Page 105 of The Dragon's Gambit

“HEY! You let Dex take her and not me?!” Weston’s eyes were raised as he asked in exasperation.

“Yeah, I trust Dex with her more. I don’t want you spoiling the goods,” Mason snorted and helped Ruby into her seat.

“I wouldn’t spoil the goods.” Weston folded his arms and pouted playfully.

“Aww, Weston, maybe if you’re good, I’ll save a dance for you.” Reiya giggled, and Dex tugged her toward him.

“Now you’ve done it. You can’t promise to dance with the likes of him. You have a reputation to protect,” Dex teased, and Weston’s mouth went agape.

“You’re all picking on me now. Yep, let’s just pick on the baby of the group because he isn’t a king yet.”

“Hate to break it to you, Wes, but we’ll pick on you then, too,” Mason said as the rest of the table snickered.

Reiya sat down at the circular table, an empty seat to her right and Dex on her left. Beside Dex was Weston, then Mason, and across from the empty spot was Ruby. The table was set similarly to when she was at the party before. The tablecloth was silver this time, and there were floating silver heart candles as the centerpiece. The group sat around the table, having a good time.

Reiya felt a slight tap on her shoulder, and she turned around to see Reese standing there, looking a bit awkward.

“Reese? What’s wrong?” Reiya asked and stood up, sensing there was a problem.

He leaned his head forward and whispered quietly. “Come with me, Reiya.”

She looked at him for a moment, studying his face. What did he want with her? His eyes looked urgent, though. She turned to look at Dex. “I guess I’ll be back.”

Dex stood up and grabbed onto her elbow, looking at Reese. “Where are you taking her?” His tone was low, and he all but glared at the nervous man in front of him.

Reese’s eyes shifted around nervously. “I just need her for a moment.”

“Then I’m coming, too,” Dex said adamantly. He wasn’t about to let Reiya out of his sight.

Reese ran his hand through his hair, and he shifted to the side nervously. “I, umm … the thing is … Xander just needs to see her for a moment,” he finally blurted out.

Dex nodded but kept a suspicious eye on Reese. “Well, then, take us to Xander.”

Reese paled slightly and looked back at Reiya. He looked down at the ground and sighed. “Okay then, follow me.”

They followed Reese away from the party tents. He took them around to the back of the castle, which was completely deserted,the gentle chirping of crickets being the only sound. At the lower end there was a hidden door that was covered in overgrown bushes. He pushed the bushes aside and looked back at Dex and Reiya. “Through here.”

Reiya glanced up at Dex, who tightened his grip on her. Something felt off about all of it. Dex eyed Reese once again before slowly proceeding through the door. Inside, it was dank and poorly lit.

It really did look like a dungeon. Reiya looked at the small candles that were lit along the walls. It seemed very old-fashioned. There was no electricity in this area, or at least it didn’t seem to be hooked up here. The small drip of water hitting a puddle echoed off the walls, and each step filled the air with a hollow thud.

“Up ahead here,” Reese said in an agitated voice. He squeezed his hands together and moved his thumb over his fingers. He glanced back at them nervously before returning his full attention forward.

Reiya watched as Reese walked down a dark hallway, and she and Dex followed quietly. Why did Xander need to talk to her down here?

The stone was cold and emitted a frigid chill into the air. Reiya shivered in her dress, and Dex wrapped his arm around her chilled shoulders, pulling her closer into his protective embrace.

Reese stopped when they reached a small, circular room. “He will be with you in a moment,” he said hurriedly before scurrying out. Reiya looked up at Dex with confusion and glanced around the room.

“What is this place?” she asked quietly.

“It’s the abandoned part of the castle. We used to play here as kids.” Dex looked around the room. They heard a door creak, and they both turned toward it.

Dex’s eyes met with the person entering the room, and he tightened his grip on Reiya, pulling her into his side. “What the hell is going on?” his voice reverberated in a low growl.

Chapter 68 Truth

“What are you doing here?”