Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Bella snarled as she heaved herself back to her feet.
Her tail whipped down like a falling tree, and the impact sent a wave of snow and ice roaring across the ground toward Alexa.
She barely had time to block it before a streak of orange came whipping in from her blind side.
She turned and met it with a surge of frost, suffocating the flame mid-air.
What the heck was all of this? Ice one second, fire the next.
Alexa advanced on Bella, unafraid. Shards rained down on her, and she snorted, a single pulse of wind bursting them into harmless snow crystals that dusted her wings.
Ice was her element, and she was almost unmatched when it came to manipulating it.
Then the air began to turn. Slowly at first, then faster, loose ice and powder sweeping up into a spinning column of white, and Alexa went still.
She knew this wind. She had stood inside it once before, in a dream.
The column closed around her, howling, streaks of orange flashing through it as fire threaded itself into the storm.
The sound of it was half hiss, half scream.
And somewhere beneath her ribs, something shivered loose, so faint she nearly missed it.
The storm was strong enough to make the world bow, and Alexa stood at its center, refusing to.
Her gaze stayed steady, reading the energy as it built.
Above her, the wind gathered into a funnel, lightning crackling through its throat, and then all of it came down on her at once.
She narrowed her eyes. Her wings snapped wide, and a wall of ice rose to meet the attack, the collision loud enough to shake the ground under them both.
It didn’t matter what Bella threw at her. Frost, fire, lightning. Bella had power, but Alexa was something else entirely. Whatever a crystal dragon was, it wasn’t a demigod. She put her full weight behind the wall and drove the storm back the way it came, straight into the dragon who made it.
Bella hit the ground and skidded, ice spraying in her wake. Her white mane hung tattered, dulled with grit. She tried to rise, but her legs trembled and gave out.
“What an amazing difference.”
A loud, feminine voice cut through the surrounding air.
Alexa halted in shock as she watched a blue mist leave Bella’s body and take a human form beside her.
A woman with long dark blue hair and blue eyes leaned down, touching the crystal dragon gently.
Her lips pulled downward as she looked at Bella with concerned eyes.
“Bella, I’m sorry to do that to you. I hope you’re okay.”
Bella shifted back into her human form. She had a timid smile on her face as she nodded up at the blue-haired beauty. Alexa took this moment and shifted back into her human form as well. To say she was confused would be an understatement.
“What just happened?” Alexa finally breathed out. “Who are you?” The woman with blue hair looked at Alexa and smiled.
“Hello, Alexa. I needed to catch you off guard. I wanted to test your strength. It wouldn’t be a fair contest if I tested you myself, so I needed some help from Bella.
She is the perfect candidate, but she needed a little burst of killer instinct, so I took control of her body.
With her permission, of course. I was curious what made you so …
special. Selene certainly thinks the world of you. ”
Alexa was gaping at this woman. No way. This couldn’t possibly be …
“I’m Shiva, surprise!” Shiva held her hand out and grinned.
Alexa inhaled deeply as she stared at Shiva. This was who she needed to see. This was the person who could help Brian! She was sure there were other things that should be going through her mind right now, but Brian took center stage, and that was what blurted out of her mouth.
“Can you help Brian?”
Shiva clicked her tongue. “The first words out of your mouth. Aren’t you curious about poor Bella here? Poor dear. That last attack was harsh.” She made a fake pouting face before she began laughing uncontrollably.
“I’m fine. Don’t let Shiva mess with your head. I heal quickly.” Bella smiled up at Alexa. “How are you feeling?”
“I … I feel fine. Actually, I feel refreshed, like a burden has been lifted off of my shoulders.”
“That would be the curse. You know, the whole windy spinny thing? It purified the curse.” A sly smile reached Shiva’s lips. “Now, what are you doing getting yourself involved with those man-boy deities?”
“Ken is my mate. And Erebus … is crazy. He wants me for himself and will kill my family if I don’t do what he says or if I’m with Ken.”
