Page 14 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Me too. I’ll stay with you, too.” Chelsie looked at Reiya and nodded. She hated the idea of sleeping there, though … disgusting.
Reiya laughed. “Chelsie, you don’t have to stay here. It’s so easy for you to pop in and visit with your ability. You might as well be comfy in your own place.” Reiya saw her friend’s shoulders slump in relief.
“Okay, but I will be here every day to see you.” Chelsie wouldn’t argue about sleeping at her own place. She knew it was selfish, but that was just how she was.
The group had finally found a comfortable place to sit while they waited. It had been a couple of hours, and the light wasbeginning to fade. Finally, they could see them coming back from the castle. They stood up and walked over to Asher and Lita, all wanting to know what had been decided.
Chapter 8 The Decision
Xander walked out and waited back by the castle entrance. He leaned up against the wall, and his gaze drifted to Reiya. His eyes were focused on her as a small smile rested over his lips.He continued to watch her while Asher and Lita walked up to their companions.
“Reiya … come take a walk with us.” Lita reached out and wrapped her arm around her. She looked down at her beautiful daughter and squeezed her tightly. It seemed like yesterday that she was running around and fighting with her brothers. She was no longer that little girl, though. She was all grown up. She led her away from everyone, with Asher walking on the other side of Reiya, until she felt like they had some privacy.
“Reiya, tell me what you think about this situation.” Lita turned her daughter to look at her.
“I think that this is a good chance for us. It’s an opportunity that we will never be presented with again. If I can make friends among the dragons, then maybe we can gain them as allies.” Reiya watched her mother smile down at her proudly. Her father, however, looked a bit grumpy over the situation. “Honestly, I don’t mind staying here for a while. I don’t really want to live here forever, though. I don’t know how long they plan on keeping me here.”
Lita nodded. “Life has a way of changing things and changing our views. You may feel differently one day. However, if there is ever a time when you wish to leave and they won’t let you, then—”
“Then you let us know immediately. I don’t care if they’re dragons or demons. No one keeps my family against their will. If I have to murder them all, then that’s what I’ll do.” Asher scowled angrily.
“Now, Asher … this has already been discussed.” Lita rested her hand on his arm and smiled at him. “We have discussed with Xander that you are still the fairy princess. There is no way he can keep you here forever. However, we also agree that this is the safest place for you. No demon will risk starting a war with the dragons. If they did, we would easily gain an ally,and they wouldn’t want that. So, for now, we have agreed, albeit begrudgingly, to leave you in their care.”
Reiya smiled and nodded at her mother. She knew this was hard for them, and she could tell her father was struggling with the idea. “Daddy …” Reiya walked up and hugged Asher. “I’m going to be just fine. You don’t have to worry so much.”
“It’s my job to worry about you. You’re my little princess.” Asher wrapped his arms around Reiya, hugging her tightly. He looked up at Lita and frowned. How could he leave his baby girl here? He’d wanted to wage a war over it. If it wasn’t for Lita and her cool head, he probably would have. Lita reminded him that this was something he had to face. Reiya was not a child, and at the same time, it was a chance for the fairy kingdom. While he didn’t like it, he understood. There were aspects of the conversation that he couldn’t refute. So, he agreed that, as long as it was what Reiya wanted, he would back down. Still, leaving his baby girl here was a bitter pill to swallow. His eyes met with Lita’s as a small mist began to form in them. He knew she understood exactly how he was feeling, especially since her emotions mirrored his. It felt like a chapter was ending in their lives. Their children had all grown up and were moving on.
“I love you, Daddy.” Reiya squeezed Asher tight and pulled away with a smile. She then turned and embraced her mother. She didn’t want to cry in front of them, and she could see they were struggling with that too.
“We can still visit you, baby girl. We won’t be able to come as often as we’d like, but it is doable with the hippogryphs.” Lita leaned in and kissed Reiya on the cheek. “Send Brody or Chelsie for us if you need us, and we’ll be here. We love you so much.”
“I know, mom. I’ll be fine. I’ll have Brody here, too, so you don’t have to worry so much.” Reiya felt conflicted. This was the first time she would be away from her parents. At the same time, she was also excited, because this would be the first time she wason her own. Plus, she was doing something big that could impact her kingdom forever.
“Let’s go and inform everyone of what’s taking place.” Lita tugged Reiya along while Asher wrapped his arm around them both. She was about Reiya’s age when she left her home. At first, it seemed like a terrible idea, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to her. She hoped this would be the same for Reiya. As a mother, she couldn’t help but worry. She would believe in her daughter, and she would trust the dragon king with her daughter’s safety.
“Reiya will be staying here for the unforeseeable future. However,” Lita looked at Xander, her gaze fierce. “If she ever wishes to come home, we will be bringing her home, no matter how we have to go about doing it.”
Xander chuckled at the threat and nodded. “I think the woman who gave me my first kiss is threatening me.”
Lita smiled and shook her head. “We’re friends, remember? I’d like for us to stay friends. But just as a reminder to you, I am not a pacifist. So, take good care of my daughter.” The strength and fierceness in Lita’s commanding voice was evident. They were not pushovers. That was not why Reiya was staying there. They had no problem going to battle if the need arose.
“I already told you … I promise she will be safe and protected here. I guess we will just have to wait and see how the future plays out. You’re welcome to come and visit her as often as you can.” Xander's grin never left his face. However, he was not going to agree to allow Reiya to leave … that was not in his plans.
Lita gripped Asher’s hand and squeezed it. They were both upset about leaving their daughter. Lita could see the strength and determination in Reiya’s eyes, though. She was up for this. They would depend on her to convince the dragons to join with the fairies. This was too big to walk away from.
“I’ll go back and get my things,” Brody grumbled with irritation.
“It’s already late, Brody. Gather everything tonight and then come back in the morning. It doesn’t make sense for you to travel at night, especially with your sense of direction.” Reiya giggled. She watched as Brody began to object leaving her there for a night, but Lita spoke up.
“I think that’s a good idea. This way, I can have everything prepared for the both of you.” Lita smiled at Brody, who she knew was fighting inwardly with that decision. “It’s just one night, Brody. She’ll be fine.”
“You guys should get back before it gets dark, too.” Reiya looked up at the fading light. It was never a good idea to travel at night, especially since there were demons everywhere.
Lita walked up and squeezed Reiya in one last, tight hug. “I love you. Be safe.” She pulled back and watched as Asher scooped Reiya up in his arms. His face was scrunched up as he held her tightly. She could feel how torn he was about leaving her. He finally pulled away and then grabbed Lita’s hand. With a chest full of emotions, they turned to walk to their hippogryphs, followed by the others. They were leaving their beloved daughter. They went from having a house full of children to an empty nest, what with Brody leaving, too. This would take some time to adjust to.
Xander walked up and placed his arm around Reiya as she watched her family leave. Reiya glanced up at him for a second and then looked back out to her disappearing family.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?” Chelsie frowned, looking at Reiya. She knew she was being selfish, and for once felt a bit guilty over it.
