Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
In the distance, Meryl watched as Ken and Alexa vanished.
She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes.
If only Ken could have finished Erebus off.
He was so close. She wanted Erebus to die.
She wanted her granddaughter’s soul released.
Meryl felt a heavy pressure begin to pull her down as the shadows hid a liquid darkness.
“How close is it to being finished?” a sinister voice rasped from the shadows as if the shadows themselves were speaking. There was no physical body to be seen.
“My lord.” Meryl bowed her head respectfully, keeping her gaze on the ground.
“It’s almost there, but we need more essence in it.
Right now, the nembrant glass can be broken if the person is strong enough.
We can try adding more of your essence, or a deity’s essence is needed. That should do the trick.”
“I see. What about what we already have? Will it work for the invasive species?”
“I believe so. There are no guarantees. But it almost worked on a demigod and she would be more powerful.” Meryl listened as the shadows hummed in acknowledgement.
“Do what is necessary. This must be done. This way we can work from the shadows undetected. We may not be able to fight in the apocalyptic war, but we will take control from the shadows. Preparations must be ready.” A dark chuckle sounded from the darkness.
“That damn Moon Goddess won’t be able to stop what’s coming.
Not this time. The world will taste terror. ”
Meryl hesitated for a second before she finally voiced what was on her mind. “I’m not sure how much the nembrant glass can hold essence-wise. I would like to respectfully suggest a binding agreement. Someone who will agree to be the host for more power.”
“A suggestion? Do you think I don’t already know this? That is not what I want. A binding agreement leaves a trail.” The shadows scoffed as they moved in the breeze. “Or perhaps that is exactly what you wanted. Do what I demand. That is all.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The suffocating darkness vanished, leaving Meryl to finally lift her head. She looked at her fingers, then clenched them into fists. She knew better than to try to deceive him … that was the best she could do. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t regret it.
“I guess I need to visit the doctor again. I’ll see if she has more valuable information that will help my task, and hopefully some unique essences I can use.
” Meryl was fully prepared to go down the spiraling path of darkness.
From the moment she’d died, she scorned the world.
There was only one existence that mattered, and that was her granddaughter Beryl.
She would save her soul, no matter what she had to do.
She tried what little she could, but to hell with it all.
Beryl was all that mattered. She would do what she had to, even if it meant damning the world and handing it over to demons.
The demons were being clever this time. They wouldn’t act on it themselves but would be acting from the shadows. Winning a war without ever soiling their own hands.
Darkness. Was. Coming.
Ken and Alexa transported to Elysia, flashing into a garden near the castle. Ken looked lovingly down at Alexa as she took a deep breath and looked around.
“Lex.” Ken frowned slightly and sighed. “There are a lot of people up ahead.” He raised his hand and brushed his thumb over her cheek, his fingertips buzzing from the exciting tingles she brought him.
She leaned her cheek into his touch, and he watched her close her eyes slightly.
“Is it too much for you right now? I can—” His forehead creased as he pursed his lips together.
“I can feel that you’re anxious. Why don’t I grab Mikah and take us somewhere quieter? ”
Alexa smiled and leaned her forehead against his chest. “My family isn’t going to allow that. They’re going to want to see me.”
“I don’t care what your family wants. I only care about what you want. Let me protect you. I will shield you from your family.” Ken listened to her sweet giggle that he’d missed so much.
“This is my family you’re talking about. There is no shield that will protect me from them.” Alexa smiled up at Ken’s serious eyes. She watched as a smirk spread over his face.
“Well, today you’re in luck. Because I am that shield. My love, I will move mountains for you. I can easily shield you. Even from your family.” Ken wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her body flush against his. He leaned his head down to rest on top of hers and slowly took in her scent.
“Ken …”
“Shh. Just let me hold you right now. I need to calm down.” Ken leaned into her and closed his eyes.
He was so focused on bringing Alexa back that he hadn’t allowed himself to think about what could have happened.
But now it was consuming his every thought.
This was too close. Way too close. He could have lost her, and with her, his reason to live.
There was no future for him without her.
“Lex,” he whispered into her hair. “Come back with me to my home. It’s safe there.
I want some time with you where we can forget about the world and our troubles for at least a few days.
We can bring Mikah back with us. I need to pick up Terra too. I left her in the dragon kingdom.”
Alexa closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace.
She felt her nose sting and her eyes burned as they watered.
That actually sounded amazing and maybe just what she needed.
She needed to think and clear her head. There were a lot of emotions swimming around inside her, but there was also something else bothering her.
You can’t keep it a secret.
Now you’re talkative, Yuki. Alexa laughed inwardly.
You’ll adjust. It isn’t as worrisome as you’re making it. And you’re stronger now. I’m always here for you to talk to.
But I’m … I’m different now. I’m not like the other fairy royals. We have dark fairies … kelpies are considered a dark fairy. But …
“We don’t have to… I’m sorry. It was selfish of me to ask.” Ken noticed Alexa’s tension. The last thing he wanted to do was add anything to her plate.
Alexa lifted her head up and bit her bottom lip. “It sounds wonderful.” She gave him a weak smile. “I’m just thinking is all …”
Alexa, you know you might as well just say it. The moment he marks you, he’ll know your thoughts anyway.
