Page 92 of Taming the Kraken

Alexa felt Ken’s body slump against hers, and she began to tremble. “What have you done? Why did you do that?!” Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes as she reached up to help support him. Her chest was tight, tears streaming down her face. Her heart was hurting. And that was when something exploded inside her. Her warm light swirled around her, snuffing out the dark. The darkness faded from her eyes and the fog was lifted. Her memories flooded back, and her beasts were no longer blocked from her. It felt like something shattered in her mind as her light combusted inside her, taking back control.

Everything was clear—she knew who she was. She was no longer Xi … she was Alexa. She wrapped her arms around Ken, her fingers shaking uncontrollably. He saved her, and she’d hurt him. She’d hurt Mikah. Her breath was ragged as she remembered everything that had happened.

“Are you alright?” Ken asked, looking down at her.

“Am I alright?! Are you alright?” Alexa cried out hysterically with tears streaming down her face.

“Lex.” Ken sighed, relieved as he looked at her face. Her blue, watery eyes were sparkling up at him. “My Lex.” He cupped her cheek. “You found your way back to me.” He felt the tension inside finally subside. His beautiful mate was finally back to herself.

“I’m so sorry.” Alexa closed her eyes as the streams continued to fall. “Where’s Mikah? Is Mikah alright? What about you?”

“Mikah’s fine. I took him to Elysia. Hey … shh … we’re fine. My Lex,” Ken straightened up and held her face in his hands. “Gods, Lex,” he whispered and pressed his lips against hers. She responded to him instantly and he held her head captive, greedily thrusting his tongue into her mouth, their lips moving together.

Sweet, welcoming tingles erupted over Alexa’s body as she moaned into his mouth. Her hands reached up to grasp his shirt. It felt like she hadn’t tasted him in years, and she craved the comfort his kiss was bringing her. His scent blanketed her, wrapping her in a cocoon. She needed this moment, even though her inner struggle was beginning to brew again.

Suddenly Ken pushed her away and stared at her. “Am I not your heart’s desire right now? What about the nembrant glass?”

Alexa didn’t feel the glass anymore. It was like the moment her light was set free, the glass had vanished from her.

The glass is gone, Alexa. You were able to expel it on your own with your fairy magic. Welcome back. Yuki’s voice was calm and soothing. It was refreshing to hear.

“The glass is gone. Yuki said I expelled it on my own.” Alexa looked down at the ground. She’d attacked her mother. She’d hurt Mikah and Ken. She felt like she didn’t deserve to even look at them right now, let alone receive Ken’s comfort. She stepped away from Ken as she turned her head away from him.

“Thank you for blocking Erebus’ attack and for saving me. Are you hurt badly?” Alexa’s voice was quiet as she closed her eyes. The leaves rustled in the warm, salty breeze that swirled around them. His heat engulfed her from behind as he pressed his chest against her back, his arms snaking around her. He leaned down into her neck, his tongue flicking over her skin. She inhaled sharply as he continued up her neck toward her ear.

“I’m fine. I heal quickly, my love.” Ken nibbled on her sensitive skin and tugged on her earlobe with his teeth. “I want to give you my mark.”

“Ken, my family⁠—”

“They’re all safe in Elysia. Rogio is guarding the Vampire Kingdom and Lycaon is protecting the werewolves. But it’s time I protect you and give you the gift of my summon. Then I can come to you instantly. I want to complete our bond and join our souls together. I want to make you mine forever, Alexa,” Ken murmured as he peppered her neck with feather-light kisses.

Alexa closed her eyes and bit her inner bottom lip. As good as that all sounded … mentally, she just wasn’t ready. She was trying to come to terms with what had just happened, including the loss of her great-grandparents. But there was something else that was killing her right now, and that was Mikah. She needed to see him. She hurt him and he was only trying to stay by her side. She couldn’t begin to relax until she at least saw him. She needed to tell him she was sorry.

“Ken. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. It’s just … my head is a mess. I need to see Mikah and tell him how sorry I am. And⁠—”

“My love. Let’s go see Mikah. I’m here to heal all your wounds. Whatever you need, I’ll do it. And whenever you’re ready, I’m here.” Ken spun her around, keeping her captive in his arms, and kissed her forehead. “I know your family will be relieved to see you. And I think you’ll feel better once you see all of them … and I do mean all of them.” Ken chuckled.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Just stay by my side and let me love you. That’s all I want.”

“I’m sorry Erebus got away because of me.” Alexa looked up at him apologetically as his fingers sifted through her hair. She watched a warm smile spread over his face, his eyes glowing with love for her.

“Don’t worry about it. He can no longer keep us apart. And we’ll get him eventually.” Ken leaned his forehead against Alexa’s. “I can see the pain in your eyes. My love, it’s okay. Don’t blame yourself. Blame Erebus.” He wrapped his arms around her tightly, needing to hold her. Now that it was all over, the panic over what had happened was sinking in. Gods … he could never lose her. He needed her.

Alexa closed her eyes and sighed. It felt so good to be in his arms. Too good. She felt like she didn’t deserve this type of contentment. As much as she wanted Ken to claim her and put his mark on her, she couldn’t right now. Maybe she would feel better after seeing her family. But right now, she was hurting. Xi wasn’t there for long, but she’d wounded her, tainted her and made her hurt the people she loved.

Ken could feel her conflicting pain. Yes … he could feel it. It wasn’t strong, but it was trickling into him. He wanted to wipe it all away. It wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t in her right mind. She needed to see her family. She needed to see that they didn’t blame her either. He brushed his lips over her forehead once more and straightened up.

“Okay, let’s go to Elysia.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

In the distance, Meryl watched as Ken and Alexa vanished. She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. If only Ken could have finished Erebus off. He was so close. She wanted Erebus to die. She wanted her granddaughter’s soul released. Meryl felt a heavy pressure begin to pull her down as the shadows hid a liquid darkness.

“How close is it to being finished?” a sinister voice rasped from the shadows as if the shadows themselves were speaking. There was no physical body to be seen.

“My lord.” Meryl bowed her head respectfully, keeping her gaze on the ground. “It’s almost there, but we need more essence in it. Right now, the nembrant glass can be broken if the person is strong enough. We can try adding more of your essence, or a deity’s essence is needed. That should do the trick.”