Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Mikah shrugged, smiling softly. “If Alexa can’t see his face, then …”
Levi tried to erase the smirk that kept wanting to creep over his face.
There was nothing funny about what had happened to his daughter.
But the idea of the Kraken wearing a paper bag on his head with little holes cut out for his eyes …
That part had some humor to it. If only his daughter wasn’t hurting.
The moment he looked back down at Alexa, his heart broke.
She had gone through a disturbing experience and she needed her mate.
He watched his daughter shake her head, lifting her chin in defiance.
“I’m not going to let this parlor trick control me. I know it isn’t real. He doesn’t need to cover his face,” Alexa said, her voice unwavering.
“Lex.” Ken’s voice was gentle as he studied her, her eye twitching slightly when she looked at him.
She shouldn’t have to force herself. “You don’t need to condition yourself to get used to this face.
Honestly, it’s the last face I want you to feel at ease around.
I don’t mind covering my face when I’m around you. It’s for the best.”
Alexa listened to the change in the tone of his voice when he said “when he was around her.” She inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. “When you’re around me? What does that mean exactly?”
“Lex, I’m still going after Erebus. I also need to check on Terra.”
“But you promised you would be with me every night.” Alexa clenched her fists as she slowly closed her eyes. “Will you?” she whispered gently.
“Lex …” Ken sighed and looked down. “I don’t think that’s a good idea now. Just hear me out. What if you’re half awake and you see this face?” He motioned over himself with disgust. “It will terrify you. I could sit with you all night with a bag on my head—”
“But his time would be better spent tracking Erebus down,” Levi said. “I want to join in on the search too. Enough is enough. If Ken and I join forces …” He frowned and looked down at Reiya and Alexa. “The problem is I don’t want him coming for you if I’m not here.”
Mikah can protect her. Ken mindlinked to Levi, who looked at him in confusion. We have a lot to talk about. But Mikah can detect Erebus. And he can hold him off. Alexa still has the necklace and I can get to her instantly if she breaks it.
And I can come to Reiya the moment she summons me … Levi glanced over at Mikah curiously.
Actually, there is something else you need to do. You need to find Gaia and talk to her about Mikah. If Shiva is correct, Gaia will know about Mikah. I’ll explain more later.
Levi nodded and returned his gaze to Reiya.
“Lex … are you in any pain?” Mikah asked, and Alexa shook her head.
“I’m fine, Mikah.” Alexa gave him a weak smile. Sure, physically she was fine. But inwardly, she was hurting. Why must everything be so rocky when it came to her being with her mate.
“Reiya, can you speak with Bella? I’m going to go and find the Great Sage.
Let’s get this in motion immediately.” Reiya was struggling to leave Alexa, and Lee reached out to her in support.
Reiya noticed Ken’s pained expression and knew he needed to talk with Alexa, and this would give them a moment of privacy.
Mikah placed his hand on Alexa’s head. “Want me to make you some of my famous tea?” This was his way of asking her if she needed him to stay with her.
Because if she didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Ken, he would stay by her side.
He would guard her against anyone, and that included her mate.
“Thank you, Mikah. That sounds great.” Alexa smiled at him in appreciation as he ruffled her hair up. Mikah followed her parents out of the room, shutting the door behind him. “Ken …”
“Close your eyes and think of me.” Ken’s voice was soft as he walked over to her.
He slid down against the wall and wrapped his arm around her.
He needed to hold her, and she needed him as well.
Sparks tingled between them, and he felt relief touching her.
“I don’t want you to open your eyes. I don’t want that sicko’s face to ever be associated with my comfort.
Just listen to my voice and breathe in my scent. ”
Alexa turned her head, burrowing into his chest and keeping her eyes closed. She breathed in his relaxing scent and gripped his shirt. “This isn’t fair …”
“We will get through this, my love.”
“I know, but …” Alexa sighed as she frowned into his chest. “I finally have you. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
“I’m here, Lex.” Ken placed his chin on her head and inhaled her scent. His fingers slowly traced her bare arm, sending little tingles wherever he touched.
“I want to feel your lips too. And you promised me—”
“Not with you seeing Erebus’s face. I won’t have you accidentally looking and seeing his face in an intimate moment like that.
” Ken squeezed her tighter. “I’m sorry, Lex.
I’m so sorry. I know you’re hurting. I …
” He couldn’t stand it. He was right beside her, and he couldn’t protect her.
Erebus kept getting to the most precious existence in all the universe. He kept failing her.
