Page 86 of Taming the Kraken

“I’m disappointed. Elsa’s castle was way cooler,” Mikah chided and listened to her snort at him.

“Elsa was a crybaby who built a large castle to hide herself inside. I’m not hiding from anyone. If they want me, they can come for me.” Alexa shrugged as she walked up the steps of her ice palace.

“Xi, you wouldn’t really fight against your parents if they come, right?” She snapped her head in his direction, studying him with her dark gaze. Her eyes were almost black now and completely void of the beautiful blue that often lit up when she smiled. A red hue flickered across one dark eye.

“Why, Mikah? Is that a problem for you? Who am I to you? Am I Alexa? Or am I Xi?” Alexa’s face turned cold as she set her icy gaze on Mikah. She’d brought Mikah with her thinking he’d accepted the person she had become. But if he was only following her because he still viewed her as Alexa, this was a problem.

Yet, when she heard him ask if she planned to fight her parents, her insides froze. She felt her emotions begin to tear like a piece of paper. It was like that part of her as Alexa wasn’t her at all. It was a distant memory of someone familiar that she could no longer relate to. There was a dark cloud in her mind that had raised a barrier around that part of her. She didn’t know why, but it made her frustrated. It was confusing to think about. Painful. But Mikah made her feel like she wasn’t lost. It was like he was part of her. He also had a darkness inside him and belonged by her side.

Alexa watched as a gentle smile spread over his lips. He stepped over to her and wrapped her in his embrace. She didn’t push him away. Instead, she felt his acceptance embrace her, and she sighed with relief. Why was she relieved? Did she really need Mikah that badly? This was something she wasn’t going to analyze any further. She decided she would refer to before as her past life, and maybe it was her past life that needed Mikah so badly.

“Xi, it doesn’t matter to me what you call yourself. I’m the one who will always be by your side. If you need me to slide into some leather pants and a leather jacket, just let me know. You are my princess no matter what. I won’t allow myself to be apart from you. Remember, it’s us. I need you.” Mikah felt her tension ease after that, which gave him hope. Xi wasn’t all bad. She was still Alexa. He just needed to remind her of that. But he would bide his time … no matter how long it took.

“So, did you set me up with a hot tub? Or something cool in my room?” Mikah teased as Alexa backed away from him. He could see the confusion in her eyes for a moment before they returned to darkness. Maybe being near him could help the light find its way out.

“Be thankful I made you a room.” Alexa gave him a dark smile.

Mikah’s smile faded slightly at the new coldness she was showing him. He swallowed the pain down deep. “Lead the way … Xi.”

Ken flashed into the upper level of the castle in the dragon kingdom with Terra by his side. As soon as he found her, he quickly teleported back so he could be with Alexa. But he didn’t sense her there.

“Ken! Thank the gods you’re back.” Brian jumped up from his seat in panic and Bella stood up beside him.

“Where’s Alexa? What happened?!” Ken felt sheer fear wash over him. He could see the apprehension on Brian and Bella’s faces.

“Erebus entered Elysia and killed Alexa’s great grandparents Alice and Nathon, and their guardian Dylan. Something inside Alexa snapped and she … changed. She isn’t our Lexi anymore. She even attacked Reiya and demanded we call her Xi. Levi told me to send you to Elysia.” Brian watched an eerily dark expression form on Ken’s face. “They might have more information there.”

“Where is she now? Is she in Elysia?” Ken asked, his voice cold.

“No. She teleported in a black smoke that was untraceable. It was—demonic.” Brian watched Ken clench his jaw, his knuckles whitening as his fists tightened. Terra took a timid step away from him as she watched him cautiously.

“I told that damn reptile that the glass needed to come out right away. Damn it … I shouldn’t have left her.” Ken shifted his weight from one leg to the other as he tried to think what to do.

“Levi said—” Brian began but went silent when he saw Ken’s irate glare.

Ken took in a deep breath in order to calm himself. He would get his mate back. No matter what, he was collecting what was his. Even if he had to lock her up. It didn’t matter to him. He would protect her from herself if he had to.

“Where’s Mikah?” Ken growled lowly.

“Mikah’s with her. When Levi pushed her darkness back at her to protect Reiya, Mikah defended Alexa.”

Ken’s shoulders sunk in relief.

“Good bear. Alright. I’m going to bring Alexa back.” Ken could feel his rage swirling inside him. But above that was fear. His sweet mate was lost inside herself. That damn piece of glass was clouding her mind. He needed to get to her before it was too late.

“Erebus was trying to kill Asher in order for the curse—” Brian listened as Ken growled.

“Oh, I know what that bastard was thinking. Even now, he’s still a coward. He’s afraid to face me. Instead, it was easier to reactivate the curse. Well, I’m not going to give him that opportunity. It’s time I claim my mate.”

“Levi is waiting for you in Elysia,” Brian said once more.

“And that means what to me? Serendipity can handle whatever business he needs to handle there. Alexa is my business and the only business I care about. I will find her.”

“Through your mate connection?” Bella asked curiously.

“Perhaps? But it isn’t consistent enough. She wears a necklace with my essence in it, and that is something I can easily track.” Ken then turned to look at Terra. “Stay here until I return.” He glanced at Brian to see him nod his head, letting him know he understood.

“My lord, I can help.” Terra watched as Ken shook his head.