Page 131 of The Dragon's Gambit
Reiya sighed. The chess board had its pieces strategically placed long before she decided to play. She was set up to lose, since it seemed like they already knew what her next move was. Okay, she could admit she tended to wander off on her own from time to time. Still, she hated that she had become so predictable.
Dex was still grinning down at her. “We’re going for a walk?” Dex extended his arm and watched Reiya give him a minor glare as she took it.
“How are you two stuck being on duty? Where’s Reese at?” Reiya was a bit annoyed, knowing she could have given Reese the slip.
“He’s been out on patrols around the perimeter of the territory. He along with some others are making sure no one is coming near the line.” Dex looked down at Reiya and watched her nod slightly. “Aww, don’t be so glum. You can still have fun with us.”
Reiya’s lips curled upward. She was being rude and making them feel unwanted. They were her friends, too, and she did enjoy their company. “I’m sure you two are down for getting into some trouble, right?”
“Hey, no trouble young lady. I’m done with the trouble train,” Brody snorted behind her, his arm linked with Chelsie’s. Hewanted to just take a normal walk. Normal. One that didn’t lead to certain doom or getting into some sort of trouble.
Reiya shrugged and turned her head to give him a playful wink. She wasn’t planning on any trouble. She just wanted to mess with her brother’s head.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly on them as they walked around the grounds. The sky was a bright blue, with hardly a cloud in sight. But as their luck would have it, there was a slight commotion near the edge of the woods. Some wyverns and a hydra were screeching at each other. Reiya remembered the large group she had seen before. These ones must also be seeking refuge.
She watched as a couple of men started stoning the poor creatures and gasped. They were only seeking refuge. There was no need to be cruel. They had come there for safety and were being mistreated. Before she could say anything, Weston immediately stormed toward them.
“Hey!” Weston yelled, stopping the men from throwing another rock. “What do you think you’re doing?” There was a low growl in his voice. The playful, fun Weston had turned into a predator. His eyes flickered over the men, waiting for their response.
“They are in the way and annoying. We want them out of here,” the other man sighed in frustration.
“Who gave you the right? Who told you that it was okay to stone our cousins?” Weston snarled at the men.
“They are such lesser creatures than us. They can’t even speak,” the other man grumbled out lowly.
Reiya was shocked at how these men dared to speak to Weston. She looked up at Dex, whose jaw was set. He was clearly gritting his teeth in anger.
“What do you mean they can’t speak?” Reiya shot out angrily. “Just because they don’t speak with your words doesn’t meanthey don’t communicate. It’s just a different language.” All creatures communicated in some way. It was just a matter of paying attention and reading the signs. Reiya’s nose twitched slightly, and her blue eyes glowed at the two men. Her heart rate began to pick up as she began to realize something.
The two men looked at Reiya, their gaze fixated on her as a slight glaze went over their eyes. The look they were giving her was a bit intense. Reiya didn’t know who these men were, but she could feel their contempt for her. There was something off about them.
Reiya’s eyes widened. She glanced back toward Brody and Chelsie, then back at the two men. These men were different. They had a slightly different smell about them. They smelled of … demons.
Chapter 81 Dangerous Game
Dex had a protective arm around Reiya as he stared at the two men. He didn’t like the way they were looking at her. What could they do, though? These men were no match for them. Weston could easily take both of them out at the same time.
These men were not from his kingdom. What was odd was that he couldn’t tell which kingdom they were from. He could smell the stench of demons on them, but he knew they were dragons. Dragons from where? They didn’t have the aura of their king’s claim. Nothing to say which kingdom they belonged to, which meant one thing … rogue dragons. Rogue dragons that used the mating party as an opportunity to infiltrate without being noticed.
This was why these men weren’t afraid. They had no clue that the two men in front of them were royalty. Dragon royalty was unmatched in strength. There was a reason they were royals. Their lines were granted royalty status because of their superior strength and magic. Instead, these men were completely focused on Reiya. Dex heard the sound of twigs crunching in the woods behind where the hydra and wyverns had been. The poor creatures had slunk away in fear when they had the chance.
The group looked over and saw about a dozen men approaching them out of the cover of the woods. All their eyes were fixated on Reiya. Brody and Chelsie each took protective stances around her. There was no mistaking their intention. They were here for Reiya.
“How exactly do you think this is going to work?” Weston asked smugly. “You really think your small group is going to be able to take a prize away from me … ME? First Prince of the Southern Kingdom? You men are fools.”
The men’s eyes widened, hearing the man’s declaration of being the prince. While there might have been some minor hesitation, there was no going back now. Not after their cover had been blown.
Brody shifted into his bear and roared loudly at the men. His loud, bellowing growl would be heard throughout the kingdom, something Brody had planned on. They might be enough to takeout this group, but what if there were more? He didn’t want to risk it with Reiya.
Reiya, what’s going on?!Xander’s panicked voice rang in her head the moment he heard Brody.
I’m not sure … but these dragons smell like demons, and it looks like they want—
Reiya was unable to finish her thought as the men attacked. A surge of fire came hurling toward them. Reiya immediately raised a tidal wave of water in front of them. The fire might not bother Weston and Dex, but it would have Chelsie and Brody. She flung her hand violently and sent the water forcefully toward the men.
This moment of surprise allowed for Dex and Weston to shift into their dragon forms. They were so much bigger than Reese was. She had seen Xander’s dragon, but not this close before. The two large dragons screeched angrily at the men, who also shifted and took to the sky. After seeing the two dragons, the men knew for sure they were dealing with two royals. Dex’s yellow dragon effortlessly flew after them, followed by Weston’s brown one.
Dex and Weston were very large and formidable, but there were over a dozen enemies they were fighting. Reiya shot water daggers into the sky at a rogue dragon. The dragon turned and dove down toward her, which was exactly what she wanted. She concentrated on her water, creating a large sword. When the dragon was almost upon them, she shot the water sword toward it, plunging it into his chest. Blood splattered around the wound and began staining the ground.
