The Kraken’s Queen (Grym Hollow #3)

31. Allarick

Chapter 31

Allarick

“ Q ueen Erin’s music has healing abilities,” Iris blurts out the moment I have Erin wrapped in my embrace. Her body eases, only for a fraction of a second, before growing tense again at Iris’s words.

They are interesting words indeed.

“She doesn’t mean literally—” Erin starts to say but is swiftly interrupted by Iris again.

“No, I mean literally.”

I feel the discomfort wafting off my wife and squeeze her tighter, hoping the pressure can provide a little comfort. She presses back against my chest, and I can’t help myself. I lean down and kiss her neck. The soft whimper of surprise has my body on full alert.

I want to ask more about what Iris means, but Erin is obviously uncomfortable. This is a conversation better suited for just the two of us.

“Iris, Delmare, I see my wife has opened the castle for merpeople. Please attend to the guests. I need to steal my wife away. Please don’t let anyone disturb us unless it’s critical,” I say, hoping we are allowed one night of rest.

“Of course,” Delmare says.

Iris offers Erin an encouraging smile before I take my wife’s hand and lead her away from civilians. I don’t stop until I reach our private chambers on the second floor. Water drips down my body, pooling on the stone floor until I’m completely dry. Erin’s eyes bore into me, and I let her drink her fill. It fills me with wicked satisfaction to have my wife lusting after me.

Being pulled out to secure our borders, I’ve seen very little of Erin. I waste no time getting her into our room and pulling her into bed, even though she hasn't completely dried off yet.

“Allarick!” She laughs, trying—and failing—to fight me off, but I pull her closer to my chest. “We’ve made a mess of our sheets,” she complains.

“Not yet, we haven’t.” It’s adorable to watch red flush her cheeks. She bites her lip but playfully swats at my chest. As much as I want to devour my wife, Iris’s words ring through my mind.

“We should discuss what Iris said,” I say after a moment.

Erin rolls her eyes. “It’s really nothing. People like music and enjoy listening. It’s not deeper than that.”

“Perhaps,” I say gently, not wanting to rile her up. “But your music is different from what I’ve heard played here before. It calls to you like that of a siren song.”

Erin tilts her head up to look at me. “What do you mean?”

“The music played by our skilled musicians is beautiful and can be moving. But the way you play music, it’s…different. It seeps into your skin, warming you from the inside out. Everything else fades away, and there’s only your beautiful sound. It feels cleansing.” There’s no other way to describe it other than a full body and mind cleanse after a day of being pampered.

Erin seems to consider this, thrumming her fingers against my chest. After a pregnant pause, she asks, “So, you think my music holds magic? Real magic?”

“I don’t think we should discount it. Ender saw magic in you. Knew you were destined to take up the throne alongside me. If this is your gift, you may very well help combat the song of the Leviathans.”

“They’re getting stronger,” she says.

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “They are. Which is why I think your music is so important to our people right now. It’s not only beautiful, but healing.”

“That only works if they can hear it.” Erin props herself up with her elbow to look at me. “And I’ve been thinking… It could be dumb, so you don’t have to agree to anything.”

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up on her insecurities about her ability to lead. Anger heats my body. Not at her, but at myself for not being around to give her the validation she rightfully deserves.

I cup Erin’s cheeks, and she sucks in a deep breath, eyes downcast. “I will only say this once, sweet girl, but your opinion and guidance mean more to me than anything. Speak, and I’ll hear you. I’ll always hear you.”

Erin’s frown slowly spreads into a grin. “Careful, Allarick. You sound like you love me. ”

“You make it easy to love you.” The words come out so effortlessly. It’s not a loud declaration of love, or even a fancy one. It’s soft. New. Fragile.

Erin’s lips part as she opens and closes her mouth, looking like the fish swimming through Tetria. She doesn’t have the words, and that’s okay. She doesn’t have to return the sentiment. I’m a competitive man, and when my sights are set on something, I’ll do anything I can to achieve it. Earning Erin’s love will be the most rewarding prize yet.

Erin clears her throat, quickly getting us back on topic. “If the song is getting stronger, I think we need to take protective measures now before it’s too late. Not just mandatory curfews and border cutoffs.”

“What do you propose?”

“Well, I don’t really have all the logistics for it yet. I’m not entirely sure it’s possible, but I think we should open the castle for families to move into temporarily, not just someplace they can spend the day at. This would help eliminate missing family members and keep people safe. From the sounds of it, some merpeople are already picking up the song. Pretty soon, it will do more damage than just a headache.”

I consider her suggestion. The castle is grand, built to host and house many sea creatures. We wouldn’t be able to supply everyone a private room, but we could provide meals, shelter, and security. It’s not a bad idea, especially since the song is becoming more than just a nuisance. I want to attack the noise head-on, but the civilians need safety in the meantime.

Not every merperson will come. I have stubborn subjects, but perhaps those who choose to remain outside the castle will help guard our borders against the Leviathan.

