Page 23 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Is tonight any different from the other nights?” Reiya asked, and she noticed the two men practically jumped when they heard her voice. They stiffened up and stood in a very professional manner.
“At ease, gentlemen. You don’t need to worry about being so formal with me.” Reiya smiled as she watched them begin to relax.
“Nothing much different, but another group of dragons arrived today. This means that there are new ladies that could end up being our mates.” One of the guards smiled wryly, with a bit of a red stain creeping over his cheeks.
“I hope you find them tonight.” Reiya smiled and walked past them.
“Where are you heading, Reiya?” Brody asked as his eyes nervously shot toward the door to the outside, where she was heading.
“I’m bored. I want to go explore.” Reiya gave Brody a crooked smile.
“Yeah! That’s my girl. You’re your own person. You should do what you want to, not what the reptiles want you to do.” Chelsie felt more energized hearing Reiya going against orders.
“Reiya, I don’t think—” Brody began but was interrupted by Chelsie.
“Pooh Bear, shouldn’t you be raiding a honey tree right about now?” Chelsie scoffed with a dramatic eye roll. Since when was Brody the lapdog for the dragons?
“Can it, Chels. They wouldn’t have recommended her staying in for no reason. They said it’s for her safety.”
“I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself safe, Brody.” Reiya snorted and reached for the door.
“Besides, isn’t that your job?” Chelsie smirked as she glanced over at Brody.
Brody placed his hand on the door to stop it from opening. He shot Chelsie a pointed look before returning his gaze to Reiya. “You can explore another time. A new group of dragons has arrived. You heard the guards. It’s best if you stay inside. I insist you stay inside.”
Reiya glared at Brody and furrowed her brows at him. “I see. So you’re my boss now?”
“Reiya ...” Brody sighed, seeing she was getting agitated.
“Can I not make decisions for myself? Even if something is dangerous … do I not get to make my decisions? If it’s a bad decision, then let it be my bad decision.” Reiya was very annoyed at this point. Brody was her brother—her guardian—but he wasn’t her boss. Neither were the dragons. No one could tell her what to do. They could suggest it, and they had made their suggestions. She’d just decided she wasn’t going to follow them. She did have that right, didn’t she? Or were those orders? If so, who were they to order her? No. They wouldn’t order her to do anything, and this was her making that statement. The truth was, she wasn’t afraid either. She might not have her wolf, but she wasn’t weak. She was the future queen of the fairies and a water elemental. Not to mention she could summon Lee in an instant if she really needed to. She also had Brody and Chelsie with her. Chelsie might be selfish and high class, but she would come to Reiya’s aid if she thought she was in danger. Kelpies were not a type of fairy to be messed with. She also had Brody. Between the three of them, she was certain she was safe to walk around the grounds.
Before Brody could respond, Reiya pinned her blue gaze on him. “I’m going out, Brody. Either you come with me or stay here, but I’m going for a walk.”
Brody muttered under his breath and snorted angrily. He lifted his hand away from the door and pointed at her. “Fine, but let’s not venture too far.”
“Okay.” Reiya grinned triumphantly and pulled the door open. After all, too far was a matter of opinion, and she had her own opinion of what that meant. To her, venturing too far would mean leaving the dragon territory, which she didn’t plan on doing, so agreeing to this was easy.
Chapter 15 Ruby
Reiya felt a sense of freedom as she strolled out under the sunlight. Probably the same freedom a caged bird feels when they have their cage opened. The bird later finds out it’s still stuck in an enclosed room, but because it’s a larger room, itfeels free. With no dragons hovering over her, this was the next best thing, even if she was surrounded by them in their kingdom.
The small group traveled under a canopy of trees that were layered with big, leafy bushes. It kept them covered, though they were still able to see what was going on around them. Reiya looked over toward the large, tented area. Just to the outside of one, she noticed Xander and Lee. There was another man some distance from them, sitting down at a table. The man looked less than amused as he watched the two gentlemen chatting it up with the others. Lee and Xander were practically surrounded by other women, no doubt hoping to catch their fancy.No wonder they didn’t want me around,Reiya thought to herself in annoyance. Reiya turned her attention away from them and continued on her stroll. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt really annoyed. Not that anything was happening there. None of the ladies even had a hand on them. Still, she felt a bit possessive, like a child who didn’t even want her toy to be looked at. A small smile rested on her face as she walked on. This was one of the times she realized she was definitely part werewolf.
“Will you leave me alone already? I’m not interested. Thanks, but no thanks.”
Reiya heard a lady’s voice nearby. Of course, this piqued Reiya’s interest, so she headed in the direction of the voice. Just in front of her was a gorgeous woman with shiny red hair, a very slender frame, and pale skin. She seemed to be in her mid-twenties. In front of her was a man who was looking at her in agitation. Reiya guessed he was just turned down for something.
“Come on, you know you want to. Waiting around for eternity is going to be lonely.” The man took another step toward her.
Reiya rolled her eyes and stepped out from behind the bushes, much to the dismay of her two companions.
“I hate it when a lady has to repeat herself.” Reiya smiled at the man and then grinned at the woman. The woman returned an appreciative smile.
The man openly scoffed. “She doesn’t know what she wants.”
“Oh? So, you’re a mind reader?” Reiya said in fake awe.
The man gritted his teeth. “Who are you?” he all but growled. The moment he did, Brody and Chelsie were at Reiya’s side, glaring at the man challengingly.
