Alien Kraken’s Prize (Starlight Brides)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER

NINE

BORUMOR

Well, that certainly did not go as planned.

Zayros executed a flawless coup in the hours I spent with my Bridget.

My few loyal retainers were prepared, however, thanks to the fact that I had put a plan of action in place the moment I took the throne. All I have left to do is collect my sea star from her cage.

The two squid who accompany me have their tentacles full, and my private ship is prepared to leave the planet in less than twenty minutes.

“She’s going to be hungry,” I tell them, for the fourteenth time.

They share a look of irritation. “Your ship is fully stocked,” they remind me. “The female will be fine, as long as you leave within the one-hour window they’ve given you to depart.”

One of my squid henchmen carries my belongings, the other weighed down by the things I instructed him gather for Bridget’s comfort on our journey. While my ship is undoubtedly well-equipped to handle any trip we might take, I want to make sure that my courtship of the little female goes as smoothly as possible.

I am more nervous about pleasing Bridget than I am annoyed with the fact I am no longer the king.

Actually… if I have to put a name on how I feel about it—it’s relieved.

I should be upset, I should at the very least be plotting revenge or a coup of my own.

But I’m not.

I want nothing more to do with Zayros and his ilk and the ungrateful folk of the realm.

I do want time with my Bridget, and a fresh start, and perhaps I can find a place that will allow both of those things.

The tentacle she named Harry flops in my grip, and I’m relieved that Zayros only took him to use as a lever to get me to leave without conflict. This Harry is the one thing I know Bridget would be loath to lose were he left behind.

Besides me, with any luck.

A mixture of grim determination and hope makes me swim even faster.

We need to be at the surface and leave this place as soon as possible.