17. Erin
Chapter 17
Erin
“ D o you remember those bubble houses in town? The ones filled with air?” Allarick asks me as we swim down the hall. I silently thank my mother for putting me in swim lessons at a young age, because Allarick moves fast. Embarrassingly, my breathing becomes labored.
“Yeah,” I say, trying not to sound as breathless as I feel.
Doesn’t work.
Allarick slows, casting me an apologetic glance as he waits for me to catch up. I elected to swim without the assistance of his tentacles, so, really, it’s on me. I didn’t realize I needed to train as an Olympic swimmer in order to become part of this kingdom.
“The part of the castle we’re headed toward is filled with air,” he explains.
It takes a moment for his words to sink in, but when they do, they bring more questions. “But how is that possible? ”
Allarick simply smiles. He looks almost boyish and incredibly handsome when he does that. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to him. But attraction doesn’t equate to love. And my judgment is all skewed.
“The same way it’s possible for you to breathe down here, sweet girl. Magic comes in abundance in Mescos. You’ll see that the longer you're here. Now come, follow me.” Allarick starts to swim away, but this time one of his tentacles snakes around my waist and pulls me along. I’m more than happy to let him pull me around; it’s something a girl could get used to.
We swim down a hallway decorated with statues of mermaids, krakens, and various other ocean creatures. It amazes me how all of this could be down here and feel so different than what I’m used to, but also familiar. There’s art, beautiful infrastructure, diverse ocean people, and much more. These people are strangers, but I’m eager to learn all I can about them.
Allarick swims up. At first I think he’s swimming us into the ceiling, but he takes an abrupt turn before we crash against the stone. “What—?” Before I can say more, we break through the water surface and into…something.
It feels like Allarick and I have just resurfaced from a pool, rather than an underwater castle. There are steps to lead us out of the water and onto shiny white tile. The walls are made from glass, completely see-through. Coral buildings stand tall in the distance while merpeople swim over and around us. But not just merpeople. Jellyfish, turtles, stingrays, and other beautiful creatures. Some I recognize, and some I’ve never seen before.
“This is amazing,” I say breathlessly, feeling like Alice in Wonderland, but instead of falling through a rabbit hole, I’ve emerged into an ocean of mermaids.
“Most of the castle is constructed like this,” Allarick says from behind me. “Our people wanted to make this castle accessible to humans. This entire upper level has bedrooms, office and meeting spaces, a dining area, and more. It doesn’t get used much anymore since many of our people like to spend their time in the water.”
“And you sleep here?” I can’t help but think he’s doing this for my comfort.
Allarick shrugs. “Sometimes. I also have a room on the first floor. I spend very little time in the bedroom. I sleep very little.”
“You can do more than sleep in a bedroom.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Allarick’s brow rises, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Is that so, sweet girl? What else can I do in the bedroom, pray tell?” There’s a playfulness to his words. They almost sound flirty, and I desperately want to be bold. To be the woman who flirts so easily, I don’t even have to think about it…but I’m not.
“You know, escape everyone. It’s like your own little safe haven away from people,” I lamely say instead.
“I suppose you’re right. It’ll be our safe haven now.” He places his hand on my back, gently leading me to the stairs and out of the water. Something along my neck tingles, and I reach up. Where gills were moments before is now smooth skin. Damn, it’s going to take a while to get used to all of this.
At the top is an open cabinet with several white fluffy towels. I’m surprised to find them warm as I grab one and wrap it around my body. The water sloshes behind me, and I turn just in time to see Allarick walking up the stairs. He’s traded his tentacles for legs. He’s not naked, but may as well be for as little as his tight red shorts cover. They look more like boxer briefs and cling to him like a second skin.
I see all of him.
Every inch. And there are a lot of inches to see.
James has been my only sexual partner. He isn’t small, but he definitely doesn’t come close to what Allarick is packing. My mouth waters, and heat rushes to my core. I can’t remember the last time the thought of a cock excited me. Never? Definitely never.
“Sweet girl?”
