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14

Ordus

“We’re not gonna fit.”

“We’ll fit,” I assure her.

It’ll be a tight squeeze—it already is without my mate clinging to me, a fact that has my purr doubling in volume.

Cindi, my mate, the human who despises every part of me, is holding me like her life depends on it.

Likely because it does depend on it.

I won’t let her fall, of course.

The thought of the cuts and bruises that would mar her body from the fall is enough to momentarily replace my purr with a growl.

“Let go of my neck.” It kills me to say it.

“Are you crazy?”

“It is not a term?—”

“I’m not letting go.”

Oh, she did not expect an answer.

How am I meant to know when her questions require a response?

Are all human females this confusing?

Cindi’s stomach vibrates against me, and I frown.

I’m worried she still has not eaten.

How often must humans feed per day?

Once? Twice? Five times?

The food shops on the mainland are always busier during midday and at night.

So…only twice? She has to feed more often than that.

Cindi is so small, I can feel her ribs through her dress.

More concerning is that she feels more weightless than she did yesterday, yet she continues to refuse the fish I caught for her.

If my mate will not accept the fish I hunt for her, she may be more willing to feed if it was brought by Vasz.

A sound of displeasure startles in my throat.

I don’t like any male giving anything to my Cindi.

Cindi glances at the rocks below and defeats all forms of impossibility by tensing even more.

I flatten my palm against her upper back, silently urging her to comply with my request. I prefer her arms not be exposed to avoid injury.

A moment passes, both of us staying completely still in the narrow passageway above the pool.

There are two different accesses from the cave to get to land.

This is the fastest way.

The alternative is through the tunnel to the side of the cavern I blocked to keep bats from flying into the den.

I would have taken the longer route if Cindi hadn’t insisted on walking.

Her feet are wounded because of my lack of attentiveness.

I will not make that mistake twice.

The tunnel is very narrow.

Some rocks jut out with sharpened edges.

I had intended on cocooning around her, sacrificing my own skin to the stone, but she continues to insist on being difficult.

Humans.

“I will not let you hurt your hands.” Her legs are already wrapped around my waist after minutes of arguing.

Despite the many times I’ve assured her I will not let her fall, that my arm and tentacle will hold on to her, she refuses to comply and let me take the brunt of any scrapes.

In truth, I don’t want her to let go.

I never do. The feeling of being held—willingly touched—is foreign.

I could get addicted to it.

I’m already mourning the moment where she’ll inevitably let go.

“No.”

“You’re being unreasonable.”

She shoots me a scathing glare.

I sigh, readjusting my limb beneath her backside and around her waist to take more of her weight.

I continue through the tunnel, using my free arm and tentacles to suction us to the path and keep moving us upward.

Her thighs tighten around me, and my breeding arm hardens.

It remains that way as we crawl closer to the sunlight.

Alone, I can get to land in a matter of seconds.

Today, I take my time, tightening my hold on Cindi so she’s flush against my chest, making her small breasts push up.

I can’t help stealing glances when she isn’t looking.

Her sex is taunting me.

I can taste her warmth on my suckers through the layers of fabric.

My cock twitches against the rock.

I want to dip my tentacle beneath her dress and suck on her nipple again to see if I can get her to make the good type of sounds.

But every inhale is sobering.

Her scent is tainted by fear, and not the kind that leads to her screaming and fighting, only cranky.

Maybe it’s because of her hunger as well.

Vasz gets that way when he hasn’t eaten.

With her silent—and only partially trusting—in my hold, I can almost imagine what it would be like if she didn’t hate me.

We would lie in our den, and she would wrap her arms and legs around me just for the mere fact that she wants to.

Because she wants to feel me.

We’d stay like that for hours while my hands and limbs roam over her.

Then she’d look up at me, and she’d smile.

A real smile. A genuine one.

Only for me. And my hearts would swell because the Goddess blessed me with a mate capable of loving me back.

But that is a fool’s dream, wishful thinking that holds no merit.

At least like this, her head tucked beneath my chin, warm against me, I don’t need to see the evidence of her disdain written all over her face.

My suckers pulse, releasing a whisper of toxin into her to relax her muscles.

I carefully maneuver her body to avoid any scrapes as we reach a bend in the tunnel.

The edges of dull green leaves sway up ahead, and light descends on us.

Cindi’s arms and legs tense around me.

She looks up, unnervingly quiet.

A sinking feeling settles in my stomach.

I spare a glance at her calculating face, and her eyes brighten, like there’s a plan forming behind them I won’t like.

