Chapter 31
A spiraling wave of heat circled Brian as Micah held it in place. It was like he put a clear barrier around Brian holding the deadly aura in lockdown.
“How are you doing that?” Shiva asked as she leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees. “What I guess I really mean is how did you know how to do that…?”
Micah turned his head to look at her like she had said something insane. “How does an elementalist know what to do? How does a shifter know how to shift?” He lowered his shield around Brian as the aura pushed back inside of the dragon.
Shiva clicked her tongue and glared at Micah. “Instinct. The answer you are looking for would be instinct.” She stood up and walked over to him. “Do it again. But around me.”
“I can’t just-” Micah interjected but Shiva shot a surge of ice at him making him react naturally.
Shiva reached her hand out to touch the invisible sphere around her. She let it brush through her fingers as she closed her eyes. The energy was not what she had expected. What she was almost certain of before suddenly clouded her mind with doubt. She parted her lips as a new realization hit her.
“Take it down.” Shiva whispered out. She studied Micah’s green eyes as he withdrew the barrier. “Can you tell me about anything before the dark elves? In certainty.”
Micah furrowed his brows and shook his head. “No. It’s all a blur. I only remember my life with the dark elves.”
“Who told you your parents were killed in the demon war?” Shiva pinned her eyes on him and watched him shrug his shoulders.
“The dark elves…” Micah shook his head. “I’m not sure what the point of this is.”
“Brian…” Shiva said in a quiet voice. “Go stand next to Bella please.” Her eyes flipped up to Micah as Brian eagerly agreed to this request.
“Defend yourself!” Shiva ordered and began launching frozen bursts at Micah.
Micah didn’t hesitate, effortlessly blocking and evading the attacks of the goddess. Her attacks hit with a force he had never experienced before. He was finding it harder and harder to successfully evade her. This is when he decided to switch tactics and go on the attack.
Shiva shot an icy blast and Micah reacted pressing into it sending it back to her. He followed the attack in a blurring speed reaching Shiva. He grabbed her wrist and spun her body into him immobilizing her.
“I see…” Shiva muttered as her brows furrowed. “Well? What are you still holding onto me for?” She snapped and stomped her foot sending and crashing wave of snow over Micah. She then walked away with her lips pursed together. She glanced up at Brian and snorted. “Well? Get back to practicing.”
“Well, she is certainly in a mood.” Brian chuckled winking at Bella before he made his way back over to Micah.
“Alexis has been gone a long time.” Micah sighed out as his lips pulled down.
“Relax she is with Aken. She is okay.” Brian patted Micah on the shoulder as he walked by him.
“She is probably tasting his beast right now.” Shiva laughed and then shuddered at the same time. “Oh, I just grossed myself out.”
Brian and Micah glared over at Shiva and then shook their heads. This was one of those topics that was off the table for them.
“Micah that was something else. I’ve never felt that much power from you.” Brian looked at Micah who only shrugged his shoulders.
“She was going easy on me. I just took advantage of that situation so I could end it quickly.” Micah listened to Shiva snort and a slight smirk reached his lips. It seemed the goddess didn’t like being beaten.
“Well? Get back to work!” Shiva hissed out as the smirk on Micah’s face grew.
The two men worked tirelessly under Shiva’s watchful gaze. Each time Brian was adjusting quicker. He was becoming more and more familiar with his new power. It was finally beginning to feel like second nature now. He could call the power off instantly and even Shiva nodded her head in approval.
“Good.” Shiva yawned. “The challenge will be you controlling it when your emotions are out of control. Like something happening to Bella. Be mindful of your triggers and constantly work to control yourself. Keep in mind this is no longer the fire you remember. One wrong move and ashes to dust…” She watched as his gaze continued to linger over Bella.
“Go! Talk to her. I can’t stand the drooling any longer.” Shiva clicked her tongue and sighed loudly.
Brian walked over to Bella as she licked her lips nervously. He reached his hand up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I just want to be close to you… if that’s alright. I know you don’t… feel this. And that’s okay. I… I need to at least be close to you. And we can talk?”
“Ask her for her shirt to soothe your beast. That’s what Aken gave Alexis.” Micah grinned as Shiva snorted in a fit of giggles.
Bella looked over to Micah and then tilted her head at Brian. “Do you want me to give you my shirt?”
“Sweetie. I don’t think him having your shirt will have the same effect it did with Alexis. I think it would only work him up not calm him down.” Shiva chimed in. Brian turned his face away from Bella as a shade of red crept up his neck.
“I..” Bella started and then stepped forward to grab onto Brian’s hand.
Brian felt a soothing wave wash through him and the tension he had vanished. The beast curled up inside of him in contentment and he turned his gaze to her grey eyes.
“Does this help?” Bella asked in a soft whisper.
“Yes. Thank you.” Brian smiled at her and let out a breath he had been holding.
“Brian, why don’t you tell her more about the kingdom and the acceptance k**s? And about Alexis and you… Fill her in on the important details.” Micah watched Brian nod his head. He watched Brian walk to the other side of the room with Bella where he would have a bit more privacy.
“Alright. What do you know about me?” Micah turned and glared at Shiva as a wry grin spread over her face.
