“I have been alive since before the great temples in Athens were constructed. My life has been nothing but rage since I- since Love found me at the bottom of the ocean. Destruction is all I know, even as battles have left the sea and our work slowed.”
She pauses in her speech, but it says enough. Not only does my existence in her space scare her, threaten her, Orthia’s carefully crafted world is crumbling around her because of me.
“Then we will build a new world together. From the rumble we will all rise. You, me, Love, the three of us can do this. You just have to let me in.”
We don’t speak again until we get back to the ship. Orthia tosses the dead guy over her shoulders and walks to the far edge of the dock before she dumps him into the water. I don’t even flinch when his body slaps against the water.
Nargol is waiting when we get to the side of the ship with the ladder from earlier. I read the name on the side of it in the dull light,The Princess’s Despair. Yeah, I’d agree with that. It stung the first time she rejected me, but at least that had been in private. There was any amount of hope in me that thought I could win her over to my side then. Remaining delusional, I assumed she was as shocked as I was at the time. Whole new world opened up to me and I was presented with my soulmate.
Now?
Now, her acceptance should be a weight off my shoulder, she has claimed me, kissed me, and yet it has left me off balance.
“Should I get the party started?” Nargol asks when we are on deck once again.
I have no clue what she means by party, unless it’s a pity party. My body sways, and now I feel like throwing up. Stupid sea sickness. I grab onto Orthia’s arm for stability and she wraps her hand around my waist. I want to melt into her touch. But I can’t push this new change in her yet.
“No,” she answers. “This one has a lot to learn before she’s ready to fulfil her promise.”
“Well, humans are delicate about these things.”
Orthia and I both scowl. “What?”
“How did you know what she was?” She demands, fingers tightening around me. I need to get on solid ground again. Exhaustion is taking its toll on me. The warmth of Orthia’s touch is lulling me into a state of comfort that has my eyes begging to close.
“It’s hard to miss, Captain. Plus, Lagulla knew who she was before this.” Nargol smirks.
“Not me any more,” I say carefully, trying to hold it together.
“We got you, Del.” Nargol’s voice softens. “You’re one of us.”
“For Love’s sake,” Orthia grumbles. Then she says, “Gather the crew in the mess hall. We’ve got a new crewmate to toast to.”
Nargol whistles, and the night shift crew appear out of the darkness like shadows. We all head below deck, but once we are in the safety of the solid dimension and I no longer feel sick, Orthia doesn’t let go. She guides me to the front of the dining hall where there is a small dais. Her fingers squeeze my soft side as we step up, helping me maintain balance in my exhaustion.
Around us, the crew swoops into action. There is loud splashing from the baths and tell-tale sounds of glasses being set up for drinks. I’m struggling to pay attention to any of it because of her touch. Orthia is scowling at the blood-stained dress I am wearing.
“We will order you things in the morning to wear when you aren’t on shift.”
I want to ask if this means she really likes me and about a hundred other things. But a glass is placed in my hand, the clear liquid sloshing around a crystal tumbler that I haven’t seen in my time washing dishes. Must be for special occasions.
“Sisters,” Orthia shouts over the crew.
There must be about twenty or so women and people here—each of them in various states of undress. The night crew look ready for a stealth attack, some are dressed in pyjamas, and others are simply standing around naked, still dripping from the debauchery in the bath.
“You all know Delphini, but under my instruction, you have not welcomed her as we would a new recruit, which was an error on my part.” She swallows and steels her shoulders. “Love has proclaimed that she is not only one of us, but that she is to be mine.”
On cue, I feel the slide of their tentacles across my skin. I suspect they are transferring between us again, but when I feel the slickness on my skin, I see the real, teal thing touching me. My pussy clenches at the memory as my skin tingles with need. I look at Orthia. Her cheeks are flushed red, and there is a soft glow coming from her again.
“She is officially an officer forThe Princess’s Despair. Treat her as you would any of your sisters. Her training begins tomorrow.”
Cheer erupts through the crowd. I knock back my drink without a thought, the burning herbal taste of the gin nearly catching in my throat. I keep my face neutral to hide how much I want to flinch and only when I feel the tentacle push my jaw in her direction, do I look at Orthia.
Her gaze is all hunger and heat, and unlike every other time I have caught her staring at me over the last five days, she doesn’t look away.
“From this day forward, you are mine, Delphini, and I am yours. We shall be at each other’s sides for as long as we live. We shall watch the tides rise and swallow this land. We shall bring forth the glory of the new age as one.”
Around us, there is more cheering, glasses knocking together in excitement, but I’m holding my breath. We have jumped from one mixed signal to another here, but I crave her attention, her approval more than I have anyone else’s. She says that she is mine, but what does she really mean?
