Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Alexa glanced up from the rock-hard chest that she was pressed tightly against. Ken fixed Erebus with a lethal glare. She felt her heart flutter in her chest as she stared at his face. He had protected her …
“My love, are you alright?” Ken asked, keeping his eyes fixed on Erebus.
Alexa nodded her head and bit her inner lip.
She was so confused. Her body was battling against her.
There was warmth and love in his voice. Nothing was making sense.
But doubt was now swimming through her mind.
She wasn’t oblivious to Erebus’ words. She understood he had done something to her.
So, who was she really? At first, she thought she’d come to this great epiphany about choosing to be a dark fairy.
But now … now nothing was making sense. She couldn’t deny the strange tingles that crept up her body and how relieved she felt now that Ken was near.
Erebus clenched his teeth. “How is this possible?! How in the hell are you still here?! I killed the fairy king!”
“You always act before you think, moron. You captured Lucie because you thought she was my mate. And you killed the previous king and queen of the fairies. By doing so, you strengthened their barrier. Let’s see here.
You pissed off Rogio, Lycaon, Leviathan, me, and oh, now we’re adding Endymion to the list. You just killed his fairy royals …
wrong royals by the way.” Ken smirked as he watched Erebus’ eye twitch.
“You know, it’s just a matter of time now.
The council will be after you. I wonder what they’ll do with you.
Eh, we won’t find out, because I’m going to kill you. ”
Ken narrowed his eyes on Erebus. “How dare you fucking touch my mate!” His deep voice cut through the air and echoed off the valley walls.
“You went after my mate. My mate! You know exactly who I am, and you did it anyway. You have a death wish. Did you actually think your plan would work and I would be cursed back to the ocean? Did you think you could get away with this? You are a COWARD!” Ken paused for a moment and shook his head.
“You already know you’re as good as dead with the deities.
This is why you’re switching sides. You want the Demon King’s protection.
” He furrowed his brow as he tried to rationalize Erebus’ thoughts.
His plan was deeper than this. There was something he was after.
Something he wanted so badly that he was willing to turn the gods against him.
Erebus was a coward. If he was willing to turn the gods against him, he had others backing him.
Was it just the demons? Or were there other deities on his side?
Ken didn’t know why he hadn’t thought about it before.
Erebus was not acting on his own. Something bigger was being planned.
And more than likely, Erebus was their pawn to help get it done.
There was no way he was the mastermind. But who?
And what? He had a feeling it was all connected to the strange nembrant glass. But for what purpose?
Erebus was fuming as he watched Ken’s hand around Alexa.
He had decided it would be her who he kept by his side.
Ken was supposed to be cursed back to sea.
Damn it, he messed up. He still wasn’t at full strength yet after what Alexa had done to him last time.
And even if he was, Ken was not a deity he wanted to fight against. But Ken wasn’t here alone. Right beside him was his weakness …
“Lex,” Ken kept his gaze on Erebus, knowing full well he would look for an opportunity to flee. “Get out of here. Go someplace safe. I’ll find you when it’s all over … I’ll always find you.”
Alexa stared up at him, a mixture of emotions flooding her system. And correcting what he called her wasn’t a priority anymore. For some strange reason, she felt … worried. “You’re going to fight him by yourself?” she asked, and a wry grin spread across his lips.
“You wouldn’t be worried about me now, would you? Not the badass Xi?” Ken grinned widely, his fingers caressing her skin. He felt her begin to pull away but he held her against him. “Lex, I mean it. Get out of here. As far away as possible. I love you.”
Alexa felt him vanish from her side before she could say anything. Instantly, she missed his warmth, and she frantically looked for him. A second later, two colossal forces collided, racing through the sky as their attacks made thunder clap through the air.
Alexa grabbed her chest as she watched from the ground. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t leave. She couldn’t do anything. She was frozen, her inner battle raging. A shiver ran down her spine as her heart raced, and she found herself worrying for Ken more and more.
The two powerful energies of the deities collided.
As the explosion subsided, Ken dashed in front of Erebus and thrusted an energy ball right at him, his energy smashing against Erebus’ darkness.
An electrifying explosion sent wind racing away from the two gods.
Dark smoke stung their eyes as their back and forth continued.
Ken was unrelenting, not holding back his punches.
He just needed an opening. He flashed through the sky, randomly unleashing balls of fury at Erebus.
Then, through the smoke, he found his opening.
He sprinted through the sky, colliding with Erebus as his fist connected with his chin.
At the same time, he grabbed onto him so he couldn’t go anywhere.
Ken finally had him and wasn’t about to let go.
He unleashed a frenzy of furious attacks on Erebus, ensuring he never touched Alexa again.
He shot a colorful blast of energy into the deity.
Erebus moved his hand and shot a black surge under Ken’s arms. It moved toward its target like a black shooting star.
Ken watched as the streak hurled toward Alexa.
Damn. He released Erebus and teleported just in time to block the attack.
There wasn’t time to defend himself. He could only use his body to shield Alexa.
A cloud of smoke erupted into the sky as the energy lashed against Ken’s back.
Ken winced as he held onto Alexa protectively, a small groan escaping his lips as the assault ended. He turned his head to see Erebus was long gone, having used the opportunity to flee. Even though he’d landed a powerful attack against Ken, he still fled in fear.
Alexa felt Ken’s body slump against hers, and she began to tremble.
“What have you done? Why did you do that?!” Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes as she reached up to help support him.
Her chest was tight, tears streaming down her face.
Her heart was hurting. And that was when something exploded inside her.
