Page 162 of The Dragon's Gambit

“Are you sure you should be standing?” Lee’s eyes trailed over her, full of worry.

She gave him a reassuring smile and nodded, her eyes set on her friend. She motioned for Levi to stay there. She needed to see Chelsie alone.

She walked over to where Chelsie was sitting, staring blankly ahead, and sat down to look at the water with her.

“It’s my fault. He got injured protecting me. Blame me, Reiya,” Chelsie croaked out when she saw her friend approach.

Reiya wrapped her arms around Chelsie and the two girls sobbed softly. “It isn’t your fault. Brody loved you. He only did what was natural.”

“I can’t believe he’s gone.” The tears streamed down Chelsie’s face.

“I don’t know how to move forward,” Reiya whispered softly. “I just want to wait here for him. I have never not had Brody in my life. I can’t do this, Chels.” The tears trickled in a constant pool down her face. She kept wiping them, but they kept falling.

“We have each other, Reiya. I’m still your guardian. I’ll always be by your side now. Brody said to take comfort in the memories, and that’s what we’ll do. We’ll laugh, cry, and always remember him.” Chelsie sniffled and pulled back slightly from Reiya. “You know he would be disappointed in us if we couldn’t at least do that.”

Reiya nodded. How was she going to tell her family? How could she tell Brody’s twin brother? This empty void inside her was getting bigger as she thought of her family. Could she ever move on from this? She honestly wasn’t sure. She wanted to curl up in a dark cave away from the world and hide there.

She took a deep breath, turned her head toward the trees, and saw Lee and Xander looking back at them. Beyond them, she saw a dark blob lying on the ground. Abaas.

“We need to return his heart to Olga. A deal is a deal,” Reiya said quietly.

“I’ll do it,” Chelsie said, putting her hand on her shoulder. “I’ll take her the heart. I can travel there instantly through the water. Besides, you need to reconnect with Lee. He’s been by your side nonstop, worrying about you.”

Reiya frowned. “I feel so empty, Chelsie. I don’t know where my heart is right now.”

Chelsie smiled and patted Reiya. “Reiya, it’s okay to be sad and mourn Brody, but don’t forget about your mate. Your mate is precious, and you need to appreciate that, especially since our time with them isn’t guaranteed. Love him, Reiya. Use him for comfort. Our time together with our mates is …” Chelsie sniffled as she broke off.

Reiya leaned into Chelsie, hugging her. She had lost her mate. They were the perfect match, and now she was stuck being her guardian alone. “I’m so sorry, Chelsie. I feel like I just exchanged Lee and Brody. I got Lee back but lost Brody. It’s not fair.”

“This wasn’t an exchange, Reiya. Even if Brody knew the outcome, he still would have gone through with this and you know it.” She gave Reiya a sad smile. “I’m going to go dig out that demon’s heart and deliver it. Then we can go back home.” Chelsie walked with Reiya, past the others to where Abaas’ body was lying.

“You really did a number on him, didn’t you? I guess werewolves are more savage than I thought.” Chelsie elbowed Reiya and tried to force a smile. She knew she would never recover from losing Brody, but she had to put on a strong face for Reiya. She would live with the memory of Brody’s love for the rest of her life. And at night, when she was alone, she would allow herself to break. “Reiya?”

Reiya turned from the dead body and looked at Chelsie.

Chelsie sighed while staring at her friend. “I never got a chance to talk to Brody.” Her tears began flowing again. “But I’m pregnant.”

Reiya began crying again, and she wrapped her arms around Chelsie. “That’s wonderful, Chelsie. I know Brody would have been proud.”

Chelsie nodded. “I guess he made sure he left us with something to remember him by. I planned to tell him after we got back. If he’d known, he never would have let me come.” She gave Reiya a crooked smile as she wiped her tears.

“Neither of us would have let you come,” Reiya corrected her.

Chelsie nodded. She then dug a glass jar out of her bag.

“Hold up,” Xander said as he approached them. “I’ll do this part for you guys.” He plucked the jar from Chelsie’s hand.Within a few moments, he handed Chelsie the jar that now contained Abaas’ heart.

“I’ll be back soon,” Chelsie said, walking back to the river. She jumped in and disappeared.

“Want me to torch the body?” Xander asked, looking back at the dead demon wolf.

“Yes, burn it,” Reiya said tersely and walked away toward the trees. She placed her hand on a tall maple tree and leaned her head into her other hand. Brody was gone, Chelsie was having his baby, she had to tell her family, but she also got Lee back. She felt incredibly guilty. She was so focused on getting Lee back that the repercussions punched her in the face.

“Reiya?”

She heard Lee’s unsure voice behind her. He was standing a few feet back but was hesitant to touch her. He knew she was hurting, and he was hoping she didn’t push him away. If she needed time, he would give it to her, even though he was dying to hold her.

Reiya turned around and looked into his baby blue eyes. The truth was she missed him so much that it hurt. And even now, she just wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to seek his comfort. She took a slow step toward him and then practically leaped into his embrace. His powerful arms rested around her, and he bent his head down into the crook of her neck.