Buka , I think as I approach the mouth of the tunnel.

The invisible door pulses an iridescent blue only noticeable with great focus.

Hot air assaults my skin the moment I pass the magical barrier that stops the elements, creatures, and critters from coming in.

I scowl up at the blinding sun, feeling the sensitive skin of my tentacles wither against the scalding heat.

They rapidly change to a lighter brown to match the dirt and keep cool.

“Wait,” I tell Cindi, wrapping another tentacle around her.

“Do not make a sound.”

She stills, breath no more than a whisper against the gills of my neck.

The sensation makes me shudder, and I have to remind myself I’m meant to be surveying my surroundings for predators.

At most, there will only be the bats that survive without the fruit that no longer hangs on the many trees on the island.

Krakens are forbidden from accessing the island—not that they would even if they were permitted.

Malediction Island , as my people have named it.

When I first inhabited it forty years ago, many were tempted to steal leaves or wood for their homes.

The only reason it stopped was because krakens spread rumors the island is contaminated with my disease, and I’ve somehow poisoned all life here from the blood running through my veins.

Some even began believing they may look like me if they so much as swam near my den.

The island sits in the middle of the ocean.

The nearest body of land is nothing more than a giant rock formation that barely scratches the surface of the water.

The palace. It’s where I should be residing as king.

I moved out decades ago when Chlaena still lived.

It was hard to sleep knowing krakens were beyond the rock walls, whispering about me, wishing for my demise, finding a way to sabotage me.

Plus, my body hated being underwater for long periods of time.

Taking post out here, away from the main eastern city, at the edge of the territory, was packaged to our subjects in a way that made it sound more like military strategy, rather than cowardice or weakness.

I held post here, watching for intruders, bandits, enemies from neighboring territories.

I have killed many in protection of my kingdom.

I was foolish to think if I tried hard enough, my people would accept me, but not once have I ever received thanks or commendations for what I’ve done.

Now, without threat of invasion, there’s nothing for me to occupy my days with, except hunting or experimenting with the human tools I’ve found.

“What are you searching for?” Cindi whispers when the silence stretches on for too long.

“Threats.”

“What—” She swallows, fingers digging into my shoulder.

“People?”

My tentacle presses to the dirt to sense for any kind of magical interference or new presence.

It’s possible humans have come to investigate the island.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

The runes hidden around the island and the palace deter them from venturing this way, not prohibit .

As for krakens, we may not have passed any on the way here, but there would have been a trail of her scent the seasoned hunters could follow.

I can only hope the storm diluted her scent enough to make her impossible to track, and no one is foolish enough to investigate.

“Krakens,” I answer, closing the distance to the beach to scan the shoreline.

“Witches. Sirens. Ghouls wouldn’t swim this far out. But you needn’t worry. You are safe with me.”

Her jaw drops.

“Did you just say ghouls?”

I nod.

“They’re real ?”

I dislike how much interest she’s showing them.

“Have you interacted with them?”

“What? No.” Cindi’s brows flatten.

“Are vampires and demons real, then? What about the grim reaper? Dragons? Faeries or fae or whatever you’re meant to call them.”

Uh.

“I am not familiar with the creatures on land, although demons come in many forms.” I can’t say I’ve had the misfortune of encountering any.

I brace myself for her disappointment.

It never comes.

She huffs out a breath.

“It’s better I don’t know.”

I like this.

I like when Cindi is talking.

Her eyes get brighter, and the lines around them soften.

The sunlight kisses her tanned skin as I step out of the shade onto what my people call Mutant Shores .

She’s not glistening beneath the light as she did the other times I saw her.

Her shade isn’t as rich and warm, doesn’t appear as feather-soft to the touch.

Is she sick?

Is it because she hasn't been eating?

Exhaustion?

Was it because she was attacked?

“Is it safe?” she asks.

I blink, forgetting what I was meant to be doing.

I nod. For now.

“Can you put me down?”

“Yes, but I do not want to.”

“Put me down,” Cindi orders.

“You’re—”

“Don’t you start with me being injured. Put me down right this second.” Cindi’s voice is infused with the confidence of a queen and the rage of a provoked shark. Her scent is the only thing giving away her fear.

I almost smile. I never want to see her show neck again.

Slowly, I lower her. I fight my instinct to pick her back up when she flinches when her feet touch the ground. The poultice has worked quickly to heal the worst of the wounds, but even slight discomfort is unacceptable.

