Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
They could hear a pin drop in the room. Leviathan’s surging aura was suffocating everyone around him. Its intensity was at a level that they had rarely seen before. The kings had to lower their gazes from him and look away. Alexa had never felt this much anger from her father before.
“My family won’t be intimidated into doing Erebus’ bidding!” Levi roared out as he paced the room.
“Lee.” Reiya walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned her head on his chest and held him tightly.
Alexa watched her parents in amazement. Her mother had always been able to calm her father’s rage.
He immediately calmed down, as if her touch were a sedative.
She watched as he leaned his head down into her mother’s neck and breathed in her scent.
Her parents had an amazing connection. All her life, growing up, she only ever saw adoration for each other in their eyes.
That was what she wanted too. She wanted a connection like they had.
“It isn’t like I want to give in to Erebus.
That isn’t who I am. But …” Alexa shook her head, pursing her lips.
“If something happens to one of them, how could I live with myself? I could never forgive myself if they were killed when it could have been prevented.” Erebus could be anywhere.
It would be impossible to protect her whole family.
“But Alexa … being marked isn’t something you can ignore. That mark will form a connection between you and bind you.” Reiya was desperately trying to think of a solution. “Lee, is there a way to undo a mark?”
“If it was something simple to get rid of, it wouldn’t be so sacred. I don’t know. And I don’t know what the cost would be if there is.” Lee shook his head and looked at his daughter. “This is not the answer.”
“Brian and I have already discussed this fully. There isn’t another solution unless Erebus is dead.” Alexa felt Brian’s arm wrap around her shoulder.
“We are not here to seek anyone’s permission.
Just to inform you of our decision and the reasoning behind it.
This is personal for me as well. Alexa’s family is like family to me too.
We protect our family, no matter the cost.” Brian squeezed Alexa's shoulder and looked around the room.
“We want you to trust us. Have faith in our decisions.”
“And if Ken shows up?” Levi asked, searching his daughter’s gaze.
“Unless he’s here to tell me Erebus is dead, I must protect my family.” Alexa squeezed her fingers together, holding them in front of her.
“Lex,” Reiya whispered.
“If you don’t mind, Brian and I would like to spend some time together alone before the marking.” Alexa looked up at Brian, and he nodded. With his arm around her, the two of them walked out of the room, with Mikah right behind them, shutting the door.
They walked down the restricted hall until they reached Brian’s room, entering and locking the door behind them. Alexa distanced herself from the men and leaned her head on the opposite wall.
They’d made the announcement, and now they just had the public acceptance kiss left. She tried to swallow down the lump in her throat, her palms moist as they touched the cool wall.
“Alexa.” Mikah walked up behind her, stopping just before touching her. “I wish I could do something.”
“Help calm me down,” she whispered in a breath. She felt Mikah’s arms come around her, holding her firmly against him while she tried to control her breathing and stop her mind from racing. She hated to admit it, but she felt terrified.
“Lex, it will all work out. I promise. We’ll get through this together. I would never keep you from Ken. I mean, we already discussed all of that, but I just wanted to make that part clear once more.”
“What if this is all for nothing? What if we go through all of this only for his demands to continue to increase? He knows my weakness. I will do anything to keep my family safe.” Alexa looked at Brian as she took in a shaky breath.
Erebus knew her weakness and knew exactly where to find her.
Sure, they would catch him eventually, but how long would that be?
At the same time, she didn’t have a choice. Not one she was willing to gamble with.
She wasn’t afraid of this bastard. She clenched her teeth and inhaled sharply.
Oh how she would love to plunge an ice shard into his chest and freeze the blood that was flowing in his veins.
It would be tricky but not impossible. The only chance she would have against Erebus would be to catch him off guard.
And she wasn’t exactly willing to play along with his fantasies in order to achieve that moment.
Later that evening, Brian escorted Alexa out of the castle.
They were both dressed to reflect the royalty that they were.
Alexa wore a floor-length gown of ice blue, its sleeves catching the light as she walked.
A thigh-high slit ran up the right side, baring her long, slender legs with every stride, and her blonde hair drifted on the breeze that swirled past.
At her side, Brian wore black fit for a coronation more than a celebration.
The formal coat was cut close to his tall frame, its high collar and cuffs embroidered with flames in gold thread, stitched so fine they only showed when he moved.
The crest of the West Dragon Kingdom rested over his heart and caught the light until it shone.
