Page 128 of The Dragon's Gambit

Lee gently stroked his white beauty and scratched her ears. “I guess that makes sense. I’m surprised the two of you didn’t feel the link earlier.” He looked over at Dex and Weston, unsure as to how much he wanted them to know about Reiya and Xander right now. The less people who knew about it, the better. “It’s just something unique that they can do. That’s all you need to know for now.”

Reiya sighed inwardly. He was so overprotective. Their secret was safe with them.Okay, Lumi, so shifting back should be about the same, right? Only this time I push myself forward.

Yes, that’s right.

Reiya easily shifted back to her human form. She looked herself over, still fully clothed thanks to the troll nail clippings. Finally, she was able to benefit from eating something so gross. She turned to Lee and leaned into him.

“What he meant to say was it isn’t something you need to know now, but we will talk about it later.” Reiya smiled sweetly at Lee as she spoke.

“Reiya …” The agitation in Lee’s voice wasn’t missed. Dex and Weston felt very hesitant all of a sudden, seeing their deity starting to get upset.

Lee, we trusted them with our secret. We can trust them with mine and Xander’s too. Either they’re our friends or they aren’t. Either we trust them or we don’t.

The more people who know, the more dangerous it is.

These are the same people who know about us. To me, that one is more dangerous. I could lose you. You are my mostprecious secret. If I trust them with that, I can trust them with anything. Now ...Reiya leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his chin.Invite them up for dinner later and we can discuss this in private.

Lee sighed. He wasn’t going to win against her. She already had her mind made up. She was just too adorable, and he didn’t want to make her mad. Lee turned and looked at Weston and Dex. “This evening, I am inviting you up to my area of the castle. We can talk over dinner.”

Xander busted out laughing. “Look who got his wings clipped.”

Reiya turned around and glared at him. “Xander, you are in no position to talk about wings getting clipped. We all know that Lila will get her way with you, too.” She watched as his smile immediately faded into a crooked grin. He knew it was true. He couldn’t refute it.

Lee smiled and wrapped his arms around Reiya. Xander could say what he wanted. It didn’t matter to him. This little fairy in his arms was his reason for living. He had finally found it. “She can clip my wings as long as she’s always by my side.” Lee kissed the top of her head and watched as she looked up at him, her beautiful sapphire eyes staring at him in adoration. He was still on cloud nine about them both being mutual mates, and the fact that they had sealed the mating bond … several times.

“You don’t have to tell us anything. You can keep it on a need-to-know basis. We’re fine with that.” Dex didn’t need to know anything more. It really didn’t matter.

“Well, I’m curious. You didn’t take Xander as your mate too, did you?” The moment Weston said it, he flinched, as Lee let out a low growl.

Levi snorted a heavy breath through his nose. “She’s mine. I don’t share … anything of mine.”

Reiya giggled and intertwined her fingers with Lee’s. He needed to lighten up some. He wasn’t used to interacting somuch with others. He would get used to it, though. She would help bring him down to earth a little more. “Wes, as if I’d let that lizard over there taint the beautiful mark that I already have.”

“Eh, he’s a second-rate tattoo artist. It’ll work, but mine would have looked better,” Xander teased with a wide, toothy grin.

“Who are you calling second rate, whelp?” Levi raised an eye as he turned to look at Xander.

“I didn’t stutter.” Xander’s lips curled upward as he provoked Levi.

Levi chuckled lowly. “Look who’s suddenly become more brazen.”

“Sure have. With Reiya by your side, I know you’re way more tame. Yep, I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m banking on her protection.” Xander shrugged and the others couldn’t help but laugh. Even Levi smiled over this.

“We are all more fortunate having Reiya as our shield,” Weston said, knowing he would be one to need it most.

“Hey, my protection only goes so far, so don’t take advantage of it. Otherwise, instead of the shield, you may get the sword.” Reiya gave Weston a side smile as his eyes raised.

“You’re right. This works both ways. You literally have him as a sword and a shield. So much for sleeping better at night.” Weston chuckled nervously.

“I, for one, will sleep better at night knowing that the girl who is with our deity is Reiya. We’re lucky to have her joining us.” Dex looked at Leviathan and nodded his head to him. Reiya was not a vicious person. She would never abuse their deity. She was the perfect mate to be by his side.

“You dragons are awful lucky to have her, and you better not forget it.” Chelsie looked up at Brody. “Guess we will be living in dragon country permanently.”

Brody chuckled and shook his head. “Not quite. Reiya still has to reign as the acting fairy queen when it’s her time. She will be in Elysia for a while as well.”

There was an uneasy silence among the dragons. They weren’t sure how they felt hearing this. Their deity wouldn’t be among them anymore? He’d always been with them. Xander was the only one who seemed at ease.

“And since Levi can manifest himself instantly, it won’t be a problem for him not living here with us during that time. Besides, it’s not like we really need him around. And he can always come back for the mating parties we have once a year. It’s easy enough for him to show up to bless any future royals, if they find their mates. But you better bring Reiya with you.” Xander winked at Reiya. He looked over at Dex and Weston, who looked to be more at ease. Xander was right. Leviathan never really did anything but approve of the mates of royals and oversee important occasions.