“Know something…me?” Shiva shrugged innocently.
“You know something. I am not stupid.” Micah growled and watched as the goddess narrowed her eyes at him.
“I need some more time. But I will come and visit soon. After I am able to confirm a few things.” Shiva chewed on her inner cheek as she began to mull over her thoughts. Micah had her guessing which was unusual. What she had thought not long ago about him was no longer the case. She was shocked to feel the foreign energy from Micah. It was not what she was expecting at all. But now it was making more sense why the fairy magic chose him.
“And you don’t feel the need to elaborate on this now?” Micah watched as her icy gaze met with his.
“I don’t feel the need to do anything I don’t want to do. And I don’t appreciate the tone in which you are speaking to me.” Shiva listened to the low chuckle from Micah as he shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t really care what you appreciate and what you don’t. I am not beholding to you. Tell me. Don’t tell me. Whatever.” Micah turned his head as he detected the scent of Alexis. He watched as she manifested along with Aken just a few feet away.
“Lex!” Micah sighed with relief. She immediately ran up to him and hugged him tightly which is exactly what he needed. He smiled and leaned his head down on top of hers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay Micah. I’ll explain everything to you. I just needed a moment to calm down.” Alexis stepped away from him and was back in the arms of her mate.
“You deflowered her, didn’t you? You are a beast.” Shiva snorted as Aken shot daggers at her with his eyes. She grinned and shrugged. “Were you letting her sample your beast?”
“No.” Alexis said clearly as Shiva’s eyes came to meet with hers. “I was the one taming his beast.” She grinned and tilted her head up to see the crimson stains seize Aken’s neck and ears.
“Good.” Shiva yawned. “The challenge will be you controlling it when your emotions are out of control. Like something happening to Bella. Be mindful of your triggers and constantly work to control yourself. Keep in mind this is no longer the fire you remember. One wrong move and ashes to dust…” She watched as his gaze continued to linger over Bella.
Micah cleared his throat and winced his eyes shut. “Remember Lex we don’t do girl talk. Please no details.”
Alexis giggled and shrugged. She wasn’t embarrassed about it. She was proud that she had been with her mate. It was about da.mn time actually. She looked around the room curiously looking for Bella and Brian. She found them at the far end of the room and they seemed like they didn’t even notice she had returned.
“Did I miss something?” Alexis asked looking over at Micah.
“No nothing at all. Shiva has only removed the barrier around Brian. And Brian has discovered Bella is his mate only she can’t sense he is her mate because she is young. So, no you didn’t miss anything.” Micah watched as Alexis’ eyes widened and a wide smile spread over her face.
“That’s perfect. Not that she doesn’t’ recognize him but him finding his mate and she is a strong dragon. This is wonderful news.” Alexis glanced up at Aken who leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Aken, I’ll be coming to visit shortly. I just need to check on a few things and I’ll be popping by. Make sure Leviathan expects me.” Shiva watched as Aken slowly nodded his head.
“Well, the journey back can be a lot faster. I can project you back or-” Aken started but Micah interrupted him.
“No offense but let’s just fly back. We have two dragons that can get us back fast enough.” Micah listened as Shiva chuckled.
“Someone is afraid of the transporting.” Shiva grinned wickedly and brought her hands together.
“I’m not afraid,” Micah growled. “It feels weird.”
“Shall we let those two talk a bit longer? I don’t think Brian even knows I am here. And then we will head back… I wonder how badly I am going to get yelled at by my father?” Alexis gnawed on her bottom l*p nervously.
Aken chuckled and nuzzled his nose in her neck. “Don’t worry my love. I will be right by your side.”
Micah grinned widely. “I think having Aken and Levi around will be quite entertaining.”
“It’s only for now,” Aken said making both Micah and Alexis dart their eyes up at him. “After this situation is settled with Erebus, I’ll be taking Alexis with me.”
Micah stared at him for a moment and then looked back at Alexis’ shocked face. It seems she was not aware of this or never thought about where she would live before. “Would you care to elaborate? What are your plans for me in those regards?”
“Honestly? I haven’t completely decided yet. As of now, the plan will be for you to stay with us. But I guess time will tell the tale there. I just want to have Alexis to myself for a while. Away from… her father. My place is plenty big enough.” Aken watched as Micah nodded his head slowly.
“Alexis, are you okay with this?” Micah asked noticing her stunned face.
“I guess I didn’t think about any of that before.” Alexis shook her head slightly and shrugged. “I have been so focused on finding my mate that I never thought about afterwards.” She looked up at Aken to see his eyes studying her. She gave him a reassuring smile and nodded her head. “But I suppose it would make sense for me to go and live with you. As long as Micah comes with me, and we can visit as often as I want.”
Aken’s lips curled up in a wide smile. “Whatever you want.”
“Lex you’re back!” Brian said as he walked over with Bella by his side. She wasn’t holding his hand but was walking next to him.
Alexis giggled. “I hear we have a lot to get caught up on. Gossip for the ride home?”
“Yes! Thank goodness we aren’t walking.” Brian sighed with relief. “When are we leaving?”
“Now,” Shiva said as she shot a bright blinding light at the group.