The Kraken’s Queen (Grym Hollow #3)

28. Erin

Chapter 28

Erin

I don’t remember getting back to our room last night, but here we are. Sometime between getting railed by real-life tentacles and now, I must have been carried up to our bedroom. Allarick is angled toward me, still fast asleep, with his arm over my chest.

My bare chest.

Allarick, now back in human form, is naked as well. The thin white sheet covers the best parts of him, but his strong thigh is on perfect view. I can’t help but wonder what his human cock would look like. Would he be just as long and thick? Would he taste different?

Never in my life did I think this is something I’d need to consider. Life can change in a blink of an eye, and mine has changed dramatically. The Erin who entered Mescos? She’s gone. I’m not the same Erin who is constantly looking over her shoulder, scared for her life. This new version of me is something I didn’t think possible.

I’ve taken the broken pieces of me that have been chipped away for years and slowly reconstructed them into something I never thought I could be. Brave. Strong. Opinionated. Resourceful.

Allarick had a big hand in helping me heal, and a big piece of me was healed yesterday after our wedding. I gave myself to the man I’m falling for. Allarick is the last person who has seen my body, and the person I gave myself to willingly. Perhaps it was too soon, and maybe others won’t understand my choices. But it doesn’t matter because I don’t regret the decision. I would make it again and again if it leaves me feeling like this.

Like I’m finally a person worthy of love and respect.

Allarick stirs next to me, his grip on me tightening as he pulls me closer. His locs tickle my chest, but I lean against him regardless.

“Good morning, Wife.” Allarick’s morning voice is…pure sex. A delicious caress to the senses. He has me pressing my legs together; my wayward thoughts go straight to what he did yesterday with his tentacles and wondering when it could happen again.

“Good morning. Did you carry me to bed?” I reach out to finger his hair. I’m itching to retwist his locs the next time he needs it. I learned at a young age, having practiced on my doll. I learned the best ways to style my own hair to keep it looking healthy.

“I did. You fell asleep on me after a while. I’ll pretend my pride isn’t wounded,” he teases.

I laugh. “It shouldn’t be. I fell asleep because I haven’t orgasmed that hard in a long time. Or ever. I slept really well last night though, so that’s good.”

“Very good indeed.” Allarick pulls me to his chest and leans down to capture my lips in a slow but passionate morning kiss. His tongue lazily strokes mine, drinking me in like I’m his morning coffee. He’s certainly mine.

And I need more.

I don’t know where the boldness comes from. This sex-crazed woman isn’t me, at least it wasn’t before Allarick. My hands go to his chest, and I push him away. His stunned expression is almost comical, but I pay it little mind as I move to straddle him. Allarick’s eyes darken, a low chuckle coming from his throat. “Does my wife need attention?”

“Yes,” I say, not shying away from him.

This moment feels important, just like yesterday when we had sex. This is another thing I’m reclaiming, and having sex while my husband looks human is important to me. Man or monster, he needs to be the one who claims me entirely. Just like I’m about to claim him.

I reach down between us, my hand finding the tip of his cock. I grip him, and Allarick groans, eyes fluttering. He looks so sexy. Part of me still can’t believe he’s my husband. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a gentle and loving partner, but I know without a doubt that I don’t want to lose him.

“Touch me, sweet girl,” he purrs from underneath me. Heat blossoms in my core, scorching me from the inside out.

His cock is no less impressive in this form than it is in kraken form. He’s still long and thick with the same mushroom tip. The only difference is that his cock isn’t red or ribbed. I’m only a little sad about the last part, but it doesn’t last long. I stroke him, and the room fills with his groans. It’s so hot and goes straight to my clit.

“I want you inside of me,” I pant, drunk with lust.

“Then do it, sweet girl. Take your husband.”

My husband.

My body is prepped and primed to take him. There is still a delicious ache between my thighs, but it doesn’t deter me as I line him up against my slick folds and guide him inside me. We moan in unison. My head falls back as I slowly take in every damn inch of him. If all the merpeople are hung like Allarick, there has to be many happy—albeit sore—partners swimming around.

When he’s fully seated inside me, I’m stretched obscenely wide for him. Allarick glances down at where we connect and licks his lips. His hands then come around to grip my ass, which he squeezes. This already feels different than what I had before. Better. I’m not a toy to Allarick. Something he could use to take his pleasure while ignoring mine.

I haven’t done this before, so I’m slow to roll my hips, hoping I don’t shatter the lust-induced spell we’re under. Allarick moans, and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. It fills me with confidence I desperately needed to roll my hips again.

“So perfect. So damn beautiful,” he grunts, squeezing my ass. I soon feel the absence of his hand, but then his thumb finds my clit, and everything else fades away.

“Allarick,” I moan his name, body tingling all over. Every inch of me is sensitive and needy for touch. His touch.

I move my hips faster, riding him in earnest. I chase my pleasure as he continues to rub circles around my clit. Pleasure builds, and underneath me, I feel Allarick tense, breath hitching. “Erin,” he says my name like a warning. Or perhaps it’s permission. He’s close, just as I am.

The muscles in my thighs strain, and my breaths come out in pants. I try to form words, try to warn him, but all that leaves my lips are moans and whimpers. Allarick understands though. I know he does. He moves his thumb faster, and I’m almost frenzied with my own movements, chasing my pleasure.

And then I burst. “Allarick!” His name stays on my tongue as I orgasm, and he follows suit. He moans. Or I moan. I don’t know anymore.

He comes with a roar as he fills me. It’s dirty. Unplanned. But perfect. I’ve never been more thankful for my IUD than I am at this moment.

