Page 164 of The Dragon's Gambit

Chelsie, if you can hear me, I’m coming for you.Reiya tried to mindlink her but had not been able to get through. She could still feel her, though, so she knew she was alive. She dove intothe cold water and grabbed onto Lee, who swiftly made his way to the bottom.

Reiya stood inside the barrier on the sand bar and breathed freely as Lee shifted back and came to her side. Surprisingly, he was faster than Chelsie underwater.

“I can feel her, Lee. She’s down here. Why can’t I link to her?”

“It must be the merrows’ barrier.” Lee grabbed onto Reiya’s hand. “Stay close.”

Reiya pulled Lee along quickly, and before long, she broke into a run. She had to get to Chelsie. When they approached the coral palace, the guards immediately stood aside, allowing them to pass. Reiya didn’t hesitate, though Lee was more reserved and cautious. They were expecting Reiya, but not him. He tugged her back and wrapped his arm around her, determined to keep her safe.

The other guards opened the double doors to the throne room, and they swiftly entered. Reiya’s eyes darted around the room. In the far corner, she saw Chelsie and Olga, who looked up at them. Olga wasn’t surprised at all. She had been expecting them.

“Chelsie!” Reiya yelled as she dragged Lee over to her. She wrapped her arms around her, and her voice trembled. “I was so worried.”

Chelsie had tears in her eyes. “We’ve been waiting for you,” she whispered out.

Reiya looked at her, confused, and then to Olga. Olga smiled and looked at Lee. “Well, this is the first time a deity has been able to enter my chambers. Amazing what a little bit of destiny and magic can do.” She chuckled and then looked at Reiya.

“You managed to complete your task. I knew you would be able to do it. I have something for you,” Olga said, taking a few steps backward. She slid a door open to reveal Brody’s body lying on a table. Reiya gasped and raised her hand over her mouth. “My two water beasts, Cetus and Cater, brought me back twointeresting creatures.” She nodded toward the hellhound that was now lifeless on the ground.

Reiya walked up to him and grabbed onto his hand. “I’m so sorry, Brody.” She furrowed her eyes and then looked back. “I don’t understand …”

Olga smiled. “Don’t you?”

Reiya turned and looked back at Brody. Lee walked up to her side and put his hand on her shoulder.

“He … he’s alive?” Lee asked, turning to see Reiya’s shocked face.

“I can’t feel him, though. I don’t understand.” Reiya looked at Brody and squeezed his hand.

“The dark priestess likes to see people overcome through pain. However, she crossed the line when she thought she could pull the strings where my princess was concerned. Kali, the dark priestess, told me to give you the task of destroying Abaas. I was afraid of what casualties could occur because of this, so I sent Cetus and Cater to watch the battle. In the event one of you was taken down, they would bring their body back, along with a sacrifice.” She nodded toward the hellhound. “The way my magic works is that a life must be exchanged for a life. That is as far as I can take it, though. It’s up to you, Reiya. You must make him your guardian again.” Olga stood at Chelsie’s side and patted her shoulder. “The little kelpie here refused to leave his side. She knew you would come for her. So, we’ve been waiting for you to do what only you can do.”

“Wait a minute. Her wolf is dormant right now. She just woke up from healing and exhaustion. This isn’t safe for her.” Lee shook his head. He wanted Brody back, but not if it would put Reiya at risk.

Olga clicked her tongue. “How do I know more than you? Deities. This only proves they are too stuck on themselves to learn anything.” Olga shook her head. “You two are connectednow. That doesn’t just mean your life force. Your energy is also connected. She only needs to tap into that. She can see it. Reiya has the gift. All the fairy royalty does. They can see energy and its colors.”

“But I’m unsure of what I need to do.” Reiya squeezed Brody’s hand and closed her eyes. She had to bring him back, but how?

“That’s because you haven’t learned it yet. Us fairies continually adapt and learn. We are always growing stronger because of this. Dig inside yourself, Reiya, and search for what you need.” Olga smiled and nodded her head.

Reiya placed both her hands on Brody. She could feel his shallow heartbeat. Just like with the curses, she would search inside him.

She closed her eyes and dove into his subconscious. She found herself swimming in darkness. The sounds around her vanished, and a blue light swirled around her. It was Lee’s energy keeping her company. She dove even deeper into his subconscious. Her eyes adjusted, and she saw a gentle orange flicker.

Brody was wrapped up in a ball, his orange light flickering around him. She reached out to touch him, and as she did, his eyes shot up in shock.

“Reiya? No! No, Reiya, not you,” Brody cried as he stood up. “You can’t be dead.”

Reiya wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. “I’m not dead, and neither are you.” She felt his arms wrap around her. The tears trickled out harder. She thought she would never feel his touch again.

“I love you, Brody. I thought I would never see you again. I thought I lost you,” Reiya croaked as she began to ugly cry.

Brody held onto her. He didn’t know how he was alive or where they were now. All he knew was he needed her, too.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice tender.

“Olga saved you. She exchanged the hellhound’s life for yours. So, you’re alive now, but I have to bring you back.”

“And where are we?” Brody chuckled.