The Kraken’s Queen (Grym Hollow #3)

3. Erin

Chapter 3

Erin

T he first time I ever broke a bone was during recess in fourth grade. I’d been in the middle of showing off on the monkey bars to a group of cool kids I desperately wanted to impress. I attempted to hang upside down on the bars but didn’t quite manage to get my legs above me. My hands slipped, and I went crashing down to the ground as kids laughed.

I remember the distinct sound of my bone breaking, the crack and the instant pain that followed. To add insult to injury, I cried in front of the group, and they never let me forget it.

The injuries kept coming after that day. My mother used to lovingly tease me that I collected injuries like they’re going out of style, that I always seemed to find the most interesting and unique ways to hurt myself. It was funny at first, something we could both laugh at.

Until it wasn’t.

Until those accidents changed to rough hands on my cheek and dirty boots to my ribs. When my cries became so much more than just pain. Embarrassment and self-loathing joined the party. Pieces of me began to break, but I couldn’t find ways to heal those parts of me. No amount of medical intervention could fix the scars marring my heart. Especially when I avoided doctors. They’d ask too many questions I simply couldn’t answer without lying. When you’re scared for your life, the truth means death.

Thoughts of James and his cruelty jolt me awake, and I gasp. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust, but when they finally do, I look up at an unfamiliar ceiling. The air is crisp, and I notice a large woolen blanket has been placed atop me. I’m in…a bed?

Not my bed. This one is much softer and smells of vanilla and coconut. I take in a deep breath and wince. My ribs hurt, like a lot. They aren’t broken, though, because I can still move without being completely incapacitated.

Slowly, I pick myself up to a sitting position, leaning against the wooden headboard to survey the room. My brain is slow to fill in the gaps of my memory. James coming home in a bad mood, drinking anything he could find in the house. I was wearing makeup, which I know is stupid, but I had the urge to make myself look nice.

James got angry when he noticed and accused me of cheating. I remember the first slap, and then another…but the last thing I remember before I gave in to unconsciousness was The Guardian coming to take me away. Which means…

I’m no longer in Grym Hollow.

The room is cozy, fitting only the bed, an antique-looking vanity with a jewel-encrusted mirror, and a slightly ajar door leading to a bathroom. There’s one medium-sized window that’s pushed open. A salty, almost fishy, but not unpleasant, smell wafts in. Are we close to the ocean?

I’m busy trying to figure out where the hell I am when the door opens, and a large man walks in. Seeing this stranger makes me jump, and I open my mouth to scream, but a breathy whimper is the only sound that comes out. The stranger tenses and halts. He holds a hand up like one would do when approaching a timid animal.

Is that what I am now?

The man doesn’t attempt to get closer, but he doesn’t leave either. I grab the closest thing to me, which happens to be a pillow, and hold it in front of my body like a shield. His eyes flicker with something akin to pity.

“Erin, my name is Allarick. Ender, The Guardian, brought you here.” The man’s voice is low, sounding like soft velvet. There’s a slight accent that I can’t quite place but sounds like a cross between South African and Australian. Two accents that shouldn’t go together, but on him, it’s…nice.

Then his words sink in. Ender brought me here. My contract flashes in my mind, specifically the part I’m meant to uphold.

Erin Goodwin will marry the Kraken King, Allarick Eldridge, in order to strengthen his kingdom.

Those words meant little to me when I signed the contract. Desperate to escape and having no other option, I would have signed anything if it meant I could finally get out.

But now those words are reality, which means the man standing before me is…my husband? Or, rather, will be my husband soon enough. He doesn’t look like a kraken, though I can’t say I truly know what one would look like. This large, dark-skinned man with locs would not be my guess, however.

“I didn’t know how long you’d be asleep,” he says, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “I brought food in hopes it would rouse you. I’m going to approach you now, Erin. Just going to set the tray down.”

I tighten my grip on the pillow and hold my breath as he walks forward to place a large tray of food on the bed. I brace myself, waiting for his fist to connect with my body, but he doesn’t linger or try to touch me. The man—Allarick—steps back to the door, putting a respectable distance between us again.

My stomach growls at the smell of a garlicky soup. I can’t remember my last proper meal, one that didn’t come out of plastic packaging. Breads, fruits, and cheeses also occupy the plate. A mug of what looks like hot tea catches my attention, and I immediately grab for it, taking a sip.

The hot liquid warms my aching throat. It doesn’t take away the pain, but it helps manage it.

“There are a few healing herbs crushed into the tea. Your throat—” Allarick’s gaze drops to my neck, and I find myself shying away from his scrutiny. What must I look like? How visible are the scars? I haven’t looked at myself in the mirror, and I’m afraid to see the reflection staring back at me.

Allarick must realize he’s staring because he quickly averts his gaze, clearing his throat. “It should help soothe some of the pain you are experiencing. I’m afraid I can’t do much more until my healer arrives, but they will be here shortly.”

I’m half tempted to tell him not to bother, but when I open my mouth, no sound comes out. My voice is gone, at least momentarily. God, I hope it’s only temporary. James has strangled me before, but never to this degree. He fucked something up inside me, temporarily taking away my ability to speak. Damn him.

No, fuck him.

Allarick remains by the door, and my unease coils low in my belly. He’s a tall, muscular, and intimidating figure—and shirtless, which, admittedly, is distracting as hell. His body is chiseled to perfection, lean like a swimmer’s. My eyes slowly travel up his umber-brown skin to his full, pouty lips. His long locs are pulled back behind his shoulders. Gold flecks catch the light and shimmer in his otherwise black hair. Honey-brown eyes meet mine, and he stares curiously upon me, studying me like I’m a new, rare species he wants to discover.

This man is gorgeous.

But from my experience, those men are some of the most dangerous. They use their beauty as a weapon.

Suddenly, the cozy room feels stifling.

I hate that I feel uneasy around a man who is obviously trying to help me. But I’ve lived my life in survival mode for far too long; it’s not something I can turn off. No matter how much I want to. Years of trauma, abuse, and neglect don’t just go away with a kind gesture.

The truth is…those things will never leave me. They are part of my story. Part of what makes me, me . Maybe one day I’ll be able to manage them better—god, I hope so—but I’m a long way from healing.

I almost feel bad for Allarick. I don’t think he realized his future wife would be so…broken.

The silence between us grows more uncomfortable. Allarick looks like he wants to say something, but before he can, there’s a knock on the door. Something a lot like relief crosses his features as he vaguely gestures to the door.

“That’s my sister, Atina. I need to speak with her, so I’ll leave you to your food. I’m just outside the door if you need anything.” Allarick’s eyes scan over me, but he says nothing as he exits the room, leaving me alone to question if I made the right decision when I signed the contract.

I didn’t want to trade one monster for another. But maybe I have.