Page 152 of The Dragon's Gambit

Reiya took a seat beside him and leaned back on her hands. “I’m okay right now. I’m worried about Lee and how he’s holding up. He doesn’t have anyone with him. For all I know, he’s sitting in isolation somewhere, with nothing but his solitude to keep him company. That’s what’s the most heartbreaking ... thinking about Lee being all alone.”

Xander raised his arm and rested it around Reiya. “He’s strong. He’s going to be just fine. I’m sure he’s spending all his time worrying about you.” Xander chuckled and looked up atthe dimming sky. “Don’t worry. You’ll get him back.” He gently rubbed her back, and she leaned into his side.

She felt the heat that radiated from Xander. It was a different heat than Lee’s. Lee’s heat was exciting, while Xander’s was just a gentle warmth. Not too long ago, he was a stranger to her. Now, he was like the brother she’d always had. It felt like he’d always been part of her life. And in a way, he had, since their souls were connected.

“I’m glad you’re here, Xander,” Reiya said quietly.

“Me too.”

Lee sat in a chair as he stared out a window. He was in a barrier that allowed others in but wouldn’t allow him to leave. He sighed in frustration as he heard soft footsteps approach his side.

“What do you want?” he growled angrily without looking at the person at his side.

A smile rose over the person’s face. “Quite the unpleasant fellow, aren’t you?” A calm, light voice echoed through the room.

His eyes twitched and he shifted his angry gaze at her.

“Now don’t look at me that way. I spoke out on your behalf. Several of us did, in fact. Of course, I already knew this would happen.” She walked in front of him so that she was able to completely face him.

“What’s your game here, Selene?” Lee narrowed his gaze at the goddess.

“Watch your tone with me. Reiya is a child of mine. You think I want to see my children hurt? This was all meant to happen. Thisfuture has long been foreseen. All we can do is watch it unravel,” Selene said gently.

“Why? Why only watch it unravel? If you’re on her side, why not help her?” Lee snorted, keeping his angry gaze on her.

“I have helped her. Everything I have done has helped set things in motion. There is a difference between helping and interfering. As one blessed with the power of prophecy, I can’t interfere blindly and mess up the timeline. However, I can give things a gentle push in the direction they need to go.”

“How long have you known she would be my mate? Did you know back when I was given the necklace?” Lee looked at Selene as he waited for her answer.

“I’ve known since long before then,” Selene said with a warm smile.

“So, this is all your doing? We’re just pieces in the game you’re playing?” Lee raised his voice in slight agitation.

“There is a difference between knowing the future and changing the future. I can see the game and the few ways it could end. And, at times, I help direct pieces into the future I want. Still, I don’t have any direct intervention. Unlike you. You can have a direct hand in the change that happens because you can’t see the future. You can fight by Reiya’s side and directly change fate. Don’t think you’re in a more frustrating position, because you aren’t.” Selene tilted her head downward, having explained the situation more clearly.

Lee leaned forward and rested his head in his hand. There was no way her position was more frustrating. He needed to be at Reiya’s side, and he couldn’t. This was agony. He couldn’t take it. She was heading toward danger, and he couldn’t be there to help her. His precious, sweet fairy, who was now his only purpose for living, was heading into danger for him. He didn’t know how to feel. Reiya was the fairy princess, but the Merrow Queen was vicious. No one had ever been able to retrieve the Ocean’sTear. Would things be different because it was Reiya? He was really worried about her. How was she holding up? It was such torment not being able to see her and see how she was doing.

Selene walked away from him, back to the edge of the barrier that was keeping him caged. “She’s doing okay. Brody, Chelsie, and Xander are with her.”

“Xander went with her too?” Lee raised his head and turned to look at Selene.

Selene smiled and nodded. “They’re keeping a close eye on her and being a comfort. She is more worried about you.” She winked at him and then left him alone once again.

Lee turned around and looked out the window. A small smile raised on his lips. His sweet fairy would be worrying about him. And knowing that Xander was traveling with her really touched him. He left his kingdom to go with Reiya. Knowing that the Gemini twins were together helped put him at ease slightly. With Xander by her side, magically, nothing could happen.

Please be safe, my sweet fairy.

Selene flashed into a dark room surrounded by stone and dimly lit by a few candles. The strong smell of decay hit her nose as she took a few steps closer to the figure in the center of the room.

“Your floral scent is disgusting,” a voice hissed.

Selene scoffed. “I feel the same way about your scent of rotting flesh.”

“The pieces are all moving into position,” the voice whispered, staring into a bubbling stone pot.

Selene sighed with a small frown. “This is the worst part. Knowing the future and the possible outcomes, and having to watch it happen.”

The figure in front of the pot lifted her head and turned her pale face to look at the goddess. Her dark orbs stared at Selene, a faint sneer on her lips. “Really? This is the worst part?” The woman's raven hair spilled across her face like liquid shadow, each strand catching the candlelight as she tilted her chin upward with unnatural precision. Her eyes were like bottomless pools of obsidian with no trace of white, reflecting the trembling flame, not as warmth but as distant stars trapped in black ice. The flickering light caught the glassy sheen of her gaze, revealing nothing behind them but an ancient, hungry void that seemed to drink in the darkness rather than be consumed by it. The woman’s black hair brushed against her face as she lifted her head up higher.