“That sounds like Erebus.” Shiva clicked her tongue again and shook her head.
“This is why I found myself a nice little bubble to keep out the other deities. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Selene.
And your sea beast will be able to creep his way in here eventually.
However, Erebus can’t come in here, so you are more than welcome to stay here with me.
Platinum white lunatic won’t be able to find you here. ”
Alexa looked between Shiva and Bella. “How do you two—”
“Know each other?” Shiva waved her hand dismissively.
“I collect rare creatures. I love them. They intrigue me. A crystal dragon is about as rare as they come. They are like the avatar of dragons. They can do it all. Wind, fire, earth, lightning, water, purify, ice … I mean, they are incredible. So, I brought Bella here with me. This way I could keep her safe. I don’t need another Scorio mishap. ” She gave Alexa a disgusted smile.
“Please, Shiva. Brian had nothing to do with what happened. And if you get to know him—” Alexa began but Shiva interrupted her. It seemed like Shiva loved to talk and to hear her own voice.
“I said I would, so I will. I was going to fix the situation anyway.” Shiva sighed and dramatically threw her head back. “But I am going to make one demand.”
“I’m listening.”
Shiva’s cool blue eyes met hers. A sadness washed over them as her lips tugged downward. “Take Bella with you and protect her. She is lonely and should be under the watchful eye of your father, the dragon deity.”
“Shiva, no, I’m fine.” Bella shook her head, biting her inner lip.
“Shh, it’s okay. Of course you’re lonely.
You know how to find me. I’m not going anywhere.
Go and see the world, and if you don’t like it, you can always come back.
And if you do like it, you can still visit me whenever you like.
You will always be able to enter here.” Shiva reached out and patted Bella’s hand.
“When you love something, you should set it free. I have kept you caged for too long. Not another word. You will go with the demigod unless she wishes to stay here too.”
Alexa smiled and shook her head. “Thank you, but I can’t live here.”
“Suit yourself.”
Alexa smiled and tilted her head. “You are nothing like they described you.”
“Or maybe I am. But it just depends on who it is.” Shiva suddenly scowled and let out a loud groan.
“Speaking of depending on who it is …” They heard a thunderous explosion, and seconds later, a jagged seam ripped down through nothing, edges grinding, raw light bleeding out around it.
Ken stepped out of the tear with all the ceremony of a man using a door he'd kicked in, Mikah and Brian close behind him.
The moment they were clear, the seam snapped shut.
“Oh Ken. I’m so glad you made it,” Shiva huffed, rolling her eyes.
Ken’s green eyes immediately found Alexa. He sighed in relief to see her looking unharmed. His body relaxed and a small smile reached his lips. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.
“I was worried about you,” he breathed out, lowering his head into her neck. “Are you alright?” He inhaled her scent and let the warm tingles embrace him. If there was something that would be his undoing, it would be her. He couldn’t think clearly when it came to her. He panicked and reacted.
“I’m fine.” Alexa leaned her head into his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
Erebus couldn’t see them here. She was going to hold him close and enjoy his touch.
Recognition hummed through her veins as his scent blanketed her.
Small sparks of electricity caressed her skin.
Her heart rate picked up, beating against her chest as if it was screaming to the world.
Ken lifted his head and cupped her cheeks. He studied the little details of her face and leaned forward to brush his lips against her forehead.
“Now that is adorable.” Shiva began laughing hysterically. “A real live Beauty and the Beast. Oh gosh, it’s too much. I can’t breathe. My sides!” She snorted as she laughed, gripping her stomach.
Alexa watched as Ken turned sharply toward Shiva, but she quickly reached up, placing her hand on his cheek.
His eyes came back to rest on hers and she smiled at him.
“My beast.” She reached up on her tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips against his.
His eyes flickered with so much emotion and love as he looked down at her.
Shiva snorted loudly as a fit of giggles echoed off the ice walls.
“My dear, you can’t mean that. Have you seen his creature?
