12. Erin
Chapter 12
Erin
I ’m up early the following morning. Sleep wasn’t restful. Thoughts of James plagued my dreams, but also thoughts of Allarick. His smile. His gentle nature. And the way he was able to calm me down by sharing a part of himself with me. Still, I couldn’t help but feel bad that James still has this power over me.
This would be so much easier if James hadn’t ruined me for any other man. I might have physically escaped him, but he still haunts me. His voice plays in my head in every decision and conversation I have. It’s exhausting.
I hear movement outside my door. I’m not the only one who wasn’t able to sleep. Allarick is moving about—probably making breakfast, but the poor guy is a terrible chef. I don’t mind though. It’s sweet to have someone else cook for me for a change.
I’m determined to make today a better day with Allarick. Despite my lack of sleep, I woke up feeling the best I’ve felt since I arrived. No aches or pains. I feel much more like myself .
I put on another dress Allarick has supplied me. Either this man loves his women in dresses, or he has no idea how to shop for women's apparel, and this is the best he can do. Either way, it’s nice that he tried. He also left me a few toiletries, for which I am thankful.
I disappear into the bathroom to brush my teeth. The humidity in the air is no friend to me, constantly making my hair frizzy. I do my best to put it into a slicked-back bun to get my hair off my neck. Luckily, there are no bruises I’m trying to hide behind my hair, and that’s such a fucking great feeling.
By the time I’m finished in the bathroom and head back into the bedroom, a new voice joins Allarick from the living room. A feminine voice. My body freezes, but this time not in fear. This feeling is different and leaves a bitter taste on my tongue. Unexplained anger leaves me immobile, but only for a second.
Jealousy.
I don’t like it.
Slowly, I creep to the door. I shouldn’t be listening to a private conversation, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Their voices are muffled, but I hear a few things the feminine voice says. Words like “Nephilim” and “Leviathan” are said in hushed whispers. They make little sense to me, and I almost tune them out until I hear Allarick’s voice.
“I need you to stay here with Erin while I go back to Tetria. I don’t know for how long yet, but I need to check on things. Catch up with Delmare and speak with the scholars.”
My whole body freezes, breaths coming out ragged. My body is teetering on panic once again. He’s leaving? And asking a stranger to stay with me? He can’t leave. No, not when I’m just starting to feel comfortable with him. Is he leaving because he’s mad about yesterday? Mad that I’m still the weak girl he met that night with The Guardian?
I’m not even thinking. If I was, I wouldn’t be rushing out of the room, out to where Allarick is talking to a beautiful pirate-looking woman. They are both standing, Allarick’s back to me. Neither one of them notices me yet.
The words tumble out: “Please don’t leave me.”
I have no right to ask him. No right to keep him here if he’s upset with me. But he’s the only thing I know here. The only person I’m coming to trust. A better woman would never be this selfish, but in this I’m going to be. Allarick can’t leave. At least not without me.
Allarick turns, his handsome face a mixture of confusion and…hope? “Erin…how did you?—”
“You can’t leave,” I say, and for the first time, I realize my voice is completely my own again. No more rasp—whatever the healer gave me worked quickly. I don’t even have the chance to be excited about it, though, because I’m terrified about what’s going to happen next.
“Please don’t go,” I repeat again, stepping closer. Having him not immediately turn me away gives me the confidence I desperately need. The couch separates us, but I reach for him. Allarick’s eyes widen as I grab his hand, holding it. His hands are soft, and when he squeezes mine, it’s gentle. I’ve seen Allarick smile before, but never like this: full, white teeth on display, eyes squinted, and muscles relaxed. It’s beautiful .
He’s beautiful.
“I won’t go.” His words alleviate the tension in my body, and my stiff muscles relax. “Your voice is beautiful.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I drop my gaze down to our clasped hands. “The medicine really helped. Thank you.”
Unlike with James, I don’t feel the need to pull away. His touch doesn’t make me feel dirty or disgusted. I don’t fear his temper will flare, and I’ll be his closest punching bag. This feeling of comfort makes me feel worse for pulling away from him yesterday. It wasn’t him, really. Just his touch reminding me of something sinister.
“Not to be the one to break up this, ” the woman speaks up, gesturing between Allarick and me, “but not going back to your kingdom isn’t really an option right now, Brother.”
Brother.
Allarick has a sister.
Oh.
My earlier jealousy seems so silly now. They share the same honey-brown eyes. Their lips both curl upwards at the edges, and they both have beautiful black locs hanging down past their shoulders.
Allarick doesn’t move or respond to his sister. He continues to hold my hand, looking at me as if he’s seeing me for the first time. “Atina, perhaps one more day?—”
“No, Allarick,” his sister—Atina—growls. “You’ve been away from your kingdom long enough. A king needs to be with his people. That’s your job, and although I don’t envy you for it, I also can’t in good conscience allow you to remain here.”
