Page 88 of The Dragon's Gambit
Reiya was frustrated. Did Lee not even think about the Ocean’s Tear, or was it really something that was out of the question for him? Was it because of how dangerous the Merrow Queen was? Or did it have to do with losing his immortality? She wasn’t afraid of the Merrow Queen. If only she could just discuss it with him. She knew Grandpa Sage was right, though. If he suspected Reiya knew about the Ocean’s Tear, he would make certain she couldn’t go after it.
He should know that the Merrow Queen would be no match for her, right? Or did he really think she was that weak? She let out a sigh. Lee wasn’t giving her any other option right now. She couldn’t risk losing him. For just one moment, she would have to put up with something uncomfortable.
“Okay. I guess there isn’t a choice, then.” She tilted her head up to look at Lee. “I’ll just close my eyes and pretend it’s you.”
“I can’t be here, then. I can’t be here to see it. I won’t be able to handle it. I’m sorry, Reiya. I’m not strong enough to be here for you. I just can’t.” His voice was pained as he spoke.
“Levi … it’s a royal mate. Your presence will be required,” Xander said, very quietly.
“Then I’ll come afterward to bless the union. Trust me … you don’t want me where I can see you, or you might not live through it.” Lee’s voice dripped with a lethal threat.
“I don’t know how to say what I’m trying to say. I promise it will be done tastefully.” Xander looked down, unable to make eye contact with Lee. In all honesty, this moment had caught up with him, having forgotten about the mating kiss until earlier today. It was dumb to bring it up like he did earlier. The more he thought about it, he realized how insensitive it was of him. He could see Levi was torn and hurting over what would have to happen, and Reiya was upset as well. All he could do was promise to make it as impersonal as possible to minimizeintimacy. They couldn’t risk them getting found out. He couldn’t risk losing Levi.
“It won’t change anything, Lee. I can’t risk losing you, not when we have an easy way to keep us off the radar. I guess this is just another one of those stupid dragon things.” Or she could just run off and tell the damn Merrow Queen to cough up the damn Ocean’s Tear. If it wasn’t for Lee being able to find her because of his connection to her as a summon, she could do it.
Lee cupped her face in his hands. “Of course it won’t change anything. I’m just sorry that I have to subject you to something like this. You’re the one who has to let him touch you. I’m sure the idea is dirty to you.” He gazed into her eyes and kissed her forehead gently. He didn’t want her to even think for a moment that it would change anything between them. He wouldn’t think of her any differently. He was just upset that this was his fault. Because this whole situation was his fault for marking her when he did.
Xander stood there with his arms folded over his chest and his brows furrowed. “Subjected to this? The idea of me doing a favor for you guys is dirty? Well, I guess that says about everything. I mean, it’s not like I have halitosis or anything. I brush, floss, and use mouthwash.”
Reiya turned her head and giggled at Xander. “Sorry, Xander. We don’t mean anything by it. Honestly, if I do have to have someone else mark my neck or pretend to mark my neck, I’m glad that it’s you. But even still, the idea of anyone else touching me besides Lee … It’s just not a good feeling. But I trust you.” She looked up at Lee and smiled. “We trust you.”
Xander grinned and couldn’t help himself. “So … you’re saying I’m your second-choice mate, then?”
Lee growled out in agitation while Reiya shook her head with a smile. He was always such a flirt, but she did trust him. She was comfortable with him. There was something about Xanderthat she couldn’t explain. She had always felt drawn to him and connected in some way. Not that she wanted him slobbering all over her neck. She was loyal to Lee. But if she did have to have someone else touch her, it would be Xander.
“I swear you better not enjoy it at all, Xander,” Lee snorted out angrily.
“Well, I’m not exactly going to be grossed out by it. What about her? I can’t help it if she enjoys it.” Xander shrugged and then flashed a big grin toward them.
“He knows better. He knows his is the only touch I could ever enjoy.” Reiya looked into Lee’s light blue eyes as he gazed back into hers.
“Your lovey-dovey stuff is making me sick.” Xander fake-gagged to the side.
“Yours is the only touch I want, too, Reiya.” Lee smiled as he stared at his beautiful mate.
Reiya’s eyes widened. “Oh, that reminds me! Those two women back there ... they told me something interesting today.” Reiya stepped back from Lee and eyed him in fake accusation. “One of them had a t-shirt of yours, and she claims that you slept together. And that you’re planning to sleep with the other one as well. They said you’re picking one of them to be by your side.”
“Damn, Levi, you are a whore,” Xander chuckled, noticing that Reiya hadn’t taken the women seriously.
Lee scoffed and stared at Reiya, his eyes dark and stormy. “They had a shirt of mine? And said that I actually slept with one of them?” He was snarling as he spoke now. “Reiya, I don’t know how they got a shirt of mine. I would never—”
Reiya giggled. “Lee, don’t you know I trust you more than that? I’ll always believe in you.”
Instantly relieved, he reached out and pulled her to him. “You’re amazing.” He lowered his head and lovingly took her lips. His kiss was warm, sweet, and tender. “Thank you forbelieving in me.” He then looked at Xander. “I won’t have it, Xander. I will not have rumors spreading about me sleeping with other women. I won’t have them using me so they can get their way. Have Weston deal with them, and tell him that this is his chance to handle it. Otherwise, I will.” His voice was low and angry. The threat in his tone could not be missed. He was livid. Beyond angry. What if Reiya wasn’t so trusting? They could have damaged his relationship with his mate. Then there was the problem of them soiling his good name. He was the deity here. How dare they degrade him by spreading rumors about him? As if he would let those nasty creatures touch him.
“I’ll make sure I speak with Weston. We can’t have anyone spreading rumors like that about you. It does not bode well for all of us dragons. They’re lucky they’re not from my kingdom. I’m sure Weston will handle it properly. Those women are his cousins and should know better. It wasn’t like they just made up a lie about sleeping with one of the kings, which would be bad enough. They said it about you. How foolish,” Xander agreed. Insinuating that you were sleeping with the dragon deity was a deadly offense. Their lives would only be spared because of who they were. However, their punishment would still be severe. He imagined they would be stripped of their social standing and would no longer be able to attend mating parties. Whatever was decided would be up to Weston.
“Hmmm, so what happens to me then?” Reiya tilted her head over to look at Xander. “I’m telling everyone that I’m sleeping with you, but I’m not.”
Lee chuckled. “You’re my mate, Reiya. That means you’re immune to a king’s judgment. No one can touch you once you’re announced as my mate. You will be above all except me.”
Reiya looked at Xander and then back to Lee. “So … I’ll be above all the kings? Just because I’m with you?”
“I have never taken a mate. It’s a big deal for a deity to take a mate. My mate will have an equal position as me. Which means you stand with me. You are untouchable.”
“I see. So, I can kiss someone else’s mate and not get in trouble?” Reiya gave him a playful, wicked smile. That was technically what he did to Xander, right?
“The thing is, my dear, while nothing will happen to you …” He pulled her close and gripped her chin with his fingers. “I will kill anyone else who touches your lips.”
