Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
You’ll never be warned twice.
–An Incomplete Guide to Kraken Survival
Ifloated on clouds as Sebastian led me into the throne room, his endearment, paired with the compliment, still ringing in my head.
The same man who’d introduced me on day one called, “The Guardian of the Tide, the Deep Sovereign, the Ocean’s Wrath, King Sebastian Mórisi.
And Princess Bronwyn Drachenveil.” The herald paused and closed his eyes, as if he couldn’t believe what he was about to say.
“Royal treasure and consort to the king.”
Courtiers filled the chamber, and their conversation ended in an instant. They watched as we swept along the royal dais, where guards stood shoulder to shoulder.
“That was some introduction,” I murmured.
Sebastian stopped in the center, in front of two thrones. Two. His and hers. My heart slammed against my ribs. I’d expected to stand at his side. This was… this…
The new throne was crafted from the same blackened coral as his, its back swept up in elegant curves. Like wings. Dragon wings. Deep sapphire velvet cushioned the seat, threaded faintly with ember-tones that caught the light.
It looked like something that belonged in Olyssa’s palace. Something Sebastian should only present to his wife.
But that wasn’t all. Directly behind the chairs, positioned dead center, was a pedestal displaying my music box.
“Do you like your throne?” he asked softly, and those slamming beats of my heart grew faster.
“I love it.” My legs trembled. But I wasn’t his queen. Though I might be, and probably was, his firebrand. Even still, I shouldn’t be sitting here. We’d known each other only a matter of days. “Sebastian—”
“I want this, Brona.” He urged me down, and I could do nothing but sit.
He eased onto his own throne, and I let myself disappear inside a bubble for ten seconds before pasting a smile on my face, accepting an honor that wasn’t yet mine. Because I wanted it, too.
Freyja arrived and took her place behind me, clipboard against her chest, gaze already assessing the room.
Sebastian placed his hand over mine, providing a welcome link, and called, “The sea demands its due.”
“The sea will have its due,” the crowd called back.
In the ensuing quiet, the king motioned to the herald, the man who’d introduced me only two days ago.
As another servant opened the doors, the herald announced, “A messenger from the Isle of Blodholm.”
Blood island.
A teenage boy hurried over and bowed, somber from head to toe. “I was out hunting fish, majesty. Was only gone a few hours. When I returned to my village, everyone was just… gone. There was no wreckage. No evidence of a struggle. Just empty huts.”
My dragon growled, growing talons from my nails. Jokull.
“Thank you for alerting me.” Sebastian curled his fingers into mine. “You will accompany a contingent of my soldiers to your village. Answer their questions. If your people are there, we’ll find them and bring them home.”
The boy straightened with pride. “Já, majesty.”
Dismissed with a nod. As the boy hurried away, a lock-jawed Sebastian motioned to a soldier, who strode to his side. “Extend a third invitation to the outer settlements. They may have sanctuary in Krakenstrond.”
The guard rushed off, leaving me with questions. I leaned into Sebastian to whisper into his ear. “Has Jokull bypassed a layer of the dome?” How else would he have gotten into Blodholm? But here was Sebastian, perfectly fine.
He turned into me, as if we were exchanging sweet nothings. My mind realized the action was for show, but other parts of me weren’t so convinced.
“Nei,” he told me just as softly. “Many kraken choose a simpler life outside of my realm walls, among the human world.” He rested his hand against my throat, his skin as hot as a brand. “Now. Be warned. I’m going to kiss your cheek.”
Breath hitched in my lungs. A kiss. Sebastian’s kiss. Jaaaa. Give me.
Then he did it. He pressed his lips to my cheek, lingering there, and I could only clasp his wrist and bite back a moan. His head lifted slowly. He met my gaze briefly, then refaced the crowd.
As I struggled to appear nonchalant, as if a sexy cheek kiss hadn’t just rocked my entire world, he waved his fingers. The doors were opened again.
The herald called, “Lord Robert Stefanssan and his daughter, Lady Anna.”
