Page 4 of The Dragon's Gambit

“Coming, dad!” Brody yelled. “Come on, Uncle Grayson, I’ll race you. Let’s see if those old legs of yours can still move.”

“Pfft. Whose legs are you calling old?” Grayson smirked and fully sprinted. He laughed as he passed Brody and stopped just ahead of Asher. “Aw, the young cub just isn’t fast enough.”

“You got a head start. Such a cheater.” Brody pouted, following in step next to Lita.

“You should know better. Grayson and your daddy always find a way to try to get the upper hand.” Lita smiled with a shrug.

“My dear, it sounds like you’re insinuating that we’re cheaters.” Asher raised his brows and looked down at his wife.

Lita smiled and looked up at him. “Well, look who isn’t all brawn today?” Lita then swirled out of his arms and took off running.

“You better run faster than that if you want to escape me!” Asher yelled and took off after her.

“What are we going to do with them? Such kids.” Grayson smirked, looking at Brody and Reiya. They watched Asher catch up to Lita and twirl her in the air. He held her bridal style as he took off running with her back to the castle, Lita squealing with happiness the whole way. They always acted like this ... like they were newly in love. The truth was, their love was that strong, but it always felt like new love. They burned brightly together, a very powerful couple with a very strong bond.

I want that, too. Someday ... I really hope I find something like that. Hell, I’ll be happy if it’s even half of what they have together.Reiya smiled as she watched her parents disappear from her sight.

“Ray Ray, you want to come fishing with me and Uncle Grayson tomorrow?” Brody asked as they approached the castle.

“I have plans with Chelsie tomorrow, remember?” Reiya watched him roll his eyes and grumble under his breath.

“She always ends up getting you in trouble. Maybe I should go with you. I don’t like it when you two are left alone together. Yeah, I’m coming with you. I feel uneasy all of a sudden.” Brody frowned and shook his head. Knowing how Chelsie was, and knowing how mischievous the girls were together, he didn’t like the idea of leaving Reiya alone with Chelsie.

“Brody, will you relax? Go and fish with Uncle Grayson. We can be apart for a couple of hours. I promise you’ll live through it,” Reiya teased, and Grayson chuckled.

“You’re so much like your mother, Reiya.” Grayson smiled at her. She was so much like Lita, which was good and bad. Lita had always managed to get herself in trouble at Reiya’s age.

As they walked into the dining hall, they saw her parents standing next to Nathon and Alice, who were waving excitedly at Brody and Reiya. “Come here, kiddos,” Alice called out.

“Uh oh, Pap and Grandma are up to something.” Brody smiled at Reiya before the two quickly skipped over to them like little kids about to get a prize.

Nathon grabbed Brody in a headlock and playfully jabbed at his side, while Alice put a gentle arm around Reiya. They watched the rough, affectionate exchange between the two men.

“We got you something special. For both of you. Reiya, you can’t use yours yet, but I’m sure it will come into use soon.” Alice held out two small, black, pearl-like things. “Swallow them.”

“Say what? Umm, Pap … I think Grams is losing it.” Brody leaned into Nathon and got a hard pat on the back.

“Do as she says. We were only able to get a small amount of these. We already gave some to Hunter and Chasen, too,” Nathon said, smiling widely.

“We gave some to your parents, and we have one for Grayson, too.” Alice beamed proudly.

“What are they?” Reiya held the black thing up that she was supposed to just swallow.

“Here, Grayson. Take yours and do as you’re told. Swallow it.” Alice placed one in Grayson’s hand. He examined it for a second, looked up to Asher, and shrugged. He tossed the black pearl in his mouth and swallowed it. Reiya and Brody did the same after that.

“What was that?” Brody grimaced and shook his head.

“They were a gift we received from the cave troll. They were his fingernail clippings.” Nathon smirked, looking at the green faces on Reiya and Brody.

“You both are senile, making us swallow troll fingernails …” Brody was starting to feel sick just thinking about it.

“Why did I swallow a troll’s fingernail?” Grayson asked, looking at Alice and Nathon.

“Because now, when you shift back into your human form, you will do so with clothes on.” Alice clapped excitedly.

“No shit, really?” Brody asked excitedly.

“Brody!” Alice hissed.