Page 172 of The Dragon's Gambit

Damn, I want her. I want her to rely on me. This instant connection ... I want her to feel it, too.

“You can talk to me about anything. I’m here to take care of you,” he whispered, as he dove deeper into the sea he was already lost in.

He’s here to take care of me ... does that mean ALL of me? she thought wryly to herself. “You’re a deity. Do you know why I don’t have my wolf yet?” She watched as his eyes widened.

“You don’t have your wolf?” He inwardly sighed in relief hearing that. Her wolf would be the loudest voice screaming for a mate. Fairy mate bonds were particular and sometimes took a long time to develop. Hopefully this was why she didn’t know. She was young, so this was for the best. He wouldn’t tell her. He would wait until she got her wolf, and hopefully she would choose him then. “Maybe you’re just a late developer? I’m sure she’ll show up when the time is right.”

“That’s what everyone says.” She sighed, blowing the hair from her forehead. “So, Lee ... is that okay?”

“You can call me Lee.”A nickname!She gave him a nickname that only belonged to her. No one had ever called him Lee. Levi was what others usually called him. But Lee ... this was the special name she gave him. He felt giddy inside, though he kept his cool composure.

“Lee, how do you become my summon?”

He stared at her, needing to touch her. He could make him her summon in an instant. It might be wrong, but he was going to use this moment to hold her. His hand was aching with the need to touch her and satisfy his roaring beast.

The intensity of their connection was palpable, and he felt drawn to her like a moth to a flame. It was as if time had slowed down, and all that mattered was the two of them in that moment. He would cherish this memory forever, even if it was fleeting.

His hand trembled as he reached out, electricity crackling in the air between them. When his fingers finally made contact with her soft cheek, a jolt shot through his entire body, filling him with an intoxicating rush of desire. He could feel her heart racing beneath his touch, and he wondered if she could sense the same intense connection between them. With deliberate intent, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. To hell with Elysia. She was now his fairy princess, and he would do anything to protect and cherish her.

Nothing mattered to him but her. She was now his obsession. Protecting her was now his life’s purpose.

“You can bend water now,” Levi murmured against her skin as he felt her body sag against his chest slightly.

“Reiya!” a voice yelled.

Startled, Reiya jolted around, sending a wave of water over her brother, Brody. He stood there, soaked and blinking in confusion.

“Oops.” Reiya grinned and looked up at Lee, who chuckled down at her.

“I’ll work with you and teach you how to use your new element.”

“Who are you?!” Brody growled, eyeing the stranger.

“Brody, this is my Lee. I mean, my summon, Leviathan.” She inwardly winced, not daring to make eye contact with the deity.

“I am the dragons’ deity, a water dragon.” There was a slight twinkle in his eyes. The minor slip up of Reiya’s words excited him. He wanted to be hers.

“Dragons?! Now you’re speaking my language! You’re going to help me take care of this troublemaker? At sixteen, she’s already quite the headache,” Brody teased as Levi chuckled.

“I’m sure I can handle her.”

I want you to handle me.Reiya gazed into his exquisite blue eyes, feeling her heart flutter at the sight. The warm hues of asummer sky reflected within them, drawing her deeper into their enticing depths. Why did she feel this way around him? He was someone she couldn’t have, yet she had never wanted anyone more than she wanted him. His presence alone was enough to make her pulse quicken and her thoughts race.

“Well, there should be some rule that she can’t use her water against her guardian or something.” Brody looked down at his soaked shirt. “I’m getting changed. Don’t wander off again, Reiya. You gave me a heart attack. Are you bringing him to the house?”

“I’d like to get to know her a bit right now, just the two of us.” Levi searched her unreadable blue eyes. A slight pink stain reached her cheeks. Maybe she was a bit hot under the sun. “Unless you would be more comfortable inside?”

She shook her head. “No, this is fine.”

“I’ll let mom and dad know. Don’t leave her alone.” Brody pointed at the deity before he walked away.

Levi chuckled.Never. I’m never leaving her alone.He reached out and patted the top of her head. “Do you feel that cool energy inside you? That’s me. Just call out to me and I’ll hear you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, no matter where you are, I will come to you. Always.”

“What if I have a bad dream?” she teased, smiling and biting her bottom lip.