Chapter Nineteen
Nic
It was a lot easier telling his story for a second time. Nic had spent years always worried that Luc would somehow find out about what he considered a sordid past, but as he recounted the details to Sage, Luc was listening in, with his hand resting comfortably on Nic’s shoulder.
There’s something so freeing about telling the truth, he realized, as he quickly recounted the story about his captivity and the things he did when he didn’t believe he had any other choice.
With Sage stroking his hand, and Luc offering solid support, even more now that their claim had already been made, Nic felt cherished in a way he never had.
“So you see, that’s probably why I have that mark on my tentacle,” he said when he’d finished his story. The sun was setting as the days were still quite a bit shorter in Iceland. Nic was hoping they could order some dinner soon.
“They used to play a game where they would put a chain and a padlock around one of my tentacles. It must have always been that one. And then they would time me to see how long it would take me to get it off. They always had to make it really tight because, otherwise, of course, it would just slip off. I would spend the longest time trying to get free, and it was all for the crowd’s amusement. ”
“That’s absolutely horrible,” Sage said. “No one had the right to treat you that way.”
“We know this now,” Luc said, “and yes, there were laws against the captivity of shifters back then, too. But the cases were rarely reported.”
“I remember reading about different cases like that when I was in university. Carnival attractions and circuses were very popular before the days of social media. One of the most common reasons they got shut down was because of their inhumane treatment of their attractions.” Sage shook his head before resting it briefly on Nic’s chest.
“To think that you were tied up in one of them is so desperately sad. I’m really, really pleased that you and Luc have created such wonderfully successful lives for yourselves since.
It gives me hope that the other people who might have been caught up in a similar situation have also found their happily ever after. ”
“I’d never thought of it that way before,” he said quietly, risking a quick stroke of Sage’s hair. Nic didn’t want their third feeling uncomfortable with him.
Although Sage didn’t seem to mind. “So how did you and Luc meet again? Didn’t you mention it wasn’t that far from here?
After what you’ve explained, coming to help me with the giant squid must’ve been so difficult for you, even if the human audiences who used to mock you are probably long dead, seeing as it was more than fifty years ago. ”
Nic’s eyes widened over Sage’s head as he looked at Luc, who grinned. Yeah, neither of them had thought of that. I’ve been carrying that fear for years for no reason.
“We met about probably eighty to a hundred miles north of here. We were both in our full kraken forms and literally bumped into each other,” Luc said.
“It was a wonder our tentacles didn’t shatter when they touched because it was so darn cold.
” Nic chuckled as he remembered. “I was caught up with a whale. I had no idea how krakens lived in the wild, and just assumed because I was so big that I could eat anything in the sea. The whale and I were having a bit of a tussle. It’s pitch black, visibility was almost nil, and then all of a sudden I see this huge eyeball, which was pretty much the same size as mine.
I was so shocked I let go of the whale, and he shot off… ”
“And left us two krakens just staring at each other deep under the sea – two pairs of eyes and a mass of tentacles not sure what to do next.” Luc was laughing too.
“We knew who we were to each other. Our krakens had excellent instincts when it came to that.
But yes, that was our meeting, basically bumping into each other the way we did, so totally random in such a remote location.
“It was definitely the hands of the Fates involved on that day. I had actually gotten lost. I thought I was a lot farther south, but I took a wrong turn somewhere, which was how I ended up near the Arctic in the first place. It was clearly meant to be.”
“It was so cold,” Nic mock shivered. “We couldn’t shift up there, or we would’ve frozen our bits off, so we swam for days.
It was handy in a way, at least for me. I was able to watch Luc and see what he was doing for food and basic survival in kraken style.
By the time we’d hit the warmer water streams, I had a pretty good handle on how a kraken was supposed to live and act.
Luc never knew there was anything different about me.
We shifted and met each other in person…
well, that didn’t quite go as planned either, but we’re here now. ”
“I still think it’s fascinating,” Sage said. “With all that time together, and that both of you made the agreement not to claim each other until you met me. I wasn’t even born when you two met.”
“A lot of that was because of me,” Nic said. “I hope you don’t take offense, because now we’ve met you, I can’t wait until we’ve claimed you properly. But back then, I always worried that if Luc found out what had happened to me before we met, he would think I was not worth having.”
Sage patted his hand. “I feel the same way sometimes, believe me. But then you only have to look at the people who love you to realize that you are worth something after all, even if it’s to them.
To suggest otherwise is actually an insult to those people, and you wouldn’t want to do that now, would you? ”
“Our third is very wise.” Luc leaned over, his lips brushing Nic’s hair. “Should we order dinner? Did you want to go down to the restaurant, Sage, or would you rather have room service?”
Pick room service, pick room service. Nic was comfortable. He’d had a shift. Luc and Sage’s scent blended beautifully in his nostrils, and he really didn’t want to go out and face people again.
“After what happened at the facility,” Sage said, “I think I’d prefer room service this time around. I really don’t want to be fending off people who are all keen on their selfies with you. I’m in the mood for a quieter meal if that’s all right. It’s been a bit of a day.”
“The day’s not over yet,” Nic said with what he hoped was a sexy grin. “Can I hug you? I really want to hug you right now.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Nic just caught a glimpse of Sage’s smile before the man himself was sitting on Nic’s lap.
Thin arms wrapped around his neck, and Nic closed his eyes, taking in the scents as Luc moved closer, too.
Happy. Cared for. Wow, the scent of arousal is getting out of control.
Nic wasn’t surprised when both Luc and Sage moved back. It won’t be long until bedtime.
“Perhaps we can eat first and then...” Sage looked decidedly flustered. “We can’t claim each other without a pool, can we? Only after what happened this afternoon, I’m not asking Jarvis for permission to use one of their pools, and the sea would be too darn cold for me, full stop.”
“Because our krakens are already claimed, our two-legged forms can all claim each other without a pool,” Luc suggested.
Nic could tell he was really keen. “We could do that tonight, if you wanted to, and then we can get a plane back to the Regis tomorrow and complete the kraken claim in our own pool. Only if you want to, of course. As I said, there’s no rush or pressure. ”
“I’m ready if you are,” Sage said firmly. “You…you know my worst secret, and you both went above and beyond today. Besides, you’re sexy together, so can you blame me for wanting to do a bit of touching of my own?”
“You really think we’re sexy?” Nic was so incredibly pleased, even though there was no reason for it. “I mean, I know I am…”
“I think you’ll find I’m the sexy one,” Luc said, flicking back his long hair. “I’m sure Sage was talking about me.”
“I’ve got the muscles,” Nic mock teased.
“And I’ve…”
“Excuse me,” Sage said, putting up both of his hands. “You’re both sexy, and I’m hungry. Does anyone know where the room service menu is? The faster we eat, the faster we can go to bed.”
Nic pulled out his phone and brought up the hotel website. Luc might be the sexy one, but Nic knew how to get things organized.