Page 19 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Chapter6

Adelaide

DAY TWENTY-SIX

The ocean lures me into its grasp, and I’m helpless to combat the pull. My feet sink as the tide shifts the sand. I finally relent to the magnetism, knowing the water’s embrace will wash away all of my worries.

I stay in the clear water with Indigo, easing her farther into the deep with each wave. Eventually, she lets me go. I half expect her to turn for the shore, but she dives toward the sandy floor.

At first, she doesn’t stray far from my feet, though I suspect something catches her eye when she darts away.

Ecaeris is too far from the shore for my liking, not that he would care. My imagination indulges in the horrors of shark-infested waters, though I doubt the kraken will let a shark into her territory. It’s all I can think about as they play without a care in the world, as if nothing can touch them.

He runs across the surface of the water, attempting to dodge thrashing tentacles. His well thought out endeavors are futile. Jade takes him out effortlessly, but he goes down laughing only for her to drag him back up by his ankle.

It’s heartwarming and fear-inducing.

And when Indigo returns to me, it takes every ounce of self-control I possess to stop myself from flinching as her tentacle wraps around my calf. I lean over, sticking my face in the saltwater, and blink past the burning. She wiggles closer, her purple eyes glowing as clicking fills my mind.

She’s excited.

I extend my arm, meaning to pet her, though I don’t know where or how. She drops a glimmering shell into my palm before she speeds away again.

I trek back to the shore, wishing I had my bathing suit. This is not a skinny dipping kind of place… But I do have shorts under this sheer skirt.

At this point, I’m never sure if I need a fancy dress or some type of coverage for traveling through the forest. I’m finding it best to be prepared for both options. Layers are becoming my best friend.

I tug at the ribbons on the back of my skirt, releasing it from my waist to drop onto the sand with my shoes. My mood brightens, a smile lifting my lips as I place Indigo’s gifted shell on top of my pile. I don’t want to lose it.

It’s weird, but I’m grateful for the small act of kindness from the kraken.

I hope Isolde is right and Spiran really left Indigo here for me, just as she did with Jade.

This time, when I walk into the clear water, I push the limits, leaving safety to swim in the deeper ocean. That’s where Indigo needs to be, so maybe she’ll follow me.

As my shoulders submerge, I pause to watch Ecaeris playing with Jade. He’s carefree and juvenile when he thinks no one is looking. Seeing this side of him is quite mind blowing. I was beginning to think he couldn’t get along with anyone but his few friends… Although today has proven me wrong.

He has a soft spot for the kraken.

And it’s adorable to witness their bond.

Their interactions lead me to search for the wily little sea creature who’s meant for me. Hopefully.

I need more of her enthusiasm in my life, more of that little spark that makes things like hunting for shells an adventurous excursion.

My thoughts wander to the things I don’t know about krakens. But I grasp onto one thought in particular.

Jade moves with seasoned practice and patience. There’s fluid grace in every twitch of her limbs. Intelligence flows in her glowing green eyes.

Will Indigo be as powerful as her when she’s fully grown?

I’m drawn to her in a way that makes me feel like I’m the tides, ebbing with the orbit of the Indigo moon. Her excitement bleeds into me, and her hunger fuels my own.

Are the krakens the equivalent of a witch’s familiar? And could that mean their power is connected to the queen they’re tied to?

These are questions only Spiran can answer; this I know. Even as the little creature floats in front of me, twisting a thin tentacle around my wrist… I can’t help but wonder about the possibilities of this budding bond.

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