Her warm light swirled around her, snuffing out the dark.
The darkness faded from her eyes and the fog was lifted.
Her memories flooded back, and her beasts were no longer blocked from her.
It felt like something shattered in her mind as her light combusted inside her, taking back control.
Everything was clear—she knew who she was. She was no longer Xi … she was Alexa. She wrapped her arms around Ken, her fingers shaking uncontrollably. He saved her, and she’d hurt him. She’d hurt Mikah. Her breath was ragged as she remembered everything that had happened.
“Are you alright?” Ken asked, looking down at her.
“Am I alright?! Are you alright?” Alexa cried out hysterically with tears streaming down her face.
“Lex.” Ken sighed, relieved as he looked at her face. Her blue, watery eyes were sparkling up at him. “My Lex.” He cupped her cheek. “You found your way back to me.” He felt the tension inside finally subside. His beautiful mate was finally back to herself.
“I’m so sorry.” Alexa closed her eyes as the streams continued to fall. “Where’s Mikah? Is Mikah alright? What about you?”
“Mikah’s fine. I took him to Elysia. Hey …
shh … we’re fine. My Lex,” Ken straightened up and held her face in his hands.
“Gods, Lex,” he whispered and pressed his lips against hers.
She responded to him instantly and he held her head captive, greedily thrusting his tongue into her mouth, their lips moving together.
Sweet, welcoming tingles erupted over Alexa’s body as she moaned into his mouth.
Her hands reached up to grasp his shirt.
It felt like she hadn’t tasted him in years, and she craved the comfort his kiss was bringing her.
His scent blanketed her, wrapping her in a cocoon.
She needed this moment, even though her inner struggle was beginning to brew again.
Suddenly Ken pushed her away and stared at her. “Am I not your heart’s desire right now? What about the nembrant glass?”
Alexa didn’t feel the glass anymore. It was like the moment her light was set free, the glass had vanished from her.
The glass is gone, Alexa. You were able to expel it on your own with your fairy magic. Welcome back. Yuki’s voice was calm and soothing. It was refreshing to hear.
“The glass is gone. Yuki said I expelled it on my own.” Alexa looked down at the ground.
She’d attacked her mother. She’d hurt Mikah and Ken.
She felt like she didn’t deserve to even look at them right now, let alone receive Ken’s comfort.
She stepped away from Ken as she turned her head away from him.
“Thank you for blocking Erebus’ attack and for saving me.
Are you hurt badly?” Alexa’s voice was quiet as she closed her eyes.
The leaves rustled in the warm, salty breeze that swirled around them.
His heat engulfed her from behind as he pressed his chest against her back, his arms snaking around her.
He leaned down into her neck, his tongue flicking over her skin.
She inhaled sharply as he continued up her neck toward her ear.
“I’m fine. I heal quickly, my love.” Ken nibbled on her sensitive skin and tugged on her earlobe with his teeth. “I want to give you my mark.”
“Ken, my family—”
“They’re all safe in Elysia. Rogio is guarding the Vampire Kingdom and Lycaon is protecting the werewolves.
But it’s time I protect you and give you the gift of my summon.
Then I can come to you instantly. I want to complete our bond and join our souls together.
I want to make you mine forever, Alexa,” Ken murmured as he peppered her neck with feather-light kisses.
Alexa closed her eyes and bit her inner bottom lip.
As good as that all sounded … mentally, she just wasn’t ready.
She was trying to come to terms with what had just happened, including the loss of her great-grandparents.
But there was something else that was killing her right now, and that was Mikah.
She needed to see him. She hurt him and he was only trying to stay by her side.
She couldn’t begin to relax until she at least saw him. She needed to tell him she was sorry.
“Ken. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. It’s just … my head is a mess. I need to see Mikah and tell him how sorry I am. And—”
“My love. Let’s go see Mikah. I’m here to heal all your wounds.
Whatever you need, I’ll do it. And whenever you’re ready, I’m here.
” Ken spun her around, keeping her captive in his arms, and kissed her forehead.
“I know your family will be relieved to see you. And I think you’ll feel better once you see all of them …
and I do mean all of them.” Ken chuckled.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Just stay by my side and let me love you. That’s all I want.”
“I’m sorry Erebus got away because of me.” Alexa looked up at him apologetically as his fingers sifted through her hair. She watched a warm smile spread over his face, his eyes glowing with love for her.
“Don’t worry about it. He can no longer keep us apart.
And we’ll get him eventually.” Ken leaned his forehead against Alexa’s.
“I can see the pain in your eyes. My love, it’s okay.
Don’t blame yourself. Blame Erebus.” He wrapped his arms around her tightly, needing to hold her.
Now that it was all over, the panic over what had happened was sinking in.
Gods … he could never lose her. He needed her.
Alexa closed her eyes and sighed. It felt so good to be in his arms. Too good.
She felt like she didn’t deserve this type of contentment.
As much as she wanted Ken to claim her and put his mark on her, she couldn’t right now.
Maybe she would feel better after seeing her family.
But right now, she was hurting. Xi wasn’t there for long, but she’d wounded her, tainted her and made her hurt the people she loved.
Ken could feel her conflicting pain. Yes …
he could feel it. It wasn’t strong, but it was trickling into him.
He wanted to wipe it all away. It wasn’t her fault.
She wasn’t in her right mind. She needed to see her family.
She needed to see that they didn’t blame her either.
He brushed his lips over her forehead once more and straightened up.
“Okay, let’s go to Elysia.”