Page 36 of Taming the Kraken

Brian looked down at Alexa and gave her a nervous smile. “I guess it’s time.”

Alexa nodded her head as she anxiously gnawed on her inner lip. Her heart raced, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Brian led her to the center of the room and turned her so the two of them were facing each other. Mikah walked over to the side and leaned against the front table, gripping the bottom edge as he used it to steady himself.

The dragons hushed in anticipation as they all watched this historical event unfold before their eyes. They watched as Brian leaned his head down to rest against hers. To them, the gesture looked very loving and intimate. What they didn’t know was that the two of them were trying to give each other the strength needed to continue.

“Alexa …” Brian whispered, searching her eyes. Nodding his head slightly, he kissed her forehead. He moved his head down slowly until he reached her neck. He closed his eyes as he breathed against her skin, knowing what he needed to do now. Holding her in place, he slowly lowered his lips to her neck, bringing his dragon forward to place his mark upon her skin.

The moment Brian’s lips touched her neck, Levi closed his eyes, unable to watch the act. He’d had to bless many dragon unions. Too many to count. But this was not a joyous union. This was his daughter, and he couldn’t bear to watch it happen to her.

Alexa winced as she felt the heat against her neck. There was a volcanic intensity that burned her skin. She bit her inner lip and winced, squeezing her eyes shut. Brian’s lips on her skin was not erotic for her. It was wrong. It felt inappropriate. Her body screamed at her angrily, lashing out at this unwanted invasion. She closed her eyes, concentrating and steadying her breathing. And though she didn’t mean to, a single tear trickled down her cheek.

Brian lifted away from her neck and looked down at her. A fresh, bright red mark now appeared on her skin. He pulled Alexa into his arms, holding her close as the crowd erupted with cheers of joy for the new dragon couple. Everyone seemed thrilled and overjoyed, except for the few who knew better. He pulled back and rubbed his thumb over the wet streak on her face.

“Let’s get out of here. We don’t need to stay,” Brian whispered against her forehead as he kissed her gently.

Alexa nodded, her eyes closed. She just wanted to get out of there. She did what Erebus had asked. He would know that Brian had marked her. She felt Mikah’s presence right behind her as Brian led her away from the tent and back to the castle. It was when they were almost there that Alexa suddenly froze in place. She raised her head and looked into the distance.

TUG TUG TUG

It felt like an invisible rope was wrapped around her, pulling her.

“Alexa, what is it?” Brian asked softly, turning his head to look in the direction she was staring.

“It’s time to find Bella.” In a way, Alexa was glad for this timing. It was a perfect distraction to get her mind off of what had just happened. She wondered if Terra had found Ken, and if he would come to look for her. There was a lot for the two of them to discuss now. She shook her head slightly, trying to push everything from her mind. She couldn’t think about all of that right now. It was time to focus on the feeling inside her that was leading her away from the dragon kingdom.

“Well, this is probably the best time to sneak away with everyone distracted by the acceptance kisses.” Mikah shrugged slightly and looked at Alexa. “Let’s get a change of clothes, and then you can lead the way.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Terra’s hazel eyes sliced through the dark as she navigated the unfamiliar terrain. The ground was rocky with fissures of steam erupting everywhere. It was naturally hotter here, but the heat didn’t bother most demons. The demon realm was accessible for her, but she wasn’t familiar with it, nor was she comfortable being there. It was a part of her that she couldn’t deny, though. The scent of brimstone and iron stung at her nostrils, her eyes watering slightly from the potent stench.

She glided across the fissures of steaming lava with her flash-like speed. She didn’t know where she was going. She was just trying to find Ken. She wasn’t sure, but she was guessing he would be trying to watch the original demons. This could be where Erebus was, so it was a great place to start.

She steadied her breath and controlled her aura, needing to stay focused to keep it from being detected. She stared at a spiraling dark cave located behind a lavafall.

This would be incredibly dangerous, but she had to risk it. She wasn’t exactly a welcome member of demon society. If she ran into the wrong demon, it could be trouble. But she had to find Ken, no matter the cost. With a firm resolve, she crept past the intense, searing heat and slipped into the dark. There would be many upper-level demons here as well as original demons, so she needed to be on high alert.

She stalked through the darkness and melded with it. She reached a small opening with a ledge that looked down upon a modern-looking great room. The cavernous area was well kept and clean. There was furniture and two fireplaces that raged on both sides of the room. On one of the chairs, someone in a hooded black cloak sat between two other demons.

Terra watched in silence as someone walked in. A mountainous man confidently entered the room. The ground beneath him concaved slightly under his colossal weight. His arms were massive, and his body was easily twice the size of everyone else there.

“My lord.” One of the demons beside the cloaked figure stood up.

“Do you have what I want?” the towering man growled as he faced the cloaked person.

The figure rose to their feet and removed the cloak. Long, gray, straggly hair spilled out from the hood. A woman with dull, lifeless skin raised her gaze, revealing black, soulless eyes.

“Lord Taric,” the woman rasped with a slight bow of her head. “You haven’t given me what I want for me to give you what you want.”

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I can easily destroy your existence!” Taric growled out at the indignant woman.

A loud, cackling sound came from the woman as she fixed her dark eyes on the demon.

“Do you think I fear death, demon? I’ve already died. There is nothing to fear there. Let’s face it. Right now, you need me more than I need you. So don’t act like I’m dispensable, because we both already know that isn’t true. But kill me again if you wish. It makes no difference to me. I’ll just come back again.”

Taric snarled, baring his teeth at the woman. “You damn witch.”

“Not quite a witch anymore. I used to be one before I died. The leader of the most powerful coven.” The woman clicked her tongue as she hissed bitterly.