Page 77 of The Dragon's Gambit
Reiya smiled widely. “Oh my gosh, guys, that’s great! I’m so happy for you!” She bounced over and gave them both a hug.
“So …” Brody cleared his throat. “If it isn’t a big deal, I was hoping to spend the day with Chelsie. I … um … want to officially claim her as my ma—”
“Lalalalala can’t hear you lalalalala. Yep, I don’t need you around. Reese is always with me, and I’ll be with Ruby, so lalalalala I don’t want to know anything more lalalala” Reiya put her fingers in her ears and shook her head, closing her eyes. She did not want to hear about her brother ‘claiming’ Chelsie as his mate. She knew what all that meant. He was her brother. There was a line you didn’t cross. Need-to-know basis. A simple “I want to spend some time with Chelsie” would have sufficed.
“Happy for you guys. I’ll see you much later,” Reiya said when she reached the stairs, then immediately descended, shutting the door. She smiled and shook her head, walking down the steps happily. She was happy her brother was taking a mate. She didn’t need to know when he planned to mark her as one, but she was happy for him. She was happy for Chelsie, too. Honestly, it just made everything that much better. She opened the door when she reached the bottom and bumped right into someone.
“Hey, pretty lady.”
Chapter 52 Double Edged Sword
Reiya was not completely paying attention when she walked out the door. She never imagined someone would bestanding right there. The moment she felt herself bump into someone, she squinted her eyes.Oh, please don’t let it be the horrible purple raisin man.When she heard the voice, she opened her eyes and smiled, recognizing it immediately.
“Sorry, Reese.” Reiya smiled and scrunched up her nose as she looked at Xander's cousin. Xander had been very busy lately and had insisted that Reese always stay with her once she left the upstairs rooms. However, he usually wasn’t standing right by the door.
“You crazy? You bumping into me is a bonus for my day.” Reese winked at her and grinned. They’d gotten pretty comfortable with each other now, though he still had to watch himself in front of his cousin. Xander was still overprotective and possessive with Reiya, so he was constantly getting growled at by him. “Where’s the rest of your party?” He looked behind her, noticing she had closed the door and was alone.
“They aren’t coming with me today.”
“Ah … I see. The two of them are taking a day to study the human body.” Reese grinned knowingly. Chelsie and Brody had been openly affectionate with each other, no matter where they were. It was obvious to anyone who saw them that they were together.
Reiya giggled. “They’ve already been studying that. This must be extra credit.”
Reese laughed. “So, what’s on our agenda today?”
“I’m meeting Ruby for lunch. I think Mason is supposed to join us, too. Then, after that, I’m sure I can find some way I can stir up trouble.” She gave him a wry smile.
Reese shook his head, giving her his silly side grin. “Please don’t cause me any trouble. I don’t think you realize how close you are to getting me barbecued by that mate of yours.”
“Aww, my little lizard wouldn’t hurt anyone. Someone that adorable couldn’t possibly be as mean as you insist he is.” Reiyahad gotten used to playing her part. Actually, she just pretended it was Lee she was talking about.
“You think I’m adorable?”
Hot hands snaked around her from behind, pulling her deep into his embrace. She leaned her head back and looked up, smiling at Xander. “What makes you think I was talking about you?”
Xander lowered his head and kissed her forehead. “You better be talking about me, or I guess we will find out if I have it in me to barbecue anyone.” His eyes flickered up to Reese’s, letting him know that he’d heard what he said. Reese cleared his throat and looked up at the ceiling.
“Where are you off to? And where is that damn bear of yours?” Xander looked around, half annoyed.
“I’m off to meet Ruby and Mason for lunch. And, um … I believe he’s making things official with Chelsie, so he will be indisposed today.”
Xander raised his eyes and then glanced upward. “They better not be destroying the place up there. I have some time now. I’ll join you. Reese, you’re dismissed for now.” Xander watched as Reese bowed his head and walked away. He wrapped Reiya into his side and then sighed. “I understand about Brody, but I don’t like you walking around without him. I know Reese is here, but I would feel better if he was around, too.”
“I was going to be with Ruby and Mason. I’d be safe with them.” Reiya smiled up at him and he nodded.
“That’s true. No one would dare mess with you if you’re with that bloodthirsty reptile.” The truth was that Mason wasn’t all sweet. He really was bloodthirsty, and his curse had amplified his blood lust. Sure, he was all tame around Ruby and Reiya, but deep down, he was a powerful killer. All the kings and princes were strong. They had extra abilities as royals that the other dragons did not have. They had to have something extra in orderto lead such a powerful force. Their dragons were bigger than the others. Their bodies and fire were stronger, and they each had their own unique abilities. With these unparalleled strengths and Mason’s temperament, he was a scary level of deadly.
“Bloodthirsty? Really? Huh. I mean, I guess he does emit a darker aura under his other one. But nothing that’s ever felt threatening to me.” Reiya felt like she was a decent judge of character, and she never felt that Mason was a scary person, even when he was being avoided like the plague.
“You wouldn’t feel threatened around him, though, because he wouldn’t hurt you.” Xander strolled with her toward the overlook where they were going to have lunch.
“Which one is stronger? I mean, between the four kingdom’s rulers. Which one of you would win in a fight? And before you instantly answer yourself, I want a real, truthful, honest answer.”
“Hahaha, I wasn’t going to come out and say myself. Honestly, we’re all strong in different ways. I also don’t know all of their skills. Weston’s skills are still developing, and some won’t be realized until he becomes king. Dex … well, he has the tendency to be cruel. I know he has some mind control powers. I mean, they wouldn’t work on someone like me, though.” He chuckled. “Honestly, I would be most intimidated by Mason. He is fierce, and he has the experience. I think that, while we’re all very capable, he would be the one to worry about in a one-on-one.”
“So, others can’t touch you. Is that one of your abilities?”
“I guess, in a sense. But it’s more like a passive defense mechanism, one that keeps the lower-level dragons away.”