Her words are a reality check. This man standing before me is no man at all. He’s a king with responsibilities to his people. I can’t say I know what that means or what trouble he’s up against, but I know the threat is severe, or else I wouldn’t be here. Ender’s contract said I’m to help the kraken king save his kingdom, but he didn’t go into specifics on the how or from what.
I can’t be selfish. Not in this, at least. I have to let him go.
But he doesn’t have to go alone.
“You should go to your people.” My words shock Allarick, and he drops my hand. I immediately miss his warmth. He opens his mouth to argue with me, but I’m faster. “And take me with you.”
Even Atina seems surprised by my request. Hell, I’m surprised by what I said, even more so that I mean it. I want to go. The alternative is staying here away from Allarick. And though his sister appears decent enough, she’s not Allarick.
“I’m here to be part of your kingdom, right?” I look between the siblings, waiting for them to contradict me. But of course they don’t. I have a duty here, and it’s about time I start fulfilling it. “Then I think it’s time we go. I’m healed now and?—”
I’m comfortable around you, but of course I don’t say that last part. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but they aren’t yet ready to come out. It feels too fragile, and one wrong move will shatter what little progress we have created .
“If we go down to Tetria, I’ll have to guide you the entire way. Meaning I’m going to have to touch you,” Allarick warns.
Heat pools low in my core. The words aren’t said suggestively, but my brain supplies an image of Allarick’s hands all over me, running down my?—
Nope. Definitely not going to think about that right now with his sister here.
“It’s fine. I can handle it.” I’m happy to find no hesitation in my voice.
“Well, there you have it. Your wife wants to join you,” Atina says, and I bristle at the word “wife.” I’m willing to go with him, but accepting the role of his wife is something different entirely. Not that it sounds bad… It’s just too new.
Allarick must notice because he’s quick to respond, “This is Erin. We’re not married yet.”
Atina just waves his words away. “Not yet, but it’s inevitable.” The woman then pushes past her brother, knocking her shoulder against his. Allarick scowls in her direction, and I have a hunch few people touch their king, let alone shove right past him. Sister perks, I suppose.
Atina extends her hand. Her wrists and fingers are adorned with gold jewelry that would look gaudy on anyone else but somehow looks regal on her. I shake her hand. Her grip is firm and confident, something I desperately want to be. “Nice to meet you, Erin. I’m Atina, Allarick’s way more attractive sister.” She winks.
“You needed something going for you,” Allarick teases easily, and I stifle a giggle. Their easy banter lightens the mood, giving me a glimpse into their sibling relationship. As an only child, I have always wondered what it would be like to grow up with another person.
“If you’re going down to Tetria, you need magical aid. Brother, I assume you have what you need to take her safely underwater?” Atina asks Allarick, raising a brow.
“I do, but it will take time to work its way through her system. We will need to leave tomorrow morning.”
Although Atina doesn’t look thrilled, she nods her acquiescence.
Allarick disappears into the kitchen and comes back out a moment later. He’s carrying a clear jar with a blue liquid. It sloshes around as he hands it to me. “This is going to give you the ability to breathe and survive under the sea. It might make you tired, but that’s a normal side effect.”
I don’t usually accept strange liquids from men, but I find myself reaching for it just as Allarick says, “You’ll need to drink all of that. I’ve been told the taste is a little salty but palatable.”
“You’ll want to eat something afterwards too,” Atina adds.
The siblings watch me expectantly, so I unscrew the jar. No foul odor greets me, which I take as a good sign. This is it. Drinking this liquid feels like the point of no return. I only hesitate for a moment with the watchful eyes of Allarick and Atina on me. But then I put the jar to my lips, throw my head back, and drink.
Allarick is correct in his assessment of the salty taste. I feel like I’m drinking ocean water, but I somehow manage to keep it all down. The taste doesn’t last long, though. Atina ushers me into the kitchen to eat and drink juice. It does wonders to hide the taste.
I don’t feel any different. Neither a tail or gills grow, which, admittedly, I thought might. I still feel like myself. Allarick and Atina don’t seem disappointed though, so I take it as a good sign.
“I guess I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be back in the morning to see you off. Enjoy my house. I have a cute barmaid needing my attention.” Atina does a strange salute-like gesture and struts out of the room.
“I like her,” I say once the front door closes and Atina is gone. “She’s nice.”
Allarick bites out a laugh, but not a cruel one. “Nice is not something anyone has ever called my sister. But she’s loyal as hell for those she considers family. I think she’ll take a liking to you.”
“You’ve both been very kind.” Allarick has done everything in his power to make sure I feel safe and cared for, even when I have been reluctant or shut him out.
It’s my turn to return the favor.
“Allarick. We need to talk.”