I got a good handle on myself as Lord Robert strode forward with the confidence of a man accustomed to being obeyed. Broad-shouldered and thick through the chest, his armor was polished to a mirror sheen, his beard braided in the style of old kraken nobility. His eyes were sharp and appraising.
At his side walked Lady Anna, an understated brunette, both slender and poised, wearing an ice-blue gown that flowed with each careful step.
She kept her hands clasped tightly before her, knuckles pale.
Her chin remained lowered in practiced deference.
And when she curtsied, it was with the effortless grace of a dancer, controlled, precise and restrained. I approved.
Lord Robert leveled a hot glare on me before focusing on his king and softening his features.
“Your Majesty. Our enemies are many, and your strength has never been needed more. How better to help you facilitate your coming victories than with a proper kraken bride? Someone who is loyal to us rather than another berserker faction.”
I almost rolled my eyes. An obvious crack at the unsuitable dragon.
Sebastian drummed his fingers, irritation rolling from him, and yet, his expression and posture remained bored.
Lady Anna kept her gaze downcast and blushed hard. But mortification wasn’t her most prominent emotion. Fear colored every part of her.
Having not received a verbal response from the king, her father rattled on. “It is with all the devotion in my heart, for you and for Krakenstrond, that I offer my daughter’s hand in marriage.” He didn’t glance at his daughter to gauge her reaction. Not once. Because he didn’t care.
“Do you think I’m weak, Lord Robert?” Sebastian asked, all smooth charm and lethal precision. “Is that what you are trying to tell me?”
The lord recognized the pit he’d dug himself.
Paling, he rocked from one foot to the other, saying, “Nei, majesty. Of course not. You are strength incarnate. But I, like everyone, know matters of the heart can topple kingdoms.” Another glance at me.
“My Anna is pretty, but not beautiful. Intelligent, but not overly so. She’ll give you strong children, and you’ll never be in danger of surrendering your heart. ”
What a horrid man. Poor Anna. She withered more with his every word.
Sebastian traced his fingertips along my forearm, and my pulse skipped.
This gesture signals trust to all who witness it.
The king lingered over the gesture without ever looking away from his citizen. “What do we think of Lord Robert’s generous offer, sweet Brona?”
Flutters spread all over me. “We” again. For show, only for show. But something quieter continued to whisper, What if it isn’t?
I cleared my throat. I hadn’t expected to speak. “I’m certain your opinion is perfection itself.”
“Ah, but your opinion is my opinion, my treasure. So hold nothing back. The court is eager to bask in our wisdom.”
Ash and embers. Must he be so blunt? I’d raised a concern, and here, now, he proved he’d meant his answer.
I had no other choice but to respond as if I truly were the treasured consort. Canting my head at Lord Robert, who jutted his chin with stubborn defiance, I said, “While I’m delighted with Lady Anna and hope we become fast friends—”
Her gaze snapped to me, wide with surprise. She gave me the sweetest, most relieved smile, as if I’d just saved her from a fate worse than death. Hmm. She was that afraid of her king? Or—I looked at Lord Robert’s profile—of someone standing much closer.
“—I find you reprehensible, sir. Anyone who believes a woman’s value lies in her inability to stir a man’s heart misunderstands the true nature of strength entirely.
Based on that criterion alone,” I said, finally casting my gaze to the king, “I recommend declining the match and offering the lady a job here in the palace… my darling.”
Unease stirred through the throne room as Lord Robert sputtered.
Sebastian schooled his features into a pout, ever the master illusionist, setting a stage to reflect exactly what he wished: a man utterly besotted with his woman. “No mention of your great desire to keep me for yourself, my dearest?”
A tinkling laugh escaped before I could stop it. Now he was toying with us all, having fun with his performance, and oh, I liked it. I liked him. “My apologies, my precious. I assumed that was obvious and had no need to be stated.”
“You are right.” He reached out slowly, deliberately, and traced a knuckle along my jawbone. “Your great desire for me is obvious to all.”
Goose bumps sprouted over my entire body. Cells ignited. Bones melted.
He kissed my cheek before turning to the lord and snapped, “The offer is declined. Lady Anna will move into the palace and serve as a lady in waiting after undergoing proper training. Next.”
