Page 151 of The Dragon's Gambit

“Actually, it’s a very good thing we have Chelsie, because we’re going to need her.” Reiya looked back at Chelsie and smiled. “We’ll have to dive down into the ocean in order to reach the area where the Merrow Queen resides. There’s a magic barrier deep down where, once we reach it, we’ll be able to breathe. The problem is reaching it. Without Chelsie’s speed, we wouldn’t be able to make it there without drowning.” Reiya chuckled nervously and Xander’s eyes grew wide.

“So, you’re saying we have to hold our breath and hope Chelsie gets us there before we drown?” Xander looked back at Chelsie. “I hope you don’t harbor any hard feelings for me.”

“Chels Chels will be able to get us there easily before we run out of air. Right, Chels?” Reiya looked back confidently at her friend.

“Yep, you’ll barely have to hold your breath.” Chelsie leaned into Brody and smiled. “Don’t worry, Brody. I’ll protect you.”

Brody chuckled and wrapped his arm around her. “Will we make it there today?”

“Tomorrow. We’re going to have to find a good spot to camp. I mean, I guess if we ran in our animal forms, we would make it today, but that would draw too much attention to ourselves.” Reiya had thought about it yesterday but decided against it.

By the time they reached the bottom of the mountain, the sun had peeked its head over the horizon. The birds were singing happily and bouncing around in the trees as they greeted one another. Aside from their quiet voices as they chatted among themselves, the soft sounds of twigs snapping and leaves brushing were the only other sounds they heard. “Man, I haven’t walked this far in … actually, I’ve never hiked this far before. Levi owes me big time. I’m going to have a big wish list formy birthday this year, and he better deliver.” Xander chuckled, shaking his head.

“Aww, it’ll be good for your tender-footed royal butt to put some miles on those feet.” Reiya bumped her shoulder into Xander playfully.

Xander swung his arm around Reiya. “I know you’re trying to put on a brave face and not think about it, but I want you to know everything’s going to be fine. I refuse to believe that, after everything that’s happened, you were meant to lose him anyway. You are going to get him back.” Xander side-eyed her and watched a soft smile reach her lips.

“Thank you, Xander. I think so too. I mean, it is hard. It’s hard knowing that I can’t get to him right now, but I think I was always meant to get the Ocean’s Tear. I think this was the plan for me from the beginning.”

“I think so too,” Brody chimed in from behind them. “It makes the most sense. Levi doesn’t want to live for an eternity without his mate. You were always supposed to link your lives together. I’m sure of it.”

“I was wondering ... when you two have kids, do I get to be Uncle Xander?” Xander looked back at Chelsie and Brody and watched their faces heat in embarrassment. “And are we thinking you’ll start a family sometime soon? What do you think they’ll be? A bear or a kelpie? Or will they have the ability to shift into either? Or what if they’re a werebear but can breathe underwater, taking attributes from both of you guys.”

Reiya giggled and grinned back at Brody and Chelsie. “Yeah, any idea when I’ll be an aunt?”

“Let’s just concentrate on one task at a time. For now, it’s getting the Ocean’s Tear. We can talk about kids another time.” Brody winked at Chelsie and tugged her against him gently.

“Guess you aren’t much of a multitasker, huh?” Xander grinned with a shrug.

Reiya was glad to have Xander with them on this trip. He had a way of keeping her mind busy and thinking of other things. He also always found a way to bring laughter into any situation. She didn’t originally plan on bringing him along, but she was incredibly thankful to have him around. She smiled up at Xander and then glanced back at her two guardians. She was incredibly lucky to have them all in her life.

She took in a deep breath through her nose and glanced upward to the sun streaming through the canopy of trees. She couldn’t wait until she could feel Lee’s arms wrapped around her again. To be able to breathe in his intoxicating scent. It had only been a day, but it already felt like an eternity. There was no way she would be able to live this life without him. With every step they took, she envisioned herself one step closer to getting her Lee back.

I miss you, Lee.

Chapter 92 Kali

“ROCK PAPER SCISSORS SHOOT!” they all shouted in unison.

“Haha, Brody lost. Go get the firewood, Smokey Bear.” Xander grinned widely as Brody rolled his eyes.

“That was a dumb way to decide,” Brody grumbled as he started gathering sticks along the forest’s edge.

“What do you want me to do?” Chelsie asked, receiving a mischievous glint from Reiya’s eyes.

“You know, the river is right there, and I would love some roasted fish. If only I knew someone who could catch us fish easily.” Reiya bared her teeth in a big, cheesy smile.

Chelsie giggled. “I can do that for you, Ray Ray.” Reiya swung her arms around Chelsie and gave her a big hug.

“Thank you, Chelsie. You’re the best.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. The only problem is I’m going to need a whole school of fish to feed my teddy bear.” Chelsie tilted her head, smiling and looking at Brody. “He’s lucky he’s worth it. I’ll be back soon.” She narrowed her eyes at Xander. “Don’t let her out of your sight!”

Xander lifted his hand to his forehead and saluted Chelsie. “Sir, yes sir. Not out of sight.” He grinned as she rolled her eyes at him, shaking her head.

Reiya smiled as she watched Chelsie walk away. They all liked to poke at each other’s nerves, but it was obvious how close they had all become. Even Chelsie, who Reiya thought would never warm up to anyone, had taken a liking to their group of dragons.

“How are you holding up?” Xander asked as he took a seat on the green, plushy moss beneath them.