Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Mikah turned toward Alexa and arched a brow. “You mind telling us what that was all about?”
Alexa shrugged and a wry grin spread over her lips.
“Oh, nothing much. Just Bella feeling the mate pull for Brian. She’s a bit anxious.
I think she honestly doesn’t know a lot about having a mate.
The only mates she knew were her parents, and she watched them get pulled apart.
But she’ll be alright. Brian’s a great guy and will be good for her.
He’ll be able to help her understand what having a mate is really like. ”
“So, what will that mean now? Is he planning to claim her?” Mikah watched as Alexa lifted her shoulders slightly.
“Does it matter? Whether he claims her now or not, we’ll figure it out.
I could never ask him not to mark his mate.
This is important for both Brian and Bella.
They don’t have to wait—no one should have to wait for something so important.
” Alexa lifted her gaze to stare at the slits in the paper bag Ken was wearing.
Ken moved toward her and reached out, his hand clasping her wrist. “Mikah, if you’ll excuse us for a moment,” he said gruffly. Not waiting for Mikah’s response, he pulled Alexa to her room and shut the door. He turned toward her, wrapping his arms around her tightly and pulling her into his chest.
Alexa was curious about his actions, but the sweet tingles and electric sparks made her lean into his embrace. She inhaled his scent and listened to the pounding of his heart.
“Lex.” Ken cupped her cheek. He pulled away from her to tilt her head up to him. “Is everything alright? I mean, what happened before, with your eye?”
Alexa glanced back to look at the door, making sure it was shut. She let out a sigh and nodded her head. “Everything’s okay now. I didn’t want Mikah to know—” She said the last part in a barely audible breath.
“What happened?” Ken was studying her face, his veins beginning to bulge in anger.
“Is it possible that nembrant glass can connect with someone mentally too? Because Erebus was able to communicate with me from wherever he is. The idiot thought his power of suggestion would work on me.”
“He’s communicating with you through the glass?
” Ken felt the blood rise to his face as he tried to control his temper.
Erebus could communicate mentally if he was close, but communicating through the glass would be different.
It could have more of a mental impact. He felt a sense of unease as he tried to think of what Erebus was up to.
“Was.” Alexa smirked and shrugged. “Those kinds of tricks don’t work on me. But since he’s been so kind to me lately, I made sure I sent him a gift of my own. Even for a deity, I imagine after the blast I hit him with, he’s still feeling the effects.”
Ken took in a steady breath as he tried to think about what Alexa had told him.
Communicating through nembrant glass … no good could come from this news.
The power of suggestion was something certain species had.
They would get in your head, and eventually they could convince the mind to believe things.
But this was the first time he’d ever heard of something like this from the nembrant glass.
Erebus was working on something. There was more to the glass now.
He was sure of it. Alexa was part of an experiment … an experiment that wasn’t over.
“Are you sure he can’t communicate with you anymore? This is nothing to mess around with.” Ken watched as she gave him a reassuring smile.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“It’s just … I’m wondering if the connection is really broken or if it’s just that Erebus is out of commission, which is why you don’t feel it. As long as the glass is there, I think there’s a risk.” Ken could feel his heart pounding as he began to fill with worry and rage.
“Well, if he tries again, I’ll send him flat on his back again.”
“He’ll be prepared for it next time. No … I don’t want there to be a next time. We need to see what can be done to get this removed.” Ken shook his head, the paper bag crinkling with the movement.
“Ken, just so you know, I always planned on telling you what happened. I just didn’t want to do it in front of Mikah. I don’t want to be the reason—” Alexa shook her head slowly. “I can’t lose Mikah. I know it’s his job to protect me, but I have to protect him too.”
Ken smiled and brushed his thumb over her cheek.
“I’m glad you weren’t going to keep this secret from me.
I understand. I’ll be inconspicuous about the urgency of rushing to have the glass removed so as not to upset him.
” His thumb moved over her lips as his gaze fixed on the soft, plump skin. “I can’t wait to taste these again.”
“Taste them.” Alexa pulled on his shirt, beckoning him closer. “I’ll close my eyes.”
“Honestly, Lex. I’m a little concerned about the nembrant glass. It seems like this one is laced with something else. I wouldn’t put it past Erebus to combine some weird curse with it. Let’s not risk anything. We’ll get it taken care of fast.” Ken sighed as his shoulders sagged.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to find Terra. I sent her to the demon world. First thing in the morning, I’ll leave to find her. I hate leaving you right now, and I feel conflicted—”
“Ken, you have to find her. You can’t leave her down there. I’ll be right here waiting for you.” Alexa felt how his chest was still tense, and she wrapped her arms around him, leaning into him. “I’ll be fine.”
“How did I ever manage to stay away from you? Being away from you for hours sounds like torture now. Everything in my body is screaming against it. And I can’t believe I’m even saying this.
I’ve never …” Ken smiled behind his paper bag.
“I’ve existed for a very long time. You can’t imagine how shocking it is to have a feeling this strong, my love.
