The Kraken’s Queen (Grym Hollow #3)

32. Allarick

Chapter 32

Allarick

A fter Erin’s suggestion last night, it was time to see my queen’s plan take motion. When she fell asleep after I ate her out for the second time, because once wasn’t enough, I slipped away to find Delmare. The poor bastard was eating a very late dinner with his wife. I nearly turned around to leave him to his night, but Iris noticed my presence.

We spoke in hushed, urgent whispers about the plan to open up the castle. Delmare is my most sensible guard, and even he saw the logic behind Erin’s plans. Iris, though not part of my guards, is still a valuable employee of the crown and agreed to help Delmare carry out the plan.

We spent our night recruiting guards to help set up family spaces and prepare the castle for our citizens. The normal furniture was stripped from the bottom story and carried out to storage. Cots and storage were set up throughout the ballroom and greeting room. A healing center was set up in the dining room .

We worked well into the night.

When I finally got back to bed, I laid my head down, pulled Erin close, and fell asleep.

It didn’t last long.

Movement in the room causes me to stir. My lids feel heavy, not ready to wake up. Absentmindedly, I reach out for Erin next to me, but the bed is empty. That’s when my eyes snap open to see her side of the bed. Growing alarm wakes my body immediately.

I jolt out of bed. “Erin?”

“Allarick,” a sweet voice cuts through my fear, and a soft hand touches my arm. Turning my head, I see Erin’s kind face staring down at me. I’m again hit with just how beautiful this woman is. How could anyone have her and want to cause her harm? If I’m ever able to ask one more thing of Ender, it will be to bring James here so I can dole out my own justice.

“I didn’t mean to wake you. You looked like you could use more sleep.” Erin reaches out to caress my face. I’m tempted to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back into bed.

Except we have too much to do today.

And she’s right, I am exhausted. But I’ve worked on less sleep. “People will be coming in today.” I kick off the blanket.

Erin nods, not looking surprised. “Iris has been here. She told me what you did last night.” A small smile spreads across her lips. She leans in and kisses me gently. “Thank you for listening to me.”

“Of course. You had a great idea to keep our people safe. It’s only temporary until we hear back from Atina. ”

“Have you heard anything from her?” she asks.

I frown, shaking my head. “No. It concerns me. I figured we would hear from her by now.” Sending guards out to track her down has crossed my mind more than once, but if I’m overreacting and she’s fine, Atina will be pissed I sent people from the sea after her, considering her history with us.

“I’m sure we will soon,” Erin assures, squeezing my shoulder. “You should rest up some more. Delmare is waiting outside to take me down to the first floor. I can meet you there later.”

“I’ll come,” I say.

Erin looks like she wants to argue but nods after a moment.

Five minutes later, Erin and I meet Delmare and make our way to the first floor, hand in hand. I didn’t know what to expect, not sure if my people would be willing to leave their homes and come here. The last thing I want is to cause mass hysteria, so part of me fears what I’m walking into.

Merpeople, sirens, krakens, and a few sea creature pets crowd the lower levels. My staff show families to cots and where to store their belongings. There’s a whirlwind of activity, but none of it is disorderly or filled with a sense of dread. It’s more a matter of logistics. Like knowing where to house each person and figuring out the needs of the civilian.

A family of three swim by, a mother with her two rambunctious mermaid daughters. She holds one, trying to soothe the crying guppy, while the other one drags behind her. The older daughter, only a year or so older than the small guppy in the mother’s arms, whines in attempt to get the mother’s attention. It’s clear the mother is flustered, trying to corral her daughters during this hectic time.

I’m about to jump in, but Erin beats me to it. “Let me help,” she says and swims over to scoop up the young mermaid. The girl looks up at her with large eyes. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

The girl turns to her mother, as if asking permission to tell Erin her name. The mother gives her an encouraging nod. “Gabriella,” the child says softly.

“Gabriella. That’s a beautiful name. How old are you?” my wife asks.

Gabriella holds up four fingers.

“Oh my, you are such a big girl. Do you mind if I help your mommy take you to your own cot? You know, I bet I could find some toys somewhere in this castle. Do you think you could help me?”

Gabriella’s eyes light up. A big smile spreads across her lips. “I can help! I love toys.” She starts to talk about the coral animals she has back at her home.

The mother’s body visibly relaxes. Moments ago, she had looked on the verge of tears trying to juggle two small children alone. “Thank you, my queen. Thank you so much,” the woman praises, barely restraining her emotions.

Erin’s cheeks redden as she smiles shyly. “Of course. Is it okay if she comes with me to find toys? I’m sure some of the other children will want to play too.”

“Yes, of course. Our cot is the last one in the ballroom. Right by the east doors. ”

“East doors. Got it.” Erin nods. Then she looks down at the child in her arms and whispers something to her that causes Gabriella to laugh. My brain conjures up an image of Erin, with our child on her hip and one on the way. It’s a beautiful future I desperately want.

One day.

We just need to survive the Leviathan and Nephilim.

That’s the last I see of my wife throughout the rest of the day. I catch glimpses of her, and each time, she has another child following her. Iris helped her find my old toys from childhood, and they passed them out to the kids. They haven’t stopped following after her since.

Other times, while helping our people to their cots or showing them where to go for food, I would hear soft but upbeat music playing. I caught a few of the guppies shaking their tails or swinging their tentacles around happily to the music. I knew Erin was playing because no one plays quite like her, and the sound created a sense of peace that swept through the crowds.

I finish up leading an older kraken to the healers for a headache when Delmare finds me. “My king, all cots are accounted for. If we have more people come in, we will need to figure out where to put them.”

“My office. I already sent a few maids to get it ready. We turn no one away.” I need to make myself clear for safety purposes. Not everyone has the abilities to defend themselves in their home. They deserve to seek sanctuary here and will not be punished simply because they didn’t arrive earlier.

“Of course. Those who are staying behind, shall I send a group of guards out to ask if they wish to volunteer for the watch?”

I nod. “Make sure everyone outside this castle has noise cancelers. Volunteer or not.”

“Yes, my king.”

“And, Delmare,” I start. Delmare looks at me intensely. “Have you heard from my sister?”

Delmare’s shoulders droop, and I have my answer before he speaks. “No. We’ve heard nothing from Atina. Shall I see if I can track her down?”

“Not yet. If we don’t hear from her in a few days, I’ll send you. Be ready.”

Delmare bows. “Of course. I’m sure we will hear from Princess Atina soon.”

I hope he’s right.