Page 159 of The Dragon's Gambit

“I’ve always felt connected to you, Reiya. I just never knew what it was. It wasn’t until I found out about us that everything finally made sense. I knew you weren’t my mate, but I felt incredibly protective over you. Like you were a part of me. I guess that’s because you are. It’s weird. You never know something is missing until suddenly you’re given the missing piece. Now I couldn’t go back to being just a piece of myself. I know that seems weird coming from me. Someone who isn’t your mate—”

“It’s the same for me, Xander. Even weirder for me to say because she’s my sister. But as her guardian, I can feel Reiya. I can sense her feelings. She is part of me and who I am. It isn’t weird at all. I completely get it.” Brody and Xander nodded at each other.

“Thank you, all of you, for risking your lives to help me and Lee. I just hope it doesn’t backfire. I don’t know what I’ll do if Ilose any of you. You’re all important to me. How could I move forward if something happens?” Reiya said quietly. She had this nagging, uneasy feeling inside her, like she was about to lose someone precious.

“Reiya, no matter what happens, I have no regrets. You’re not forcing me to do anything. I’m here fighting because I want to. I love you, Reiya. No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you. You’ll hold onto our memories and keep them precious. Don’t look back with regret. To do right by me, by us, you have to look ahead.” Brody watched Reiya’s eyes tear up.

“Don’t talk like I’m going to lose you. That would be too sad.” Reiya turned and leaned her head into Brody.

“Brody is right. No matter what happens, you must promise to move forward. Don’t get stuck in the past,” Xander said. He didn’t want Reiya to live with regret either.

“We’re all here because we’ve chosen to be here.” Chelsie leaned her head into Reiya and smiled.

“Well, the same goes for all of you. If something happens to me, you have to move forward and protect Elysia for me,” Reiya said with a determined look on her face.

“Deal,” Brody said with a smile. Nothing would happen to Reiya, not while he was around. He would protect her no matter what. If something happened to her, it would be because something had already happened to him.

“Okay, enough with the farewell speeches. Let’s get some rest. I have a feeling we’re going to have an eventful day tomorrow,” Xander said with a sarcastic chuckle.

The four companions nestled onto the ground, forming a circle around the crackling fire. The stars scattered across the night sky like gleaming jewels, while the full moon cast its pale light upon them, creating an otherworldly aura. Their faces were softly lit by the flickering flames, giving them an almost mystical appearance in the darkness. Tomorrow would be aneventful day, one that would challenge Reiya’s strength and determination to push forward.

Reiya woke to a clawing pain in her head. Lumi was digging at her subconscious, screaming to be let out. Reiya sat up and saw Xander, Brody, and Chelsie were already standing, peering out into the pale morning light.

SNAP. They heard a twig break in the distant tree line. They were trapped. The river raged angrily on one side of them, and they could hear movement just beyond the tree line on the other side. Reiya stood up and walked next to the others.

The scent hit her nose first. The strong smell of anise oil wafted in the air as loud sounds came closer.

Princessssss.

Reiya clenched her fists and peered out to the trees.

Thank you for making this easy for me, princessssss. I was having a hard time waiting for you, and now you’ve served yourself up to me.

Who says this is going to be easy?Reiya snapped back at the intruding voice.

There are only four of you. A wolfless princess, a water mule, a dragon, and ah yessss ... the little bear cub, all grown up.

Reiya smiled. He didn’t know she’d gotten her wolf. He didn’t know that she and Xander were the Gemini twins. He also didn’t know that both Brody and Chelsie were guardians. This would not be as easy as he thought.

A black, shaggy wolf stepped into view. His eyes were wide and menacing as they locked onto Reiya.

“Don’t think that everything is going to go as you’ve planned,” Reiya snorted angrily at the half demon.

No, this time it will. This time I made certain I wouldn’t fail.As Abaas said this, a few demon wolves came into view. They weren’t anything major. He must have lost a lot of wolves fighting against the Black Ice Pack. But then two giant monsters came into view. They had red skin, gray horns and tusks. They were the servants of hell ... onis. Onis were wicked creatures that were used to enact violent punishment and would devour anything living. They were some of the foulest creatures in the demon realm. If that wasn’t enough, two goblins with white tusks wearing skull necklaces also exited the trees. They were demon witch doctors, demons that were able to summon a wide range of curses and traps.

The sound of their staffs striking the earth echoed in the air, sending vibrations through the ground.

“Oh no.” Reiya gasped as the last creature crept up behind Abaas. Raising its large body with blood red skin over the demon wolf, it set its commanding gaze on Brody and bared its fangs in defiance. It was a hellhound, just like the one that had almost claimed her uncle Grayson’s life. The monstrous hound let out a ghastly snarl. He had been brought here to take on the guardian. Abaas brought one, thinking there was only one guardian to fight. Reiya looked at the others in her party. There was no fear in their eyes, only determination.

They were outnumbered, but they were strong. A dragon king, two guardians, and a fairy princess. Plus, she and Xander were immune to magic, and Brody and Chelsie were strong against it. This was the last step ... the last barrier keeping her away from Lee. With that thought, she set her gaze back on Abaas, glaring at him.

Let’s kill him,Lumi growled angrily in Reiya’s head.

Chapter 96 No More

I’ve got the hellhound. I’m not sure how to divide the rest. I’m worried about what dad said about wolfsbane. You haven’t built up a tolerance to it. We don’t know if you’re immune or how it will affect you.Brody glanced at Reiya.

Abaas is mine,Reiya growled back in their heads.He doesn’t know I have my wolf, either.