Page 119 of The Dragon's Gambit
“What?”
“I knew you would eventually look at this place as home,” he said with a haughty attitude.
“Well, for now it is. My home is with Lee. Wherever he is, that’s where home is.”
“If Levi heard that, you’d be making him blush for sure. He’s a lucky guy, to have you so devoted to him.”
Reiya glanced at Lee for a second, then returned her gaze to Xander. “I wonder what life has been like for him.”
Xander frowned. “I used to think about that often, and I worry about what will happen to him when I’m no longer around. It doesn’t do us any good to think like that, though. We should just concentrate on filling him with the best memories we can during our lifetime, so he will always have them to hold onto. Of course,” Xander grinned, “You can give him the gift that keeps on giving by having a bunch of little whelps for him to look after for generations to come.”
“Even if I live over a thousand years, what is that with respect to eternity? I don’t want to ever leave him, Xander. I—” Reiya bit her bottom lip. It was something that had been bothering her more and more as she thought about his immortality. “I worry about him. He’s immortal, not invulnerable. I worry he might do something to purposely end his immortality.”
Xander tilted his head and gave her a small smile. “And? If he decides to do that, would he not have earned that decision?”
Reiya looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. She then glanced at the floor, feeling a bit embarrassed. If the situation were reversed, wouldn’t she think about the same thing? “I’m being silly, huh?”
“Yes. You have a lifetime with him. Don’t overthink it, Reiya. Life is never a guarantee, so we should just enjoy the dance.” Xander grinned as he swayed with her to the music.
“I guess sometimes you might know what you’re talking about.” The music stopped and Xander linked her arm in his, tenderly reaching over and patting her hand.
“Ha! I always know what I’m talking about.” He led her over to the side of the tent.
“You’re always so modest,” Reiya teased and the two of them chuckled together. “Thanks for the dance. You should get back to your new mate now, though.”
Dex and Lila walked over to the side, meeting up with them. “I guess this is where I leave you in Dex’s hands again.” Xander slid an arm around Lila and led her toward the many different tables, wanting to introduce her to everyone more intimately.
“So, now what?” Dex asked as he looked at Reiya. Her eyes scanned the area and then widened.
“Chelsie’s back!” Reiya quickly walked out of the tent and headed in the direction of her friend, with Dex following right behind her. “Chelsie, you’re back quicker than I thought.”
“I didn’t go to the Black Ice Pack. Your parents are planning to travel there. I let them know what was going on, and your dad wanted to come here instead.” Chelsie laughed. “You should have heard him cussing out Abaas. Honestly, I’ve never heard your father speak like that before. It seems like he has a deep hatred for the half demon. It was your mother, though, who disagreed. She said that they were needed by Hunter’s side rightnow, and that you had plenty of support here. Your mother is amazing, by the way. She already knew I was your guardian. How did she know that? She told me to take good care of you and Brody.” A small tear trickled from Chelsie’s eyes. “She said she was glad that I was joining the family as Brody’s mate.”
“Aww, Chelsie. Of course she’s glad to have you in our family. I’m sure she was able to sense her power in you, since it is the fairy queen who bestows power into the guardians. I wonder what’s going on with Hunter, though. I hope everything’s okay. I wonder if he needs me. Maybe we should go to him.” Reiya frowned as she thought about her brother. Her parents were visiting him for a reason. She hoped it wasn’t anything serious.
Chelsie let out a dry laugh. “I don’t think so. I promised you would be safe here. There is no way we’re traveling away from the protection you have here. Your parents will take care of Hunter and Chasen, and when all this is over, we’ll go and visit them.”
Reiya gave her friend a crooked smile. “Look at you, sounding all responsible now.”
“I figured now that I’m your guardian, I need to step it up some.” Chelsie grinned.
“Okay … just don’t turn into Brody on me,” Reiya teased.
“I heard that,” Brody snorted as he walked up from the side.
“Ooops.” Reiya grinned and turned to look at him.
Brody walked up to Chelsie and took her gently in his arms. “Was the trip okay?”
“I can instantly travel through water. The trip was easy. Your parents are well. They’re going to visit Hunter and Chasen. They’re leaving Reiya to us and said to come and get them if we need assistance.”
Brody frowned. He was also worried about Hunter and Chasen now. He pulled Chelsie closer to him and tenderly rubbed her arms. Sending Chelsie away from him, even though she couldeasily transport somewhere through water, was hard for him to do. His first instinct as a mate was to keep her close, but his instinct as a guardian was to protect Reiya, and Chelsie was the most efficient way to deliver messages. As strong as his relationship was with Chelsie, nothing could ever come between a guardian and its charge. Reiya was someone who would always come first. And now, with Chelsie also being a guardian, she could feel that too. It had to be this way. It was the natural preservation of the fairy power instilled in them. Reiya could never be replaced, not until she at least produced an heir.
“What did you and Reese find out?” Dex finally spoke up, having been a quiet bystander for the last few moments.
“Reese is speaking with Xander now. He thinks the dragons should increase the perimeter patrols and widen its berth around the mountain. He thinks doing that alone will make the demons pause, or at least think twice about coming closer to their territory. He said it isn’t just a princess issue. It’s also a dragon territory issue. They can’t afford to show any leniency when it comes to their territory.” Brody watched as Dex nodded along with him.
“Dragons are very territorial. If they think their territory is being invaded, they will be more insistent on scouting the area and will patrol viciously. Reese has always been incredibly smart when it comes to military decisions.” Dex glanced out to the darkness in the distance. He didn’t like how brazen the demons were, coming so close to the West Dragon Kingdom. Who was working alongside them in the shadows, making them feel comfortable enough to do this? Who was protecting the demons and their agenda?
