Page 66 of The Dragon's Gambit
His chest vibrated slightly as he chuckled from her actions, and he snapped out of his primal state. “Mmm, Reiya. I think I like this side of you ... a little too much.” Lee grinned against her mouth, taking small pecks at her lips. “But unfortunately, my sweet fairy, we have to stop here.”
Reiya continued to kiss him and tug on his bottom lip. “Hmmm, why?” she breathed out.
“You can’t hear it, but your brother is on his way up and almost here. I don’t think we should give him the same show that he gave you.” Lee smirked into her lips.
Reiya pouted. She looked up at Lee, meeting his eyes. She could see he didn’t want to stop either. She was glad he stopped her, though. She didn’t want Brody to walk in on a show. She’d had enough embarrassment for one day.
She glanced at the fading sun. What felt like a blissful moment must have been much longer. She took in a quiet breath and wrapped her delicate arms around Lee, wanting to stay in his strong, secure embrace until he had to leave her again.
“I love you, Lee,” Reiya said softly as she pressed her face into his chest.
“I love you too, Reiya. More than you can possibly realize.” Lee kissed the top of her head and held her in his arms. He tilted her head up and traced his thumb over her slightly bruised lips. Her neck was also more marked up with additional love bites and light purple marks from his teeth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to let my animal self take hold so much. Did I hurt you?”
Her lips curled up into a smile. “Not at all. Don’t apologize for that, Lee ... ever. An apology makes it sound like you made a mistake and you won’t do that again. But ...” She stood up on her tippy toes so she could whisper her next words. She didn’t want her brother with his keen hearing to hear her. “Please, do that again.” She gently nipped at his ear before she dropped down, off her toes.
“Damn, woman. You make it hard for me to control myself around you,” he quietly breathed out in a faint, airy sound that was meant for her ears alone. The soft touch of his fingertips traced delicately over her back, sending tickling tingles down her body.
The floor entrance popped open and Brody came in, holding a hand over his eyes.
“Is it safe? I don’t want to be scarred,” he teased with his cheesy grin. Reiya giggled and he dropped his hand away.
Lee gave Reiya one more squeeze before he stepped away from her. “Stay here, Brody ... watch over my fairy.” He stared at him, a look of acknowledgement passing between them. Some hidden guy code message where words weren’t needed.
Lee looked at Reiya one more time before he descended the stairs. She was precious to him, and he was burning with a deep-rooted desire for her. He knew he was completely enamored by her. He was such a fool. He always thought that if she found her mate, he would be able to step aside, convincing himself that her happiness came first, even above his primal mate pull. He was an idiot. There was no way he would ever be able to let her go. She might one day hate him for that, but it couldn’t be helped. The possessiveness was only growing stronger, and the beast within him was winning.
It was the part of himself that he was always afraid of when it came to her. He was extremely possessive, and his feral nature intensified this. Once he deemed her as his, this emotion notonly grew but surged within him. He wouldn’t ever be able to let her leave him. The only way they would be parted is if they were forced apart. This was still a heavy concern on his heart. He needed to convince the council to allow his relationship before they found out about him and her. Now more than ever, they needed each other. But he wouldn’t be able to keep his relationship with her a secret for long. He needed everyone to know who she truly belonged to before his dragon raged in a devastating outburst.
He’d spent years keeping himself calm and collected. He smiled wryly to himself. Who would have thought that the sweet fairy above him could awaken the beast inside him so much? He would ravage the world if it was something she wished for. This was why the other deities had a problem with taking non-deities as mates. Only a deity understood that they had to protect the order. However, with his mate being the fairy princess, he had a chance to convince them. The fairies had always maintained order and taken care of the world. They had always been in harmony with the earth and its creatures. Yes ... he had a chance because of who she was. But before he could deal with the council, there were traitors that needed to be dealt with. His face turned frigid as he reached the bottom of the stairs. It was now time to see what Xander had planned.
Reiya and Brody stayed in the great room together. Brody had snatched a couple bags of chips (yes, a couple) to snack on before dinner. They had been sitting there quietly, but Brody finally decided to speak.
