Page 163 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Baby, I’m here. I’m here, and I am never going anywhere. Forever and always.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to move forward, or how long it’ll take, but I’m going to try. Chelsie is pregnant. I’m going to be the best aunt I can be.”
Lee’s hands stroked her back. “There is nothing I can say or do that can make this better. I’m sorry. I wish I could have been here sooner.”
“It’s not your fault, Lee. I’m glad it worked. I know it doesn’t seem like it because of everything, but I am so thankful to have you back. I need you. I need you so bad it hurts.”
Lee let out a breath of relief as he breathed in her scent. He was afraid she would resent him. “I need you, Reiya. We never have to be apart now. Not even death will keep us apart, now that our lives are intertwined.”
Reiya smiled into his chest. “What did happen in the rest of the fight? My body tapped out toward the end.”
“I was so scared when I saw you lying there covered in blood that I snapped. I just started obliterating all the demons. Xander went and took out the other witch doctors, and then Mason, Weston, and Dex killed the hellhounds. I went to your side immediately, but Lumi warned me not to move you. So I just stayed beside you. It was hard seeing you like that. Chelsie jumped into the water to look for Brody, and Ruby returned from searching for him, saying there was no sign of him anywhere. I’ve been hoping for and dreading the moment you woke up.” Lee kissed her hair. “Baby, I know you’re hurting. That’s okay. Take as much time as you need. I’m here for you, and I’ll be here to help you through this.”
“The emptiness feels weird. I was so used to always having him beside me that I honestly don’t know how to move past this. It hurts so bad, Lee.” The tears started trickling down her cheeks. There was an emptiness inside her where Brody’s energy resided. She would never get used to not having it there.
“After we get back, I’ll bring your family to the West Dragon Kingdom. That way you all can have a day for closure and to comfort one another.” Lee lifted her chin to look into her watery sapphire eyes. “Brody will always live inside you. He’s in your memories, and he’s part of the reason you’re you.”
“I’m glad I have you back, Lee.” Reiya smiled as their eyes met. She watched as he slowly began to close the gap betweentheir lips. He stopped for a moment to make sure it was alright with her before proceeding. He then took her lips gently into his, pouring his love and affection into his slow kiss. For now, he just wanted to be a comfort to her, and he would do whatever he needed to in order for her to heal.
“I love you, Reiya. Thank you for freeing me. I’ll spend the rest of our lives together making it up to you.” Lee pecked her lips once more, then pulled her body flush against his, holding her tight. She had risked so much for him. She even lost her brother fighting to get him back. She deserved everything. Anything he could ever do for her, he would. Nothing could help with the pain from losing Brody, but he would do everything within his power to make her life as fulfilling as possible.
“I love you too, Lee.”
Chapter 98 The Fairy’s Song
Reiya stood up and walked over to the river’s edge. It had been over an hour. Chelsie should have been back a long time ago. Something was wrong.That damn Olga did something to her. I’ll kill her!
“Reiya.” Lee walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist.
“I have to go. I can’t lose Chelsie too.” She turned her head to look up at Lee. “Maybe I can call for Rowan to take me to the underwater area. It’s too far down for me to make it on my own.”
Lee chuckled. “Sweetheart, you do know you’re mated to a water dragon, right? I’ll take you.”
“But I thought you couldn’t go down there because of the barrier.”
“That was before. Now that I’m linked to you, I can go anywhere you can. But listen, you don’t have your wolf right now, since she’s exhausted. So, remember that and let me handle any rough business.” Lee hated taking her into potential danger, but at the same time, he knew she couldn’t lose Chelsie, too.
“Thank you, Lee … for understanding that I need to go for her.”
“We are not losing anyone else.” Lee turned his head to Xander and Lila. “You guys wait here in case Chelsie returns. We’re going to see if there’s something wrong.”
“Okay, please be careful.” Xander didn’t like the idea of not being near Reiya. The witch doctors were a prime example of how Xander and Reiya were stronger together. They couldn’t even touch them with their magic. Levi was with her, though, and he knew no one would be able to touch her with a predator like him at her side.
Lee shifted into his dazzling blue dragon, tilted his head to the side, and lifted Reiya up onto his back. With a few powerful flaps, they lifted off and were soaring in the air. Reiya scanned the ground below them the entire time for any sign of Chelsie.
You don’t think she was hurt, do you?” Reiya’s voice cracked as she thought about how she could lose both Chelsie and her unborn child.
“I’m sure there was just a delay. If anything happened because of the Merrow Queen, there will no longer be a Merrow Queen,” Lee said darkly.
The nice thing about flying was that what took a whole day of walking only took fifteen minutes, what with Lee’s speed. Lee landed at the bottom of the falls where Reiya directed, then shifted back to his human form. He immediately scooped Reiya into his arms, and she guided him toward the cavern behind the falls.
Reiya’s heart was racing. There was no sign of Chelsie. Not that she would have seen a sign of her, though, since Chelsie traveled in the water.
Lee squeezed her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. He could hear her heart pounding. Deep down, he was concerned. Reiya couldn’t take another blow. He was afraid he would lose her within herself. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Reiya was always meant to be happy being by his side. Indirectly, she was in pain because of him. As much as he needed her, maybe he should have kept his distance from her.What am I thinking? I could never stay away from her. I need her too much. I just wish I could make everything better for her. Please let Chelsie be okay.
“It’s down this pool here. Straight down, and then there’s an area where we can breathe underwater.” Reiya pointed to the pond.
“I’ll dive in and shift into my dragon. This tunnel is too small, and so is the pond hole. Just jump in and grab onto me. I’ll get you down there.” Lee kissed her forehead and dove into the water. The moment he did, Reiya could see the ripple in the water from him shifting.
