Page 14 of Taming the Kraken

Alexa grabbed onto Brian’s arm and tugged him along. He followed her begrudgingly down the hall and up to the top floor of the castle. This was where Alexa lived, along with her parents. It was like a house of its own. When they reached the top, Alexa dropped his arm and took a few steps away from him. She leaned her head on the wall and took in deep breaths.

“Lex.” Brian walked up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. “We don’t have to do this. Don’t feel pressured. There isn’t a rush. We can go and find this Shiva character. We can search for answers. We don’t have to rush into a mark right now. We can navigate this together.”

“He is watching, Brian. I felt him earlier today. That was why I stayed still after I was hit. Yuki felt him. My mother is right. You marking me might be the best way to lure him out.” She turned her head to look at him.

“So you agreed to go along with this just to lure out the Kraken? And what if it doesn’t work? What if he doesn’t come and I am forced to burn my mark on your neck? Lex, we can’t go that far. We can’t stop right before my lips reach your neck and say it’s all a big joke.” He shook his head. “It’s a gamble. Are you sure this is one you’re okay with?”

“If he doesn’t come for me, then he doesn’t care, right? Or at least he is determined not to be with me. If I can’t have him …” She shrugged and gave Brian a crooked smile. “Want to be my consolation prize?”

“Oh? Do you want to find comfort in my arms? You’ve been crushing on me this whole time. I knew it.” He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her back against his chest while his head rested on top of hers. “I don’t know how to look at you as more than my annoying sister.”

She leaned her head back into his chest and closed her eyes. “We have two weeks before the dragon party. We’ll try to think of something. Our parents aren’t going to let this go, Brian. On a positive note, I have an excuse to turn Jared down.”

“Damn, he’s going to look at me like I stole you. He’s had his eyes on you since last summer.”

“I don’t know why. I made it perfectly clear I was waiting for my mate.”

“Because, Alexa, you’re worth fighting for. Any guy would be lucky to have you.” He shook his head. “It would be different for us if this was planned from the beginning. I wouldn’t have put you in the family zone.”

“Brian.” Her lips curled upward and she spun around to look at him. “I agreed to this. And if Ken doesn’t come, you will just have to mark me.” She watched his mouth drop open and she giggled. He looked at her curiously before a smile spread over his lips as well.

“Alright, Lex. You take the lead on this one. Let me in on whatever it is you’re scheming, though.”

“Knock knock.” Mikah’s voice sounded as the door opened and he held a hand up, covering his eyes. “You two aren’t getting a headstart on procreating, are you?” He chuckled and removed his hand. He wiggled his brows as he looked at Brian’s hands on Alexa's arms.

“Oh hush, Mikah. Can you believe all this?” Alexa sighed as Brian’s hands dropped to his sides.

“You know, Lex, if Brian marks you, then the Erebus thing won’t be an issue anymore.” Mikah shrugged. “Sorry, but I’m on board with this idea. I don’t want to risk that monster finding you. I want to protect you, no matter what it takes.”

Alexa's eyes widened and she clapped her hands together. “You’re right. Because he already thinks Lucie is Ken’s mate. And if I have a mark on my neck, I should escape his radar. And in this very public way of marking, word will get out, and everyone will know who I am marked by.” She started tapping her chin and pacing across the floor.

“Um, Lexi dear. If I mark you, it doesn’t exactly wash off with soap and water.” Brian watched the light in her eyes flicker and a smile spread across her lips.

“Oh no … I don’t like that look. Man, why do I have to get the hard fairy princess? You’re going to make me lose my appetite, I know it.” Mikah growled, staring at Alexa.

“This is the perfect event to lure Ken out. And if the ass doesn’t come, then I need to be publicly marked. The acceptance kiss announcing the next dragon queen will spread across the globe. It will put me off the radar of a certain crazy deity.”

“Why would you need my mark on your neck now? What are you planning?” Brian glanced over at Mikah, who was now studying Alexa with concern.

“Nothing. I think Ken will come and put a stop to it anyway. I don’t think we have to worry about Brian going through with the acceptance kiss. But if he did, at least I wouldn’t have a crazy deity after me anymore.”

“I need an antacid plus a pain killer.” Mikah held his stomach and walked toward the kitchen. He knew Alexa well enough to know there was a lot more going on in her brain than she was letting on. Whatever it was, it was likely to cause him a headache in the future.

CHAPTER NINE

Alexa stood looking out over the balcony. It had been a week since she became the intended chosen mate of Brian. The dragon party wasn’t a party in the traditional sense. It was a mating party. A time when dragons from all across the kingdoms gathered. They stayed together for one month, two months, and sometimes three months. It really just depended on what was planned. It was a time designated for dragons to find their mates, chosen or fated. An acceptance kiss was given publicly by all those of higher rank. It was their custom to have their dragon deity, Leviathan, oversee the union and give it his blessing.

Things between her and Brian had been the same. Brian was a bit anxious about the upcoming event. To be honest, she was too. She made a point to go out the first night and tell the darkness what was being planned. She hoped he heard her, but even if he hadn’t, by that night, the whole kingdom was buzzing with the news. Everyone knew that Brian was taking their deity’s daughter as his mate and was excited about how strong their kind would become.

“Lex.” Reiya walked out and stood beside her daughter looking down at the preparations. “You know I don’t want to force this on you. I was just thinking that this would be the best way to get the Kraken’s attention.” She slipped an arm around her daughter’s back and let out a quiet sigh. When she’d first heard the idea, she was against it completely. However, after thinking more about it, this was a good opportunity. If there was a time Ken would show up, it would be before the acceptance kiss.

“If he doesn’t come for you, this will give you an opportunity to move on. None of us expect an instant connection. Even after you’re marked, it will probably take time. If he wasn’t a close family friend, your father and I would never have agreed to this. It’s only because of who it is.”

“Mom, I understand. I realize what it is you’re all thinking. Brian and I have discussed this all week. In the end, this is something between us and not anyone else.” Alexa turned her head to look at her mother. “If Ken doesn’t show up, there is no way I can refuse the mark at the last second, is there? No one would allow it.”

“I’d allow it. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You are my first and only concern. I’ll take you to Elysia if I have to. I really don’t care who it upsets.”

Alexa smiled and shook her head. “You’ve worked so hard to bring dragons and fairies together. I can’t do something that would put a wedge in there again.”