My head snaps up at Allarick’s voice, and his dark eyes bore into me. Butterflies explode in my belly. I feel completely naked under his scrutiny, but instead of feeling embarrassed, I…like it.
“You’re beautiful,” he says, stunning me. I’m dripping wet. My hair is plastered to my face. And my nose is more than likely running. I feel anything but beautiful, but the way Allarick looks at me tells a different story.
We stay locked in silence, his eyes roaming my body and mine dipping low every so often. The urge to reach out and touch him is strong, but instead I ruin the moment by blurting out, “How are you not naked?”
My words take Allarick by surprise as he looks down at the indecently tiny shorts he’s wearing. “Specific clothes can transform with our bodies. As long as they are magically touched.”
Oh. Sure, magic. Must have been a lack of normal-sized pants the day he got his magically enhanced.
“Let me show you to the room.” He absentmindedly reaches for my hand. His fingers brush against my arm before he realizes his mistake and jerks his hand away as if my skin burns him. Allarick curses. “I’m sorry, Erin. I wasn’t thinking.”
I wait for the slimy, dirty feeling to overtake me. For the panic to set in and for me to recoil from him. But I don’t pull back. No horrid memories of James resurface. My anxiety doesn’t overwhelm me, immobilizing me with darkness.
It actually felt nice.
“It’s okay,” I say gently, surprising Allarick. Hell, surprising myself. Before I can second-guess myself, I gently reach for his arm. My hand rests around his biceps…his hard, solid biceps. Is this man even real? I think I squeeze his arm, judging by the low hum Allarick emits.
“Is this okay?”
“It’s perfect.” His voice is gruff, a deeper tenor than normal. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he’s just as flustered. Allarick clears his throat and says, “Right this way.”
He leads me out of the large atrium area and down a hallway lined with portraits of who I assume are former kings and queens. We pass what looks like a dining room and another room filled with bookcases and something that eerily resembles a piano. Do they have instruments down here? I make a mental note to check that room out later.
We reach a set of white double doors with intricate oceanic imagery carved into the wood. The handles are a shiny blue that reminds me of water. Allarick pushes open the door, exposing his—our—room.
The moment we step in, my breath hitches. Like the bubble houses in the city, the room is circular and made entirely of glass walls. Not the best for privacy, but the view is worth it. It’s easy to forget that I’m under the sea until I see a whale and its calf swim above our head, a sight many people would kill to see. I think of lying in bed and watching the ocean all day.
Speaking of which, a large king-sized bed sits centered near the domed wall opposite us. White chiffon bedding and pale green pillows adorn it. I don’t know what I imagined a bed down here to look like, but this reminds me of one you would find in a luxury hotel.
Next to the bed is a bedside table with candles on top. The only other piece of furniture is a light-colored couch, sitting opposite the bed with a gray coffee table in front. It doesn’t look like it belongs in the room, almost as if it were brought in here as an afterthought.
“The washroom is through that door. All glass windows are meant to see out, but not see in. It’s completely private.” Allarick points to an arched door I missed in my initial assessment of the room. “I have toiletries I thought you might need. If there is anything else you require, let me or a maid know, and I’ll make sure to get it for you. Through the washroom is also the closet. I’ve supplied clothes, but once again, if they are not to your liking, we can purchase new ones. I’m afraid any clothes you brought with us from your world will not fare well here. The ocean water isn’t kind to fabrics made above land.”
I didn’t bring anything from home. I hadn’t exactly planned to leave so abruptly and unconsciously, but even if I did pack things, it wouldn’t have been much. Allarick has provided me with everything I need.
I give his arm a gentle squeeze. “Thank you. This is very kind of you.”
“It’s nothing,” he says.
“It’s not nothing,” I say, maybe a little too forcefully. “Your kindness and attentiveness are not nothing, Allarick. They’re everything. You are a busy king, yet you still went out of your way to make sure your home felt like mine too. Thank you. Not just for the room accommodations but everything.”
Allarick’s face softens. For a moment, he hesitates before leaning forward. My heart starts to beat faster in my chest. I’m torn between leaning back and staying put, but my body is frozen in place. His soft lips brush my forehead. It’s a whisper of a kiss but still leaves me breathless. This man makes me feel things I haven’t felt in so long. Maybe ever.
