, but intricate enough to demand a second glance. No jewels weighed me down.
A clock announced the hour. “Shall we continue on to the king?” Gunnar asked. “Your hour expired with the chime. Any second, I expect to hear roaring.”
Deep breath in. “Very well.” I pushed through the doors, entering the second antechamber with my most graceful glide.
Gunnar entered after me and handed over the music box. Then he left me alone with the king, who stood behind a table, armored in command. Dark leathers, a metal crown settled on his brow as if it had grown there.
My pulse spiked.
“You’re late,” he said, rolling up a map. Then his gaze lifted and traveled slowly over me. He blinked. For one unguarded beat, something hot and unreadable crossed his expression, incinerating everything else. “You’re forgiven.”
I bloomed with delight and performed an elegant pirouette. “Thank you, kind sir.”
A wry curl of his mouth. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me kind.”
“Probably because they’ve not been on the receiving end of your almost smiles.” He looked so at home here. Maps of his territory covered the walls along with aged sea charts, and the air smelled of saltwater mixed with ink, and him, midnight rain and molten amber.
He did it, almost smiled, then crooked his finger at me. “Today, we will attend the Court of Current. I’ll settle disputes and receive gifts and show the world why you are my consort.”
“Ah.” I arched a brow as I approached. “You’ll flip your switch and smolder at me.”
“Every pressure valve requires release.”
What did that mean exactly? He hadn’t been turning off his smolder but allowing it to go free?
Oh, sweet stars. I didn’t know what to think about that.
He motioned to my most prized possession, held protectively in my clasp. “And what do we have here?”
“My music box.” I ran my fingers over the wooden edge. The piece looked both out of place and perfect at the same time. Delicate silver filigree curled around every side like dragon fire caught in motion. “My mother gave it to me after my first week of ballet class, and I informed the entire dragon court I intended to dance for the rest of my life.”
With a chuckle, he lifted the lid. A tiny ballerina rose onto a pointe, her crystal skirts catching the light as she began a slow, graceful turn. The opening strains of Swan Lake drifted into the air, soft and wistful.
“As a little girl, I would imagine Odette wasn’t a swan at all, but a dragon princess hiding her wings until the moment she chose to fly.”
He listened, fully engaged with me. “That fanciful little girl grew up to do just that.”
She did indeed. “I wondered if, while I’m here, we might display it for others to enjoy. A reminder that kingdoms aren’t built only to wage wars, but to give people something beautiful to come home to.”
His features softened. “I know the perfect spot. May I?” he asked, reaching for the box.
“Please.”
Steps careful, he carried the box to the door and summoned a servant. He murmured instructions before handing the piece off with a coldly stated, “Guard this with your life.”
I winced at the tone, but I also maybe, kinda, sorta applauded his effort to keep my prize safe. But where was the perfect place? Curiosity clawed at me.
He faced me once more and dropped his chin, serious again. “Tonight is the convergence ball.”