Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
“Is anyone around?! We need some help over here!!”
Alexa glanced at Mikah and they both sprinted toward the cliffside. They knew that voice very well. It was Brian, and he sounded panicked, something that was unusual for the arrogant dragon prince.
“Brian!” Alexa yelled as she saw him looking down over the ledge.
“Lex. I can’t get to him. I can’t touch him.
This damn aura is getting worse. I can’t even help him.
” Brian shook his head bitterly as Mikah charged over the hillside, not even assessing the situation, and Alexa ran up to Brian, who was looking over the edge.
She noticed a child laying on a rocky platform below, unconscious.
“What happened?”
“He tried to force a shift. His damn father is being hard on him since he hasn’t shifted yet.
He’s only thirteen. Hardly even a late shifter.
” Brian shook his head. “I tried to grab him, but as soon as I got close, he started screaming in pain. This aura is still getting worse, Lex. People I used to be able to go near … maybe one day you won’t even be able to go near me. ”
“As if your fire will ever be stronger than my ice. Arrogant dragon.” Alexa bumped his shoulder with hers, sending a wave of ice crystals over his hot body. The sound of sizzling filled the air, along with a light layer of steam.
“Brian, I’m coming back up with him,” Mikah yelled from the hillside.
Alexa immediately grabbed onto Brian’s arm, stopping him from leaving. “It’s okay, Brian. You don’t have to leave. I won’t let you burn the child.” As she spoke, she raised a misty snow shield around Brian. It was like putting a veil completely over him.
“Lex …”
“It’ll work. Trust me.” She looked in front of her and down over the hillside. “Bring him up. It’s okay.”
Mikah effortlessly climbed back up, carrying the boy in his arms. He gently placed him on the ground and glanced up at Alexa.
“He has some cuts and I think a broken leg. I’m going to get your mother.
She will be able to heal him. His dragon isn’t strong enough to restore him.
” He looked at the snowy veil over Brian and smiled.
“Nice, Lex. I didn’t think something like that would work. ”
Alexa walked over and knelt beside the boy.
His brows were furrowed in pain, but she could tell it wasn’t from Brian.
His skin didn’t look like it was burning at all.
This was the first time she had ever tried a frost shield with Brian.
It was never an issue before, but lately, his aura has been getting stronger and stronger.
Just like his father, he was now burning people just by being close to them.
Not everyone, but those who were lower-tiered, and young dragons were especially susceptible.
It wasn’t like she was making the icy shield blindly, though. She had tried it once with Xander and had success, which was why she was confident that it would also work with Brian. She looked up into his hazel eyes that were filled with sadness.
“Brian,” she called out to him with a smile. “The boy will be just fine. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. I should be able to help my people. What kind of curse is this?” he growled, bitterness seeping into his voice.
“I don’t think it’s a curse at all. I think it’s a type of natural protection.” She looked at Brian with a reassuring smile. The boy next to her moved slightly and let out a soft sound. “Hey … just hold still, alright? We’ll get you patched up in no time.”
The boy’s eyes widened as he stared at Alexa. His mouth gaped, and he began to fumble over his words. “The princess … Leviathan’s daughter … you shouldn’t … your father will … you should leave.”
“Shh. Now just relax. You had a nasty fall. And what do you think you were doing, trying to force a shift? Young man, I better never hear of you pulling a stunt like this again. Do I need to explain to your father the importance of not forcing a shift?”
“If he hears I failed at forcing a shift, he’ll only be more disappointed in me.” The boy winced as he tried to move, but Alexa immediately pushed down on his shoulders.
“Just wait. My mother’s on her way.” She watched his eyes fill with fear.
Because Leviathan was her father and her mother’s mate, a lot of dragons gave them a wide berth.
They didn’t want to do anything to upset their deity.
“You know … there’s no reason to be disappointed in you.
For one, it is still normal that you haven’t shifted. ”
“My father shifted at the age of twelve,” the boy spat out, disgusted with himself.
“As if when you can shift means anything. Who cares? Who cares if you can even shift? It isn’t everything in life. Your father expects too much of you.”
“She’s right. My cousin Anna didn’t shift until she was seventeen. And she is stronger than most of the dragons in the West Dragon Kingdom. You’ll shift, buddy. But you don’t want to force it and maybe end up injuring your dragon and yourself.”
The boy closed his eyes and frowned. In the corners of his eyes, they could see the tears beginning to pool. “I just wanted him to be proud of me,” he whispered.
Alexa and Brian looked at each other. She was boiling inside because his father had made him feel like he had to shift in order to be proud of him. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but she could see the rage in Brian’s eyes. This was something he already planned to handle.
“I’m here!” Reiya called out as she ran toward them.
Of course, in true fashion, Alexa’s father Levi was right beside her.
The two were inseparable. They had a bond that she dreamed of having one day.
There wasn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for the other.
They could get lost staring into each other’s eyes all day long.
They didn’t need anything else. Just each other. It was amazing.
Reiya knelt down beside the boy and placed her hands over his body.