“You’re welcome,” he murmurs as he pulls away. I’m instantly filled with disappointment, but for what? More gentle kisses? More…something else?
Oblivious to—or overlooking—my despondency, Allarick gestures to the washroom door. “There should be sleeping attire in there for you. I’ll wait out here while you get ready for bed.”
Reluctantly, I pull away from his grasp and disappear into the washroom. A small vanity and a glass tub make up the room. There’s a toilet in an alcove and an opening I gather is the closet. Clean pajamas await me on the vanity, a silky lavender set with shorts and a camisole. A mixture of soaps, lotions, combs, and other hygiene products clutter the vanity, and I take my time preparing myself for bed.
By the time I’m finished in the bathroom, I smell of eucalyptus and rosemary. My legs and arms are soft to the touch, and I may have doused my neck and arms in perfume. Totally for me and not for the kraken awaiting me in the bedroom. When I walk out, I’m sad to see Allarick in long pants instead of the skintight shorts he had on earlier. He’s lounging on the couch, a pillow propping his head up and a blanket draped half over him and half over the back of the couch.
Allarick hears me exit the bathroom and turns to look at me, smiling, eyes scanning over my body. “Those look nice on you. Do you like them?” he asks, genuinely curious.
“I do. They are so soft. Did you pick them out?”
Allarick laughs. “I wish I could take credit, sweet girl, but no. I sought help from the Dragon King and his wife.”
“Did you just say Dragon King?” As if my reality wasn’t just flipped on its axis. There’s so much more to Mescos than I thought, and I have so much more to learn.
Allarick nods. “I did. There are wolves, demons, pixies, and fae too. I’ll tell you all about them another day.”
“I’ll keep you to that,” I say before climbing into bed.
“Please do.” Allarick adjusts himself on the couch. It’s not particularly big, and his large frame is constricted. His feet hang off one end of the couch. That can’t be comfortable.
Meanwhile, I have a bed that could easily accommodate four people plus myself. “You should have taken the bed, Allarick. I fit on the couch better than you can.”
“I’m not letting the future queen of Tetria sleep on the couch the first night she’s here—or any night. No, Erin, I’ll take the couch. I’m fine.” He pulls the blanket up around him for emphasis.
“Yeah, see, that would be way more convincing if half your body wasn’t dangling off the couch. Why don’t you just lie in bed with me?” My cheeks redden, but that’s only because the thought of Allarick in bed with me is…well, appealing.
“I wanted to give you your space. You don’t need to feel obligated to share a bed with me,” he says, but his voice has gone all gruff again. I realize he does that when he gets flustered.
“I don’t feel obligated. It’s a big bed, Allarick. And, honestly, you bring me comfort. I think I’ll sleep better knowing you're close and not trying to stuff yourself into a couch you clearly don’t fit on. No offense.”
Allarick chuckles. “None taken.” He sits up but doesn’t stand right away, almost as if he’s waiting on me to change my mind. For all my faults, and I have many, I don’t fear sharing a bed with another person. It’s always been natural to me to have someone else in bed. I don’t like being alone, and I’ve felt that way for so long. James's presence in bed wasn’t comforting, but I also hated being alone. It made little sense, but my body craved the warmth of another person.
When Allarick realizes I’m not backing down, he finally gets up and approaches the opposite side of the bed. The whole time, his attention is on me, even as he gets under the covers and lies down, body angled toward me. There’s still a good amount of space between us, but I feel better knowing he’s here. I’ve slept alone far too much here. This feels right.
“Thank you,” I whisper, sliding my arm under the pillow to get comfortable. My body realizes how tired I am, and I yawn, even though it’s not that late. Maybe the drink I had earlier really took it out of me.
“Sleep, sweet girl. There’s so much more I wish to show you in the morning,” Allarick whispers as my eyelids droop closed.
“You’ll be here when I wake up?”
“Of course,” he assures.
That’s all I need to let my body relax and give in to sleep willingly.