The Kraken King Part 4, by Meljean Brook

TITLE: The Kraken King Part 4: The Kraken King and the Inevitable Abduction
AUTHOR: Meljean Brook

COPYRIGHT: 2014
PAGES: 65
PUBLISHER: InterMix

SETTING: Steampunk version of the 19th century
TYPE: Adventure romance
SERIES: Fourth part of 4th full length book in the Iron Seas series

The Kraken King has declared that Zenobia Fox is under his protection—and with her identity revealed, she needs that protection more than ever. But it comes with a price when Ariq demands that Zenobia reveal her secrets in return.

Ariq wants nothing more than for Zenobia to trust him, and he knows exactly which sensual tricks will breach her defenses. But although she urgently desires the powerful governor, Zenobia isn’t a woman who will be easily won with a few passionate kisses.

When his ambush goes awry, Ariq discovers just how deeply he can hurt her—but the real danger to Zenobia is one that he never expected…

Link to my review of Part 1

Link to my review of Part 2

Link to my review of Part 3

I'm assuming that if you're reading this, you've read the first 3 parts (but not necessarily this part, so no spoilers for that here).

And we finally get to the Red City! Zenobia and Ariq have been circling each other in the last few parts, each keeping their own secrets and suspecting each other's motivations, but they finally started moving towards each other in unison in Part 3. That continues here, and they finally have a conversation where cards start going on the table. And then comes the Inevitable Abduction!

There are really important developments here, both in the external plot and romance departments. Ariq had some ideas about what might be going on, but his assumptions about what secrets Zenobia might be keeping had led him down a path that wasn't quite right. Now things become clearer, and we finally understand what's at stake. All I'll say is that it's terribly exciting and I can't wait to see how things develop.

As for the romance, I'm going to have to be even more cryptic. Things move forward massively, and we get some wonderfully romantic and heartwrenching scenes. This part made me want to scream, but in a good way.

I also loved how the characters continue to develop, and in a way that makes it clear how well they complement each other. It's their worldviews and the ways they think and what they value. They are becoming one of my favourite couples.

My only very slight complaint is that I want to see more of the Red City, but I'm sure that will come later on.