Page 17 of Taken By the Crab King of Atlantis

As Marina hops off my lap and goes to her drawing desk, I sigh. My moment with Yen was intensely personal, but as King of Atlantis, my personal life impacts everyone. “It went well,” I admit.

“She is young,” Kilandra says. She’s standing, which means she’s not staying for long.

“You expected a virgin to be older?”

“I just… forget how young the sacrifices are. I forget Queen Yvette was her age.” Her words stir my stomach with guilt. How quickly my attention has been shifted, and with our great-great-grandchild drawing only a few feet away from me.

“She was nice,” Marina says. “Do you think she’ll stay here with us?”

Kilandra, to her credit, doesn’t raise an eyebrow, but her gaze pins me. She doesn’t understand the sacrifice mechanisms, and she believes the city is held together by science more than magic, but she has always been curious about what I believe. “Perhaps,” I say.

Marina shrugs. “Will you play shells with me, Grandpa? Kilandra taught me the shells game. She says shells are from the deepest part of the ocean, and the only place we play it is Atlantis.”

“Your granddaughter should understand her heritage,” Kilandra explains. The reminder that Atlantis is Marina’s only home twists in my gut. How quickly I had forgotten my responsibilities when I caught the scent of my sacrifice.

“Now, you have the day free until this evening’s dinner at 5pm. Yen’s makeover is expected to last that long.”

“Makeover?” I frown. “I want her to feel comfortable and not dolled up in this season’s latest Atlantan fashions,” I say. “She hardly needs a makeover.”

“Of course, my lord,” Kilandra says diplomatically. “The sacrifice will have options to steer her own look. The stylist you selected is excellent. Very professional, with a history of working with the Zodiac Association. I was surprised you were aware of their social media success, however. Wouldn’t have taken you for much of a fan.”

“Hmph,” I say noncommittally. I am not a fan of Quan’s, but extensive social media stalking of Yen has given me an understanding of her likes and dislikes. Which I suspect Kilandra knows.

She goes on. “Continuing with your schedule, tomorrow Yen will be given a tour of the city, and we will prepare for the ball. We can also take some photos. Probably ones much better than the one in your top drawer.”

I stiffen. “Kilandra, you might recall that when I hired you, I said I appreciated the political prowess that is characteristic of Oceanian people, and wanted to harness that for Atlantis.”

She bows.

“Sometimes I regret that decision. Stay out of my desk drawers.”

“Of course, my lord,” she says unconvincingly.

“Very good. If that’s all, I would like some time with my granddaughter before a busy few days.”

“Of course.”

I wait until she closes the door behind her before sighing aloud. I open the bottom drawer of my desk and take out the phone Aries gave me, reading a message from Quan. There’s an image attached. My nostrils flare when I look at it.

“What are you doing, Grandpa?” Marina asks.

“Saying yes to a gift,” I say as I hit send.

“Do I get a gift too?” Marina asks as I put the phone away.

“You get ice-cream,” I say, and rise from my chair, letting a smile play on my lips. It’s not easy to keep things from Kilandra, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

7

YEN

Quan is gone. I stare at my reflection. My makeup is stripped back to something that feels more me. My dress falls to my thigh, with a reasonably high neckline. It hugs my curves, but isn’t too tight. The biggest difference is that my tight ponytail is gone, replaced with a chin-length bob that frames my face. My scalp feels weirdly relaxed.

I look like me, but a better version of me. The me who I would be if I wasn’t so tired all the time, if I had time for myself and a bit of money to burn on things like good haircuts and flattering dresses.

The makeover has partly quelled the butterflies in my stomach, but I still avoid looking at the picture of Karkinos.

A knock on the door startles me more than it should, but I’m ready with a slightly breathless smile when I open it.