“It would only be temporary. Until we can seal the gates off,” Erin adds, but I don’t need any further convincing.

“We will prepare the castle tomorrow.”

The smile Erin gives me melts my heart. It’s pure joy and excitement. “Really?”

“Really. I think that’s an excellent call to keep our people safe until we can rid our waters of the Leviathan. I’ve spoken to the siren mages, and they will continue to strengthen the sound barrier. That, coupled with your suggestion, is our best chance at keeping our people safe.” I trail my hand down her back soothingly. “Your people are in debt to your brilliance.”

“Just my people?” she asks coyly, trailing a hand down my chest.

The fire reignites within me, feeling every inch of her touch. “Your husband as well.” I roll over, capturing Erin underneath me. Her legs spread for me so I can settle easily between them. “Do you wish for me to show you how thankful I am, my queen?”

Again, Erin bites her lip, but this time, I lean down and suck it into my mouth. We moan in unison, her body responding to mine as she arches into me. “I wouldn’t be opposed,” she says, almost breathlessly.

“You know, the first time I had my tentacle inside your pussy, I was jealous.” I kiss down her chest, stopping to kiss both nipples through her shirt. Even covered, I feel the hard nubs .

“J-jealous? Of what?” she asks.

I continue my descent to her form-fitting pants that save little for the imagination. Every dip and curve of her body is on full display, though the mound of her pussy is hidden behind the black material. “Jealous of the fact that it wasn’t my tongue fucking his queen. Not knowing what you taste like.”

“Allarick…” she moans, reaching for me. I catch her wrist in my hand, gently stroking her palm with my thumb.

“I’m going to feast on this pussy, Wife. If you want me to stop, tell me now.” I wait for her to push me away. Wait for her to tell me no.

She doesn’t.

I smirk.

“Good girl. Now, put your arms above your head. Hold on to the headboard. Can you do that for me?”

Erin obeys my command. I let her hand go, and she shivers. Her arms go above her head, and she grips the bedpost, chest heaving in what I hope is anticipation. For a moment, I allow myself to wonder what it would be like to have her tied to the bed. Would she let me? Trust me enough?

It’s something I want to explore later on.

My thumb hooks in the waistband of her pants. “Consider this an apology also. For working late hours and spending little time with my new wife.” In one swift motion, I have her pants pulled down, exposing her entirely. Her pussy gleams with her eagerness.

“This is the only way I’ll accept apologies,” she says breathlessly .

I chuckle low in the back of my throat, parting her legs. “Noted.” The scent of her pleasure hits me, and I groan. I’m a starving man with no patience. I grab her thighs, keeping her spread for me, but I flick my tongue out and lick up her seam.

The strangled moan that leaves Erin’s lips spurs me on. I lap at her wetness, her tangy taste coating my tongue. I’m a man undone. The need to hear her moan and make her come on my face is strong. “You taste so good, sweet girl.”

“I do?”

“Delicious. Has no one ever told you that before?” I remove one hand from her thigh to part her folds.

Erin blushes. “Uhm, no. No one has… James didn’t like…”

I stop what I’m doing and gaze up at her. “Knowing that no one has feasted on this pussy is criminal. But I can’t deny that I love being the only one who has tasted you.”

Before she can respond, I suck her clit into my mouth. Her hips jerk up, and she grinds her sweet pussy against me. I tease her with my tongue, eating her out in earnest. Erin moans, and her hand comes back down to rest on the back of my head.

I stop immediately. “Hands on the headboard frame, beautiful,” I remind.

“I want to touch you, Allarick,” she whines, and I’m tempted to give in. But my need and desire for her complete obedience overwhelm me.

“And you will. But not now. Headboard, sweet girl. Now,” I say gently yet firmly .

Erin pouts but ultimately listens to me. “You’re a bossy apologizer.”

“I like to think I’m a thorough apologizer,” I punctuate my words with another lick to her seam. Erin moans and tries to close her legs, but I keep her spread wide.

My cock is hard, needing to feel her stretched around me. I remind my dick that this isn’t about me. This is about my wife. She can come on my cock later.

Erin’s moans only get louder. I roll my tongue over her clit and press two fingers inside her. She’s so wet, they slide in easily, and she clenches around them. “That’s right, sweet girl. Take your pleasure.”

“Fuck…Allarick.” She grinds down on my fingers, riding them as if it were my cock. Or tentacle. My wife is fond of those.

I help coax her to her first orgasm, switching between licking and sucking and fucking her with my fingers. It’s too much, and soon Erin moans my name and tightens around my fingers. I lap at her sweet cunt, licking the evidence of her orgasm away.

When I pull back, I’m sure my mouth is shiny with her release, but Erin doesn’t seem to care because she quickly lets go of the headboard and reaches for me. This time, I let her, and our lips meet in a clash for dominance. She submits to me, parting her lips as I thrust in my tongue, letting her taste herself. She does so eagerly.

“Best apology and show of gratitude ever,” she pants once we break apart.

I have to say, I agree.