Page 10 of The Dragon's Gambit

The man looked at Reiya, and an arrogant smile unfolded on his lips. “Yes, that would be me. So … you’ve heard about me?”

Reiya smiled brightly at him. “Yes! My mother told me the story about how she met the cutest little boy who ended up being the Prince of the West Dragon Kingdom. She said you were also the only other person besides my father who proposed to her.” Reiya giggled and Xander flashed a big toothy smile at her.

“She was my first crush, but I sadly struck out. Maybe I’ll have better luck with the second fairy princess that I’ve met.” Xander winked at her and looked her up and down openly.

Reiya giggled and extended her hand to him. “Nice to meet you.”

Xander looked at her hand and then frowned. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Hurt me?” Reiya looked at her hand and then back to him.

“I have a strong aura. My touch burns people. It even burns other dragons who aren’t at least a tier-one dragon. Your mother was the only other one who I didn’t burn.” Xander smiled at her weakly. He didn’t want to injure her and knew it was likely that he would. Only upper-tiered dragons were able to touch him. He had gotten used to this, having been this way since birth.

“Reiya …” Chelsie said in a warning tone. She knew her friend too well.

Reiya smiled, looked at her hand, and then looked back at Xander. Well, if her mother could touch him, then maybe she could, too. All it would take was one second of courage. Besides, what was the worst that could happen? She’d just get a bit burned, right? She took in a deep breath and stepped closer to Xander. His eyes widened as she reached her hand out toward him.

Chapter 6 Xander

Reiya placed her hand on Xander’s chest. She felt his gentle warmth and a slight tingle at her fingertips. It was soothing, though, nothing that hurt her. She smiled up at him. “I guess you don’t burn me, either.”

Xander’s eyes flickered down at her with an unreadable emotion. He swiftly reached his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. Lowering his head down to her neck, he inhaled her scent. His arms made her feel like she was snuggling in a warm blanket, her body tingling from his touch. She didn’t intend to, but she relaxed into his arms. It was such a calming and gentle feeling. She felt comfortable with him. She heard him chuckle lightly near her ear as he slowly pulled away from her.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” Xander winked at her and then cleared his throat a bit. “So, that didn’t hurt you at all? How did the hug feel?”

Okay, he was just testing my tolerance to him,Reiya thought to herself with minor disappointment. “It felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket.” Reiya giggled as Chelsie came up and tugged on her arm.

“Reiya, we need to go.” Chelsie glared at Xander and pulled back on Reiya’s arm.

Reiya looked at Chelsie and nodded. “She’s right. I have to get back before my parents discover I’m gone.” She grinned a bit sheepishly at the last part.

Xander stared at her for a moment. His smile faded, and he seemed to be in deep thought. Reiya noticed that both he and Grandpa Sage had a slight glaze over their eyes, and it seemed they were communicating. Xander then refocused on Reiya.

“No … I don’t think you’ll be leaving, Reiya.” Xander reached out and grabbed her hand, firmly but gently.

Chelsie tugged back on Reiya’s arm and shot an icy glare toward Xander. “I’m taking her back home. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll let her leave.”

Xander chuckled darkly and glared at Chelsie. With an effortless tug, he pulled Reiya away from Chelsie and into his side. “Easy there.” He took in a few quick sniffs and raised his brows at Chelsie. “Little water pony, you’re the one who needs tobe careful.” He looked down at Reiya and into her confused eyes. “I’m sorry, Reiya. It’s best if you stay here. You know, all the dragon kingdoms will be gathering here over the next month. This will be a great time for you to bridge the divide with our kind.”

He was right. When else would she have an opportunity like this? She knew that, with the impending war, they would need the dragons as allies. Although she felt like there was more to it when it came to keeping her there, she couldn’t refute his logic.

“You’re right. This will be a good opportunity to work on relations.” Reiya looked at Xander and frowned. “My parents are not going to like this, though. I’m not sure how they’ll react to this news.” Reiya could already hear her daddy. He would be furious. Honestly, she didn’t think there was any way he would sit idly by and allow her to stay in the dragon kingdom.

“I’ll handle them,” Xander said mischievously, a crooked half-smile on his lips.

Reiya sighed. “If you say so. Chelsie, could you please let my parents know where I am and have some things brought to me? Knowing Brody, he’ll be coming to stay with me.” Reiya looked up at Xander. “I hope that’s okay, but my guardian will also be with me—”

“And me!” Chelsie snorted out angrily. She wasn’t about to leave her friend around all these grotesque serpents.

Xander smiled and nodded to Reiya. “That’s not a problem. As long as you give me your word that you will never leave without seeking permission first.”

Reiya looked at him with wide eyes. He was making this sound indefinite.

“For safety reasons, of course. It’s very dangerous out there right now, Reiya. Demons are scouring the land in numbers we've never seen.” Xander noticed her shocked eyes and quickly tried to alleviate her worries. Letting her go back was thefarthest thing from his mind, though. He’d noticed something very interesting about Reiya, and he couldn’t allow her to leave. He needed to keep her longer, long enough for her to one day willingly choose to stay.

“Reiya, I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.” Chelsie frowned and looked at her friend, who was being held in the arms of a stranger. This whole situation was her fault. She couldn’t help the murderous feeling growing inside her. She knew she hated dragons for a reason.

“Chelsie, I’m not by myself. Go ahead and go.” Reiya reminded her that she wasn’t alone, what with Lee being just a quick shout away.