Page 61 of Taming the Kraken

“Ken I’m⁠—”

“Going to sleep.” Ken smirked and raised a brow.

“Alexa, go and get some rest. We can all talk afterward.” Reiya gestured for her daughter to go. “Your mate is right.”

Alexa smiled in appreciation and walked with Ken to her room. Mikah didn’t have to accompany her since Ken was by her side. He finally had some time off from babysitting duty. The moment she shut her door, she wrapped her arms around Ken’s neck, bringing his lips down into hers. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, and he moaned into her as his hands traveled down her sides. She backed him up toward her bed. Suddenly he pulled back and chuckled, shaking his head.

“I don’t think so, my little siren. Not this time. Rest first.” Ken listened to her whine in protest, and he leaned his head down to her ear. “Sleep first and then I’ll pleasure every inch of your body until you squirm from the overstimulation … and then I’ll send you over the edge again.”

Alexa smiled at him and traced a finger up his chest. “Is that a promise?”

“I promise.” Ken leaned down and gently brushed his lips over hers. He lifted her bridal style and gently laid her down on the bed, scooting in beside her and curling her into his arms. “Sleep well, my love. I’m not going anywhere.”

Alexa turned her head so she was lying on his chest. She closed her eyes as she listened to the gentle rhythm of his heart that slowly lulled her to sleep.

Alexa knitted her brows together as her heart began to race. Her breathing picked up and her beasts stirred in agitation. Something was wrong. She opened her eyes to a dark room that was not her own. She looked out in confusion and focused on a flash of light in the distance. There, standing under a cruel, false moonlight, was a figure. She clenched her fingers into fists, her knuckles turning white as a wave of dread washed over her.

“Hello, Alexa.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Alexa knew that voice. She could see how the light caught his white hair that was neatly tied back. This wasn’t real, right? She had fallen asleep in the arms of her mate. Glancing around the room, she looked for Ken, but she was alone here. She could feel the cool silk sheets hugging her body, the cold air tickling her nose. This felt too real to be a nightmare.

Alexa reached up to feel for her necklace, but it wasn’t there. The nightgown she found herself in wasn’t hers either, the thin silk cut lower than anything she would have picked for herself. Then, as if the room had only been waiting for her to notice, lights bloomed to life along the walls.

They woke one by one, small and staggered like stars set into the dark marble, and the stone was polished so smooth it held every flicker twice. Beneath her, the sheets were black as spilled ink, the bed built for a king, its canopy hung with sheer drapes tied back as if what lay in it were meant to be seen. The gown clung to her as if it had been fitted to her exactly, and that thought sat worse than the cold. Every piece of this place had been prepared for her. Maybe she was dream jumping and had landed in Erebus’ dream? She looked up at the deity and caught the slow smile curving his mouth.

“You look confused.” Erebus walked away from the window and toward the bed. When he reached it, he sat down at the edge and watched as Alexa pulled up the sheet to cover herself more. He frowned at this movement as he turned to face her more.

“I see you found a way to remove my … gift … I left you. It was for your own good. I was trying to prevent anyone from touching you. This way I didn’t have to kill them or your family. Even marked by the dragon, he wouldn’t be able to share your bed. Am I going to have to kill him now?” Erebus’ brows furrowed as he watched Alexa’s eyes ripple with emotions.

“You are the one who said to let the dragon mark me,” Alexa said through gritted teeth. “And gift? Really? This is how you show your affection to someone? You curse them?!” She watched as his lips tugged into a smirk and he shrugged. “What is going on?”

“You fell asleep. The first time you’ve slept since the curse was removed, right? That’s how the counter curse works. If the first curse is removed, the counter curse automatically activates. Of course, this is just a one-time thing.” Erebus motioned with his hands.

“This is a dream?” Alexa asked and watched as his lips tugged upward.

“No. In a dream, I couldn’t make you pregnant. But in this hybrid one, I can. If I leave a mark on you, it will show up when you wake up.” Erebus frowned. “Unfortunately, I can’t keep you here. You will wake up eventually. But it’s a nice place to talk without getting interrupted by anyone,” he said with a low growl, thinking of Ken.

“What do you want?” Alexa glared at him coldly.

“I want you,” Erebus said plainly.

“No, you don’t want me. You just want to hurt Ken. You don’t care about me at all.” Alexa snorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I want him to hurt. But I do want you, and I intend to have you.” Erebus moved his hand toward Alexa, who recoiled from his touch. His brows furrowed angrily, his jaw clenched. “Why him? Is it the damn mate pull? Huh? I see it in your eyes that you still want him, even though you were marked by another.” He watched as she flattened her lips into a thin line, her blue eyes piercing his.

“You want to play games with me? Do you think I won’t do what I promised? I will kill your family members. You … you’re still seeing him, aren’t you?” Erebus snarled, his gaze wild.

“I accepted the dragon’s mark like you said. I⁠—”

“I AM NOT A FOOL!” Erebus roared and ripped the sheet away from her body. His eyes wandered over her greedily as his nostrils flared.

Alexa lifted her chin in defiance. She wasn’t afraid of him. She might have been wearing a skimpy nightgown, but she would maintain her dignity. He moved closer, making the bed dip beside her, his eyes wandering over her as he licked his lips.

“You should feel privileged that you can elicit such thoughts from me.”

She felt his hot breath beat against her cheek as his face inched closer to hers. She moved back, turning her head to avoid his advances. Her elemental powers were useless, so she couldn’t send an icy wave at him like she wanted. And while she did feel connected to her beasts, she couldn’t shift either. She was helpless. She felt his nose trace over her neck, and she raised her hand to slap him.