Allarick has a sister.
Oh.
My earlier jealousy seems so silly now. They share the same honey-brown eyes. Their lips both curl upwards at the edges, and they both have beautiful black locs hanging down past their shoulders.
Allarick doesn’t move or respond to his sister. He continues to hold my hand, looking at me as if he’s seeing me for the first time. “Atina, perhaps one more day?—”
“No, Allarick,” his sister—Atina—growls. “You’ve been away from your kingdom long enough. A king needs to be with his people. That’s your job, andalthough I don’t envy you for it, I also can’t in good conscience allow you to remain here.”
Her words are a reality check. This man standing before me is no man at all. He’s a king with responsibilities to his people. I can’t say I know what that means or what trouble he’s up against, but I know the threat is severe, or else I wouldn’t be here. Ender’s contract said I’m to help the kraken king save his kingdom, but he didn’t go into specifics on the how or from what.
I can’t be selfish. Not in this, at least. I have to let him go.
But he doesn’t have to go alone.
“You should go to your people.” My words shock Allarick, and he drops my hand. I immediately miss his warmth. He opens his mouth to argue with me, but I’m faster. “And take me with you.”
Even Atina seems surprised by my request. Hell,I’msurprised by what I said, even more so that I mean it. Iwantto go. The alternative is staying here away from Allarick. And though his sister appears decent enough, she’s not Allarick.
“I’m here to be part of your kingdom, right?” I look between the siblings, waiting for them to contradict me. But of course they don’t. I have a duty here, and it’s about time I start fulfilling it. “Then I think it’s time we go. I’m healed now and?—”
I’m comfortable around you,but of course I don’t say that last part. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but they aren’t yet ready to come out. It feels too fragile, and one wrong move will shatter what little progress we have created.
“If we go down to Tetria, I’ll have to guide you the entire way. Meaning I’m going to have to touch you,” Allarick warns.
Heat pools low in my core. The words aren’t said suggestively, but my brain supplies an image of Allarick’s hands all over me, running down my?—
Nope. Definitely not going to think about that right now with his sister here.
“It’s fine. I can handle it.” I’m happy to find no hesitation in my voice.
“Well, there you have it. Your wife wants to join you,” Atina says, and I bristle at the word “wife.” I’m willing to go with him, but accepting the role of his wife is something different entirely. Not that it sounds bad… It’s just too new.
Allarick must notice because he’s quick to respond, “This is Erin. We’re not married yet.”
Atina just waves his words away. “Not yet, but it’s inevitable.” The woman then pushes past her brother, knocking her shoulder against his. Allarick scowls in her direction, and I have a hunch few people touch their king, let alone shove right past him. Sister perks, I suppose.
Atina extends her hand. Her wrists and fingers are adorned with gold jewelry that would look gaudy on anyone else but somehow looks regal on her. I shake her hand. Her grip is firm and confident, something I desperately want to be. “Nice to meet you, Erin. I’m Atina, Allarick’s way more attractive sister.” She winks.
“You needed something going for you,” Allarick teases easily, and I stifle a giggle.Their easy banter lightens the mood, giving me a glimpse into their sibling relationship. As an only child, I have always wondered what it would be like to grow up with another person.
“If you’re going down to Tetria, you need magical aid. Brother, I assume you have what you need to take her safely underwater?” Atina asks Allarick, raising a brow.
“I do, but it will take time to work its way through her system. We will need to leave tomorrow morning.”
Although Atina doesn’t look thrilled, she nods her acquiescence.
Allarick disappears into the kitchen and comes back out a moment later. He’s carrying a clear jar with a blue liquid. It sloshes around as he hands it to me. “This is going to give you the ability to breathe and survive under the sea. It might make you tired, but that’s a normal side effect.”
I don’t usually accept strange liquids from men, but I find myself reaching for it just as Allarick says, “You’ll need to drink all of that. I’ve been told the taste is a little salty but palatable.”
“You’ll want to eat something afterwards too,” Atina adds.
The siblings watch me expectantly, so I unscrew the jar. No foul odor greets me, which I take as a good sign. This is it. Drinking this liquid feels like the point of no return. I only hesitate for a moment with the watchful eyes of Allarick and Atina on me. But then I put the jar to my lips, throw my head back, and drink.
Allarick is correct in his assessment of the salty taste. I feel like I’m drinking ocean water, but I somehow manage to keep it all down. The taste doesn’t last long,though. Atina ushers me into the kitchen to eat and drink juice. It does wonders to hide the taste.
I don’t feel any different. Neither a tail or gills grow, which, admittedly, I thought might. I still feel like myself. Allarick and Atina don’t seem disappointed though, so I take it as a good sign.
