Page 8 of Taken By the Leviathan King
I meet her gaze, seeing the fierce protectiveness there that first drew me to her. “Rynor sees them as a means to an end.He believes that with enough power, he can reshape the Abyss, create a new order with him at its center.”
Imoogeen’s eyes narrow, her tactical mind clearly working through the implications. “My team,” she says, her voice tight with renewed urgency. “If Rynor’s making his move, they could be in danger. We need to get them to safety.”
“No.” The word comes out as a growl, my protective instincts flaring. “It’s too dangerous. Rynor will be watching for any movement on the surface. If we try to extract your people now, we’ll only be painting a target on their backs.”
Imoogeen whirls on me, those green eyes blazing with fury. “So we just leave them there? Vulnerable and exposed?”
I catch her wrist as she moves to shove me, my grip gentle but unyielding. “Listen to me,” I say, forcing my voice to remain calm despite the storm of emotions raging within me. “Your team is safer where they are for now. The surface kings may be duplicitous, but they won’t risk open conflict while the negotiations are ongoing. We have time.”
“Time for what?” she demands, not backing down an inch despite our size difference.
I lean close, letting her feel the full weight of my presence. “Time to strike first,” I growl. “To cut off Rynor’s support and secure the Heart before he can make his move.”
Zorath nods approvingly. “A preemptive strike could work,” he says. “But we’ll need to move quickly. Rynor’s allies grow stronger by the day.”
Imoogeen’s eyes narrow, her tactical mind clearly working through the possibilities. “And where do I fit into all this?” she asks. “You didn’t bring me here just to look at pretty maps and state the obvious.”
I can’t help the rumble of amusement that escapes me. Even facing down ancient rivalries and the potential destruction oftwo civilizations, my little warrior maintains her fire. “You, my fierce one, are the key to all of this.”
She arches an eyebrow, skepticism written across her features. “Me? How?”
I gesture to the map, highlighting the complex network of alliances and factions that make up the political landscape of the Abyss. “Our people have been isolated for too long,” I explain, my voice a low rumble. “Set in our ways, resistant to change beyond our borders.” My gaze locks onto Imogen, assessing her reactions. “Your presence here, while unexpected, offers a unique opportunity. A perspective from the surface world that could provide valuable insights.”
I trace a claw along the map, careful not to damage the delicate crystals. “Your military training and tactical mind give you a unique perspective. You’ve faced threats, planned strategies in unfamiliar terrain. That, combined with my knowledge of the Abyss, could prove invaluable.”
I watch Imoogeen’s eyes narrow as she studies the map, her analytical mind clearly at work. “I may not know the players yet,” she says, “but I know how to read a battlefield. These currents here,” she points to a swirling pattern of crystals, “they’re natural choke points, aren’t they? Perfect for an ambush.”
Her quick assessment sends a surge of pride through me. “Precisely,mine. You see why I value your insight?”
Imoogeen doesn’t pull away from my touch when I move closer to her, but I can see the wheels turning behind those fierce eyes. “You want me to help you outsmart your brother,” she says, realization dawning. “To use my ‘human perspective’ to find weaknesses in his strategy.”
“Not just that,” I say, my voice dropping to a low rumble. “I want you by my side as we face this threat. As my equal, mypartner.” I lean closer, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “As my mate.”
The word hangs between us, heavy with implication. I feel her pulse quicken, see the flush that creeps up her neck. For a moment, I think she might pull away, might reject the offer outright. But then something shifts in her gaze—a spark of determination, of curiosity.
“I’m not agreeing to anything long-term,” she says, her voice steady despite the tremor I can feel running through her. “But if working with you is the best way to keep my people safe and stop your brother from destroying everything . . . then I’m in.”
Relief and triumph surge through me in equal measure. I want to claim her here and now, to mark her as mine for all to see. But I force myself to remain still, to give her the space she needs. “A wise decision, little warrior,” I purr. “Together, we will be unstoppable.”
Zorath clears his throat, reminding us of his presence. “If you two are quite finished,” he says dryly, “perhaps we can return to the matter at hand? We have a war to plan, after all.”
Imoogeen straightens, all business once more. “Right. So, where do we start?”
As Zorath begins outlining our initial strategy, I marvel at the brave creature beside me. My little warrior, already adapting to life in the Abyss, already proving her worth as a strategist and ally. Pride swells in my chest, along with a possessiveness so intense it threatens to overwhelm me.
She may not fully accept her place as my mate yet, but she will. In time, she’ll come to see that we are two halves of a whole, perfectly matched in every way. And when she does . . .well. The Abyss itself will tremble before our combined might.
Chapter five
IMOGEN
Thegentlecurrenttugsat my hair as I make my way through the winding corridors of Krak’zol’s underwater palace. Each step feels both alien and unnervingly natural, my body adapting to this new environment faster than my mind can process. I catch glimpses of my reflection in polished shell surfaces—the faint shimmer of scales along my arms, the slight webbing between my fingers. It’s like looking at a stranger wearing my face.
I’m so lost in thought that I nearly collide with a figure emerging from an archway. Instinct takes over, and I drop into a defensive stance before I can fully process what I’m seeing.
The creature before me is clearly Leviathan, but unlike any I’ve encountered so far. Her form is more slender than Krak’zol’s, with iridescent scales that catch the light in mesmerizing patterns. What strikes me most, though, are her eyes—a swirling mix of blues and greens that seem to hold entire oceans within them.
“You must be Imoogeen,” she says, her voice melodic and soothing. “I am Nira, the royal healer. Krak’zol asked me to tend to you.”