As I reeled—again—out went Lord Robert and Lady Anna. In opposite directions.
Next, the servant at the door heaved a heavy sigh before announcing, “Ambassador Kethrix of the Addermoor.”
The ambassador slithered forward in layered green and black silks, his movements smooth, deliberate. Golden rings adorned his fingers and throat; his pupils narrow slits as his gaze flicked between Sebastian and me.
“Your majesty,” Kethrix said silkily, “I come not with a daughter, but with a concern.” He gestured toward me. “It appears you’ve granted unprecedented influence to an outsider. A dragon. One who now advises your judgments.”
Fresh murmurs spread through the court.
Emboldened by the attention, the ambassador continued. “The Emperor of the Addermoor wonders if this special treatment signals a… realigning of your alliances. And if so, whether a new treaty between our factions must be drawn.”
Sebastian’s expression did not change. “You treat my consort as an ambassador. She is not. Her allegiance is mine. Since the announcement was made only today, I can forgive the mistake. You may go.” He leaned forward, just enough to make the movement unmistakable.
“Or our factions can forget the treaty altogether and war. Adders versus the kraken.”
The adder went still, finally recognizing his mistake.
“My… apologies, majesty. No insult intended to you or your consort. I will inform my emperor of this development, and he will, I am sure, send his congratulations.” He pivoted on his booted heel and stalked from the room.
No one spoke as the door slammed shut behind him.
Others came in and came out, presenting their reasons for arriving at court, most often a dispute with another kraken. At some point, Sebastian had a bowl of cherries delivered to me.
I tried not to moon over him as I ate.
As the petitions wound down, a pattern emerged too deliberate to ignore. Sebastian never rushed judgment, nor did he indulge theatrics. He listened. He weighed. He cut away excess until only consequence remained, much to the dismay of the accusers.
More than once, he chose solutions that pleased no one, but stabilized everything long-term.
Burdens shared instead of prizes awarded.
Obligations imposed where undeserved power had been sought.
When necessary, he briefly reminded the entire room what else his crown commanded. Power held by brutal force.
And yet, his people adored him. Respected him. Oh, they might grumble about his decisions today, but they trusted him with their tomorrows.
I’d never seen anyone trim pride or redirect greed so efficiently.
Case by case, chaos starved. By the time he settled the last matter, even the dome above us felt steadier.
Quieter. And so did I, my understanding of him deeper.
His strength wasn’t merely in his physical power, but the mind driving his actions.
He ruled like the sea itself: unyielding and patient, constantly reshaping the world.
I’d thought, once, he would make a wonderful friend. Watching him now, I understood how foolishly small-minded such a belief had been. He was a king shaped by pressure and patience, by restraint rather than mercy. And seated at his side, I felt something in me crack wide open.
No more questioning. No more wavering. I wanted this man. Badly. I wanted every part of him. He was everything I could desire in a mate.
Protective, powerful, and adoring. And mine. My firebrand.
I’d known since the traveling stones, I’d simply refused to sign my name to it. Watching him rule, I put down the pen and sighed. The truth settled into me like a coin dropping into a hoard: mine, kept, permanent. I didn’t just want this man. I wanted forever.
He was the man I’d yearned for my entire existence. The soulmate I’d dreamed of. The partner I’d sought.
The man I could trust with my life.
Did he still view love as a weakness? Ja. But I could change his mind. And I would, because I must. More than that, I would help him take down the primordial—without risking everything.
Ladies, places please, as my first dance instructor would have said.
Winning him would take effort. I’d known that, but I could do it. I could help him save his realm and fight for his heart at the same time.
“What thoughts are rolling around in your mind to put such a look on your face?” he asked, at the edge of dazed.
I struggled to rein in my delighted determination and smiled at him. “You have your secrets, and I have mine.”
He tsked, stood and offered me his hand. “Four hours until the ball. Rather than grill you, I will be kind and let you rest before preparations begin.”
I peered up, drinking him in, and my determination only got stronger. With a slow smile, I slid my fingers into his. “Take me to the gardens, Sebastian. Please.”