Chapter Twenty
Aksel
“You know what really pisses me off about the whole thing?” Aksel says, voice tight with barely controlled rage.
His leg bounces in a restless rhythm, leaning forward as if he can’t control the anger vibrating out of him.
“The camera guys let that elf talk trash about my husband,” he continues, jaw clenched hard enough that the muscle ticks along his cheek.
“No one thought to stop him? No one thought, hey, maybe we shouldn’t let a racist piece of shit spit garbage on national television?
” His hands flex, fingers curling into fists.
“No. They let that stinky elf drag my sweet husband through the mud like it was good TV.
“That guy is lucky Hale is such a good person,” Aksel goes on, practically growling.
“He could absolutely sue for defamation of character. Sirens aren’t bad people just because they’re sirens.
I mean, look at the history between sirens and krakens.
We hated each other for centuries. Actual wars were fought, blood was shed, and generations were lost to racist propaganda. But do you see Hale and me fighting?
No. Because we have more than two brain cells to rub together, unlike that stupid elf.”
There’s a beat of silence as Aksel visibly reins himself in. His shoulders drop an inch, and he straightens in his chair, scrubbing a hand over his face like he’s embarrassed his emotions got the better of him.
“Sorry,” he says finally, glancing back at Cammie. “When anyone talks badly about my husband, I get a little upset.”