9. Eve #3
“I’d think quickly if I were you. There are many in this palace who would see you dead. Nixie most of all. If they believe the king has no attachment to you, poison may just find its way into your stew.”
Bile races up my throat. I hadn’t considered that.
Hyra makes a good point. Harven is my only lifeline. If the court believes he’s tossed me aside, they won’t think twice about killing me. That would destabilize him and throw this world into chaos.
Whether I like it or not, this world is mine too. I’d hate for more to suffer just because I was being stubborn. A part of me still needs to fight—push back and demand more. I had sworn to hate Harven forever, but that’s changed in the span of an evening.
Isolation really does take a toll on a person.
“What am I meant to do then? Send for him and spread my legs?”
“No, that’s not what I’m suggesting.” Hyra’s grin is all teeth. “My uncle is a complicated male. He won’t admit it to anyone—probably not even to himself—but what he wants most of all is a companion. He has been lonely these centuries.”
“His Pearls—”
“Don’t provide him with what you can.”
“Which is?”
“Love.”
With one simple word, the whole room shifts. Love. It’s what I’ve been searching for all my life. What I was determined would never happen for me. Love is what sent me aboard that fateful cruise.
Can it still be mine? Is it even possible to love a being like Harven? Can he truly love me in the way I’ve always desired?
I open my mouth, but Hyra raises her hand.
“He doesn’t love his Pearls. Despite Nixie’s wishes, they are only there to provide release.”
“I notice the other two Pearls are exempt from these conversations.”
An unknown emotion flickers in Hyra’s gaze.
“Seera and Bly are different. They understand their roles far better than Nixie ever could.” Hyra shakes herself, eyes refocusing.
“The king could love you, Eve. If you would open your heart to him, I promise you will be surprised. As you may have noticed, love isn’t as important here.
It would be a weakness if the court ever found out just how much my uncle wants it. To love and to be loved.”
The crack in my heart grows deeper. The frozen shell encasing it melts away. Goddamnit. What happened to all my resolve? I can’t seriously be considering this.
“Don’t humans desire love?” Hyra asks gently.
Fuck, I am considering this.
I’m stuck here for better or worse. It’s not as if I have a family to return to. My career was stalling, and my friends—well, I haven’t been important to them in a long time.
I was the girl they used to party with. The one pitied for still being single. I was the third wheel, then the fourth, then the fifth, before they fled to the suburbs and I stopped being considered at all.
The simple truth is I could make a life here. With Harven’s help, I could forge a new path for myself. What that life would look like, I’m not sure, but I could be willing to try.
“We desire respect too,” I state instead of answering.
“You can have both,” Hyra says. “The king needs someone who’s strong. Brave. Kind. Those are qualities you have—”
“I wouldn’t say I’m exceptionally nice.”
Hyra’s smile widens.
“By our standards, you are. Don’t get swept up in the Sea Court's politics. Be confident in yourself. My uncle wants you exactly as you are. These four days—I’ve never seen a male look worse.”
A smile dances on my lips before I can stop it. If I’m not careful, the next time I see the king I’ll arrive as a puddle. I can’t afford to get too soft just yet. Many unanswered questions still hang over both our heads.
“Be bold, and you will win his heart. Give him the chance to win yours, too.” Hyra walks towards the door. “Let him atone for his mistakes and earn your forgiveness.”
It sounds simple enough. Can it really be? I guess there’s only one way to find out.
What do I have to lose? I’m stuck here. I’ve got a vengeful lover on the verge of poisoning me. A Kraken King who’s been searching for me for centuries.
There must be something twisted and wrong, but I’m going to do it. I’m going to give life here a chance. Not just for my sake, but for the sake of all these beings who have flourished under Harven’s rule.
Maybe I am more selfless than I thought.
I don’t have the luxury of living with my human morals any longer. I’m in a new world. If I want to survive, this is the game I have to play. Maybe if the king and I are both lucky, we can get something true out of it. Only time will tell.
My lips tingle as they remember his fevered kiss. If he can kiss that good, I can only imagine how skilled he is—
“How do I go about reacquainting myself with the king?” I ask, willing my face not to burn.
Hyra pivots and walks toward my wardrobe. Yanking open the heavy silver doors, she flips through a wide variety of garments.
“Simple. All you need to do is attend dinner tomorrow.”
She pulls a bolt of pale fabric out of the wardrobe. My mouth dries as she lets it unfurl. Slinking over to me, Hyra allows the silk to float gently atop my bed. Amusement dances in her ocean eyes.
“And wear this.”