Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 23

Micah felt his insides squeeze restricting his oxygen. He had glanced back to see one of the dark creatures swinging its cleaver down at Alexis. Before he could react though the creature disintegrated. All of the dark soldiers combusted into nothing. He sighed with relief to see Aken holding Alexis. He couldn’t imagine ever feeling happier to see that damn Kraken. Well, this was his thought for a second because a moment later Aken vanished taking Alexis with him. Both men shifted back to their human forms as their minor wounds quickly healed.

Micah sat down on the ground angrily as Brian sat next to him. They were both looking at Terra who walked over and sat opposite of them.

“I know she is with Aken, but I don’t like not having her in my sight,” Micah growled as he lifted his gaze up to Terra.

“He will bring her back. She is safer with him than anyone.” Terra listened to the annoyed scoff from Micah. They sat there quietly for a few moments not knowing what to say to one another.

“Can you tell us what those creatures were?” Brian asked changing the topic. He was fully healed from his injuries but this was the first time he had to accelerate his healing like that.

“Those were wrathens. They are an undead demon.” Terra looked at the two men and gave them a small smile. “Don’t go thinking of them like they are zombies. Zombies are from movies. Wrathens are not zombies. They are not just mindless killing machines. They are vicious and terrifying. They hunt in packs and elements can not hurt them. They can actually use its power to rejuvenate themselves.” She nodded her head over at Micah. “A guardian is a tough opponent for them. They have some of the toughest non-elemental magic around.”

“Where did these wrathens come from?” Brian asked and listened to Micah growl in agitation.

“They’ve always been around but not at these numbers. The demon war was the perfect environment for wrathens to come to life. Wrathens, shrieks, dranvors, faceless and other unpleasant creatures have all increased now. Demons usually have ways to come back in some other existence. They should really be the one we joke about having nine lives.”

Terra leaned back on her hands and looked up at the sky. The early night sky was peppered with white sparkling diamonds. The soft glowing light of the moon peeked around some clouds. The creatures of the night were emerging singing their chorus together in a peaceful melody. And a cool breeze wrapped around her body.

“The wrathens… did they come into existence on their own?” Micah asked watching Terra’s head turn to look at him.

“No.” There was an icy tone in Terra’s voice. “This is the work of a very special type of necromancer. Necromancers come in various strengths. Some don’t have a long life force and some are puppets for others. It all depends how they are created.” She frowned and let out a quiet sigh. “But this one is different. Whatever is raising these demons is strong enough to bring them back with incredible strength.” She stared at the two men as she inwardly debated about how much to say. With a defeated breath she finally muttered what was on her mind, “I don’t have any proof. But I think this is the work of a nycrops.”

“No. That’s impossible.” Micah growled shaking his head.

“What is a nycrops?” Brian glanced from Micah to Terra.

“A creature that doesn’t exist anymore,” Micah said in a gruff voice.

“That isn’t true.” Terra watched as Micah’s eyes flickered at her. “I know you probably don’t trust me since I am… what I am. But there are ways for a nycrops to still exist. Especially if the conditions were created to bring one into existence.”

“What the hell is a nycrops?” Brian breathed out with more bite in his tone.

“A nycrops is like a necromancer on steroids. They are a necromancer, an enchantress, a witch, a priestess, they are a creature that was so powerful that all species feared them. A nycrops belongs to themselves. They don’t fit among any species but their own. But there has never been a good nycrops. They are dangerous creatures. They-” Terra tried to explain but Micah cut her off.

“They were creatures that were eliminated from the world. The fairies and the demons purged their kind a long time ago. Why would someone bring them back into existence?” Micah shook his head. He remembered the lessons he learned from Dylan. The guardian of the retired Queen of the Fairies, Alice. The nycrops were not only powerful but their special skills made them most formidable. A creature like that couldn’t just show up again. Why would someone aid to bring a creature like that back?

“I don’t know for sure. I’ve heard the shadows whisper of its existence. Something powerful is at work here. And I don’t think it is only demons.”

“Let’s hope your hunch is wrong. For everyone’s sake.” Micah stared into her hazel eyes.

“I’ve never seen you this apprehensive about a creature. Is it really that worrisome?” Brian listened to the loud exhale from Micah as he slowly nodded his head.

“Dylan told me that there is one case of a guardian falling from a nycrops. No one was around to know exactly what had happened. But for a guardian to be killed… we don’t know exactly what methods were used to bring him down.” Micah closed his eyes. “Of course, I would never let a nycrops get the best of me. If there is even one out there.”

“What about you Terra? Are you afraid of this mythical creature?” Brian asked and watched as her lips parted open.

“I don’t think I would stand a chance against one on my own,” Terra said in a quiet voice. It was different when they were asking about information. But this was now turning into a normal conversation, and she didn’t have many of those. Aken wasn’t exactly a conversationalist.

“How are you against wrathens?” Brian asked as he studied the young woman. He watched a smile finally reach her lips.

