10. Harven #3
“You’re taking them remarkably well. All of this, really. It had to have been quite a shock. We don’t know much about humans, and you all know even less about us. I’ve been worrying that it might be too much for you to overcome.”
Eve releases my tentacle with a lingering stroke. Leaning against her chair, she smooths a hand down her dress. Her eyes are clear and inviting. Silver and gold thread through her blue irises.
“I’ve had some time to think. About you. About this place. I needed space to sort it all out. Thank you for giving me that.”
“It wasn’t easy,” I admit.
“I know,” she says. “But I’m grateful you did.
I’ve learned some things. The duel with your brothers.
The reason you wished to secure the throne—it’s why I wanted to have dinner with you.
Hyra told me everything. What your father and brothers had done.
What they would’ve done to me or some version of my soul had they prevailed over you. ”
She drums her fingers lightly on the table.
“It doesn’t absolve you of the lives you took in order to find me.”
“I know it doesn’t.”
I run a hand through my hair. I’d forgone my crown lately. Its weight has been too heavy since Eve’s arrival.
“In the beginning, we only took a few. I didn’t know when you'd be born, or what you’d look like.
I vowed never to take my forces onto land to search, or I’d be doing what my brothers had planned.
I kept hunts to lone passenger ships, hoping I would get lucky.
That you would be aboard one. I was so, so desperate to find you, Eve. ”
“But those women had loved ones—families. All of them died on the off-chance I was brought here.”
“It’s shameful. I can admit to that. It’s a stain on my soul to be responsible for the deaths of so many innocents.
But if I hadn't acted and raided those ships, desperate seafolk would have disobeyed my orders and ventured to the surface. Those who have prospered under my rule wanted you found just as badly. They would’ve done abhorrent things to try and discover you if it didn’t seem like I was searching hard enough. ”
“Oh God,” she breathes.
“An apology can never convey the depth of my upset over what I’ve done. It was necessary. I hope you can see that, Eve. But that doesn’t make it any less terrible. I’m sorry all the same. I wish things had been different. That I could’ve found you without it being marred by death.”
Eve’s blunt teeth sink into her lower lip. Her head tilts as she considers my apology.
I had tried for hours last night trying to craft one. It’s not good enough, but I refuse to lie to her. I am sorry humans died, but truth be told, I would kill them all over again to find her.
Nothing was going to keep her from me.
“Their losses can’t be for nothing,” Eve finally says. “If they all perished so I could be brought here, we owe it to them to try and make something out of this.”
My tentacles freeze. The chair beneath me feels unsteady as I take in the quiet determination on her face.
“Are you suggesting—”
“A fresh start, Harven. For you and me. To see what we can have—if we are compatible. I can’t return to the surface.”
It’s not a question, but I shake my head anyway.
“If you had a family—or lover—I’m sorry, but—”
She waves a hand.
“I don’t. There is no one waiting for me back home.” Her confession shouldn’t please me as much as it does. “Let’s try again. For real this time.”
Lifting her hand, she extends it towards me. I clasp it between my larger ones in an instant. I skim my fingers over her warm skin, tracing every bump and freckle.
“You’ll set the pace, Eve. Teach me how to properly court you.”
Our hands remain clasped even as a new bowl is delivered. She eyes it hungrily, and I want her to bestow that same look on my cock.
“This is a good start. For our first date.”
“Date?”
I test the word. It doesn’t exist in our language.
“A date,” she repeats. “An activity done, typically done by two people, to test how well they get along. The good ones flow. The bad ones involve a lot of being talked at.”
“Has this one been good for you, Eve?”
Tenderness seeps into her eyes.
“Yes. Very good.”
My chest rises in satisfaction. I have pleased her. Excellent.
“When can we have another?”
Her laughter is the sweetest sound. It will fill the castle halls until it’s joined by our children’s.
“Eager?” she asks. I nod sharply. “Typically, a date is only once a day, but there is no time limit. It’s over when one or both parties want it to be.”
She trails her nails along my palms. Seed threatens at the tip of my cock. I give her hand a final squeeze, then release it so she can enjoy her stew. I watch her tuck into the meal and finish off the last of my wine.
“So we are still on a date?”
Eve smiles around her spoon and nods.
“I will give you the best first date of your life.”
“Confident, my king. I like that.”
My king.
She purrs the words. Her eyes tempt me to do wicked, wicked things to her. I must resist. She’ll tell me when she’s ready for more.
I watch as her pink tongue licks broth from her spoon. Her eyes stay on mine the entire time. Seed slips from the head of my cock and stains my skirt.
Gods, she’s going to kill me.