Page 129 of Taming the Kraken

“Bullshit. He is there. If I have to pound his head in to make him remember, then I will.” Ken growled angrily. What the hell was wrong with these people?

“Ken …” Levi sighed. “It won’t be so easy to pound some sense into Mikah if he embraces the darkness. Mikah isn’t a regular werebear. His heart was replaced with a primordial child’s heart, and that heart was blessed by Gaia.” He watched as Ken’s eyes widened.

Ken furrowed his brows and looked down. “Ouch. So Mikah is quite dangerous. I knew I could feel that power inside him. You know that’s my specialty, sizing up my opponents. Which is why you’ve never given me a scare … no offense.” He smirked at Levi. “So he’s the first of his kind then? A titan werebear.”

“With guardian powers on top of that … but he has given those up. Still, he is very strong. And I’m betting the nycrops can see this too.” Levi growled lowly. “I’ve got to get my boy out of there.”

“Now wait a minute. You guys were just saying—” Ken began, but Levi snapped at him angrily.

“I was never saying not to rescue Mikah! That is my SON, damn it!” He sighed and shook his head. “But he may not be able to become Alexa’s guardian again. That’s all. Whether he is dark or not, I will not leave him in their clutches …” he trailed off in a whisper. It was torture thinking about what Mikah was going through right now.

Ken looked down at Alexa and frowned. “She won’t accept not having Mikah as her guardian.”

“She doesn’t have a choice. She is the fairy princess, and she has to have a guardian, no matter who it is. I know that sounds harsh, but that’s just how it is. I’m not saying she can’t accept Mikah again if … if everything is okay with him. But right now, she will be given another guardian.” Lita watched as Ken lifted his gaze to her.

“You said fairy magic is special and that the connection between a guardian and princess is a joint relationship.” Ken watched Lita nod her head, and he glanced over at Reiya and Levi. “So how much do you want to bet she rejects the new guardian relationship?” He chuckled, his lips curling in a crooked smile. “Because I can guarantee you, she will.”

“I agree.” Reiya looked up at Lee. “But she does need to be protected even if she rejects that bond. We have multiple guardians here right now, and one of them doesn’t have a royal to guard, since they are the extra guardian in Elysia. Even if Alexa rejects the guardian, they will still protect her.”

“Why not have one of the relative guardians watch her? It’s not like she would refuse her family.” Ken suggested with a shrug.

“If we have to, we will. But the problem is that guardians are attached to their charges. They won’t want to be away from who they are supposed to be guarding. Like I said, it’s like a mate bond.” Lita frowned and shook her head. “It must have been terribly hard for Mikah to sever his link to Alexa. Such a selfless love he had for her …”

“Has,” Ken said firmly, and this time Levi nodded his head in agreement.

“I think you’re underestimating Mikah. He might not have Alexa’s magic inside him, but his feelings are real. And as a titan, he is strong. Strong enough to beat the sprite on his own. He just needs to realize it.” Ken wasn’t sure where his strong devotion for Mikah was coming from. Maybe it was because he was connected to Alexa, and he knew how she felt about Mikah. He thought about Mikah and of him being held somewhere.

Ken’s eyes suddenly widened, and he shifted beneath Alexa, moving her onto the bed. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I love you.” He straightened up and looked over at Lita. “How long will she be out for?”

“For several more hours. It just depends. It may even knock her out for a day.” Lita watched as Ken tucked the sheet over her gently.

“Please … watch over her closely. Make sure someone is with her at all times,” Ken said, and Reiya laughed.

“I’m her mother. I’ve been watching over her since birth.” Reiya then looked up at him curiously. “Where are you going?”

“I …” Ken looked up at Levi. “I need to borrow your dolphin for a bit, if that’s alright.”

Levi snorted but quietly stared at Ken. He wondered what was going through his head. But if he was willing to leave Alexa, it must be something important. He tightened his arm around Reiya and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll be back soon.”

“If she wakes up before I come back, tell her I’ll be back soon and to wait for me.” Ken looked up at Levi. “Follow me.”

Raine was sitting on her bed in her room. She’d been keeping herself isolated from everyone. Even though she knew Ryker was safe, she felt lonely without him and was trying to keep herself calm. After he disappeared on her, she feared the worst. And now, knowing he was safe … she placed her head in her hands and began to cry. The emotional overload was just too much, and it needed to come out. The soft click of her door shutting startled her, and she whipped her head around. The scent hit her first before her watery eyes landed on him … her Ryker.

At first they just looked at one another, frozen in place. Tears streamed down her cheeks as his eyes softened. “Raine.” He whispered her name, his voice hoarse with emotion. “What’s wrong, Raine. Why are you crying? Did I make you cry? I am … so sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I am so sorry, my love.” He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. “I am so sorry.” he whispered. He pulled her into his arms.

“You’re here,” she cried. He grabbed the back of her head and held her to his chest. “Ryker,” she whispered, her bottom lip quivering.

“I’m so sorry, Raine.” His eyes filled with tears. She shook her head.

“I’m so glad you’re back. I’m so thankful you’re safe …” Raine then began banging her fists against his chest. “You’re an idiot. How could you leave without me?! Take me with you. No matter where you’re going …” She hiccupped as her breath shuddered. “How could you not take me with you? You don’t know … the thoughts that were racing through my mind. I thought … you might have abandoned me,” she whispered as he tilted her head up to look at him.

“Gods, Raine. Damn, I am so sorry.”

She let out a laugh as he wiped her tears away. “You should be,” she said with a huff.

She raised both hands, placing them on his cheeks, “I love you, Ryker. I love you. And you’re mine.” She pushed forward, tasting the lips she’d been deprived of.

Their tongues danced together. The kiss was passionate and almost feral. He growled against her lips as she moaned softly.