Epilogue

EPILOGUE

CATALINA

Three weeks later, we send Della and Annis to new positions in the keep and move into a new home. It’s on one of the small outskirt islands that pepper the sea Thane’s people call home. There’s only a single entrance—at Thane’s insistence for security reasons—and it’s deep below the surface. The tunnel leads up into a space that’s remarkably like his private rooms in the tower. The walls curve upward to a high ceiling that he has lighting installed in. There is a full kitchen with plenty of small windows that overlook the coast.

My favorite part, though, is the bedroom. The whole ceiling is open to the sky above—warded and shielded, of course, so the elements don’t actually get in. I can lie in our bed and watch the stars, which brings me more joy than I could have ever anticipated.

Thane brings me more joy too. We still stumble over communication regularly, but we’ve both learned to pause a conversation before it spirals out of control. Most of the time. It’s amazing to be with someone I feel safe enough with, someone I can navigate bumps with, without being afraid he will drop me like yesterday’s trash because I’m not perfect. We’re already growing together, and it makes me downright giddy to think of spending years and years with him.

And today we’re taking our relationship to a new level.

“Are you sure I look okay?”

“You look amazing.” Thane takes my hand and lifts me out of the water. I haven’t been back to the keep since that first week, and I can’t help a little thrill of anxiety.

Today, he presents me to the kraken court.

Embry has taken over as monarch, and apparently the transition of power is finished. Ze really was doing a lot of it already, so it was more a formality than anything.

Thane squeezes my hand. I don’t think he’s stopped smiling since that morning when things changed with us forever. It’s as if he’s set down a burden he was carrying for a very long time. He even talks about Brant more now, though sometimes emotion chokes his voice. I can’t say I entirely understand, because I’ve never loved and lost the way he has, but I don’t expect it’s the kind of thing that ever really disappears.

It makes me value what we have all the more. Not a replacement for his husband. Just?.?.?. different.

We move through the corridors. Up ahead, I hear voices speaking in low tones. It’s almost time.

I tug on Thane’s hand until he stops and looks down at me. “Change of heart?”

“What? No. Nothing like that.” I drag in a breath. “But I want you to promise me something.”

He’s oh so serious as he says. “Of course. Anything.”

God, but what did I do to deserve this man? Some days it still feels like it will be snatched from my hands. But I trust Thane. And?.?.?. I trust myself. I manage a smile. “After this, I would like a reward.”

“A?.?.?. reward.”

We haven’t had sex in three weeks. First because I needed time to heal physically, and then because I felt too raw emotionally. Even with the new birth control pendant that hangs around my neck, I had to work through my feelings.

I’m ready now.

“Yes, a reward. I think I’ve been a very good girl.” I step closer to him, and he parts his tentacles to allow it. “So when we get home, I would very much like you to rip this dress right off me and do your best to fuck the brat out of me.”

The smile drops off Thane’s face, leaving only naked heat. “You’re sure.”

“Very sure.”

He searches my face for several beats and nods slowly. “Very well, Lina. Be good while I introduce you to all the politicians and very important people in the next room?.?.?. and then I’ll drag you into the nearest supply closet and fuck you until you can’t remember your own name.”

The breath leaves my body in a whoosh. “How am I supposed to focus with that happening in the near future?”

Thane’s grin goes sharp. “I suppose you’ll find a way, won’t you?”

“I love you.” The words burst out of me, too strong to contain.

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me hard. “I love you, too. Now, let’s get this over with so we can have some fun.” He takes my hand, and we turn to walk through the door. Meeting the court side by side. Together.

With Thane at my side, I’ll never have to face down scary experiences alone again. I’ll never be alone again. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this, but maybe he’s right when he says it’s not about deserving good things as much as it’s about accepting them when they come.

We’re both doing better with that sort of thing these days.

“Hey,” I whisper. I wait for him to look down at me. “I love you.”

“You just said that.” He tugs me a little closer. “Say it again.”

“I love you, Thane. Now and forever.”

Thankyou so much for reading The Kraken’s Sacrifice! If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review.

If you want to know what Ramanu was up to during that time away, you can check out their story in The Demon’s Bargain, available on KU now!