Page 47 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Good. And in the future, if and when something does happen, remember that I’m your brother, and as far as I’m concerned, you don’t have an intimate life. And I’d like to keep it that way.” Brody walked into the kitchen and began chugging a carton of chocolate milk. Reiya giggled and shook her head.
“Where are Xander and Lee? How long ago did they leave?” Reiya asked, deep in thought.
“Uh-uh! Whatever you’re thinking, Reiya, just stop. Today is our uneventful, lazy day, where we’re going to sit around all day and do nothing,” Brody growled as he shoved a cookie in his mouth and angrily chewed.
“Hush, Pooh Bear, and just eat your honey. What do you have in mind, Reiya?” Chelsie asked with increasing interest.
Brody growled at Chelsie and her annoying nicknames. He continued to eat his cookies as he quietly listened, waiting to hear what his troublesome sister had in mind.
“I want to talk to Grandpa Sage is all. I have a feeling he’s the only one I can get real answers from. I just think I should be prepared, too. I want to know what all my options are if something does happen to Lee. It’s the responsible thing for me to do.” Reiya glanced over and could see Brody nodding his head. He seemed to understand her line of thought and actually approved.
“I’m not sure when they’re due back. They didn’t say. They also didn’t say for you to wait here.” Brody took a bite of an apple and gave Reiya a crooked smile.
“Gosh, do you ever get full?” Chelsie asked in disgust.
“Once I’ve satisfied my hunger.” Brody looked down at his apple as he took another bite.
There seemed to be a hidden meaning behind that remark. Reiya could feel there was something extra there, meant just for Chelsie. For a second, she thought she saw a slight blush on her friend’s cheek, but if it was there, it wasn’t now.
“Okay, so let’s head to the library. That’s Grandpa Sage’s personal library. Maybe we have a chance to run into him there.” Reiya smiled and then looked around. “Did anyone bring some of my clothes up?”
“Not yet. We’ll get to that today.” Brody threw his apple core away and then grabbed a banana.
“Ugh,” Chelsie said, turning away from him. “I have some clothes here that will fit you, Reiya. Come on, I’ll get them for you.” She tugged Reiya to the room she’d claimed for herself while she was staying there. Rummaging through the closet, she came out holding a black camisole and a white miniskirt. She also had a pair of white sandals to go with it.
Reiya looked at the miniskirt and frowned. She would have preferred shorts or pants. She looked up, noticing the arch of her friend’s eyebrow, and quickly smiled. “Thanks, Chelsie.” She reached up and took the clothes from her. It wasn’t worth picking a fight over it. Chelsie had always insisted Reiya dress more femininely, and she didn’t want to go down that lecture road again.
Reiya quickly discarded Lee’s clothes and put on Chelsie’s. The skirt was shorter than she would have liked, but other than that, everything fit perfectly. Almost too perfectly. She wondered if her friend had intentionally brought this skirt, just for her.
“You look so cute. You’re perfect, Reiya.” Chelsie smiled and clapped her hands together. “Okay, we’re ready to tackle the day now.” She turned, and something flickered in her eyes. Leehad to pretend that Reiya wasn’t his mate. So, what better way to torture him than making him look at something incredibly delicious that he couldn’t have? It would serve him right for taking advantage of her dear, sweet, naïve, trusting, precious friend.
Reiya walked out of the room and watched Brody do a double take.
“Chelsie! Where are her clothes?” he choked out.
“Oh hush, little cub. She looks perfect.” Chelsie turned and smiled happily at Reiya.
Chelsie opened the door and motioned for Reiya to proceed first. Reiya headed down, and just as she was about to follow, she felt a strong hand lock onto her wrist. She looked back at Brody. He leaned in close to her and whispered almost inaudibly. “You know exactly what you’re doing with her. That is just plain evil.” He then chuckled. “I like the way you think sometimes ... just, maybe if it wasn’t Reiya. This is going to end up biting her in the end ... probably literally.”
“Oh, come on. You know you’re going to enjoy watching the fireworks as well. Now we have something to keep us entertained all day.” Chelsie grinned and then hopped down the stairs after Reiya, quite pleased with herself, and was excited to watch Lee’s reactions today.
Brody shook his head and smiled. This was going to be fun to watch. He was afraid of what the consequences would mean for his sister later, though. He didn’t want to think about what might happen tonight. With Lee looking at her dressed like that all day and unable to touch her, he would be battling with his animal hardcore. Man, Chelsie could be just plain vicious sometimes. And his sister Reiya was too naïve to know when she was getting dragged into a kelpie’s vindictive game.
Chapter 33 Sacrifices
Reiya opened the door to the library and was happy to see Grandpa Sage sitting at his desk. She knew that this area was private for the Sage, so she motioned for Brody and Chelsieto wait for her. She gently knocked as she peeked at him through the open door. He smiled the moment he saw her.
“Reiya, my dear girl, come in, child.”
Reiya walked in and closed the door behind her, taking a seat in front of his desk. She suddenly felt like a child sitting across from the teacher in school.
“I’ve been wanting to speak with you. Now more than ever, after yesterday’s events.” His eyes twinkled a bit as he smiled at her knowingly.
Reiya reached up and rubbed the mark on her neck. “I have been wanting to speak with you as well, about a couple of things. I know there might be consequences for Lee if the gods find out we’re together. I’m hoping you’ll give me an honest answer and not hide anything for my protection, since it’s in the dragons’ best interest not to have Lee kept away as well. If something happens to Lee, is there anything that can be done? More pointedly, is there anything I can do?”
His eyes flashed with interest. “Would you really do anything? Don’t answer halfheartedly, dear. You can take some time to think about it. Are there things that can be done? Yes, there are a couple. The real question is, how far is too far? What would you be willing to do?”
“Grandpa Sage, I know that I don’t have the mate pull, so my dedication to Lee may be in question. I assure you, there is nothing to question. What am I willing to do for Lee? Anything. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. As long as it’s something I can do by myself, and I don’t have to sacrifice anyone besides myself, then I’ll do it. Just as long as I don’t have to drag my family and friends into it.”
