Chapter 12

"You knowyou can't keep me here. If I want to leave, you must let me go," I call out playfully, slicing through the water with swift, teasing strokes. Yet behind my lighthearted facade, a tide of serious thoughts swirls. The truth is, there are countless reasons for me to leave. This realm, captivating as it may be, isn't where I belong; it's a world alien to everything except the whims of my heart. The more I linger, the clearer it becomes that living in a place which defies all logic except that of my emotions might be more than I can bear.

"If you truly wish to leave, I must let you go. As heart-wrenching as it would be for me, you have the right to choose your own path," Egon says, his voice firm yet laced with a deep emotion that sends unexpected flutters through my heart. Yet the slight smile tugging at the corners of his full lips suggests he might not be entirely serious. He looks at me with a playful glint, softening his stern demeanor. "But tell me, does my baby girl really want to go? Does she truly believe she can live without her Papa forever?" His tender and teasing words challenge me to reconsider, hinting at our unspoken bond.

"Papa." The word escapes my lips, sending an unexpected thrill through me. The memory of it tumbling out before, in an unguarded moment, causes my cheeks to flush with warmth. The simple term resonates deeply and fills me with hope of uttering it in the throes of passion. Would he want that? Would I?

He smiles—a warm, inviting expression—and smoothly glides behind me. One of his tentacles gently brushes against my calves, sending a ripple of surprise along my skin. At the same time, another softly wraps around my waist, drawing me closer with a tender, possessive touch.

My heart races, each beat resonating with excitement and apprehension. As I struggle to adjust to the unfamiliar environment, my breathing becomes labored, compelling me to swim toward the surface. The urge for air grows stronger, pushing me to break through the water's embrace and gasp for relief found only above the waves.

Egon trails me to the surface, emerging before me with the sun casting a radiant glow on his long silver hair. The light accentuates his rugged features, highlighting a raw beauty that stirs deep emotions within me. As I gaze at him, a profound longing takes hold—my heart aches not just to connect but to bond deeply in the all-encompassing way I have yearned for from the beginning.

"Would you really let me go?" I ask, wondering if he would truly consent to part with me so readily. The question hangs between us, charged with the weight of what such a decision would mean.

Egon nods solemnly, extending his arm and opening his hand in a gesture inviting me closer. "I would let you leave," he affirms with a gentle but resolute tone, "but know this—I would follow you to the ends of the earth, little girl. I would have no choice." His voice deepens, heavy with emotion. "For six hundred years, I've wandered as an empty husk, filled with longing, waiting for the one who would complete me. Now that I've found you and know you exist, I cannot—and will not—survive without you." His words, laden with a timeless devotion, resonate deeply, echoing the depth of his commitment and the intensity of his feelings.

"How would you survive in my world? You would be seen, captured, studied, and possibly tortured. I couldn't bear to let that happen," I whisper, the gravity of the situation settling in. My voice is laced with fear at the mere thought of him enduring such horrors. The idea of him being harmed in any way sends a shiver of terror through me.

"I would find a way, little one. You are worth every risk, every challenge that might come my way." His voice carries a quiet confidence as steadfast as the tides. "If you choose to stay with me, I want you to be certain. I need you to know that I can take care of you and meet all your needs. Through our unbreakable bond, we would live our lives intertwined, forever united as husband and wife, as king and queen of our realm." His words, laden with devotion and a promise of eternal partnership, aim to reassure and convey the depth of his commitment.

Laden with romance, they hint at more than just ceremonial vows or idyllic days within the enchanted confines of Mirinthia. They evoke visions of a deeper, more profound connection, a bond that would set our lives on an irrevocable course, united not just by enduring love but also by primal need. The pull is as powerful within me as it is in him, and with each moment I spend in his presence, denying it becomes increasingly difficult. This burgeoning connection tugs at the core of my being, making the idea of separation painful and seemingly impossible.

I take his hand, and instantly, a spark of electricity surges from him, sending a shiver through my body and drawing me closer to his embrace. His thick arms wrap around me, and I can feel his heart's strong, steady pulse reverberating against my skin.

He tilts his face toward mine, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine, perhaps searching my features for any hint of acceptance of our union.

I avert my gaze, overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions for a being—not merely a man, but a Kraken—who I've known only briefly. The magnitude of my feelings unnerves me, realizing that whatever choice I make now will be final. If I leave, the path back may be forever severed to me. Yet, if I surrender to fate and couple with Egon, the consequence could mean severing ties with my family and possibly never seeing them again.

"Fate has bestowed upon us a rare gift, Nerissa. The gods have chosen you for me and me for you. Do not take something so precious for granted," Egon murmurs, pausing to bring his lips close to mine. His hand gently cups my cheek, and his tender kiss begins to dissolve the remnants of my resolve.

"I know this is precious, Egon. Perhaps I didn't fully understand my own dreams until my fate was revealed here, but it feels as though your soul has been calling to mine for as long as I can remember. My heart knew yours the instant we met, and my body has yearned for yours ever since. I will continue to crave your touch until you claim me. I understand what I need to do, Papa," I confess. "But I fear I may not be ready for everything you have to offer." I pull away from his kiss, still close enough to inhale his breath and lift my eyes to him.

Egon brushes his nose across my forehead, inhales deeply, shuddering slightly, and buries his face in my hair. "You smell ready, little girl. You're aroused and ripe for your king." His sultry voice awakens something within me, a desire I've fought to suppress now surging forth with overwhelming force.

It consumes every thought, every sense, leaving me breathless. This tidal wave of emotion sweeps away all hesitation, filling me with a profound passion that I quickly realize everything is about to change.

"Ripe?" My eyes snap open, suddenly wide with realization as the significance of Egon's words pierces through the haze of my lust-addled mind. A mix of surprise and clarity floods through me as I grapple with his implication, suddenly aware that a thick tentacle has slowly slid between my legs.

It slithers back and forth with a steady rhythm, gaining momentum as it rises higher with each pass. Gradually, it approaches the apex of my thighs, and the tip slides between my folds, making contact with my swollen clit. I quiver with need and instinctively spread my legs wider, giving myself room to grind onto the thick, smooth appendage.

Egon groans. "Do you like that little girl? Do you like spreading your honey all over your papa?" He winds another tentacle around my waist and slips it between my breasts, unfastening my makeshift top and letting it fall to the ocean floor.

I nod, lost in the motion and pleasure of the tiny suckers nuzzling on my clit. "You're not playing fair, Egon." I attempt to save face while my eyes slowly roll back in my head. "How am I meant to resist this?"

"You're not. You're meant to give me everything, Nerissa," Egon purrs, sealing his lips to mine, tightening his grip, and increasing the friction between my thighs. His ruthless intention is clear. He believes I won't be able to resist temptation because a weak human female is no match for the Kraken.

I pull back abruptly, steeling my spine and summoning all my willpower to resist the pull of his embrace. With a deep breath, I muster every ounce of strength and plunge backward through the water. The cool currents envelop me, providing a brief respite from the fiery desire that had threatened to consume me. Turning to face him with a defiant spark in my eye, I issue a playful yet challenging taunt, "You're not as irresistible as you think, King Egon. If you truly want me, you'll have to catch me."