Page 76 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Yes. Everything’s good. They’ll be ready. They weren’t very keen on you sending a stranger, but I told them we trusted her and that she would be there soon.”
“Thank you, Chelsie.”
Leoric’s red eyes locked onto the man in front of him, who smelled of anise oil. “I’m supposed to ask you one last time if you’re sure about going after the fairy princess,” he sneered, curling his lips in distaste.
“This is personal for me now. By having a taste of her, by making her moan beneath me ... it will be like conquering them all. Mmmm ... having a fairy as my mate will be so sweet. Nothing at all like the nights I’ve spent with demons and she-wolves. She’ll be my reward. She’ll be my own personal toy, and I can’t fucking wait.” Abaas licked his lips thinking about her. He had missed two fairy princesses … he wouldn’t lose the third. With her by his side, they would give birth to a new breed of fairies, a more powerful species. Yes, all he needed was the girl, and he would have her.
“You are losing your mind.” He snorted. “No matter, I did what our father asked.” Leoric rubbed his temples. If it wasn’t for his father, he would have killed his half brother years ago.He had no love for him. He tolerated him. Still, when Abaas came to him with the idea of taking over Elysia, it had his wheels turning. No, he didn’t need to go with the lame idea of taking a fairy princess as a mate.Disgusting. Revolting.But the idea of eliminating the weak sounded nice. Taking over Elysia was something he couldn’t ignore.
Was he using his brother? Sure, but he was a half-wit with undeveloped ideas. They could conquer them all if they were strategic enough. What Abaas didn’t know was that the demon king was already making plans. He was planning to create a new world, and he would be all for conquering Elysia. They could pave a path for the demons to be the ultimate rulers. Once the path was set, he was sure he could get the elders’ backing. Then they would take the dragons and deities under their rule as well.
Leoric rolled his eyes as he heard the ramblings of his half-brother going on and on about the fairy princess. “Do what you want. Just remember our deal. Last time, you practically dragged yourself back. I’m not here to save you. Pathetic to let yourself be almost killed by one of them. Better to just be killed instead of looking so pathetic.” He snarled at the miserable excuse of a half-demon in front of him. He clearly took after his mother. Weak.
“I don’t need you to save me. I will get her on my own. This time it will be different,” Abaas snapped back at his brother.
“Just get the hell out of my sight. I can’t stand your half-breed stench,” Leoric growled, whipping his hand up and pointing toward the door. Abaas seemed to have lost his mind. He was rambling now, poisoned by his darkness. When a demon loses to their demon nature, there’s no hope for them unless they satisfy it.
Abaas knew better than to push his brother. He was very powerful. So, he turned and left without saying a word. His brother had no vision. He couldn’t see what they could create.His brother thought mixing demon blood would make them weak, but he was wrong. Mixing demon blood with the fairies would bring about a powerful new race. He didn’t need his brother, just his army.
Walking back out into the night air, he looked up to the mountains in the distance. He glowered at the place through the darkness. He couldn’t wait to taste her. He licked his lips again as he thought about his prize. The problem was that she had a damn dragon as a mate. And not just any dragon ... the king! Yes ... this would be the biggest obstacle he would need to overcome. Timing would mean everything.
He could admit it. Her mother’s power was tempting, but her attitude was too dominant. She wouldn’t make a good, submissive mate. This princess didn’t have her wolf. She was weak. He would dominate her in every aspect.Mmmmm ... I will taste her soon.
Reiya woke up snuggled in Lee’s arms. The last week had been a repeat of the same thing. She spent her days around the castle, and Lee would go back up to the council for discussions. He didn’t talk much about it, but it didn’t seem to be going as well as he would like.
No, they still hadn’t completed the mating bond. That didn’t mean they didn’t have scorching make-out sessions before bed. Waking up in his arms was something she never wanted to go without again. The way she felt completely refreshed and calm. Being with him made her forget her troubles. Everything was right with the world. She could hear the rhythmic beating of his heart, and it naturally comforted her.
“I see you’re finally awake.”
Reiya lifted her eyes up to see his baby blues staring back down at her. “How long have you been awake?” She snuggled her head back into his chest, feeling it rise and fall with each breath.
“Maybe a half hour or so. I need to get going soon.”
Reiya let out a pouty whimper and wrapped her arms around him tighter. “Nuh uh.”
He chuckled at his adorable fairy. He reached down and lifted her chin up to him, gently pressing his lips against hers. “I don’t want to leave you either, but I have to.”
“Lee, do you think you’ll be able to convince them?” She had been wondering more and more how she was going to manage to get the Ocean’s Tear if he couldn’t. She knew she was being watched now, and Abaas would know if she left the dragon kingdom.
He kissed her forehead and pulled her upward as he sat up. “Don’t worry about it, love. I’ll be able to do it eventually.” He smiled at her as he stood up from the bed. Honestly, it wasn’t looking good. He couldn’t tell her that, though. He didn’t want her to worry about what they would do. He would figure it out … somehow. They couldn’t go on keeping their relationship a secret forever, though. That wouldn’t be fair to her. And he honestly wasn’t sure he could continue pretending she wasn’t his, not when his possessive beast demanded to let everyone know she belonged to him.
Reiya stood up next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She tilted her head up to him, inviting him to kiss her, which he gladly obliged. His lips singed hers as his hot tongue burned her mouth. The sensation was never painful, but exciting and addicting. She wanted to be burned by him more, and deeper.
This was the worst part of her day. Saying goodbye to him. The days always felt so long, and she felt like a piece of herwas gone. She knew she could always summon him instantly if she needed to, since they were connected like that. But she could hardly justify summoning him just because she missed him, even though at times she wanted to. The steamy kiss broke apart. It would have to do until she saw him later.
“I love you, Lee.”
“I love you, my sweet fairy.” Lee gazed at her longingly for a moment. “I’ll be back soon.” He gave her one more quick peck before he vanished in front of her.
Reiya sighed and turned to the door. She was supposed to meet with Ruby today for sandwiches and tea. They’d met up a couple of times already, and they were getting along really well. Even Chelsie was becoming friends with her.
Chelsie and Brody had been on each other nonstop. And she did meanoneach other. They had upgraded to sharing a room. Yep, even though she was mated to Lee, she was still unmated, while they had made the home run trip many times already. Besides being mildly bitter, she was happy for them. They really were cute together. Chelsie still teased him, only now with a more flirtatious undertone and sexual innuendos. Chelsie even tried to tell her how her brother was a very sexual being.Puke.In no way did she want to hear about how her brother was when it came to romp time with her best friend.
Reiya put her clothes on and walked out into the great room. She quickly averted her gaze when she saw Brody and Chelsie making out on the couch.Okay, they had a room for that.This was just bragging about how they were getting some and she wasn’t … well, at least it felt that way.
“Ummm ... sister present,” Reiya said, shielding her eyes as she walked to the kitchen for a banana. She heard some scuffling, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chelsie buttoning up her blouse.Ugh.Seriously, their room was just on the other side.
“Sorry, Reiya. We just got caught up in the moment.” Brody cleared his throat and then stood up, smiling and walking up to Reiya, pulling Chelsie beside him. “I just asked her to officially be my girl, and she agreed. Looks like you’re stuck with us for the long haul.”
