The Saltwater Curse

by Avina St. Graves

My hearts still. For a moment, they stop beating all together before they collide in a frenzy. My soul vibrates and sings, pushing the female to the forefront of my mind until there’s no other thought. It’s her

No matter. I will kill anyone who questions my decision. Food is scarce in my land. I’ll turn kraken into dinner. I don’t care what any of them think. The fates made her for me. She is my mate. There is nothing further to discuss. It is the rarest treasure to find a mate. Most krakens live their long life never finding one. But I, Ordus, King of the Dead Lands, am one lucky kraken.

too small, too cramped to be deserving of her. Her scent hangs heavy in the air, unbearably heady. My weak human knees almost buckle from the knowledge the smell belongs to the female the Goddess deemed to be my perfect other. Our fate was written in the foam threading through every wave, every star that pierces

As long as she is home, I will be here, protecting her. It is my duty. I will never leave her side.

From this day forth, I vow she will never again worry about her safety. She is my mate. My bride. She belongs to me.

I will kill whoever made her upset. Man. Woman. Another kraken. They’ll die. I will thread shells into his entrails and gift them to her so she may decorate our nest. Yes. That is an excellent courting present.

I may be the king, but I bow to her, and she bows to no one. Between us, the only one who will submit is me. “I would never give you to anyone, Cindi. Any man who touches you will die. I have killed for you before, and I will kill for you again.”

“The soul sets each individual kraken, human, siren, bird apart,” he continues. “It’s what gives the body drive beyond food and shelter. Personality beyond natural instinct. Different patterns of a million threads no mortal being could deign to understand.”

“I want anything you are willing to give. Even if it’s nothing, I will spend the rest of my life eternally grateful for the chance to be in your presence.”

Also, she likes me more. Cindi has never called Ordus a good kraken. She calls me a good boy whenever I see her, and I make her laugh.

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