Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Aspiraling wave of heat circled Brian as Mikah held it in place. It was like he’d placed a clear barrier around Brian, holding the deadly aura in lockdown.
“How are you doing that?” Shiva asked as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “What I really mean is, how did you know how to do that?”
Mikah turned and looked at her like she had said something insane. “How does an elementalist know what to do? How does a shifter know how to shift?” He lowered his shield as Brian’s fiery aura pulled back inside him.
Shiva clicked her tongue and glared at Mikah. “Instinct. The answer you’re looking for is instinct.” She stood up and walked over to him. “Do it again. But around me.”
“I can’t just—” Mikah interjected, but Shiva shot a surge of ice at him, making him react naturally.
Shiva reached out to touch the invisible sphere around her, brushing her fingers through it as she closed her eyes. The energy was not what she’d expected. What she had been almost certain of before was suddenly clouded with doubt. She parted her lips as a new realization hit her.
“Take it down,” Shiva whispered. She studied Mikah’s blue eyes as he withdrew the barrier. “Can you tell me about anything before the dark elves? With certainty?”
Mikah furrowed his brow and shook his head. “No. It’s all a blur. I only remember my life with the dark elves.”
“Who told you your parents were killed in the demon war?” Shiva pinned her gaze on him, and he shrugged his shoulders.
“The dark elves.” Mikah shook his head. “I’m not sure what the point of this is.”
“Brian,” Shiva said, her voice quiet. “Go stand next to Bella, please.” Her eyes flipped up to Mikah as Brian eagerly did what she asked.
“Defend yourself!” Shiva ordered and began launching frozen bursts at Mikah.
Mikah didn’t hesitate, effortlessly blocking and evading the attacks of the goddess. They hit with a force he’d never experienced before. As the attacks continued, he found it harder and harder to fully evade them. This was when he decided to switch tactics and go on the attack.
Shiva shot an icy blast, and Mikah reacted, pressing into it and sending it back to her. He followed the attack at a blurring speed, reaching Shiva quickly. He grabbed her wrist and spun her into him, immobilizing her.
“I see,” Shiva muttered, her brow furrowed. “Well? Why are you still holding onto me?” she snapped, stomping her foot and sending a crashing wave of snow over Mikah. She pursed her lips as she walked away, then glanced at Brian and snorted. “Well? Get back to practicing.”
“Well, she’s certainly in a mood.” Brian chuckled, winking at Bella before he made his way back over to Mikah.
“Alexa has been gone a long time.” Mikah sighed, his lips pulled into a frown.
“Relax. She’s with Ken. She’s okay.” Brian patted Mikah on the shoulder as he walked by him.
“She’s probably tasting his beast right now.” Shiva laughed and then shuddered at the same time. “Oh, I just grossed myself out.”
Brian and Mikah glared over at Shiva and then shook their heads. This was one of those topics that was off the table for them.
“Mikah, that was something else. I’ve never felt that much power from you.” Brian looked at Mikah, who only shrugged.
“She was going easy on me. I just took advantage of the situation so I could end it quickly.” Mikah listened to Shiva snort, and a smirk reached his lips. It seemed the goddess didn’t like being beaten.
“Well? Get back to work!” Shiva hissed as the smirk on Mikah’s face grew.
The two men worked tirelessly under Shiva’s watchful gaze. Brian was adjusting quickly, becoming more and more familiar with his new power. It was finally beginning to feel like second nature. He could shut the power down instantly, and even Shiva nodded her head in approval.
“Good.” Shiva yawned. “The challenge will be you controlling it when your emotions are out of control. Like something happening to Bella. Be mindful of your triggers and constantly work to control yourself. Keep in mind this is no longer the fire you remember. One wrong move, and ashes to dust …” She watched as his gaze continued to linger on Bella.
“Go! Talk to her. I can’t stand the drooling any longer.” Shiva clicked her tongue and sighed loudly.
Brian walked over to Bella as she licked her lips nervously. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I just want to be close to you … if that’s alright. I know you don’t … feel this. And that’s okay. I … I need to at least be close to you. And we can talk?”
“Ask her for her shirt to soothe your beast. That’s what Ken gave Alexa.” Mikah grinned as Shiva snorted in a fit of giggles.
Bella looked over at Mikah and then tilted her head at Brian. “Do you want me to give you my shirt?”
“Sweetie. I don’t think him having your shirt will have the same effect it did with Alexa. I think it would only work him up, not calm him down,” Shiva chimed in. Brian turned his face away from Bella as a shade of red crept up his neck.
“I …” Bella started and then stepped forward to grab Brian’s hand.
Brian felt a soothing wave wash over him, and the tension vanished. The beast inside him curled up in contentment, and he turned his gaze to her gray eyes.
“Does this help?” Bella asked in a soft whisper.
“Yes. Thank you.” Brian smiled at her and let out a breath he’d been holding.
“Brian, why don’t you tell her more about the kingdom and the acceptance kiss? And about Alexa and you. Fill her in on the important details.” Mikah watched Brian nod his head.
