Page 94 of Taming the Kraken

Alexa nodded her head. “It feels foreign, and if I’m being honest, it scares me a little. It’s like Xi is still here.”

“Xi has always been part of you. Everyone has a little Xi in them … Or a lot of Xi, in some circumstances. It doesn’t define you. And the darkness won’t drown out the light.” Ken leaned his forehead against Alexa’s and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from this. Don’t be scared. I’ll be by your side from now on.”

“Don’t apologize to me about not protecting me. Please. I don’t want a relationship where I’m always being protected. I want us to be partners where we protect each other. I was weak. In a moment of weakness, the glass was able to invade. This is my fault⁠—”

“Alexa!”

“It’s true, Ken. I allowed this to happen. I should have fought harder. I should have been prepared.”

“Prepared? How could you have prepared for that? Stop. You’re just upset, and⁠—”

“YES! I am upset. I hurt you! I hurt Mikah. I attacked my mother. And now there’s this dark energy inside of me. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m just being honest. I’m stronger than that. I shouldn’t have let the darkness win.”

“Lex, it’s over now. It’s all over,” Ken crooned to her, but Alexa stepped away from him, shaking her head.

“It’s not over. Because it’s all fresh right here.” Alexa lifted her fingers to her head.

“Don’t!” Ken growled and stomped toward her, closing the gap between them. He grabbed her by her chin and crashed his lips against hers, his other hand wrapping around her waist and holding her against him. A low growl hummed in his throat as he claimed her greedily. He moved against her lips roughly as he plunged his tongue into her mouth. He felt her fingers dig into his hair as she pulled him closer.

“Don’t step away from me, Lex,” he mumbled against her lips as he panted heavily. “There is no room for space between us. Never again. I—I can’t, ever again. I’m the one who’s weak, Lex. I need you. I can’t live without you. My love, I am dependent on your existence.” He breathed in her breath and gently nibbled on her bottom lip. “If you need time, take it. But never let there be space between us. I’m so sorry I did before. I regret it. I thought I was protecting you. I don’t deserve you! But I can’t think about that anymore because I need you. I won’t ever let you go.” He pressed against her lips gently, capturing them once again. This time his kiss was light and slow, and between his kisses, he muttered into her mouth, “I’m possessive. I have a temper. I’m tainted. I’m aggressive. And I’m all yours. And you. Are. All. Mine.”

Alexa’s slender hands curled into his shirt as a rush of desire swelled inside her. His mouth was soft, hard, hot, and his taste was maddening. Her heart was beating faster as her breath escaped in gasps between kisses. His tongue slowly probed her mouth, sending pleasure curling through her. The taste, feel, and smell of him made her body erupt with electrifying tingles as his tongue intimately caressed hers, and she felt his desire for her. She drank the sweetness he offered her as she pressed into him, forgetting about everything except her want and need for her mate.

“I hope you don’t need time apart from this,” Ken murmured into her lips as his hand trailed down her side and gently traced around her breast. He pulled away from her and prodded her nose as he looked at her swollen lips.

Alexa panted for a moment and then smiled. She shook her head. “When I’m with you, I tend to forget about everything else. It’s like the confusion is gone and I have nothing to worry about.”

“You don’t. There isn’t anything for you to worry about.” Ken could see by her faint smile that she didn’t feel that way. He wrapped his arm around her waist and nodded his head. “You’ll see. There really isn’t anything to worry about. About what I offered earlier … we don’t have to.”

“No, let’s go back to your home. I think that’s exactly what I need.” Alexa watched the grin spread across his lips. She could tell that this meant a lot to him. And honestly, she needed time with him too. She needed some quiet time with her mate. “We’ll visit with my family, then we’ll take Mikah and Terra with us.”

“Perfect.” Ken kissed the top of her head and then glanced up. “Let’s get you to your bear first. I think you both need to see one another.”

Alexa nodded her head and gnawed on her inner lip. She did need to see Mikah. She’d hurt him badly, and she couldn’t forgive herself for that. Leaning against Ken, she let the comfort he gave her relax her. It was funny how Ken said he didn’t think he deserved her. Because that was how she felt … like she didn’t deserve him.

Maybe they should mark each other later. They would bare their souls to one another and there could never be any misunderstandings.

As they approached the castle, Alexa could hear the sounds of joyous laughter. It went quiet as they walked around the corner, all eyes turning toward them. Everyone had sensed Alexa and Ken’s presence. She scanned the scene in front of her until she locked onto a set of blue eyes as they slowly approached.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Mikah felt instant relief when he saw Alexa standing there in front of him. But all he could see was her pain from the moment their eyes met. His connection to her was intense and all-encompassing, but without the romantic mate feelings. He needed to be with her, to be by her side. He knew her feelings—his emotions were tied to hers. But for the first time, as Xi, Alexa was hollow and absent, and he’d felt empty.

He was no longer closed off from Alexa, and her pain was now his pain. His silly princess. How could she give him such a wounded expression? His body moved on its own toward her. Ken released her from his protective hold, but Alexa remained frozen in place.

Mikah reached up and grabbed his chest, wincing slightly. Inwardly, he smiled when he saw her run toward him. He swung his arms around her and laughed at her gasp, having caught her by surprise. Leaning his head down on top of hers, he continued to chuckle. “As if I’d still be hurt. Silly princess.”

Alexa gripped his shirt and leaned into his chest. “Mikah,” she breathed out. “I’m⁠—”

“Don’t you dare, Alexa. Don’t apologize to me.” Mikah kissed the top of her head and smirked at Ken’s snort. Mates …

“Let me see, Lex. Did you get the glass out?” Mikah stepped back and lifted Alexa’s chin, bending down to examine her eye.

“Yes, the glass is gone, but—” Alexa started and paused. The glass was gone, but she had demon energy inside her now. She watched as Mikah studied her thoughtfully. He smiled and roughed her hair up slightly.

We both have some darkness in us now. Mikah winked at her as a possessive arm snaked around Alexa’s waist. Mikah kept his gaze on Alexa’s blue eyes as the family began chattering and closing in. Lex … does this upset you? Because you’ve never had a problem with me and my darkness. This isn’t any different.

Alexa’s mouth parted in shock. Mikah was right. His darkness was never a concern. He was a guardian. Was it the darkness in her that was really bothering her? She averted her gaze and looked down at the ground.