Page 16 of The Dragon's Gambit
“There aren’t many mixed races with dragons. It sort of isn’t permitted. It’s the unspoken rule. Dragons stick with their own kind, keeping the blood pure. Dragons who find mates from another race tend to pair up with similar dragons. Two dragons who find improper mates would pair up together in order to protect the gene pool.” Xander sighed, then smiled at Reiya. “I think it’s silly, though. Why deny yourself of your mate? Who wants to torture themselves like that? I know I don’t. It takes a lot of self-control to stay away from your mate. Who wants to do that on a permanent basis?”
“I can’t imagine it. I agree, I think it’s silly. My mother’s original pack, my uncle’s pack, used to be like that. They didn’t like my mother because she wasn’t a pure werewolf. She was isolated and left out. She said no one wanted to be around her, and she never was around others socially. It wasn’t until she met my father that things changed for her. My uncle Drew and my aunt Kennedy changed that. There are now several members of their pack that have mates from other races. It’s finally becoming like all the other packs. It is a shame, though. My mother never should have had to experience such isolation. She’s a wonderful person.” Reiya frowned, thinking about hermother. It must have been so painful being unwanted, all because of the elitist attitude of the Red Grove Pack. Thank goodness it wasn’t like that anymore. Now, no one else would ever have to go through something like that.
“That is a shame. Your mother is a very special person. She comforted me as a child and then shocked the heck out of me when she didn’t burn from my touch. I had the biggest crush on her. She gave me my first kiss, right on my forehead. It’s safe to say that I was enamored with her.” Xander smiled as he thought back to when he met Lita. She left a lasting impression on his heart. He credited her with the reason he was so open to other races. She was the first person who reached out to him. The fairy princess treated him as an equal and not just as a lord. She didn’t try to gain anything from him. Everyone else always wanted something from him or to be close to him because he was someone of power. He only had a handful of people that he truly trusted. Dragons were a powerful race, but Lita never did push her meeting with him. She never tried to use that to get a foothold in. He barely knew her, but he trusted her. Just like Reiya. He was instantly connected to the beauty in front of him.
“I hope I become a person like her,” Reiya said absentmindedly, more to herself than to anyone.
“What makes you think that you aren’t?” Xander looked down at her gently as the music stopped.
“I’m not yet, but I hope to be one day.” Reiya smiled up at him confidently. She couldn’t compare herself to her mother yet. Her mother had a lot of time to get to where she was, but one day … one day she hoped to be someone to be admired, like her.
“Maybe I’m biased, but I already see it in you.” Xander winked at her, causing her to blush as he led her off the dance floor.
“I think you are a hopeless flatterer.” Reiya smiled and rolled her eyes playfully at Xander.
“No, I think you’re very special, Reiya.” Xander looked into her blue pooling eyes. They were captivating. They drew you in like an inviting body of water. “You can do it, Reiya. You will be able to do what has never been done.” Xander gazed at her proudly. She would be the one. She would be able to bring the dragon world out of the past. Just like the Red Grove Pack, it was time for things to change in the dragon realm. Reiya would be the one to do it.
“Thank you, Xander. I appreciate that you think so, if that’s what you really think. I still think you’re just being a shameless flirt.” Reiya was trying to figure out Xander's personality. When was he being serious and when was he just being flirtatious? Another good thing about spending time in dragon country … soon, she would know Xander. She would be able to understand his personality and exactly what kind of person he is.
Xander's lips curved up, and he winked at her. “Come on, beautiful. I’ll show you to your room. It’s getting late, and I’m sure you’re tired from the long day you’ve had. Unless you don’t want to sleep by yourself. With it being your first night and all, I will gladly share my bed with you.”
Reiya smiled and shook her head. “My room will do just fine.”
“Okay, but the offer is on the table ... or the bed, as the case may be.” Xander smiled as he squeezed her shoulder, gently leading her inside.
Chapter 10 First Night
Xander led her down a corridor to a room located near the end. “This door leads to your room. The door at the end over there is to my room. The door across from yours is Levi’s, when he uses it. Basically, you’re in good company. If you needsomething, come and get me or yell for me.” Xander pushed the door open to show her the room. “I know you don’t have any of your clothes, so I had a few things brought in for you. They’re lying on the dresser. That door to your left is to the washroom. I’m sure you probably want to get cleaned up before bed.”
