Page 58 of Taming the Kraken

“We were only gone a day, right?” Brian looked up, noticing the tents had been rearranged.

“Several days, actually. Time travels differently in Shiva’s realm. What was a day there was several days here.” Ken looked around as the orange evening glow from the sun shone on them.

“Let’s go in through the back. We’ll head up to my floor so we can talk.” Alexa looked over at Brian, who nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I need to speak with my parents as well.” Brian looked over at Bella. “We have a lot to talk about. I need to speak with Ryker too. I want him …” He trailed off, since he had to be careful what he said. He wasn’t inside the castle walls, where it would be safe. He wanted Ryker to watch over Bella when he couldn’t, since he had to keep up pretenses for now. This would be one of his duties as his right-hand man.

Brian led the way through the halls as Alexa hung back to stay by Bella's side. Mikah and Ken both took up the back of the procession.

You aren’t telling me something. Mikah mindlinked to Ken as he looked at him through the corner of his eye.

Ken looked over at him and then slowly nodded his head, returning his gaze to the front.

Really? This isn’t a way to start a relationship. Mikah smirked and watched a small smile reach Ken’s face.

I don’t know anything for certain. I’ll talk to you once I know what to tell you. Ken looked forward, watching Alexa happily talking with Bella. The truth was Mikah was more complex than perhaps any of them realized. Shiva had mindlinked him about something she’d discovered about Mikah’s powers. If her suspicion was correct …

At first, the three deities had decided that Mikah was a demigod. But now, with the revelation from Shiva, they weren’t quite as convinced. Shiva was going to look for Kali for one of the issues involving Mikah. And he needed to find the deity Gaia, the mother of werebears, werefoxes, and werecats. If Shiva was correct, Gaia knew exactly what Mikah was.

Ken would need to speak to the flying reptile. He was on better terms with the other deities and liked to play council boy. It was likely going to be faster and easier for the water shooter to find and then chat with Gaia.

He began to realize that his past was coming back to haunt him. He’d never needed anyone until now. Now he had Alexa, and he needed allies.

Ken and the group walked up a neverending staircase, finally reaching the top. When they did, his eyes darted over to meet the cool blue eyes of the water salamander. Alexa’s mother ran and embraced her.

“Lex.” Reiya held her daughter closely. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Alexa smiled as she held her mother. Her gaze lifted to her father, who was shooting daggers at her.

“I’m just going to go and … see my dad real quick. Mikah, can you—” Brian started, but Mikah immediately understood.

“Bella, let me show you to your room. There is a spare one up here where you can stay for now.” Mikah had seen that look before, and it was best to gently get out of the way, so he led Bella away from Levi’s wrath. Usually he would stay and defend Alexa. His lips tugged upward as he glanced back at Ken. Someone else was going to be taking up that torch this time.

“Alexa … I don’t even know where to begin,” Levi growled lowly as Reiya returned to his side. “You vanished without a word. You didn’t tell us about your plan …” He exhaled as his eyes narrowed on her. “I want some answers, young lady!”

Alexa felt Ken’s heat behind her. In one swift motion, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her so that she was slightly behind him. “If you want to talk to MY mate, that’s one thing. But if you’re looking for a fight, then I’ll be your opponent.”

Levi glared at Ken. “Are you challenging me?”

“Lee!” Reiya scolded. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s been worried sick over our daughter. Now, like it or not, you two men are family now. And we can’t have our homes being destroyed every time you have a disagreement.”

Alexa placed her hand on Ken’s chest. She smiled up at him as his green eyes looked down at her. He gave her a crooked smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“Sorry, my love. I know it’s your dad. It’s just … you’re mine. I can’t see you upset.” Ken placed his hand over hers.

Reiya smiled and bumped her shoulder into Lee’s side. See, look at him, protecting her just like you protect me. He’s her soul mate. You two need to get along.

Lee snorted quietly and looked down at his sweet mate. Doesn’t change the fact that she’s my baby.

And I am my father’s baby …

Yeah, and you should have seen the fit he had about keeping you in the dragon kingdom. Lee chuckled and smiled down at Reiya. He adored her so much. It was like he’d only blinked while he’d been with her. No amount of time was enough. His eyes wandered back over to his daughter. Ken was staring at her the same way he looked at Reiya. He always said he would be supportive of Ken, but now that it was actually happening, it was hard. It was nothing against Ken. It was just hard to let go of Alexa.

“Alright, Lex.” Lee sighed and Reiya smiled, hearing him relent. “Please explain everything that happened and your thought process.”

“Well, let's see. Brian and I came up with the marking solution at the last minute. We were testing out my ice and his heat. I needed to see what a mark would look like and if I could replicate the look with my powers. We spent all our time leading up to the dinner working on it. There wasn’t time to explain to everyone. I planned to right after, but then … oh yeah.” Alexa scrunched up her nose. “The vision I had earlier when I was in the dream world … that’s Bella, by the way. She’s the dream jumper and is also Brian’s mate, but she doesn’t feel the bond yet. Sorry, I’m getting off topic. Anyway, Erebus put a curse on me and I needed to see Bella to remove it. I didn’t tell you about it because I knew how you would react.”

“Alexa, Erebus is after you. You need me to protect you.” Levi tried to control his temper as he spoke slowly, enunciating his words.