My arms give out, and I’m falling onto his chest. Allarick wraps me up in his arms, peppering my face in soft kisses, murmuring sweet praises in my ear. If this is a glimpse into what the rest of my life looks like, I can’t wait.

I’m not sure how long we stay like that. Wrapped up in each other and learning every inch of the other’s mouth. It’s forever and a minute rolled up in one.

I’m tempted to stay here the whole day, and, judging from the hardness forming between his legs, Allarick wants the same thing. But this morning, I get the first dose of what it means to be a queen because we get interrupted by a knock on the door.

“My king, I do not mean to interrupt, but I must speak with you.” Delmare’s voice travels through the door, an edge to it I haven’t heard before. He’s not one to demand to speak with Allarick first thing in the morning. Unease settles within my stomach.

Allarick sits up and covers me with the blanket, which I’m thankful for. I may be comfortable with my husband seeing my body, but I’m not eager for others to see it. When he goes to retrieve pants, I get a brief glimpse of his sculpted ass before it's covered up.

Pity.

I don’t get long to mourn the loss of my husband’s ass because, in the next second, Allarick gives his permission to enter. Delmare walks in, nude from the waist up. His pants are similar to Allarick’s, hugging his muscular thighs almost indecently. I don’t know what these krakens eat, but people would sell their firstborn for a bottle of whatever turns these guys into Herculean men.

Delmare bows. “My king,” he says and then looks at me. His gaze doesn’t stay on me for long because it’s evident I’m naked under this thin cover. “My queen.”

“Good morning, Delmare,” I greet awkwardly and sit up, still keeping myself covered. Allarick steps in front of me, providing another layer of protection. My husband is a good man, but I don’t think he’d take kindly to anyone seeing me naked. Even his best guard whom he admires and respects.

“Good morning, my queen. I apologize for interrupting, but this couldn’t wait.”

“Out with it then, Delmare. What is the urgency?” Allarick asks, not unkindly.

“Reports have come in from civilians and new recruits about suspicious activities surrounding our borders.”

“What kind of activity?” Allarick asks.

“Unusual sounds. People are disappearing. Two more families have come forward and said they are missing several members of their families,” Delmare explains.

Allarick curses under his breath. “Is anyone within our borders claiming to hear a sound?”

Delmare frowns. “No, but the healers have reported a suspicious rise in headaches and fatigue cases. It could be nothing, but?—”

“I’m not willing to chance it,” Allarick interrupts. “I need to see and hear this sound for myself. Get a group together. We will be leaving shortly to look into these claims.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll gather a few trusted guards,” Delmare agrees.

“I want to go too,” I say, and both men turn to look at me.

“My queen…I’m not certain that’s a good idea,” Delmare says gently. His words take me by surprise. Delmare has never been one to speak out against me. Hell, he hardly ever speaks when he’s following me and Iris around.

“Why not? I should know what’s going on in Tetria, shouldn’t I?” I pin him with my stare. Delmare has the decency to appear appropriately chastised.

“Will you leave us, Delmare? My wife and I need to speak,” Allarick says.

I bristle, slightly hurt that Allarick didn’t immediately agree with me. I understand why though. I’m not exactly a strong swimmer, nor do I know these waters well. I’d be a liability and a distraction.

“Of course. In the meantime, I will get a group together for the mission.” Delmare bows and leaves hurriedly.

The moment he shuts the door, I address my husband, “I want to go.”

Allarick sighs and drops back down on the bed next to me. “I know you do,” he says in a way that does little to ease my nerves. He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it in his. “But I’m not sure that is the best idea.”

Even though I expected it, it still feels like a blow to the gut. “But why? Am I not your queen? Your equal? Tetria is my kingdom too. I want to help, Allarick.”

I pull my hand away from his, and Allarick doesn’t fight me. I’m not sure if that fills me with relief or not.

“You are correct, and I’m not denying that. Which is why I need you to stay here. Both of us leaving the castle during this time is dangerous. What if something happened while we were out investigating? Who would rule the kingdom in our absence? Our people have to focus on defeating the Leviathan and Nephilim. They can’t be focused on battling for the throne.”

My lips purse, and I hate how much sense he’s making. It wouldn’t make sense for both of us to leave the castle. We’re married now, and our Leviathan problem is only getting worse. We are up against enemies we know little about. I know even less than Allarick, who has been here his entire life. I’m still learning this world and the people in it. If anyone should go, it only makes sense that it’s Allarick .

Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“How long will you be gone?” I sigh, giving in.

Allarick relaxes, reaching for my hand again. I let him. “A few days at most, but if we are lucky, then only a day.”

“And you’ll tell me what you discover?”

“I’ll tell you everything until you command me to shut up and please you instead.” He smirks, and I can’t help but smile.

“Fine. Please be safe. We just got married. It would be terribly inconvenient if something happened to you. I don’t want to have to find a new husband.” If I don’t make a joke, I’ll cry. And I’ve cried too many times in my life.

It’s pathetic that I feel lost and on the verge of tears because Allarick is leaving. He’s my safety. Taking him away means battling through darkness alone.

“I will. I have someone I need to make it home to.” Allarick smiles, pulling me close. I lose hold of the sheet covering me as he pulls me into his arms, but I don’t care. “Because I will be coming home to you, Erin. If you ever miss me while I’m gone, play your harp. Let your music comfort you.”

Our lips meet in a hungry kiss, and I pray to whomever will listen that we will have many more. For now, I let Allarick soothe me the best way he knows how: with his lips.