“We don’t know yet, Reiya. Chelsie and I ... we’re not sure about us yet, or if there even is an us. We need more time to talk, but I won’t just end it. Thank you for being supportive.” Brody smiled at his sister. He did appreciate her support, and it meant the world to him. He had planned to tell Chelsie they couldn’t continue. In fact, she was worried that was what he had decided.When he walked out with her, she told him that she understood if he wanted to just forget about what happened between them. There was a new look in her eyes, then. It was vulnerability, and she’d never had that look before. It made his heart beat for her at an unusual rhythm, and before he knew it, he was taking her in his arms again, kissing her fully. Words were not needed. Neither knew what was going on between them, only that they liked it. Kissing her reaffirmed that he wasn’t going to pretend it didn’t happen.
“I hope everything works out for the best.” Reiya was happy for him. She always could feel that the two of them had a connection together. Even between all the teasing and poking. She hoped it would work out. She really wanted them both to be happy.
It was a rare moment for the two of them to be alone. Even though Chelsie wasn’t there, she couldn’t let an opportunity like this escape her. “Brody, there is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, and since we’re rarely alone, you can fill Chelsie in on it later.” She knew he would end up with her alone again, and probably soon after she returned.
“Yes. I want to know what you’ve found out.” Brody sat at the end of his chair and focused his attention on her.
“It turns out there is something that can be done. But just hear me out first, okay? Don’t say anything until I finish.” Reiya knew her brother would likely object right away, so she wanted him to hear everything before he added his input. She was going with or without them, but she wanted him to understand that he didn’t have to come and risk his life.
“Alright. Out with it. I don’t want to wait any longer to hear about the death-cheating plan you have up your sleeve. It’s giving me anxiety,” Brody chuckled and shook his head, knowing it must be something dangerous.
“Okay, this goes back to my premonition that I had. Grandpa Sage thinks that the Moon Goddess called out to me in my premonition to find the Ocean’s Tear. Please don’t ever repeat this, because if Lee finds out, it’ll be a problem.” Reiya sucked in a big breath.
“So, with the Ocean’s Tear, I can link my life with Lee’s.” She watched Brody’s eyes widen, but as promised, he remained quiet. “This would mean whatever happens to one of us would happen to the other, including if one of us was killed or died. Lee would no longer be immortal. But he would be left alone and allowed to be with me then. Now comes the part I know you really won’t like ...” Reiya looked into Brody’s chocolate eyes. “I would have to travel to the Queen of the Merrows and convince her to give it to me.” She saw a flash of anger in his eyes. “Just hear me out, Brody. I know she’s dangerous, but so am I. She has something I need, and she is a marine fairy. As such, I am her princess. I have to try. It might be the only way. I know this means heading into danger ... in more ways than one. I would have to leave here and dodge demons, then get the tear from the merrows and make it back safely.
“I’m not asking for your permission, though. Nor am I asking for your blessing. This is going to be dangerous, and I don’t want to drag you and Chelsie along on my dangerous mission. I don’t want you to think you have to be there because you’re my guardian. Yes, I want you there, and truth be told, I know I need you. But it isn’t fair of me to risk your lives.”
“Are you quite finished, Reiya?” Brody grumbled out with an eye roll. “Like hell I would ever let you go into danger without me. I know Chelsie would feel the same way.” His eyes softened as he looked at her. “I understand. I’m with you, Reiya. This is for your happiness. If this is what needs to be done, then I’m with you all the way.”
Reiya rushed to her brother and jumped into his arms. “Thank you, Brody. Thank you for understanding and supporting me.”
“Our family seems to thrive on walking toward danger, so why break tradition now?” Brody chuckled, holding his sister in his arms. “Let’s just hope we can get there undetected by the demons. Hopefully the Merrow Queen cooperates, too. So, when are we embarking upon certain death?” Brody grinned and sighed in his sister’s hair. Life was an adventure with her. One thing was certain ... as Reiya’s guardian, he would never be bored.
Chapter 46 A game
Reiya and Brody talked extensively, finally finishing their discussion. For now, they both agreed that they would just sit on the information they had, especially with Abaas cominginto the picture and knowing where she was located. They needed to be smart about it and not act rashly.