Cindi stumbles away from me and carefully turns on the heel of her foot to survey her surroundings. I hold no pride over this island. It is both a source of shame and a place for a coward to seek comfort, a prison of riches and freedom.

Cliffs taller than the human buildings on the mainland surround the beach. It’s a mix of rock and forestry that homes insects and bats that are of no concern to kraken-kind. Much of the island is too steep for humans to climb, and more effort than it’s worth for me to attempt it a second time.

Ten minutes from where we are is an elevated, flat patch of land untouched by seawater. Other than our den, it’s the only part of the island I’ve made to be my own.

The breeze flows between the thinning leaves of the forest, dancing to the tune of the Goddess’ song and the tumbling waves against the shore. Mingled within the smell of saltwater and damp earth is my mate’s sweet scent.

Confident Cindi will be safe from any and all threats, I divert my attention to her, always keeping my suckers pulsing, alert to any changes in the atmosphere.

My hands fist at my sides as I watch her limp along the shore, searching for something between the thick trees at my back.

She wants to run, I realize belatedly.

It’s obvious from her fluttering pulse and jumpiness and the way she keeps flicking her gaze to me, as if calculating how quickly I’ll be able to catch her.

My throat tightens. Cindi is a female who has gone through many things I do not know about. The one thing I am certain of is that she is woefully unimpressed by me and anything I have to offer.

I follow her line of sight to the sprawling expanse of deep blue. “My people call this beach Pantu Aknora. ”

I’ve closed any opening or tunnel hidden beneath the water. This beach is the only part of the island directly accessible from the sea. If a threat comes, it’ll be on this shore.

She raises her good hand to her brow line to block out the sun. Her tongue flicks out to wet her lips before she speaks. “What does it mean?”

“In your language, it translates to Mutant Shores.”

When she blinks up at me, I’m struck with the desire to learn how to stop time so I can stare at her forever. She doesn’t look like she hates me.

A little divot forms beneath her brows that I want to trace with the tip of my claws. “Why is it called that?” she asks.

I purse my lips. It’s best she doesn’t know what my people say about me. “Because there’s a monster living here.”

She blanches, taking in the surroundings with widened eyes.

“You will always be safe, I promise. You…you can trust me, Cindi.” Repeating the same words won’t change her mind. It never does. But it isn’t a waste of breath.

I will remind her every day until she believes it.

Movement from the water catches my eyes. I grab Cindi to hide her behind me, a warning growl rumbling in my chest. Two yellow dots pop out from above the waves, then a brown fin.

I narrow my eyes at Vasz as he comes trotting out of the water, ears flopping, the fish I caught for Cindi dangling from his mouth. I move aside to let my mate resume her perusal of my island and pretend not to notice her stand close beside me.

But I notice.

I very much notice.

And because I’m a coward, I also pretend not to notice her gasp when my tentacle wraps around her ankle, and the taste of her floods into my system.

“That was Cindi’s lunch,” I scold Vasz.

He throws a fish in the air and eats it in one go. “What was?” Water sprays across the sand as he shakes out his skin.

“Vaseline,” she mutters under her breath. I almost miss it. “Unbelievable.” Her mood suddenly falls.

I spear Vasz with my wrath for upsetting my female. He stops trotting, looks at me, then falls into the sand to show me his belly.

My fury rapidly multiplies into a venomous mixture of grief and rage when Cindi’s croaky voice breaks the silence. “I have to go back, Ordus.”

Ordus.

Ordus.

I like when she says my name, just not the way she lets it fall from her tongue.

“Why?”

She has not been here for a full day cycle, and she’s been desperate to leave from the very beginning. Am I so dreadful to be around? Does she hate me that much?

How can she not care we are mates? Was I so delusional to believe she might feel it too?

Cindi meets my anger head-on. She rounds on me, raising her voice and throwing out her hands. It’s amusing a creature half my size could be so explosive. “Because I have a life! People counting on me. A job. Friends.”

Jealousy burns a path from the base of my spine to the tips of my tentacles.

Friends? She has me.

I haven’t had any friends in decades, and I’ve been fine. She doesn’t need them. I will be enough for her.

We glare at each other, neither of us backing down. Cindi breaks the contact first to dart her gaze to the shore where Vasz is running up and down the beach, attempting to eat the foam gathered atop each wave, barking and leaping into the water before going back to sprinting. The barest trickle of sweetness in Cindi’s scent has me grateful for Vasz’s distraction.

My jaw tightens.

Fine. I will try to do as my mate asks.

