I blow out a breath, feeling like I’ve passed a test I didn’t know I was taking. Before I can question my next move, it spins around and trots back toward the pool, leaping into the water in an unceremonious cannonball.

I blink.

What just happened? I’m hallucinating, surely. My attention drops to the coconut it left behind, the only proof I have that my interaction with a shark-dog took place.

I glance up at the hole above the pool and check the alcove with the bed of moss to make sure I’m the only one around. Whatever. It’s gone.

I blow out a breath.

It’s now or never.

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12

Ordus

My bag flails against the current, the fish inside it no doubt trying to make their escape. I only caught four for Cindi, which is not enough variety to be worthy of someone as special as my mate.

The muscle in my jaw feathers. I should have searched for crab as well. Many humans enjoy eating it, and I could have fed her myself to avoid her getting hurt by its hard shell. It will take too long for me to swim far enough from my territory to hunt.

Every second away from her feels like my soul is ripping apart—even if it hurts just as much to be around her.

I was a coward for departing without a word. I can only imagine what she thinks of me for leaving her in our barren den. I couldn’t… It was too painful to listen to her rejection. I needed to clear my mind, to think about how to earn her forgiveness and accept me as her mate.

When she sees I have returned from my hunt with plenty of food, maybe she’ll realize I am a capable provider. I do not mean her any harm. I have already shown her my strength by killing five males for her. I… How does one woo their mate?

How do I get her to look beyond my appearance?

I wish Yannig were here so I could ask him what to do. He was my sole source of guidance when I was young. He helped me navigate the other kraken to make myself less…less. My sister may not have concerned herself with such trivial matters, busy studying and ruling our people, but she would know what to do as well. Her mate wouldn’t fear her, even though she’s the deadliest kraken to ever exist.

The thoughts and questions keep piling up, stealing my focus. The water shifts, and I sense another creature’s presence too late.

“Your Majesty.”

Anger surges through me. Someone dares to keep me from my mate, dares to be so close to my island. My lips peel back with a snarl. A low growl builds in my chest, though not loud enough to be heard above the storm.

A dead weight sinks in my stomach when I spot the kraken emerging from the shadows of a stone structure.

“Counselor Lazell.” Lightning thunders in my veins. He is a snake amongst kraken.

His eyes dart to my dark hair floating around me. His lips twist in distaste.

My mother killed his brother when he campaigned for my execution a few months after I was born, then later attempted to carry it out himself. Since then, Lazell has been a thorned pest, leading the Council in his vision, keeping hatred toward me alive.

It’s a pity my mother didn’t end his entire family line.

I would have long ago if it wouldn’t have resulted in my certain death.

Our interactions are few and far between. The Council has been operating on its own for several years, running the kingdom without my interference. I wanted nothing to do with it, and my subjects were all too happy to take the proverbial crown from me. Their contempt toward me worsened after Yannig died and I refused to marry the first kraken female they sacrificed to me.

Now, for the most part, they leave me alone, acting like I don’t exist, only bothering me every so often to check if I’m any closer to shackling a female to me.

“I see you are still alive,” Lazell observes in relief and disgust. The lines on his face deepen when they land on the two fresh wounds left by my mate.

He tears his stare away at my growl. I don’t like him looking at Cindi’s gifts to me.

The kraken has aged centuries since I last saw him eight moons ago. His cheeks are sunken, and there’s the barest green tinge to his skin—a telltale sign the Waste has reached his body. I have yet to see a kraken without the coloring in recent years.

Lazell’s long, thin tentacles slither over rock and sand before jettisoning close to the surface to mimic the movement of my limbs. It’s the same habit Yannig had.

He uses the webbing between his arm and ribs to keep stationary against the strong currents. The tapered edges of his four fingers ripple. It’s the greatest offense that his coloring is similar to my brother’s—brown and white stripes like a lionfish.

Grief hits me every time I have the misfortune of seeing Lazell, only to be quickly staunched by seething hatred.

Every word out of his mouth is a concealed threat.

I may be the king, but he is the one who holds the power over our people. If he chooses to follow in his brother’s footsteps by rallying krakens to kill me, it will happen. If he knew I was hiding a human in my den, the Council would be demanding Cindi’s execution. Our kind’s continued anonymity is one of the most sacred values we hold.

The only reason I’m not dead is because I am their only hope. Lazell and every other kraken who loathes me are losing sleep over having no choice but to place their faith in an abomination.

“It has been many months since you’ve joined our meetings.”

“It has.” Why would I want to be in the presence of those who would sooner poison me than willingly speak to me? My attendance only serves as an opportunity for the Council to berate and pressure me into marrying a kraken.

He raises a brow. “I assume your search for a bride has not been successful, and the people will continue to starve.” My inner beast rears its head at his condescending tone.

I clamp my mouth shut to stop from bragging about finding my mate, from proving to them that I was right. The Goddess deemed me worthy of having a fated mate.

He would insist on seeing her, and then he’d try to have her killed.

Once our bonding settles the blight over my territory, I will parade my beautiful female for all the vile krakens to see so they know I saved us with the help of my human bride. My people will seethe, recoil from disgust, but it will bring me no greater joy than to know every time they hunt, it is because a human and their monster king permitted it.

Until then, Krokant is all that remains, an hourglass showing how much time remains before all is lost. It has been two years since I last visited. I can only assume it has halved in size. It’s anyone’s guess as to how much time we have left before the Curse wins.

And they come for me.

“My search for my mate remains,” I lie, balling my hands into fists to stop from tearing him apart.

He forgets my human attributes have turned me into a far better hunter and killer than any of them. Their webbing is a weakness—one cut, and they could bleed out. My claws are a weapon in themselves. Thumbs are an advantage in every form. I have yet to find a purpose for my hair. I assume there is one, but thus far, I have not been able to find a reason.

“Perhaps it is time to look at marrying⁠—”

“No,” I snarl.

I would sooner sacrifice my soul to the Goddess than even think of bonding with anyone other than Cindi. Whatever kraken bride the Council sends will either be one who is rejected and hated by society, or a strong female who will kill me the moment she has my cub in her stomach.

His eyes darken. He’s probably wishing his brother never failed at killing me. “Time is running⁠—”

My tentacle shoots out and clamps around Lazell’s throat. Bubbles explode around us, and a streak of lightning flashes above the surface to illuminate his panicked face. “I do not appreciate repeating myself, Counselor.” My voice is low.