Page 39 of The Dragon's Gambit
Brody snarled. “I don’t need no moldy horse to babysit me.”
Reiya smiled at the two of them. Honestly, she didn’t know what was going on, and she felt better knowing the two of them were together. If worse came to worst, they were a force to be reckoned with, and she felt better having them both nearby.
Reiya looked up to Xander and nodded. “Okay, lead the way.”
She thought about the irony of the marks on her neck. This all happened because of her feelings for Lee. Her emotions had sent her into a heated, intimate moment. Now, who knew what was going to happen because of it? There was one thing that she kept thinking, though … love bites.
Chapter 26 Oubliette
Reiya quietly followed behind Xander. The clacking of her shoes echoed down the long, quiet hallway. She was being led to an area where she had never been before. He opened a door and ushered her through. She walked in and stared ata very steep stairway that led upward. The towering staircase seemed to reach toward the heavens, its steps disappearing into the darkness as it spiraled around the walls. The area was poorly lit and reminded her of what a dungeon would probably look like.
Reiya raised an eye as she looked at this seemingly abandoned area of the castle. This looked like a place you took someone on a one-way walk. She felt gentle pressure on her back as Xander encouraged her to walk up the stairs. Alright, she didn’t know why they had to go to some creepy part of the castle to talk, but there was probably a reason, right? There had to be a reason for all of this madness. At this point, she couldn’t just turn around and say never mind. She could always still mindlink with Brody if there were any problems.
She breathed in the cool stone air and began to ascend the never-ending staircase. What was waiting for her at the top? And why did she have to walk all the way up here just to talk?
The walk upward had been quiet so far. The soft sounds of their steps echoed, keeping it from being completely silent. Reiya didn’t know what to say or how to start things off. How were they going to talk about something like this? She waited for him to start explaining things. Like, why had he taken the blame for her neck? She was curious about the situation, too. Did Lee really mark her? Was it an accident, or was it a game of his? She had so many questions that she was driving herself nuts thinking about them.
They were about halfway up when she stopped. She was wearing shoes with a little heel on them. Usually this wouldn’t bother her feet, but with the long flight of stairs, they were beginning to ache slightly.
Xander looked at her as she took a shoe off her foot and glanced up toward the remaining stairs. This wasn’t going to work. They still had about half of the stairwell left to travel.
“Come on, I’ll carry you the rest of the way up.” Xander slid past her and bent down slightly so she could climb on his back.
“No, there’s no need. I’ll just take my shoes off. I’m quite capable of walking.” Reiya appreciated it, but she didn’t need to be carried like some frail girl.
“The stairs are dirty and cold. You can’t walk up them in your bare feet. I’m carrying you. It’s up to you to decide how, though.” Xander turned toward her slightly and waited.
Reiya stood there stubbornly with her arms crossed. She didn’t care if her feet were cold and dirty. It would at least spare her dignity. “Where are we even going? Do we really need to journey to the stars to talk?” Reiya studied his stoic expression. He didn’t say a word and clasped her wrist in his hand. In a swift motion he pulled her to him, lifted her up with his other arm, and began to carry her bridal style. She struggled in vain against him for a few moments before she finally gave up. “So now you’re going to be the silent type?”
Xander chuckled. “You’re just full of sass, aren’t you. Just relax and enjoy this. You know I wouldn’t carry just anyone, especially up these steep stairs.”
“So, you’re expecting a thank you?” Reiya rolled her eyes and looked away from him. When she turned her head, though, her hair flowed away from her neck, showing off her marks.
A low sound came from Xander’s throat. Was it a growl or a low chuckle? She wasn’t sure. She looked back at him out of the corner of her eye, only to see him looking ahead indifferently as if he didn’t make any sound at all.
“How did this happen?” he finally asked quietly as he nodded toward her neck.
Reiya reached up and covered it with her hair. She was still embarrassed of the proof on her neck. “You’re a grown man. I don’t think I need to explain these things to you,” she said in a rather salty tone.
“Oh, I know about that stuff. I mean, how did Lee end up doing this?” Xander said slowly, with an almost accusing tone.
Reiya was putting what he meant together. He was accusing her of seducing Lee. Because whatever Lee had done to her had to have been her fault. That was what it sounded like he was saying. “Just what exactly are you saying, Xander? It’s not like I threw myself on him naked and offered my body up to him as an offering. We were just talking … well, sort of arguing … and it just … sort of happened. I’m not sure what sort of happened, though. Are you sure this is a mark, as in a mating mark?” She watched Xander’s unmoved face again as he seemed to be deep in thought. He wasn’t going to answer her as he continued to quietly carry her.
What happened wasn’t her fault, was it? Sure, she wanted him to see her as a woman, but she didn’t say take me as a woman. She didn’t say, see me as YOUR woman. She just didn’t want to be treated like she was his kid sister. She wanted him to at least look at her like she was someone he could be attracted to. Okay, maybe that was a lie. She wanted more from him, but she never asked for more. Just because she wanted more from him didn’t mean she was at fault for what happened. It bothered her though, that Xander had acted like HE was responsible for it. He had all but stated outright that it was his mark. Wouldn’t this in itself be problematic?
“Why? Why did you do that?” She watched as his eyes flicked down at hers. “Why did you imply that this was your mark?” He stared at her for a moment before redirecting his gaze forward.
“Does it bother you? The fact that I’m claiming you as my mate. Would it bother you if you were?” Xander asked quietly, his eyes softening, almost looking sad.
Reiya opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t find her voice. She was trying to think about how she wanted to answer him. “I don’t want to be claimed just for the sake of beingclaimed. I don’t want to just be thrown into a role that was not supposed to be mine. Don’t I have a say in any of this? If a dragon or anyone claims me as their mate, do I not have a say? Shouldn’t I be given the option to hear if my wolf also claims this person as my mate or not? It has happened before, you know … that the mates were not mutual—”
“It has happened before, where a dragon found a wolf as their mate, but the wolf didn’t see them as a mate. It worked out for the dragons, since they wouldn’t have taken the wolf as a mate anyway. However, a marked mate can no longer choose. The branding bond from a dragon can’t be undone. Once marked, you belong to whoever marked you.”
“I’m not a dragon, though,” Reiya said softly.
“No, you’re not,” Xander answered tersely.
“For goodness’ sake, Xander, stop being so short and mysterious. What does all this mean? What is going on?” Reiya couldn’t take the unanswered questions. So, Lee had marked her. What did that mean for her? Hmmm … what did it mean? What were the options here? Either Lee marked her on purpose or by accident … or she wasn’t marked at all, which didn’t seem to be the case. So, if she was marked by accident, then what? If she was marked on purpose, was it just for fun, or … her stomach fluttered and spun at the very thought. Could he really want her? What if he marked her because he wanted her? She inwardly smiled at this. She should be furious, though. After all, she would have been marked without consent. But it would be everything she’d ever wanted.This is stupid, Reiya. You don’t know anything. Just take the information you do have and go from there. Quit planning your wedding,Reiya scolded herself as they neared the top of the stairs.
