Page 112 of The Dragon's Gambit
Lee shot a hand out and wrapped it around Reiya’s wrist. “It sounds like you’re saying you would have fought the demon right then, had you noticed,” Lee growled, not amused with what he was hearing.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Reiya snapped back at him.
“See?! Trouble. Trouble, trouble, trouble. Damn it, Reiya. Lock her up, Levi,” Brody snarled, shaking his head angrily. His sister was going to get herself killed.
“That’s a problem for me, Reiya. A real problem. I won’t have you putting yourself at risk. What am I supposed to do with you? Do I really need to lock you up?” Lee’s voice was crisp and low, with a deadly tone seeping in.
“It’s okay for everyone else, though? It’s okay for everyone else to put themselves at risk but me. Why? That way of thinking isn’t fair,” she shot out, glaring angrily at Brody as well.
“Reiya,” Xander said, very calmly. “I have no doubt that you’re tough. I’m sure you would be a tough opponent. The thing is … you’re it. There’s only you. If something happens to you, the fairies are left without an heir.”
“What if something happens to you?” Reiya spat back bitterly.
Xander smiled. “Then I have family who would be next in line to take over. Reese would take over if something happened before I could produce an heir. Who would take over for you, Reiya?” Xander looked at her pointedly as he watched her tense slightly. Honestly, it really didn’t matter if there were others who could replace her, because no one could replace her. She was important to him … she was important to all of them.
Chapter 71 Burn Her
Reiya stood there quietly. The answer was no one. There was no one who could take over in her place. If something happened to her, would they let her brother lead? Possibly. She didn’t know. There wasn’t a precedent for it. “That doesn’t mean thatany of you are any less important to me, though. I would be the one having to live with the guilt if something happened.”
“And us? If we weren’t there to help you? If we weren’t there to protect you? How do you think we would feel?” Brody asked quietly.
Okay, he was right. If she suspected Abaas’ presence, she should at least let Brody and Chelsie know instead of just rushing into the fight. She should make sure Lee knew. She needed to let those who were close to her know. She didn’t have to be scared, but she also didn’t have to let pride cloud her judgement. She was so stuck on the idea that she could defeat Abaas on her own that she didn’t see that she didn’t have to.
Ugh, she hated that she was wrong. Still, she wouldn’t sit idly by and let everyone else fight her battles. “I won’t be locked in a tower to watch the battle unfold, but I promise I won’t act impulsively, and I won’t leave you guys out. Sorry, I’m just frustrated.” Reiya sighed, playing with her fingers.
“That’s my kick-ass girl,” Chelsie said as she wrapped her arms around Reiya. “It’s okay to stand up for yourself and fight. It’s also okay to lean on the support you’ve created around you. We’re all here because we want to be part of your life. We want to be involved in your fights, too, so don’t leave us out. You know how salty I would be if I didn’t get to kick some demon ass?” Chelsie leaned her head into Reiya and the two exchanged a warm smile.
“So, do you have to go back down there to be marked by Xander?” Brody asked, not knowing about Lila yet.
“Actually, Xander has found his mate.” Reiya smiled and looked at Xander.
“Ha! Talk about providence … well, in a sense. What’s the game plan now?” Brody asked, turning to Lee and Reiya.
“We’re just going to try to keep things on the down-low for now. Xander is just going to claim that he was protecting meand leave it at that.” Reiya watched Brody nod his head in understanding.
“What about Xander’s mate? Is she understanding about all of this? Because I don’t care who she is, if she gives you a hard time, I’ll crack her skull.” Chelsie’s dark eyes shot up to Xander and glared at him with promise.
Xander chuckled and shook his head. “Lila isn’t like that. Besides, I wouldn’t allow even my mate to mistreat Reiya. Not to mention Reiya is above her. Reiya is Levi’s mate, and she knows it. To mistreat Reiya would be the same as mistreating Levi. There are not many who, knowing that, would engage her with ill intent.”
“So, Reiya is, in a sense, the queen bee around here?” Chelsie took a step back and leaned into Brody’s side. This was reassuring to hear.
“She’s on equal status with Levi. Well, she will be, once everyone knows. But for those of us who do know … well, Levi here has never been a lenient fellow.” Xander chuckled and shrugged. “I do need to get back. I need to settle this mate issue and then officially do the acceptance kiss, with my actual mate,” Xander said, feeling a bit giddy thinking about his new mate.
Lee walked up behind Reiya and pulled her into him. “I’m happy for you, Xander. Lila has always been a kind girl. She’ll be a good mate for you.”
“Thank you, Levi. I feel relieved knowing it’s her. Okay, well, I’m heading back down.” He looked up at Lee. “You’ll be down there, right? To give your blessing and such? Plus …” Plus, Levi was his family. It was a moment he wanted to share with him. He had to have his big brother there.
Levi smiled, already knowing what Xander was thinking. “Of course I’ll be there. You’re marking your own mate. Now, THAT I wouldn’t miss for the world.”
Xander chuckled and nodded his head. “When the time comes, the four kingdoms will also give you our blessing publicly. We all decided that you’ll still need to go through the mate acceptance kiss, Reiya, just with the proper mate.” Xander winked at Lee, then turned and jumped from the large opening. He turned into his dragon and gracefully flew away.
“Man, werewolves and werebears are really behind the times. Were we the only ones who didn’t get to keep their clothes when we shifted? Thank goodness for troll nail clippings.” Brody grinned sheepishly and chuckled. “It’s so much more convenient this way.”
“Yeah, I’m glad that won’t be an issue when Reiya starts shifting. I don’t need anyone getting a glimpse of what they shouldn’t.” Lee smiled and rested his arms around Reiya. He still needed to have a talk with his kitten about everything. He wanted it known that she was never to just run off like that. He wanted to be sure she understood it. It was her and him.
“Reiya—” Brody started.
“Nope. Don’t ask. I’m going down there, too. I’m going to witness this event as well. After all ...” She tilted her head up to Lee and smiled. “This is an event that Leviathan’s mate should be at, right?”
