Page 3 of The Dragon's Gambit

Shit … Reiya heard her mother’s mindlink in her head. She forgot that she had plans today. Reiya could only mindlink with a few people. Well, it was more of a fairy mindlink, since she couldn’t use her wolf … yet.

I’m coming, mom. Be there soon.

“I have to go. I forgot! I have training with mom and dad today,” Reiya sighed.

“I guess that means Uncle Grayson and I have practice today, too.” Brody grinned, excited to spar with his uncle. They always got their practice in too, during her training sessions.

“Sorry, Chelsie. I guess we’ll catch up tomorrow. Don’t forget our plans.” Reiya gave her a quick wink.

“I’ll remember. I’ll see you there, Reiya.”

Reiya and Brody raced to the large field where her parents and Grayson were waiting. Even though Reiya hadn’t gotten her wolf, their parents insisted on her training just like any werewolf warrior would. They knew there were still a lot of dangers out there, and a large battle that they were still destined to face.

“Reiya …” Asher looked down at her in irritation, his massive arms folded across his chest and a small frown on his lips.

“Sorry, Daddy. I forgot.” Reiya gave her daddy her deep-blue, puppy-dog eyes. She knew he couldn’t stay mad at her. She walked up to him and smiled as he wrapped an arm around her. Daddy was the easy one.

“It’s important not to miss training, Reiya. This will help keep you sharp and hopefully help you gain your wolf,” her mother scolded.

“I’m sorry.” Reiya pouted in her daddy’s arms. She felt his comforting arm on her as she heard her mother sigh. There was nothing she could do against her mother. No puppy-dog eyes, nothing. Her mother never fell for the sympathy card.

“Come on, Brody. Let’s leave these pups alone and see what you’ve got.” Grayson walked over to the far side of the field with Brody, where they both shifted into their werebear forms.

“Alright, let’s not waste any more time.” Lita shook her head, smiling. Asher was asking her to let it go and to be easy on Reiya. Honestly, what was she going to do with the both of them?

Reiya would be lying if she said she didn’t feel a bit jealous. She wanted to be able to shift into her animal as well. How was it that she still hadn’t gotten her wolf? The constant training was to help her draw her wolf out, but it never helped. Her mother could probably release her wolf for her, and she had offered to try, but Reiya refused. She wanted to do it herself. So instead, she had landed herself into vigorous training sessions … yippee.

“Alright, Reiya. Today, we’re going to fine tune those elemental skills. Remember, you go all out against me. I canheal and I can heal you if you get hurt.” Lita’s healing powers had come a long way over the years. She could now heal others, which was a good thing, since Reiya couldn’t heal without her wolf, and she hadn’t learned to do it with her fairy powers. Yet.

Chapter 2 Leviathan

“Reiya, pay attention,” Lita scolded. “You barely dodged that last attack.”

“I was paying attention. I wasn’t expecting you to shoot that many flames at once!” Reiya spat back. She steadied herself andlaunched a swirling pool of water back toward her mother, who effortlessly blocked it.

The two began a powerful dance using their elemental powers, each colliding with the other, both managing to dodge or block the other’s attack. But then her mother launched a large flame toward her at the same moment she lost her footing and slipped. She braced herself, closing her eyes and raising her hands to block the burning flames that would soon envelope her.

Reiya sat there for a moment, but the flames never reached her. She peeked over her arms to see why. There, standing in front of her, was Lee, her summon. He had appeared just in time, blocking the flames, and was now looking back at her.

“Are you okay?” Lee asked as he reached down and helped her up.

“Yeah, I just slipped,” Reiya admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. He smiled at her warmly and pulled her into his arms. She blushed. She knew she shouldn’t find him so attractive, but she couldn’t help it. He was the only man who wasn’t family that was allowed to embrace her. He wasn’t someone she could have, though, even though she wanted him. Even though he had the body of a twenty-year old, no one knew how old he really was. He was a deity and was simply there to protect her and fight alongside her. Well, however old he was, he constantly invaded her mind, especially her impure thoughts. She was practically drooling as she felt his hard muscles beneath her hands. Then, all too quickly, his warmth was gone, and he gently pulled away from her.

“Try to be more careful, Reiya.” Lee smiled at her and turned to face her parents, who had walked over.

“Thank you for showing up when you did. I would have been so upset if I’d burned her.” Lita sighed thankfully.

“Just doing my job. You could have healed her anyway, but I thought it would be best to avoid the injury altogether.” Leegrinned and looked back at Reiya. She was biting her bottom lip, and she looked a bit embarrassed over the whole situation.

“I think that’s enough training for today,” Asher said, running his hand through his hair. His baby girl was almost hurt. That was all his heart could take for one day.

“Well, my job here is done. I’ll be around,” Lee said, flashing Reiya a dazzling smile and a wink before he vanished.

Damn, he’s hot. What deity isn’t attractive, though?She needed to find her mate soon before Lee became a victim of her loneliness. She was already taking advantage of him in her thoughts. Reiya rubbed her face with her hands.Out of the gutter, Reiya.

“Come on Reiya, let’s go meet your grandparents for dinner. They should be home from their trip now,” Asher said, pulling her into his side. He held Reiya on one side and Lita on the other. “Grayson! Brody! We’re going back for grub. Let’s go!”

The two bears shifted and threw on a pair of shorts they’d brought.