Page 138 of The Dragon's Gambit

“Don’t overthink it. They want me and Ruby pregnant like yesterday.” Lila giggled and shrugged. “It isn’t happening, though. Not yet. I want to have some more one-on-one time with Xander. Kids will come in time, but I want to make sure we have a good relationship and that we understand each other. I know from my parents that kids never fix a problem, they only make it worse. So, make sure you iron out all the wrinkles you can. I just want to make sure Xander and I are on the same page with life.”

“Mason and I have been wanting to be with each other for so long. I don’t think we’re going to try for kids, but we aren’t going to not try either. We’re just going to let things happen for us. We’re all about enjoying life and everything that comes withit.” Ruby looked Reiya over and smiled warmly at her. “You look absolutely breathtaking. Our deity hit the jackpot with you.”

Reiya’s cheeks heated and she looked down, a bit embarrassed. “Thank you, but I’m the one who’s lucky.”

“Right, and that’s why he’s the lucky one. You’re incredibly modest. It’s sweet. Uhm, Brody? You’re needed down there. You will find the guys out near the party tent.” Ruby looked at Brody, who gave her a knowing look.

“Okay. I’ll see you out there,” Brody said, kissing Chelsie on the side of the head before quickly heading down the stairs.

“Now, what was all that about?” Reiya looked up at Ruby and Lila, who only smiled and shrugged. She then glanced at Chelsie, who looked just as confused as she did.

“If you’re ready, the Great Sage is waiting for you,” Lila said with a small smile.

“Oh, he is? Yeah, I’m ready.” Reiya smiled, thinking about the older man. She wondered what he wanted.

Reiya carefully descended the stairs. It was a much longer walk in her outfit, but she finally managed.

“He said he’d be waiting for you in his library. We’ll wait for you in the great hall.” Ruby motioned for Chelsie to follow them. Chelsie seemed a bit hesitant, but once Reiya nodded to her, she went with them.

Reiya slowly opened the door to the library. She looked toward the desk and saw the old man was already standing up to greet her. “Come on in, my dear. Come on in. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Reiya smiled and entered the room. “You wanted to see me?” she asked quietly.

“Yes, yes, yes. How are you feeling now?”

“Much better. Thank you for the healing drops. They helped.” Reiya smiled with gratitude.

“Anything to help you, my dear.” The old man walked up to her and opened his hand. In his hand was a blue sapphire necklace. “This is for you. It is a symbol of your connection with Leviathan.”

Reiya gasped as she touched the swirling blue gem. Its color was so deep and entrancing. It was like staring into the bottom of the ocean. “Really? I can have this?”

“Yes, this pendant was made for Levi’s mate. It’s as old as time.” Grandpa Sage watched as she placed it around her neck. It sparkled brightly and almost seemed to glow. “It looks happy to be with its rightful owner.” His eyes smiled as the gem twinkled slightly.

“Happy?” Reiya looked down at the shimmering jewel around her neck.

“Mm-hmm, indeed. This gem is a living gem. You can tell it’s happy to be with you.” Grandpa Sage nodded his head in approval.

Reiya lifted her new necklace. She wasn’t sure what it meant for the gem to be living. She couldn’t tell what its feelings were, but if Grandpa Sage said it was happy, then it must be. She lifted the gem up a bit higher and let the light play off of it. It was then that she saw something in it with her fairy sight. She stared at it in confusion, then looked up at the Sage, who watched her curiously.

“Grandpa Sage, there’s ... is there a fairy in this gem?!” Reiya asked in shock. She watched the old man smile at her curiously.

“Interesting, isn’t it? Interesting that Leviathan’s gem contains a fairy in it. As if it was always known from the beginning that you would be his mate.” His eyes lit up in amusement as he watched her expression.

“You knew it had a fairy in it?” Reiya studied his eyes.

“Not that I could see it, but my oracle abilities told me.” Grandpa Sage watched Reiya with interest. “It’s a sprite that hasbecome one with the gem. So this is why it’s called a living gem … because the gem has a life force inside it.”

Reiya let the necklace rest around her neck again. “You think I was always meant to be Lee’s mate?”

“I’m certain of it. I think a goddess with much better prophetic ability was able to foresee this. Back when this gem for Leviathan was created …” He looked at her, seeing the wheels turn in her head. He appreciated how quick she was with her thinking.

“Are you saying a certain Moon Goddess knew about all of this?” She watched as the man smiled widely.

“I always love it when the pupil is smart. It saves me time explaining things.”

Reiya felt the sides of her lips pull up. She was always destined to be Lee’s mate. Lee was hers before she was even a thought in this world. He had always been hers. She also knew that if a sprite molded its life force into the gem, the gem would have a power or an ability.

“Do you know what it is? The gem’s ability?” Reiya asked as she reached up to touch her necklace.