Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 52

In the distance, Meryl watched as Aken, and Alexis vanished. She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. If only Aken could have finished Erebus off. He was so close. She wanted Erebus to die. She wanted her granddaughter’s soul released from him. 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. It was 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 is almost there but we need more essence in it. Right now, the nembrant 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 acknowledgment.

“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 is 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 can hold essence wise. I would like to respectfully suggest the idea of 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 as she closed them into little balls. She knew better than to try to deceive him… that was the best she could do. Whatever happens, she won’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 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.

__

Aken and Alexis transported to Elysium. They were near the Castle in a garden with a variety of different flowers. Aken looked lovingly down at Alexis as she took a deep breath and looked around.

“Lex.” Aken frowned slightly and sighed. “There are a lot of people up ahead.” He lifted up his hand and brushed his thumb over her cheek. His fingertips buzzed from the exciting tingles she brought him. She leaned her cheek into his touch, and he watched her close her eyes slightly. “It is too much for you right now? I can—” His forehead creased as he pursed his lips together. “I can feel you are anxious. Why don’t I grab Micah and take us somewhere quieter?”

Alexis smiled and then leaned her forehead into his chest. “My family isn’t going to allow that. They are 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.” Aken listened to her sweet giggle that he had missed.

“This is my family you are talking about. There is no shield that will protect me from them.” Alexis smiled up at Aken’s serious eyes. She watched as a smirk spread over his face.

“Well, today you are in luck. Because I am that shield. My love, I will move mountains for you. I can easily shield you. Even from your family.” Aken wrapped his arms around her tightly holding her body flush against his. He leaned his head down to rest on top of hers as he slowly took in her scent.

“Well, today you are in luck. Because I am that shield. My love, I will move mountains for you. I can easily shield you. Even from your family.” Aken wrapped his arms around her tightly holding her body flush against his. He leaned his head down to rest on top of hers as he slowly took in her scent.

“Aken…”

“Shh. Just let me hold you right now. I need to calm down.” Aken leaned into her body and closed his eyes. He was so focused on bringing Alexis back that he didn’t allow himself to think about what could have happened. But now it was consuming his whole thoughts. 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 troubles for at least a few days. We can bring Micah back with us. I need to pick up Terra too… I left her in the dragon kingdom.”

Alexis 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 of her but there was also something else bothering her.

You can’t keep it a secret.

Now you are talkative, Yuki. Alexis laughed inwardly.

You’ll adjust. It isn’t as worrisome as you are making it. And you are stronger now. I’m always here for you to talk to.

But I am… I am different now. I am unlike 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.” Aken noticed Alexis’ tension. The last thing he wanted to do was add anything to her plate.

Alexis lifted her head up and bit her bottom l*p. “It sounds wonderful.” She gave him a weak smile. “I’m just thinking is all…”

Alexis, you know you might as well just say it. The moment he marks you he will know your thoughts anyways.

“I’m different now. Aken, the glass had demonic power injected into it. When I destroyed the glass, the power went into me. This isn’t dark fairy power. This is demonic power. A fairy princess with demonic power… it’s unheard of. What am I now?”

“Hey now. You are still you. You are still Alexis. My love—”

“Aken, 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 Lucy also tainted?” Aken watched as her eyes looked at him in confusion. “She is 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?” Aken 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 are anxious right now?”

Alexis nodded her head. “It feels foreign and if I am being honest, it scares me a little bit. It is 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.” Aken leaned his forehead against Alexis’ and stared into her blue beautiful 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 the relationship of 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—”

“Alexis!”

“It’s true Aken. 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 are just upset and—”

“YES! I am upset. I hurt you! I hurt Micah. I attacked my mother. And now there is this dark energy inside of me. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I am just being honest. I am stronger than that. I shouldn’t have let the darkness win.”

“Lex, it’s over now. It’s all over.” Aken crooned to her, but Alexis stepped away from him shaking her head.

“It’s not over. Because it is all fresh right here.” Alexis lifted her fingers to her head.

“Don’t!” Aken growled and stomped towards Alexis, closing the gap between them. He grabbed her by her chin and crashed his lips against hers as his other hand wrapped around her waist, 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 hand reach up to his head, digging her fingers in his hair and tugging him more into her.

“Don’t step away from me Lex.” He mumbled into her lips through his heavy panting. “There is no room for space between us. Never again. I— I can’t ever again. I’m the one who is 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 l*p. “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 as he captured them once again. This time it was very light and slow. Between his light k****s, 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.”

Alexis’ slender hands curled into him as her inside swelled from the sensual excitement. His mouth was soft, hard, hot, and his taste was maddening. Her heart was beating faster as her breath escaped in gasps between k****s. His tongue slowly probed into her mouth and pleasure was filling her insides. The taste, feel and smell of him had her body erupting with electrifying tingles. The intimacy of his tongue on hers as 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,” Aken 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.

Alexis panted for a moment and then smiled. She shook her head. “When I am 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.” Aken 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 is nothing to worry about. About what I offered earlier, we don’t have to.”

“No, let’s go back to your home. I think that is exactly what I need.” Alexis watched the grin spread across his lips. And she could tell that this meant a lot to him. And honestly, she needed quiet time with him too. She needed some quiet time with her mate. “We’ll visit with my family then take Micah and Terra with us.”

“Perfect.” Aken 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.”

Alexis nodded her head and gnawed on her inner l*p. She did need to see Micah. She had hurt him badly and she couldn’t forgive herself for that. She leaned into Aken’s side and let the comfort he gave her relax her. It’s funny how Aken said he didn’t think he deserved her. Because right now that is how she felt… like she didn’t deserve him.

Maybe they should mark each other later. They would be baring their souls to one another and there could never be any misunderstandings.

As they approached the castle, Alexis could hear the sounds of joyous laughter. It went quiet and as they walked around the corner all eyes were in their direction. Everyone had sensed Alexis and Aken’s presence. Alexis scanned the scene in front of her until she locked onto a set of blue eyes that was now slowly moving towards her.