Big Decisions #2
Seraya continues. We can’t have a hybrid in the pod during the red bloom.
Kyros shakes his head. She’s fully marked. Males will no longer be drawn to her.
Except for you. Daros folds his arms over his chest, his scarred tail snapping beneath him. The Oshea puts Tideborn first. Always.
My gaze drifts toward Kyros. He’s not just Kyros, is he? He’s Oshea—the leader. He made a promise to these people, and knowing Kyros, that meant something to him.
Guilt claws through my chest. Am I making the right decision? If I leave, Kyros won’t have to choose.
Mavek finally speaks. If she stays, everything changes.
Seraya lets out a sharp laugh. Exactly. Her pale eyes shift toward Kyros.
Our laws are explicit. She moves closer, her ivory tail curling beneath her.
You can’t have attachments, not like this.
Mates cloud judgment, and children create favoritism.
The pod requires balance above personal desire.
We can overlook your ties to the hybrid if she’s gone, but not while she actively resides in the pod.
Mavek picks an orange scale off the base of his tail. It reflects against the algae light, shimmering as he flicks it away. I didn’t realize Mer shed.
Seraya tuts, shaking her head. Should’ve just killed her when we had the opportunity.
Kyros goes eerily still, and the tension radiating from him thickens until even I can feel it from outside. Daros notices first, his eyes narrowing. Mavek stops fidgeting entirely.
Seraya either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care about the sudden change in the atmosphere.
She and her reef-rotten father would be better off—
Crimson explodes through the water so fast, I barely track it, and the currents slam violently against the chamber walls as Kyros disrupts them.
My heart leaps into my throat.
The red specks in his eyes blaze bright enough to be seen from this distance, his pupils blown wide and predatory. Crimson veining flashes beneath his skin, spreading across his neck and shoulders like an active lightning storm.
Seraya jerks backward too late.
Kyros reaches her in less than a second, but Daros intercepts. The collision shakes the entire chamber. Daros grabs Kyros by the shoulders, shoving him backward before Kyros can reach Seraya.
Kyros! Calm.
Kyros’s entire body vibrates with tension, and his tail lashes violently behind him. It cracks against the stone floor.
Mavek moves forward, his hands outstretched. Oshea. Breathe. He jerks his chin toward me. Your female is okay. Healthy and strong. Look.
So much for not exposing me…
All eyes in the room slide in my direction. My cheeks heat, but I refuse to cower and hide behind the wall.
Kyros practically stares into my soul. He inhales slowly, then relaxes. The flickering beneath his skin dims, and his breathing steadies.
He turns back to the council.
I renounce my title.
The room goes silent. I gasp. Even the guards outside the chamber freeze. One of them mutters something under his breath, his face draining of color.
The council members stare at Kyros like they can’t quite process their words. They glance amongst themselves, their jaws agape.
Kyros remains calm. If Tideborn refuses to accept Sadie… he continues. Then we will leave together.
No. Surely, he doesn’t mean that.
Mavek recoils, orange scales rippling.
You would abandon Tideborn? Seraya whispers. You’re our strongest male. Without you, the Coveborn will attack.
Kyros raises his chin. Yes.
Seraya shakes her head. You would truly choose a hybrid over your own?
I am choosing my mate.
Mavek drags a hand down his face. Daros already looks resigned, silently shaking his head. Seraya, however, looks horrified. She licks her lips, her eyebrows pulling together.
Mavek will lead, Kyros continues.
Every head in the chamber snaps toward Mavek. Including mine.
Mavek blinks. What? He outright laughs. You can’t be serious.
I am.
Mavek circles the room, his orange tail coiling and uncoiling beneath him. It’s clear he wasn’t expecting this, nor does he know what to do with the sudden responsibility. It makes me respect him more.
Kyros smiles and clasps his hands together, as if the matter is all settled.
He smacks his tongue. So Sadie has the council’s approval to remain within Tideborn territory, yes?
There’s a long stretch of silence before Mavek realizes everybody is waiting for him to answer. He clears his throat, then turns toward Daros and Seraya. Daros frowns as he dips his chin, silently giving his support. Seraya looks away, refusing to respond.
Mavek turns back to Kyros. Yes. We approve.
And she will be under Tideborn protection?
Mavek nods. Yes. His gaze drifts toward me. She is under our protection.
My chest caves inward. This is actually happening.
Kyros flies from the room, bursts through the doors, and slams into my chest. His arms wrap around my torso as we fly backward, but he stops us before I collide with the wall. His hands move over me immediately, checking my face, my arms, my shoulders.
“You’re such a reef rat.” He laughs, like he didn’t just call me a fucking reef rat. “Always eavesdropping.”
I can feel the stares burning into Kyros’s back, the chamber behind him dead silent. Kyros has given up his title…for me. And he looks relieved. He presses his forehead briefly against mine, his breathing finally beginning to steady.
“You’re staying.” He kisses my lips, quick and chaste.
It’s not a question.