” She shuddered and shook her head. “This …” She waved her finger in a circle, pointing at Ken.
“Is only part of who he is. His grotesque beast is the other. You just can’t look at him the same way once you’ve seen it. ”
“I can.” Alexa smiled up at him as she rested her hands on his chest.
His green eyes stayed captured by hers. No one else existed but her.
He had never felt this way before in his life.
My beast … if only she really meant that.
She didn’t know what his monster looked like.
Could she really look at him the same? What about after hearing about all the things he’d done in the past?
Yet her blue eyes shined up at him. In her eyes, he felt …
safe. Safe from being judged. Like he finally belonged to someone.
He knew he could never deserve her, but he needed her.
He needed someone to look at him the way she was.
She made him feel like he had worth. He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, and closed his eyes.
Mikah stood there watching Alexa and Ken together.
This was a weird moment for him. He was happy for her, but he wasn’t sure how he fit.
Usually he would have gone to Alexa immediately to calm his beast. She was his life.
His purpose. But right now … he never thought he would feel like he didn’t belong near her.
Mikah was her guardian, but her mate was a deity.
Ken could protect Alexa better than he could.
He didn’t hold romantic feelings for Alexa, but he was possessive of her in a protective way.
Yet there was something aggravating him.
He could feel his anger rising as he struggled to manage his control.
An icy breeze swirled around him, and for a moment, he thought it was Alexa. He glanced up to see sharp blue eyes fixed on him.
Shiva clicked her tongue and shook her head as she pointed at Mikah, pursing her lips. “And you are?”
“I’m her guardian,” Mikah replied tersely.
Shiva squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “How? How? How? How?” she repeated quietly, tapping her chin.
“Okay, I want to know what exactly is going on here. And why did you attack us? I thought you were going to help Alexa,” Brian growled, narrowing his eyes on Bella.
“I-I-I-I umm …” Bella stuttered in shock, not accustomed to an aggressive reaction. Her gray eyes met his angry hazel ones as she took a timid step back.
“Brian, it wasn’t her!” Alexa pushed back from Ken to shout at him. “We can explain, but Shiva has agreed to help you.” She wanted to make sure he didn’t do anything dumb that might make Shiva refuse to help him.
“Really? The hag agreed to help?” Ken asked, quirking his brow as he looked at Shiva. He followed her fixated gaze toward Mikah. Why was she looking at him like that?
“I’m curious about your life … guardian. At what age were you discovered as a guardian? Where were you living?” Shiva listened to the indignant snort as Mikah turned his head away from her. “Okay, well, now I’m not asking. Someone tell me about this … guardian.” She hesitated over what to call him.
“He was five years old when we found him, and we discovered he was a good candidate to become my guardian. After he lost his family in the demon war, he was captured by dark elves and kept as a slave.” Alexa looked from Mikah to Shiva. “Why?”
“He’s been around your father?” Shiva arched her brows as she ran her tongue over her teeth.
“Of course. Mikah is my brother. He’s unofficially an adopted member of my family.” Alexa looked up at Ken to see he was studying Shiva intently. She glanced back as the goddess frowned.
“Loch Ness, we need to chat.” Shiva gave him a fake smile. Ken frowned and glanced down at Alexa. “Seriously? Nothing else can come in here.”
Ken muttered some incoherent words under his breath.
He had a feeling whatever she was about to say was going to make him angry.
He squeezed his arms around Alexa and brushed his nose in her hair.
“I shouldn’t be long, but if you need me, call for me.
I’ll hear you.” He pressed his lips to her head, breathing in her comforting scent.
He then turned and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, lead the way.”
Shiva vanished, and a second later, Ken disappeared as well, leaving Alexa, Brian, Mikah, and Bella in the room alone.
“Well, this is a good time for us to all get acquainted since Bella will be coming to live with us.” Alexa bit her bottom lip and smiled as she noticed both Brian and Mikah’s exasperated expressions. “Let’s start with proper introductions.”