“Okay.” The words taste bitter. “We can compromise.”

Her attention snaps up to me, lips parting, like she’s unsure whether to wait or say more.

“I’ll let you be friends with Vasz. And you’ll be happy.”

There.

It is a good compromise.

Although Vasz may not agree, I will bribe him with coconuts.

Cindi blinks.

Once. Twice.

If I thought the little human was angry before, it is nothing in comparison to the static that zaps from her, electricity thundering through burning water seconds before an explosion.

Oh no. I think I broke my mate.

“That is not a compromise,” she screams. Her eyes are so round and wide, I worry they might fall out. “A compromise is you saying yes because you care about me in exchange for a souvenir. A compromise is returning me to my home and getting far the hell away from me.”

I consider for a moment, as a good mate should, but her proposals are only setting fire to my veins. As much as I try to convince myself she’ll be happy here, wanting for nothing, I know I’m only making my mate suffer in this cage with me.

Letting her go would be the right thing to do.

But am I not a monster?

“I don’t like those compromises. They’re too unrealistic.” And because Yannig once told me females like when you ask them questions, I say, “Do you have any more proposals?”

“ Unrealistic ? You’re a real-life kraken , and there’s a shark-octopus-dog”—she points at Vasz—“named after Vaseline— Vaseline ,” she enunciates, incredulous. “And you’re telling me what’s unrealistic ?” Her fingers rake through her knotted hair. “You kidnapped me just as I was about to save myself. I don’t belong here. I belong out there—that’s where humans live.”

I stop myself from reminding her many humans live on boats.

Those weren’t the type of compromises I wanted. Nonetheless, I understand this is an important conversation for her, and I am trying. I truly am.

There isn’t much more I can tell her that I haven’t already said. My soul is hers, and hers mine. The Goddess decided it. Fighting fate will not get her anywhere. I’m not sure what I could say or do that would give us what we both want.

I recognize that much of this would be a shock to Cindi, and I never thought of much beyond what destiny might entail—that she would see me, instantly know what we are to each other, and every piece would fall into place without issue.

I…I haven’t considered many things, but how am I meant to know what it is I should be aware of? There’s no one I could speak to about this, no one I could learn from. My grandmother was the only one who engaged with humans, and she died long before my birth. And Yannig… He’s not here either.

I grind my teeth. The Goddess was wrong to give me a mate. I do not deserve one. She should have ignored all my prayers and refused my offerings.

But still, she gave me a mate, and now I need to try and keep her happy.

Compromise. I can do that.

“I will bring your friends to the island.” I can lock them in a hut on the flat patch of land on the island. That way, Cindi can visit them whenever she wants.

“No! You’re crazy.” She stomps on my tentacle, and I recoil. “Fuck you,” she screams. “I hate this island and your stupid cave. I don’t want a mate. I never asked to be your mate. I don’t want to be your mate. Just get me out of here. Let me go. I don’t want to fucking die like this.”

Pain ricochets through me with each word. I want to fix this without giving her what she wants. A good mate should put the female first, but I am not good. I spent my early years doing whatever others wanted, but it never changed anything.

“You will stay here, Cindi,” I say sternly, throat tightening. I know what’s coming next. “That is final.”

Tears well in her eyes, and I freeze, unmoving when she shoves me. “I hate you!” she cries, hitting me again. “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.” She claws at me every time she says it. I take each attack, wishing it’d hurt more to make up for her pain. I deserve it. “You piece of fucking shit . I was getting out of here! Fuck—ugh—Tommy—I—” A sob wracks through her body.

I want to touch her, kiss away her sorrows, hold her until her tears stop flowing, tell her everything will be alright. I want to demand she tells me about this Tommy so I can kill him for making her so upset, but she doesn’t want me to. She’s getting paler, cheeks red as she heaves, stumbling to the shore.

Vasz gives her one dismissive look, rolls his eyes, then dives into the water. She doesn’t notice, whipping her head side to side to find an escape along the shoreline.

My mate doesn’t want me.

There was no mistaking her words. She meant them with every fiber of her soul. Cindi hates me.

I feel sick. My chest constricts and my arms tremble at my sides, skin pulsing as I melt into the shadows, blending in with my surroundings to give Cindi the illusion of space.

Any other kraken would know the right things to say to stop her crying, to bring her comfort as a mate should. But this is the fate the Goddess bestowed upon her, the curse she was given. I will not free her from it. I cannot.

She has no choice but to go along with it. The sooner she realizes it, the easier it will be for her.