She looked up as Xander paused for a second. It seemed like he was inwardly debating something. She watched him run his hand through his hair and sigh. “I guess if you don’t need anything else, then I’ll leave you for the evening, unless you want some company in the shower?” A wry grin spread over his face.
“Like I said, you’re shameless.” Reiya shook her head and giggled as she walked into the room.
Xander winked at her with a wide smile. “Good night, Reiya.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead before leaving, closing the door behind him.
Reiya touched her forehead. The kiss had left a hot sensation. Lee was the only non-family member who had ever kissed her, even if it was also just on the forehead. Still, Xander's kiss felt warm and endearing. It was like she could feel a level of trust in his kiss. It was different from Lee’s, though. She was very confused.I think I’ll get in the shower now.
Reiya walked into the bathroom and giggled when she looked at the tub. The spout on the tub was a bronze dragon head with an open mouth.Of course it is,she thought in amusement. Beside the tub was an enclosed stone shower that had multiple rain showerheads. She discarded her clothes and stepped inside the shower, letting the hot water cascade over her tired body.
What an eventful day. She never would have dreamed when she woke up in the morning that she would meet a dragon, let alone end up living in the West Dragon Kingdom. Even weirder, she felt close to the dragon she had just met today. Thinking of this made her mind wander back to what Xander had said earlier, about her not knowing her mate even if he was right infront of her. She inwardly thought about how she felt around Lee and Xander. They were both very handsome men. Was this just physical attraction, or could something else be at play? Lee had always treated her like a kid sister, but even at sixteen, she found herself attracted to her summon. The feelings she had toward Xander were different, though.
She sighed as she turned the water off. It didn’t really matter. One was a dragon deity and the other was a dragon king. Both of them were off limits, so surely the Moon Goddess wouldn’t make one of them her mate.
She put on one of the shirts Xander had left for her and a pair of men’s shorts. She didn’t have her wolf senses, but she could still smell Xander on the clothing, so she assumed they were his. Brody would arrive tomorrow with her clothes. Brody. Thinking of him made her feel a bit homesick. Even when he wasn’t with her, she always knew he was close by. Having him so far away felt … well, it felt weird. What hadn’t felt weird in the last six months, though? She was separated from Hunter and Chasen, pulled away from her home, and now she was in an unfamiliar place.
Reiya walked out of the bathroom and into her room. To the side of the bed was a tall glass door that led to a small balcony. She walked over to it and opened it, gazing at the stars. It hurt. Being away from her brothers hurt. She knew she couldn’t live with them forever, but everything felt so sudden. She knew one day she would have to move to Elysia, but she didn’t think that would have happened already. Then, she had to wait for Hunter and Chasen to visit her because she wasn’t allowed to come and go freely. Everything has changed so fast. Her chest felt tight as she thought of home and the reality of the task she had taken on. The fate of the fairy kingdom could very well be resting on her gaining the dragons as allies. A cold breeze swirled through the air and her damp hair, causing her to shiver.
“Reiya.”
She jumped, startled by the voice behind her. She looked back to see Lee standing there, looking at her. “Lee! Where have you been?”
Lee’s eyes flickered as he took in her appearance. Her eyes were teary, and her normally cheerful face looked sad. He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. She was shivering, too. “Are you okay?”
Reiya leaned her head into his familiar chest, gripping onto his shirt. He was so warm. She nodded her head against him. She was okay. She just needed to focus on one thing at a time. She needed to focus on the things she could change and not what she couldn’t. She no longer lived in the Black Ice Pack. That was something that couldn’t be changed, at least for now. A war with the demons was coming, though, and that was what she needed to focus on. She needed to work on helping her people, both fairies and werewolves alike. When the battle finally came, they would both be caught in the war.
“I’m okay, Lee. Why did you disappear? Xander said you live here, too. It would have been nice to have you around. I’m a stranger here.” Reiya bit her bottom lip, unsure why she felt anxious. Maybe it was because she was afraid of his answer. Did he only tolerate her because he was her summon? Was she someone he didn’t really want to see often?
“I was angry with Xander. He’s no better than a whelp, acting like he knows better and deciding things on his own. He doesn’t listen. I needed to get some space from him before I busted his head open. I’m sorry for leaving you alone.” Lee took his hand and ran it through the strands of Reiya’s damp hair. “You shouldn’t be outside with your wet hair. You’re going to end up sick,” he said as he closed the doors to the balcony.