Within moments, a light glow emanated from her as she began to heal the young dragon.
Her mother was a fairy queen and had the power to heal.
Though it wasn’t as strong as her grandmother’s, it was still strong enough for something like this.
Fairy magic didn’t always develop all at once, and it continued to change as you got older.
Alexa wasn’t an experienced healer yet. But it was something she should develop to some degree eventually.
“There. That should do the trick,” Reiya said as she felt Levi’s hands on her, pulling her back up to her feet and into his arms.
Alexa stood up and held out a hand to the boy. “Let’s see how it feels now.” She grabbed onto his shaking hand and helped him to his feet. “Does it feel alright?”
The boy nodded shyly, looking down at the ground. He was clearly overwhelmed by the celebrities of the kingdom surrounding him.
“You don’t have to feel nervous around us.” Alexa tried to pry him out of his shell a bit, to no avail.
“Thank you. I’m sorry for causing you all trouble,” the boy said in a muffled voice.
“What is your name?” Brian asked.
“Elwin.”
“Elwin, remember that we must protect ourselves. Trying to force your shift could cause permanent damage, and you don’t want that.
You’ll know when you’re ready. Your dragon’s heart will call to be set free.
Until then, just try to wait.” Brian watched the boy slowly nod his head.
This wouldn’t be the end of it. He planned to search out Elwin’s father and settle this issue.
“Thank you once again,” Elwin whispered as he slowly backed away, then turned and sprinted off.
Alexa took down Brian’s snowy veil and grinned at her parents. “The shield worked perfectly.”
“Brian, are you alright?” Reiya asked, looking at his slightly distressed face.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He smiled unconvincingly and then shrugged. “It’s getting stronger, you know. Why is it still growing? I haven’t even been crowned the king yet. It will get even stronger then. What if … what if it makes it so no one will be able to be near me? I don’t understand it.”
“Like I said, your fire will never be stronger than my ice.” Alexa smiled and nodded at her parents. “And you’ll never be able to burn my father either. But that isn’t what you’re really worried about,” she said with a wry grin. “You’re afraid your mate won’t be able to be near you.”
“Well, it’s a legitimate concern.” Brian rubbed the back of his neck slowly. “I mean, my grandmother died because of my father’s aura.”
“Something like that would never happen now. Not with me around. I can protect her if something like that actually happens. You’re making up a scenario.
You haven’t even met your mate yet. Will you relax?
” Alexa walked up to him and sent a cooling layer of frost over his body.
It instantly melted, but there was relief in his eyes.
“Lex is right. You’re borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Don’t overthink it. Grandpa Sage is looking into the strange phenomenon now. And your father has been searching for clues as well. They’ll figure out what’s happening to you.” Reiya leaned into Levi, who nodded his head slowly.
“I don’t remember this ever happening before, at least not like it has with you.
But I’m certain there’s a reason for it.
And I’m still wondering if Alexa has something to do with it.
Having her presence around you all the time may have been simmering your heat.
The Sage also agrees this might be a possibility.
And don’t worry. Your mate will be able to withstand your heat, because she will be the one made just for you.
Just like how your father found Lila.” Levi rubbed Reiya’s shoulder delicately.
It was also just like how Reiya was the one made just for him.
No one else could have ever been good enough.
Or perfect enough. She was everything he needed and more.
Your mate completed you, and that was the way it was supposed to be.
“Yeah, you’re right. Alright … time for some sparring.” Brian looked over at Alexa with a wide grin. “I’ve got some new moves to try out today.”
“Ugh … can’t we have an easy day today?”
“No way. You’re the only one I can spar with at full strength who doesn’t pummel me to the ground like Dad does. Come on, ice princess. Let’s make it rain!” Brian chuckled as he flexed his muscles.
“Okay dear, have fun. Mikah, keep her in check. I better get back before Brody and Chelsie panic.” Reiya smiled, knowing that Brody wouldn’t stay put for long. He was still just as protective over her as he’d always been, even though she had a deity by her side, watching over her always.
“Alexa, you be careful. Don’t strain yourself, and—”
“Oh, Lee. She’ll be fine. Quit being overprotective. Let her spread her wings a little,” Reiya scolded playfully. She grabbed his hand as they began to walk away. “Give him hell.” She winked back at her daughter before completely turning to leave.
The women in their family were in no way damsels in distress. All of them had a lot of fight and spunk in them. They’d all been a handful for their mates. Well, except for her, since her mate refused to come to her.
In a sense, she could relate to Brian’s worries. His worry was whether he would be able to be with his mate. He was afraid of burning his, and she was afraid hers would keep hiding from her.
Most of the time, when someone is hiding from you, they’re secretly watching you from their hiding place.
Maybe Ken was also watching her. And if so, she could maybe use this to her advantage.
She needed to think of a plan. It needed to be good, because she wouldn’t get another chance to flush him out.
“Alright, Lex! Battle stations!” Brian cheered happily.
Of course, she would need to wait to think of a plan after sparring with Captain Try Hard. But no matter what … she had to meet Ken at least once.