Chapter 11

"What is it like?"I ask, swimming close to an underwater cliff, hovering above the dark abyss. Egon, with a hint of nervousness, follows and urges me toward the far side, to safer ground.

"What is what like?" he responds, his voice calm but evasive as he clasps my hand and pulls me across the precarious expanse. He's reluctant to answer until I"m safely away from the edge, away from the risk of being swallowed by the unfathomable depths below. While I"m captivated by the obscure view, or rather the lack of it, Egon appears less enthralled.

"There's nothing down there, little girl—nothing of importance," Egon murmurs as he guides me away, a curious gleam in his eye betraying his fascination with the inky blackness, even as he insists on its insignificance.

"What's it like to wait for your mate? I didn't even know you existed until I found you, but you waited centuries, not even sure if I would ever come into your life," I say, my voice heavy with wonder and empathy. As we swim, I absentmindedly run my fingers along the top of a coral reef, marveling when the rough surface leaves no mark on my skin, a stark reminder of the strange and magical world I"ve entered.

"My feelings evolved over the centuries. Initially, I only had hope. Some males meet their fated mates early on, before they even grasp what"s been missing from their lives. They are the fortunate ones. But after two hundred years, my hope began to wane. I started to doubt whether the gods would ever bless me with my beloved mate. Not all are lucky enough to find their counterpart—some are even considered unworthy," Egon explains as he guides me through an underwater garden, where yellow kelp sways like a dense forest of towering trees.

"Why would you be unworthy? Everyone I've met here holds you in such high regard. Is there something I should be aware of?" I challenge, spinning to face him with a playful arch of my eyebrow. I duck slightly behind a giant yellow kelp, teasing him with a flirtatious glance, inviting him to share more.

"I wasn't always the ruler you see before you. In my youth, when my father was king, I embraced the ruthless life of a warrior, engaging in battles, devising plots, and committing acts I now regret, all to secure my father"s reign. I wish we had chosen the path of peace from the start. When I ascended to the throne, I sought redemption by turning foes into allies and fostering a reign of unity rather than conflict. Yet, the shadows of those early years linger," Egon shares, his expression somber, his remorse etching deep lines of regret across his face.

"Six hundred years seems like an eternity to me. What happens when I grow old and die? You'll be left alone once more," I say, wondering if my mortality might sway his decision to bind his fate to mine, a being with such a short lifespan.

Egon shakes his head, a determined glint in his eyes as he swims toward me. In a fluid, graceful motion, he spins me around; his tentacles weave a dance of anticipation, passing me from one to another in a mesmerizing sequence. Finally, one firmly grasps my waist and pulls me abruptly against his chiseled chest. "When we bond—if we choose to bond—our lives will become irreversibly intertwined. We Krakens are not immortal, but our lives stretch far beyond human measure. We will live these extended years together, side by side, until we both draw our last breaths," he declares, bringing his lips to mine, and sealing our mouths in a kiss brimming with promise of eternal love. Once again, his kiss brings me to life, awakening the part of my heart that has always been reserved for him alone.

"This feels too good to be true," I whisper against his lips, deepening our kiss and letting my fingers wander through his thick, coarse beard. Every sensation is a riddle—he feels both foreign and intimately familiar, his strength reassuring yet intimidating, his presence both exhilarating and calming. As our closeness weaves a spell of wonder around me, questions bubble up within: Where did he come from? What will happen if he vanishes as suddenly as he appeared? The thrill of the unknown mingles with a fear of loss, intensifying the moment with the sweet ache of vulnerability.

"I was just thinking the same thing. Loving you surpasses any emotion I've ever experienced," Egon murmurs, his voice a low groan that vibrates through our kiss. His lips linger over mine, teasing, then deepening the kiss as his tongue explores with a deliberate, intoxicating rhythm. With him, the need for breath seems to vanish. He sustains me, his presence fueling and filling every part of me.

"I don"t know if I can leave my family forever, Egon. How can I move between my world and yours? You can"t expect me to abandon my parents forever," I whisper, trembling with vulnerability as his lips find the curve of my neck. His kisses are deliberate, each one a tender yet powerful exploration that sends shivers down my spine and weakens me further.

"Those are just details, my love. You can't leave me, baby girl. I can't let you go," Egon growls, his voice thick with passion as he threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me into a fervent kiss that dizzies my senses and nearly renders me unconscious.

When the kiss breaks and I regain my composure, I straighten my posture and meet the gaze of my irresistible tormentor. "I can go if I choose," I assert, challenging his claim with the fierce independence I've always known.