Alexa felt his fingers dig into her slightly as his voice trailed off. This was the moment she felt the pang of guilt. She could hear the pain in his voice. He was hurting too … he was hurting for her.
The corner of her lip curled up as she traced her fingers over his chest. “You know … you could always blindfold me.” She giggled when she heard him choke.
Ken chuckled and nuzzled his nose into her hair. “My love, we will bring the blindfolds in later. But now isn’t the time for them. I want you to see me pleasure you. I want my face ingrained in your mind during those moments. And I want to see the passion in your eyes.”
“I’m sorry, Ken. I’m not usually so … well, like this. It’s just—”
“Shh. My love, I like you like this. Please be vulnerable around me. Show me all the parts of yourself. I want to know when you’re hurting. Don’t ever hide it. Let me mend your heart when you need it. You can be strong and fierce, just never hide your pain from me.”
“Ken …” Alexa gnawed on her bottom lip. “I’m nervous about Erebus.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I keep failing to protect you. I’ll work harder. I don’t want you to live in fear of him getting to you again—”
Alexa chuckled and shook her head against his chest. “I’m not worried about that.
I’m worried about you. It seems he is well prepared.
It’s a game to him now. I’m afraid you’ll fall into some trap he is cleverly setting up by blinding you with your rage.
” She felt the slow rising of his chest as he stayed quiet.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Thank you for pointing that out, though.
You’re right. Erebus is trying to provoke me.
He is placing breadcrumbs for me to follow.
It isn’t that I’m finding them all of a sudden.
It means he’s letting me find them.” Ken sighed in irritation.
Erebus was very clever. He would give the bastard that.
He knew he could trigger Ken by provoking his rage, which meant he would need to change tactics.
“Thank you for your insight. I was letting him lead me around. Tonight, I’ll stay here.
I don’t have to stay in your room, but I’ll keep an eye on things. ”
“Please stay in my room. We’ll work it out.
I’ll sleep better with your scent close to me.
I’ll wear a sleeping mask. Will that work?
That way you can keep your face free.” Alexa listened to the small protest in his voice, so she switched to a dirtier tactic.
“I’ll be really sad if you don’t stay with me. ”
A low chuckle rumbled from him as he leaned his forehead against her.
“Are you trying to manipulate me?” Ken was grinning as he moved his nose in her hair, breathing her scent and brushing his lips against her.
He loved her so much. He couldn’t describe the pain he felt over something happening to her under his watch.
If something happened to her, there would be no point in him existing.
As far as he was concerned, his life would forever be connected to her fate.
“I’m just stating facts,” Alexa replied innocently, her lips curling upward.
There was a slight knock at the door, and then someone pushed it open. Mikah walked in holding a cup of steaming tea and a brown paper bag in his other hand.
“I made something for each of you.” Mikah grinned as he held up the brown paper bag with a small slit in the front for sight.
“Is it just me, or is he enjoying this?” Ken raised his head and frowned, looking at the bag.
“You don’t have to wear that,” Alexa interjected quickly, but Ken held her head against his chest and grabbed the bag with his other hand.
“It’s for the best, my love.” Ken scowled at the paper bag before he put it over his head. He released Alexa, who finally turned to look at him.
Alexa laced her fingers with his. Behind her, she heard a small snort, and glanced back to see Mikah’s face completely red as he struggled to hold in his laughter.
“It’s Frodo BAGgins.” Mikah belted out loudly through rolling laughter. “I need a phone. We’re going to need pictures of this later, when you two can appreciate the humor.”
Alexa smiled, then turned her head back to Ken. “I can’t wait until this is a memory we can laugh about.” He squeezed her hand and nodded his bag head, making Alexa snort this time.
“Looks like some of us can laugh about it now.” Ken chuckled.
They might have had a rocky start with all the bumps in their relationship, but Mikah was right.
One day these moments would become memorable to them.
They would laugh about these flashes of their lives.
As a deity, Ken knew far too well how short this moment would be compared to their eternity together.
“Say cheese!” Mikah chuckled. “Ken, you’re going to have to give me more to work with.” He listened to the low growl. “Perfect!” He started taking pictures as the brown-bag-faced man lunged for him.
“Run! It’s the headless horseman!” Mikah laughed as he continued to dance backward and take pictures.
Alexa smiled as she watched Ken chase after Mikah.
Mikah had the right idea. She wouldn’t be sad.
She would find a way to just enjoy having Ken around.
He was still here with her. She had his voice, his scent, and the heavenly sparks between them.
One day, this would be a distant memory …
a fun story they could share with their future children. One day.