Page 28 of Taming the Kraken

“You are okay though, right?” Reiya finally sighed in defeat as she straightened up, followed by Lee.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.” Alexa watched her mother nod slowly.

“We’ll let you rest then. And when you’re ready to talk, let us know.” Reiya grabbed onto Lee’s arm, who didn’t look like he was ready to back down from the subject. But with some gentle persuasion from Reiya, he slowly followed behind her. Brody and Chelsie left last, shutting the door to her room.

“So you want to tell us what really happened?” Mikah asked, pinning his gaze on Alexa.

“I haven’t decided yet.” She gave him a cheesy grin, and he snorted. She looked up to make sure the door was really closed. Her room was soundproof like most rooms, thank goodness for that. With her sensitive hearing, the last thing she wanted to hear was her parents’ happy time or anyone else’s. She looked back to Mikah and Brian, who were waiting expectantly. She knew she didn’t have to swear them to secrecy. And it was best to at least let a couple of people close to her know.

“So, the thing is … I’ve been cursed.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Alexa sat there staring at the two men. She had just finished explaining everything about the curse and Bella. Brian appeared in deep thought, but Mikah looked like he was about to flip the bed over in anger. His muscles bulged as his face turned a deep shade of red.

“I’m so pissed. Your father is going to go nuclear. I hope Ken finds out and he mutilates this asshole.” Mikah growled lowly, piercing Alexa with his gaze. “Don’t you dare go without me.”

“If that was the plan, I wouldn’t have told you.” Alexa grinned.

“I’m coming too.” Brian finally looked up after being deep in thought. “Maybe Bella can remove my curse too? It doesn’t hurt to ask.”

“That’s a great idea, Brian.” Alexa's eyes widened. She was shocked she hadn’t already thought of this. Bella seemed like she was good at removing curses, so maybe she could also help Brian. “I wonder if I should maybe talk to her first. She seemed shy about others.” Bella was doing her a favor, and it wasn’t fair to make her feel uncomfortable. She seemed very kind, though, and she hoped if she asked her, she would agree to help.

“Well, we’re coming with you anyway. You aren’t going to go anywhere by yourself,” Mikah said tersely. “I wonder what exactly this curse will do.”

“She didn’t explain, but we didn’t have a lot of time.”

“When the time comes, we’ll go and get everything sorted out. Though we should probably take your father with us.” Brian watched her face contort.

The more Alexa thought about it, the more she realized that this was a journey she should probably take on her own. She didn’t want to risk upsetting Bella. She wasn’t sure what to do and needed to give it more thought.

“Well, since your wolf and dragon are out of commission, do you feel like taking a walk? Dragons have been arriving. Let’s go see if it’s anyone we know. I know Nick is already out there scoping out the hopefuls.” Brian smirked and raised his eyes to Alexa.

“So, you’re saying you want to go, but as your mate, I should be with you. If I’m going to keep up the pretense, I need to be on your arm.” Alexa smiled and nodded. He was the one doing her the favor. Even being considerate enough to know he should have her with him on his strolls. Dragons who have taken a mate rarely leave their sides.

They made their way outside and headed in the direction of the guest housing. The building stretched out ahead of them, gleaming, big enough to swallow a small village whole. It had always reminded Alexa of a cruise ship that had wandered onto land and decided to stay. Dragons poured in from all over to live there for months at a time, and it gave them no reason to ever leave. There was a grand dining hall, bars and lounges where music drifted out at all hours, pools and steaming spas, libraries for the quiet ones, casinos and theatres for the loud ones, and sparring grounds for anyone who needed to burn off a little fire. Every room was soundproofed, and considering what the gathering was really for, that was less a luxury and more a mercy. For the guests, it was one long vacation.

It was also one of the most anticipated events of the year. The highlights were sex and finding your mate. And for those already mated, it was a special time to visit with their friends and family across the kingdoms.

“Hey, is that who I think it is?” Alexa said, pointing in the distance at a young man walking toward them. She looked up at Brian and watched a big smile spread across his face. He picked up his pace to meet the man approaching them.

“Ryker, is that you? Man, I thought you were dead.” Brian reached out, pulling the man in and patting him on the back.

Ryker laughed and shook his head. “No, not dead yet. I was hanging here and there, floating between tasks. Just swinging in the breeze. But as you can see, somehow I’m still breathing.”

Ryker was a dragon they’d found a couple of years ago. He was lying on a cliffside, unconscious and badly beaten. When he came to, he didn’t remember anything except for his name. It was clear he was a strong dragon since Brian’s aura never bothered him. But he’d forgotten the most basic things about being a dragon. Brian took him back to the palace and the two formed a tight bond.

Ryker was completely devoted to Brian, partly because he was the one who found him and because he respected him. There was chemistry between them, and Ryker seemed to know what Brian was thinking. They could handle tasks quickly and efficiently.

Once Ryker was fully recovered, he was sent to an elite training school for exceptional dragons. He’d been gone for over a year now, and Brian was hoping he’d completed his training. Before Ryker left, he gave his oath upon his flame to serve Brian with his life. Because of that, he was to be Brian’s right-hand man when he returned. Much like how Reese was to Xander.

“It’s great to see you again. So, are you finished? Can you finally come home?” Brian asked eagerly.

“Yes, I just finished up the last of my tasks today. I can now fully take my position next to you. But Brian … I still haven’t recovered my memories. Are you sure it’s okay? I don’t know anything about myself from before.”

“I don’t care about your past, man. You’re my friend, and now my right-hand man. My captain of the guards when I take over as king. I trust you. Besides, you also swore upon your flame. It isn’t like you can take that back unless I release you from it. And I never will, because I’m keeping you around forever.”

“Alexa. Mikah. How have you two been?” Ryker asked as he stretched out his hand for a handshake.