Page 105 of Taming the Kraken

Alexa turned to look at him. “I’m ok. How did I get here?”

Ken smiled. “I carried you here. You fell asleep in the tub. You didn’t even wake up as I put clothes on you.”

Alexa bit her lip and winced. That wasn’t how their first night back together was supposed to go. “I’m sorry.”

Ken’s smile faded as he leaned in close enough that his lips brushed against hers. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You’ve been through a lot. I’m surprised you didn’t collapse earlier.”

Ken’s eyes glowed as he pressed his lips against hers. She reached for his cheek as she lifted her head to welcome his kiss. They both gasped at the contact and the sparks that followed. Alexa wrapped her arms around his neck as she pulled him closer. Her heart was beating fast, her head spinning. She knew that she would always love Ken. It was him and only him … forever. They still needed to mark each other. And after spending a healing day with her family, she felt better. There was still pain inside her. She’d lost her great grandparents, and she would never forget the people she hurt as Xi. But she wanted to be close to Ken. She didn’t want there to be anything separating them. And once they were marked, their bond would be forever binding.

Alexa couldn’t resist as she slid her hands over his chest and across his toned abs, her fingers curling around the smooth muscles. She could feel his heart thumping as she teased him. A low moan of approval slipped from his lips as they moved against hers.

A low, rumbling noise broke the silence, and Alexa’s cheeks heated up in embarrassment. Ken chuckled and pulled away from her. “Let’s get something to eat, and then I can give you a full tour of the place.”

Alexa’s eyes lit up at that. “That sounds great. I want to see everything.”

“And I want you to get familiar with everything. This is your home too.” Ken pulled her up to her feet. Alexa held her hand out as Ken stood in front of her.

“Could you hold me for a minute?” she asked quietly.

“You don’t ever need to ask that. I’ll hold you for eternity, and it still won’t be enough,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her.

Alexa took a deep breath as she snuggled her head into the crook of his neck, paying close attention to the way her hands felt against his hard chest. Electrifying tingles erupted from her fingertips, and she could hear his heart beating and smell his scent. She’d missed this so much, and she wouldn’t let anything come between them ever again.

“I love you, I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.” Alexa felt his chest vibrate with laughter.

“I love you too,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I think you’re always going to cause me problems. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Trouble me. Just never disappear on me.”

Alexa giggled and bit her inner lip as she looked up at him. “Deal.”

After Alexa had changed her clothes, Ken led her through the long hall and down the stairs. Then he took her down another hall that led into a large dining room. Mikah, Terra, and Jasper were already down there. There were also a few servants that were bringing food to the table.

Alexa stared at the servants with her mouth slightly open. She looked up at Ken to see a slight smile on his face. “Those are mountain nymphs …”

“I figured your bear would be more comfortable here if the servants were all fairy kin. I also hoped it would make your transition easier too.” Ken watched her expression change as she looked up at him.

“You did all this for me?” Alexa listened to his light chuckle as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “When?”

Ken cleared his throat then and looked up at the ceiling. He pointed at some of the fixtures on the walls, “Some of those belonged to kings of the past. Oh, and that over there is one of the tridents of the sea king.” He pointed to a gold trident with red rubies on the handle.

Alexa pressed herself into his chest and waited for his eyes to meet hers again. “When?” she whispered.

“Since the first day … I discovered you were my mate.” Ken looked down at her and watched the confusion wash over her eyes.

“But you said you were going to stay away from me. You were going to avoid me …”

Ken cleared his throat. “Yeah, I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “At first, I was doing it to cope. Then I told myself I was hiring fairies to support them, and by supporting them, I was supporting you.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I knew I needed you. I just wanted you safe and protected. But deep down I guess I always planned on coming for you. I never wanted to admit it, but—” He glanced up at the fairies. “There’s the proof that it was always my plan. I was just fooling myself.

“I was lying back then …” Ken confessed. “It was always you and me. And I’m sorry I made you wait for so long. I’m sorry I stayed away.”

Alexa thought about it for a moment. “I can see now that maybe you were doing it for me. You tried to protect me. But you should have consulted me from the beginning. You left me alone, Ken, and I felt unwanted. Like I wasn’t good enough for you. And I felt that hole even more so when I was Xi.” She looked into his pained eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you—” Her words were stopped by his lips.

Ken kissed her to stop her from apologizing. He was wrong. He’d made the decision all on his own. She didn’t owe him an apology. He was the one who owed it all to her. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I was wrong—foolishly wrong. I caused you pain that left a scar inside you. I can’t change the past. But I will do everything to make amends in the future. You’ll have me around so much you’ll grow sick of me.”

“That’s all I want. If it’s even possible.” She grinned at him and listened to Mikah’s laugh. For a moment, she’d forgotten about the others in the room who could hear their conversation.

“It is possible to get sick of Alexa. I can tell you that much. You’ll be begging me to babysit her before too long.” Mikah shoved a sausage link into his mouth as he smirked at the two on the far end of the room. No matter how quiet they spoke, they were all creatures of exceptional hearing. Nothing was private unless it was in a soundproof room.

Ken chuckled. “I could never get sick of you. That’s because I’m a better man than your bear.” Ken smirked at Mikah, who snorted.