“I’m different now, Ken. The glass had demonic power injected into it. When I destroyed the glass, I absorbed its power. This isn’t dark fairy power. This is demonic. A fairy princess with demonic power … it’s unheard of. What am I now?”
“Hey now. You’re still you. You’re still Alexa. My love—”
“Ken, the fairy princess is supposed to be everything that is good and pure in the world. I’m—I’m not pure anymore. I’ve been tainted.”
“Is Lucie also tainted?” Ken watched confusion fill her eyes.
“She’s part vampire too, right? Vampires have never been known to be everything that is pure and good in the world.
So do you think different of her?” Ken smiled as he cupped her cheek.
“You don’t. Of course you don’t. Just like this doesn’t change anything about you either.
Except it makes you stronger. Is this why you’re anxious right now? ”
Alexa nodded her head. “It feels foreign, and if I’m being honest, it scares me a little. It’s like Xi is still here.”
“Xi has always been part of you. Everyone has a little Xi in them … Or a lot of Xi, in some circumstances. It doesn’t define you.
And the darkness won’t drown out the light.
” Ken leaned his forehead against Alexa’s and stared into her beautiful blue eyes.
“I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from this.
Don’t be scared. I’ll be by your side from now on. ”
“Don’t apologize to me about not protecting me. Please. I don’t want a relationship where I’m always being protected. I want us to be partners where we protect each other. I was weak. In a moment of weakness, the glass was able to invade. This is my fault—”
“Alexa!”
“It’s true, Ken. I allowed this to happen. I should have fought harder. I should have been prepared.”
“Prepared? How could you have prepared for that? Stop. You’re just upset, and—”
“YES! I am upset. I hurt you! I hurt Mikah. I attacked my mother. And now there’s this dark energy inside of me. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m just being honest. I’m stronger than that. I shouldn’t have let the darkness win.”
“Lex, it’s over now. It’s all over,” Ken crooned to her, but Alexa stepped away from him, shaking her head.
“It’s not over. Because it’s all fresh right here.” Alexa lifted her fingers to her head.
“Don’t!” Ken growled and stomped toward her, closing the gap between them.
He grabbed her by her chin and crashed his lips against hers, his other hand wrapping around her waist and holding her against him.
A low growl hummed in his throat as he claimed her greedily.
He moved against her lips roughly as he plunged his tongue into her mouth.
He felt her fingers dig into his hair as she pulled him closer.
“Don’t step away from me, Lex,” he mumbled against her lips as he panted heavily.
“There is no room for space between us. Never again. I—I can’t, ever again.
I’m the one who’s weak, Lex. I need you.
I can’t live without you. My love, I am dependent on your existence.
” He breathed in her breath and gently nibbled on her bottom lip.
“If you need time, take it. But never let there be space between us. I’m so sorry I did before.
I regret it. I thought I was protecting you.
I don’t deserve you! But I can’t think about that anymore because I need you.
I won’t ever let you go.” He pressed against her lips gently, capturing them once again.
This time his kiss was light and slow, and between his kisses, he muttered into her mouth, “I’m possessive.
I have a temper. I’m tainted. I’m aggressive.
And I’m all yours. And you. Are. All. Mine. ”
Alexa’s slender hands curled into his shirt as a rush of desire swelled inside her.
His mouth was soft, hard, hot, and his taste was maddening.
Her heart was beating faster as her breath escaped in gasps between kisses.
His tongue slowly probed her mouth, sending pleasure curling through her.
The taste, feel, and smell of him made her body erupt with electrifying tingles as his tongue intimately caressed hers, and she felt his desire for her.
She drank the sweetness he offered her as she pressed into him, forgetting about everything except her want and need for her mate.
“I hope you don’t need time apart from this,” Ken murmured into her lips as his hand trailed down her side and gently traced around her breast. He pulled away from her and prodded her nose as he looked at her swollen lips.
Alexa panted for a moment and then smiled. She shook her head. “When I’m with you, I tend to forget about everything else. It’s like the confusion is gone and I have nothing to worry about.”
“You don’t. There isn’t anything for you to worry about.” Ken could see by her faint smile that she didn’t feel that way. He wrapped his arm around her waist and nodded his head. “You’ll see. There really isn’t anything to worry about. About what I offered earlier … we don’t have to.”
“No, let’s go back to your home. I think that’s exactly what I need.
” Alexa watched the grin spread across his lips.
She could tell that this meant a lot to him.
And honestly, she needed time with him too.
She needed some quiet time with her mate.
“We’ll visit with my family, then we’ll take Mikah and Terra with us. ”
“Perfect.” Ken kissed the top of her head and then glanced up. “Let’s get you to your bear first. I think you both need to see one another.”
Alexa nodded her head and gnawed on her inner lip.
She did need to see Mikah. She’d hurt him badly, and she couldn’t forgive herself for that.
Leaning against Ken, she let the comfort he gave her relax her.
It was funny how Ken said he didn’t think he deserved her.
Because that was how she felt … like she didn’t deserve him.
Maybe they should mark each other later. They would bare their souls to one another and there could never be any misunderstandings.
As they approached the castle, Alexa could hear the sounds of joyous laughter.
It went quiet as they walked around the corner, all eyes turning toward them.
Everyone had sensed Alexa and Ken’s presence.
She scanned the scene in front of her until she locked onto a set of blue eyes as they slowly approached.