Her ice against his gold, they looked like a matched set.
That was the point. Tonight, they needed the entire dragon world to believe it.
Mikah was walking right behind Alexa, making sure he stayed close.
As they entered the tent, the crowd hushed, and all eyes were on them.
Alexa's eyes wandered over everyone. She could see her parents seated near the front along with all the other royals. She caught sight of Raine and Ryker, who she hadn’t seen since they’d discovered they were mates.
Raine gazed at her curiously, but this wasn’t the place to discuss everything.
She would have to explain everything that had happened later.
Brian walked her through the tables, and they made their way to the front. He looked at his father and nodded his head for him to continue.
Xander stood, along with Levi, and the two of them made their way to the center of the tent.
“Tonight, we will be kicking off the dragon party with several royal acceptance kisses. The first one of the night will be my son, Brian, the future King of the West. He is taking Alexa, our deity’s daughter, as his chosen mate.
” Xander listened to the quiet murmurs spreading through the crowd.
Brian had insisted on having their acceptance kiss done first now, because of Erebus.
He looked at his son and forced a proud smile for the kingdom.
“All four kingdoms have agreed to this union, and all are in support of it. We hope this will further strengthen dragons and create a brighter future for all of us.” The crowd clapped in approval and Xander nodded his head for his son to come to the front.
Brian looked down at Alexa and gave her a nervous smile. “I guess it’s time.”
Alexa nodded her head as she anxiously gnawed on her inner lip.
Her heart raced, and she had to remind herself to breathe.
Brian led her to the center of the room and turned her so the two of them were facing each other.
Mikah walked over to the side and leaned against the front table, gripping the bottom edge as he used it to steady himself.
The dragons hushed in anticipation as they all watched this historical event unfold before their eyes.
They watched as Brian leaned his head down to rest against hers.
To them, the gesture looked very loving and intimate.
What they didn’t know was that the two of them were trying to give each other the strength needed to continue.
“Alexa …” Brian whispered, searching her eyes.
Nodding his head slightly, he kissed her forehead.
He moved his head down slowly until he reached her neck.
He closed his eyes as he breathed against her skin, knowing what he needed to do now.
Holding her in place, he slowly lowered his lips to her neck, bringing his dragon forward to place his mark upon her skin.
The moment Brian’s lips touched her neck, Levi closed his eyes, unable to watch the act. He’d had to bless many dragon unions. Too many to count. But this was not a joyous union. This was his daughter, and he couldn’t bear to watch it happen to her.
Alexa winced as she felt the heat against her neck.
There was a volcanic intensity that burned her skin.
She bit her inner lip and winced, squeezing her eyes shut.
Brian’s lips on her skin was not erotic for her.
It was wrong. It felt inappropriate. Her body screamed at her angrily, lashing out at this unwanted invasion.
She closed her eyes, concentrating and steadying her breathing.
And though she didn’t mean to, a single tear trickled down her cheek.
Brian lifted away from her neck and looked down at her.
A fresh, bright red mark now appeared on her skin.
He pulled Alexa into his arms, holding her close as the crowd erupted with cheers of joy for the new dragon couple.
Everyone seemed thrilled and overjoyed, except for the few who knew better.
He pulled back and rubbed his thumb over the wet streak on her face.
“Let’s get out of here. We don’t need to stay,” Brian whispered against her forehead as he kissed her gently.
Alexa nodded, her eyes closed. She just wanted to get out of there.
She did what Erebus had asked. He would know that Brian had marked her.
She felt Mikah’s presence right behind her as Brian led her away from the tent and back to the castle.
It was when they were almost there that Alexa suddenly froze in place.
She raised her head and looked into the distance.
TUG TUG TUG
It felt like an invisible rope was wrapped around her, pulling her.
“Alexa, what is it?” Brian asked softly, turning his head to look in the direction she was staring.
“It’s time to find Bella.” In a way, Alexa was glad for this timing.
It was a perfect distraction to get her mind off of what had just happened.
She wondered if Terra had found Ken, and if he would come to look for her.
There was a lot for the two of them to discuss now.
She shook her head slightly, trying to push everything from her mind.
She couldn’t think about all of that right now.
It was time to focus on the feeling inside her that was leading her away from the dragon kingdom.
“Well, this is probably the best time to sneak away with everyone distracted by the acceptance kisses.” Mikah shrugged slightly and looked at Alexa. “Let’s get a change of clothes, and then you can lead the way.”