Page 28 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Of course, this doesn’t apply to you or your mother. You are most welcome here.”
Reiya bit her bottom lip and then came out with it. “Why do you have a map of Elysia?”
The old man’s gentle eyes were smiling. “I’m relieved to know it was you who picked up my papers. I was actually concerned someone else had seen that map. I promise to keep it locked up in the future.” The older man paused, looked into Reiya’s eyes, and then rested his gaze on Lita. “We wanted a plan. We needed a complete lay of the land.” The old man scratched the back of his head and shrugged. “I guess there’s no use hiding this now. Neither of you will like this, but it was decided that, in the event that the demons attacked, we would capture both the Queen and Princess of the fairies.” He watched their eyes widen. “You mustunderstand. You are both very important, and you play a vital role in the world. It’s imperative that you both, or at least one of you, survive. With Reiya safely tucked away here with us, we’re able to ensure the order of the fairies.”
Reiya frowned slightly. So that was why they were keeping her here. It was to make sure that at least someone from the fairy royal family survived.
“Rather than conduct such an extreme rescue mission, wouldn’t it be better for the dragons to aid us in battle? Who do you think the demons will turn on next, once we’re out of the way?” Lita calmly spoke, pinning her gaze at the older man.
Grandpa Sage nodded his head and hummed slightly. “I know. Xander knows this, too. This is another reason why having Reiya here is important. She is such a bright person, and her aura is captivating. Honestly, it’s unlike any I’ve seen. She draws people to her. We’re hoping she can win the hearts of the other leaders as well. This is for our self-preservation as much as it is for yours. Many dragons refuse to think that the demons will attack us because we’re such a powerful force. The demons are greedy. They will demand our allegiance or try to take it.”
“Reiya has had a vision of the future. In the vision, no dragons joined in the battle.” Lita began quietly. The Great Sage had prophetic powers and would understand the vision more.
“Some prophecies deal with what will happen or what could happen. Some take certain aspects of the future into consideration, but others do not. That is why visions can only be used as a guideline, but not as something for certain. The demon war is the one constant that we can all foresee.”
Reiya squeezed her fists together and bit her bottom lip.
“What seems to be bothering you, princess?” Grandpa Sage noticed her tense posture. He was here to help. The fairies were not beneath him, but instead he looked at them as equal partners. They could both benefit from one another.
Reiya shook her head and gave him a weak smile. “It’s nothing, really.” She wasn’t even sure why, but suddenly she was thinking about Lee not showing up. It made her feel uneasy.
“Come, come, my dear. Nothing will be solved by locking it inside.”
Reiya looked at her mother, who nodded at her to continue. “In my vision, I was calling for Lee, but he never came.” She watched the old man’s eyes become very serious. His eyes then flicked toward Lita’s, and he let out a sad sigh.
He gave her a small nod. “Was there anything else from your vision?”
“Yes. A voice called out to me. I think … I think it might have been my great-grandmother’s voice. The voice told me to find the Ocean’s Tear.” Reiya watched the older man’s eyes open wide.
“Hmmm.” Grandpa Sage squinted his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
“Is this Ocean’s Tear something very powerful that will tip the scale in battle?” Lita asked. Grandpa Sage looked conflicted.
“It isn’t a tool for battle. It’s something else entirely.” He let out a loud sigh. “In order to even get the tear, you’ll have to get it from the sea … witch …” He coughed a bit over the word witch. “She is very dangerous and vicious.” Grandpa Sage looked at Reiya with sad eyes and then nodded his head. He returned his gaze to Lita. “I agree that it could have been your grandmother who spoke these words. It could also be … well, anyway, the Ocean’s Tear will be something needed for Reiya’s happiness. I don’t think she will survive without it. There is just … well, there’s a lot more to it. Things that I can’t discuss with Reiya at the moment.”
Reiya read him loud and clear. “You want me to step out?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to speak to your mother privately. Oh, and Reiya, don’t mention the Ocean’s Tear to anyone else for now.”
Reiya nodded her head and left the room, frowning as she closed the door. This had something to do with her, but it was something he couldn’t say to her. Also, the way he fumbled over the word “witch” made it seem like it wasn’t a witch at all. So, what was he talking about? She walked slowly down the hall and then leaned against the cold stone wall. As she stared up at the cathedral-like ceiling, she let out a long sigh. She let her mind wander and speculate what the Ocean’s Tear could mean to her and her happiness. Maybe it was about her wolf? Some sort of release for it? What if it was something to erase her memories in the event something catastrophic happened? If everyone she loved died, she wouldn’t be able to go on without them. She hated that she wasn’t allowed to hear what he knew. All the secrecy made no sense to her.
“Reiya!” A man with blue eyes and blonde hair called out as he approached her.
“Reese. I was wondering when I would see you again.” Reiya smiled and took a few steps toward him until they were only a couple of feet apart.
“So, you were thinking about me?” Reese grinned, and Reiya rolled her eyes.
“Are all dragons perpetual flirts?” Reiya giggled but watched as his eyes turned almost sinister.
“Who else is flirting with you?” His eyes sharpened on her, holding her in his protective gaze.
Reiya felt a bit taken aback. His voice sounded threatening. “Does it matter?” Reiya came back confidently. Who the hell were these dragons to be so interested in her personal affairs? She watched as he smiled at her, though the smile itself was more like baring his teeth at her.
“Yes, it does.” Reese’s voice was quiet and serious. He was almost looking at her possessively.
Did she have some sort of weird dragon pheromones? What the heck was going on? She did not like his tone. It almost sounded as if he had a say in what she did. She was not born to submit to anyone. As she stared at him, inwardly stewing, she could feel it. A flash of inner control. Someone else was angry and trying to bust through.
“I see your wolf is battling you,” Reese said calmly.