“I probably would have been doing better than you were.” Terra’s smile grew as she listened to Brian’s chuckle.

“No doubt about that. But next time I’ll be better prepared. Now that I know what to expect.” Brian watched as two figures suddenly appeared in front of them.

“Alexis!” Micah jumped to his feet and rushed over to her. He glared at Aken and pointed at him. “Next time you have to complete the sign-out sheet and for how long you expect to have her.”

Aken chuckled as he lowered his grip from Alexis’ side. “That goes for you too. Next time you plan to take her out of the dragon kingdom I want a note.”

“I see. You think you are suddenly entitled to a note?” Micah growled stepping forward.

“Micah-” Alexis began but Micah held his hand up stopping her voice looking into her eyes.

“This is between me and the puddle pirate.” Micah watched as Aken’s eyes flickered with humor.

“Well with all due respect, whose watch was she under when she ended up getting cursed?” A smirk rose over Aken’s face as he watch Micah’s eye twitch.

“Who is hungry for calamari?” Micah’s eyes narrowed at Aken.

Alexis was anxiously flipping her sight between both men. They were both very important men in her life and this was going horribly. She was about to say something when the sound of both of them laughing soon rumbled loudly.

Micah reached his hand out and Aken clasped it as wide grins played on their lips.

“Calamari? You read too much fiction. I’m not a squid. I’ll show you some time though.” Aken released Micah’s hand. “Thank you for watching over her. I’ll try to be around more often.”

“Please do. As you can see she is a handful. Look at the bags under these eyes. They are because of her.”

“Wait a minute. Why do I feel like I am missing something? Since when are you two best friends?” Alexis asked looking in confusion between the two men.

“Lex, I’ve seen him without his shirt on. We are bro bonded. Though next time you are giving away necklaces don’t leave me out.” Micah chuckled as Aken cleared his throat and shook his head.

“Micah and I both have the same goal in mind. And it is keeping you safe. Plus, I like his attitude.” Aken then turned his head pinning his gaze on Brian. He gave him a small nod to which Brian returned. Alexis had explained everything to him and he knew Brian did not have any romantic feelings for her. There were some words he wouldn’t utter now for safety reasons.

“Terra.” Aken turned his head to look at the girl. “Let the water guppy know that his daughter is with me and to stay put. We will be back soon.”

“Water guppy? You mean my father?” Alexis arched her brow up at Aken as a crooked grin spread over his lips.

“Trust me he likes being called that.” Aken winked at her and chuckled. “Terra wait a minute.” He glanced at Alexis. “Can you send a messenger fairy? I actually have other work that I need to put Terra on.”

“Do I have to…” Alexis sighed as she scrunched her nose up.

“Lex, do you know how worried they will be when they replace out you aren’t there? Let them know you are with me. That’s all they need to know. Don’t worry.” He smiled at her as he cupped her cheeks. “They’ll have to go through me if they plan on scolding you.”

“You’ll be around when they scold me?” Alexis watched his green eyes soften.

“Yes, I need to speak with your parents about a lot of things.” Aken looked over at Terra. “Are you willing to go back to where you found me in the demon realm? There is more information that we need from there. It’s not without its risks but-”

“Consider it done,” Terra said bowing her head slightly.

The next second she flashed off disappearing in the darkness.

“Will she be okay?” Alexis asked glancing up at Aken.

“I wouldn’t have sent her if I thought she wouldn’t be.” Aken glanced around. “Let’s get that message sent so we can get rid of this curse you are harboring.”

“When you kill Erebus could you make it particularly painful? It’s the only way I’ll be able to sleep at night.” Micah snorted angrily. The very thought of his princess having a curse placed on her was beyond infuriating.

“Is there any other way to kill him?” Aken smirked and a grin raised over Brian’s lips.

“Okay, I like him.” Brian shrugged. “I didn’t think I would. But don’t get too comfortable just yet – I haven’t decided if you are good enough for her.”

“I’m not.” Aken’s green eyes met with Brian’s hazel eyes. “I’m not good enough for her. I don’t think anyone is. But she is mine and I want her.”

“Damnit. Give me something to work with.” Brian whispered out shaking his head. If he said something like that then he was good enough for her.

Alexis stopped abruptly and sharply turned into Aken. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I’m the one who will decide who is good enough for me. I’ve already decided. And I’m not about to let anyone speak about my mate like that.” She lifted her brows as she challenged him with her eyes.

Aken stared into her beautiful ocean eyes. Hearing her say those words about him filled him up inside. However, he couldn’t accept her answer to that yet. Not completely. Not until she knew about all of him. And saw the monster that he was.

Alexis was the Fairy Princess. She was everything that was light, beautiful, and right in this world. He was a deity with a dark and shady past. He was a grotesque killing machine – a creature that could instill fear into the hearts and minds of others. But he wanted her. He needed her. He also knew that now there was no way that he could let her go if she feared him. . . . and that was a problem. Maybe he really was the monster everyone thought of him as.