I began to think that I was becoming numb to the world, as if it had become a boring place.
It’s part of the reason I started getting myself into trouble.
When you have eternity, you begin to do anything to make life bearable.
The emotions I have when I’m with you, though … It’s like I’m experiencing life fresh.”
Alexa stepped back and looked at him. She bit her bottom lip as she gazed up at him, trying to see his eyes. “Will being with me be a problem? It was a problem for my father to be with my mother.”
“You’re a demigod. It isn’t the same as your mother.
Even if you weren’t, though, I’m not a lap dog.
The other deities know they can’t control me like they tried to control your father.
Your father is a respected member of their made-up idiotic council.
I don’t play their games or follow their made-up rules.
” Ken chuckled. “I guess that’s why I was cursed to the sea. Bunch of uptight assholes.”
Alexa giggled and tilted her head, putting on a stern act. “And one of them happens to be my father.”
Ken chuckled. “I think your father is pretty much over them now too. You don’t forget when someone locks you away.
Especially in your father’s case, where they kept him from his mate.
” He ran his fingers down Alexa’s arm as a smile spread over his face.
Tiny sparks and tingles erupted from his fingertips, making his desire burn for her.
“I want to bring you back to my home … our home.”
“Where is your home? Is that the place where we—” Alexa listened as Ken inhaled slowly, no doubt remembering exactly what she was talking about.
“No, that’s just where I’m staying now. I have a home of my own.”
“So where is it? Like, is it on Mount Olympus?” Alexa teased him, laughing. She listened to his warm chuckle.
“I see. Mount Olympus … that’s cute. So does that mean you come from a kingdom that lives in flowers?
” Ken wanted nothing more than to lay siege to her adorable lips and taste her over and over.
Soon, he would have her again. “I actually have a very modern home in the countryside. I want to share it with you, Alexa.”
“How far is it from here?” Alexa watched as he shrugged.
“I guess that depends. For us? Instant travel. One of the perks of you having me. Your father can travel like that too, but he is limited when traveling with others. I can teleport you with me with ease. But if you’re asking for a dragon …
then I guess it would be a few hours by flight.
” Ken suddenly felt a bit insecure, and he cleared his throat.
“I mean, this is, of course … if that’s what you want.
I’ll be happy as long as I have you, my love. ”
“It sounds like this home means something to you. If it’s important to you, then it is to me as well.
Keep in mind I will have to live in Elysia when it is my time to reign.
Um …” Alexa chewed on her bottom lip. “What will you do then? Would you rule with me? I don’t want to burden you with it. But—”
“Are you asking me to be your fairy king?” Ken asked in a low, seductive voice that sent chilling, exciting tingles down Alexa’s back. “Is this like a proposal? Do I get a ring or something?”
“How about a mark?” Alexa listened to his sharp inhale as he quietly muttered under his breath.
“You’re really testing my self-control, aren’t you? I need to get Mikah back in here.” Ken groaned.
Alexa widened her eyes. “We should. We’ve left him out there for a long time and it’s late. Do you think he might be suspicious?”
“My love, he knows we’re mates. I think he understands me wanting to have you to myself for a moment.
But you’re right. It is getting late, and I need Mikah to keep me from acting on these urges.
” Ken took a couple of steps and reached for the door.
When he opened it, they found Mikah sitting right beside it.
“Rumpus time over?” Mikah asked with a smirk as he jumped to his feet.
Ken chuckled. “That’s why I’m bringing you in … to make sure that doesn’t get started. Will you blindfold my mate?”
“Are we going to try this sleep thing again?” Mikah grinned as he put the sleep mask over Alexa’s eyes.
Ken removed the paper bag and breathed in the fresh air. “These bags aren’t going to work. I wonder if we can accelerate having the glass taken out.”
Mikah turned and looked at Ken curiously as a wry grin spread over Ken’s lips.
“I can only hold off the temptation for so long. And Alexa doesn’t make it easy on me. We’re going to need to get this taken care of as soon as possible.”
“We can be bros, Ken, but not bros when it comes to Lex, if you know what I’m saying.” Mikah walked over to his bed and plopped down on it. “And I swear … if I hear any huffing and puffing, I’m calling Levi in here for the show. So, keep that in mind.”
Ken snorted as he walked over to Alexa, lifting her up into his chest. “Tomorrow, I have to leave for a little bit to find Terra.” He stopped and turned his head to look at Mikah.
“I’ll keep her safe,” Mikah said as Ken nodded his head.
“I know you will.” Ken eased Alexa onto the bed, then laid down next to her, spooning in beside her. She immediately snuggled into his chest as he cocooned his warm arms around her. “Sleep well, my princess.”
“Sleep well, my beast,” Alexa whispered out as she inhaled his intoxicating scent. She relaxed in the comfort of his embrace as the heaviness sank in, not having realized how exhausted she was until then. Moments later, she was fast asleep in the arms of the man she loved.