Brian walked to the other side of the room with Bella, where he would have a bit more privacy.
“Alright. What do you know about me?” Mikah turned and glared at Shiva as a wry grin spread over her face.
“Know something? Me?” Shiva shrugged innocently.
“You know something. I’m not stupid.” Mikah growled and watched as the goddess narrowed her eyes at him.
“I need some more time. But I will come and visit soon. After I confirm a few things.” Shiva chewed on her inner cheek as she began to mull over her thoughts.
Mikah had her guessing, which was unusual.
What she had thought not long ago about him was no longer the case.
She was shocked to feel the foreign energy from Mikah.
It was not what she was expecting at all.
But now it made more sense why the fairy magic chose him.
“And you don’t feel the need to elaborate on this now?” Mikah watched as her icy gaze met his.
“I don’t feel the need to do anything I don’t want to do. And I don’t appreciate the tone in which you are speaking to me.” Shiva listened to the low chuckle from Mikah as he shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t really care what you appreciate and what you don’t. I’m not beholden to you. Tell me. Don’t tell me. Whatever.”
Mikah turned his head as soon as he detected Alexa’s scent. She appeared along with Ken just a few feet away.
“Lex!” Mikah sighed with relief. She immediately ran up to him and hugged him tightly, which was exactly what he needed. He smiled and rested his head on top of hers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Mikah. I’ll explain everything to you. I just needed a moment to calm down.” Alexa stepped away from him and was back in the arms of her mate.
“You deflowered her, didn’t you? You are a beast.” Shiva snorted as Ken shot daggers at her. She grinned and shrugged. “Were you letting her sample your beast?”
“No,” Alexa said clearly as Shiva’s eyes met hers. “I was the one taming his beast.” She grinned and tilted her head up to see crimson stains seize Ken’s neck and ears.
Mikah cleared his throat and squeezed his eyes shut. “Remember, Lex … we don’t do girl talk. Please, no details.”
Alexa giggled and shrugged. She wasn’t embarrassed about it. She was proud that she’d been with her mate. It was about damn time, actually.
She looked around the room for Bella and Brian. She found them at the far end, and it seemed like they didn’t even notice she had returned.
“Did I miss something?” Alexa asked, looking over at Mikah.
“No, nothing at all. Only that Shiva has removed the barrier around Brian. And Brian has discovered Bella is his mate, only she can’t sense he’s her mate because she’s young. So no, you didn’t miss anything.”
Alexa’s eyes widened, and a bright smile spread over her face. “That’s perfect. Not that she doesn’t recognize him, but him finding his mate. She’s a strong dragon, too. This is wonderful news.” Alexa glanced up at Ken, who leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Ken, I’ll be coming to visit shortly. I just need to check on a few things and I’ll be popping by. Make sure Leviathan expects me.” Shiva watched as Ken slowly nodded his head.
“Well, the journey back can be a lot faster. I can project you back or—” Ken started, but Mikah interrupted him.
“No offense but let’s just fly back. We have two dragons that can get us back fast enough.” Mikah listened as Shiva chuckled.
“Someone is afraid of transporting.” Shiva grinned wickedly and brought her hands together.
“I’m not afraid,” Mikah growled. “It feels weird.”
“Shall we let those two talk a bit longer? I don’t think Brian even knows I’m here. And then we’ll head back. I wonder how badly I’m going to get yelled at by my father.” Alexa gnawed on her bottom lip nervously.
Ken chuckled and nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Don’t worry, my love. I’ll be right by your side.”
Mikah grinned broadly. “I think having Ken and Levi together will be quite entertaining.”
“It’s only for now,” Ken said, making both Mikah and Alexa glance back at him. “After this situation is settled with Erebus, I’ll be taking Alexa with me.”
Mikah stared at him for a moment and then looked back at Alexa’s shocked face. It seemed she wasn’t aware of this before or hadn’t thought about where she would live. “Would you care to elaborate? What are your plans for me in that regard?”
“Honestly? I haven’t completely decided yet. As of now, the plan will be for you to stay with us. But I guess time will tell. I just want to have Alexa to myself for a while. Away from … her father. My place is plenty big enough.”
Mikah nodded his head slowly. “Alexa, are you okay with this?” he asked, noticing her stunned face.
“I guess I didn’t think about any of that before.
” Alexa shook her head slightly and shrugged.
“I’ve been so focused on finding my mate that I never thought about afterward.
” She looked up at Ken to see him studying her, and she gave him a reassuring smile.
“But I suppose it would make sense for me to go and live with you. As long as Mikah comes with me, and we can visit as often as I want.”
Ken’s lips curled up in a warm smile. “Whatever you want.”
“Lex, you’re back!” Brian said as he walked over with Bella by his side. She wasn’t holding his hand but was walking beside him.
Alexa giggled. “I hear we have a lot to catch up on. Gossip for the ride home?”
“Yes! Thank goodness we aren’t walking.” Brian sighed with relief. “When are we leaving?”
“Now,” Shiva said as she shot a bright, blinding light at the group.