Page 12 of The Dragon's Gambit

Reiya and Reese were exchanging small talk between them. She could see the resemblance to Xander. His hair was blonde, but they had similar facial features. He was a good-looking guy, though Xander had him beat in that department.They were just starting the second song, and she felt a hand wrap around her waist. She looked over her shoulder to see Xander holding onto her.

“You’ve danced with her for one dance too many.” Xander looked at Reese and raised his brows slightly. It looked innocent, but Reese immediately dropped his arms from Reiya and bowed his head slightly.

“My Lord?” Reese raised his head.

“This one is already taken, so you need to find a new dance partner.” Xander tugged on Reiya’s waist, leading her away.

“Already taken?” Reiya looked up at Xander, with her brows raised. She wasn’t taken. No one owned her. No one had claimed her. Her neck was bare and unmarked.

Xander grinned down at her. “Oh, you are … you just don’t know it yet.” He chuckled lightly.

Reiya shook her head and laughed at his joke. So much for not having possessive family around her. “Where’s Lee?” Reiya looked around, noticing his absence.

Xander grinned, almost smirking. “He’s around. He’s probably blowing off some steam somewhere.”

I guess that means he didn’t get his way.“So, how do you two know each other?” Reiya asked curiously.

“Hahaha. You know, typically, it should be me asking you that, but I already know. Levi was always around. I grew up with him. He’s like my older brother. You see, Levi takes turns living and watching over the dragon kingdoms. During my reign, he will be in the West Dragon Kingdom. To me, he’s family.” Xander smiled as he talked about Lee. They were obviously close. “Most of the dragons give him a wide berth because of who he is, but I was lucky enough to get to really know him on a personal level. Of course, that doesn’t stop us from disagreeing and fighting.”

“What were you guys fighting over?” Reiya bit her bottom lip. She knew it had something to do with her … at least, she felt like it did.

Xander looked down at Reiya and shrugged, with a small smile on his face. “He doesn’t like the idea of me keeping you here. But I think it’s the best decision. He doesn’t like it when he doesn’t get his way.”

“So … if I asked him to take me home, would he?” Reiya asked innocently but felt the tension in Xander's arm.

“He better not. He might be our deity, but we have an agreement. He doesn’t interfere in the royalty’s decisions. He might get involved and question things, but we are free to rule as we please. After all, you probably noticed he hasn’t commanded us to protect the fairies. Don’t you think he would have, if his intention were to override us?” Xander looked at Reiya thoughtfully for a second. “Did you want to leave already?” A small frown rested on his lips.

“No. I agree with you. I think this is a good opportunity to form friendships and hopefully change views. I don’t know why you’re really keeping me here, though. That’s an issue we’ll have to discuss at a later date.” Reiya met with his eyes confidently. She wanted him to know that she wasn’t a naïve girl who didn’t know better. She was just using the opportunity to help her kind.

“I hope one day … I hope you’ll want to stay here. I’d hate to lock you up.” Xander winked at her as she rolled her eyes.

“I don’t think you’re the type of person to lock me up, Xander.” Reiya smiled at him as she watched him shrug.

“I don’t know. I might be. It just depends.”

Reiya smiled and shook her head. She could feel it deep within. He wasn’t a bad guy. She trusted her senses. He was hiding something from her, but for now, she could let it go.

They heard a thunderous roar in the distance. Reiya jumped into Xander's arms and scrunched her eyes shut. “That would be Daddy.” Reiya looked up to see Xander's smiling face.

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, Reiya. I’ll protect you.” He winked at her and grinned. “Guess I better meet your parents. It’s the least I can do, since I’m taking responsibility for their daughter.”

“Yeah … you might not want to say it like that around my daddy.” Reiya bit her bottom lip as they heard another raging roar.

Xander kept his arm around her and tugged her along. “You worry too much.”

They walked out of the party area toward a tree line. Just on the other side was another clearing that bordered a big stone castle. At the front were two guards who were standing in front of a very angry Asher. Lita stood there calmly with Chelsie, while Brody and Grayson were flexing their muscles near Asher. Reiya tightened her grip on Xander, which caused him to look down and grin at her again. As they got closer, they caught sight of Reiya.

“Reiya!” Asher called out to her. She tried to go to him, but Xander held onto her firmly.

“Not yet, princess.” Xander pursed his lips together as he met with the gaze of a very angry father.

Asher narrowed his eyes at Xander. His eyes flicked from the arm around his daughter back to Xander’s eyes. “Are we going to have a problem here?” he growled out.

Grayson grabbed Brody’s arm, stopping him from charging toward the dragon.

Lita rested her hand on Asher’s arm to calm him down, then glanced up and examined the man holding onto her daughter. “Don’t tell me you’re the cute little boy who asked me to marry him?” Lita grinned, recognizing his scent. It was indeed Xander.

“You’ve hardly aged a bit,” Xander said, shocked. “You look just like how I remember you.”