Page 44 of The Dragon's Gambit

“I’m always Team Reiya. Always. It’s because I am that I kept it a secret. I wanted what was best for you. And I agreed with Leviathan here that you should be the one to choose him. I don’t really care about his happiness and wants ... no offense.”

“None taken,” Lee responded tersely.

“But your happiness is what matters the most. I know you were confused for a bit, but it’s working out.” Brody beamed his signature crooked grin at her, and she couldn’t help but return the smile.

“Ugh, I’m going to smell like a nasty, slimy dragon by the time I leave this place.” Chelsie scrunched up her nose in disgust.

“Umm, first off, we are not slimy. We aren’t frogs. And second off, what do you mean by the time you leave here?” Xander raised a questioning brow at the water horse.

“Exactly that. I meant what I said. Dumb reptiles. Let me use smaller words so you can understand. Chelsie. Stay. Here. Reiya’s. Friend. Here. Understand? I am not about to leave my defenseless friend to live among you disgusting barbarians without me around to protect her. I see what happens when I’m not around.” Chelsie pointed at Reiya’s neck and gave Lee an accusing look. “No, I’m sticking around to make sure Reiya doesn’t get forced into going further than she wants.”

Reiya giggled at this. After all, she was the one trying to force Lee into a more intimate relationship.

“Perfect ... now the place is going to smell like mossy mold,” Brody grumbled under his breath.

“It’s better than stale crackers and peanut butter, Baloo.” Chelsie dismissively waved her hand at him.

Lee walked over to Reiya and pulled her into his chest. He felt her lean into his embrace. It was hard to believe that this wasn’t a dream. This was real. She was in his arms willingly, and she also wanted him. He felt like his long, lonely life was finally over, and a new life was beginning.

“BLECK!” Chelsie covered her mouth. “Sorry. It’ll just take some time to get used to.” She shuddered and turned away from her friend. “So gross,” she whispered, though everyone could still hear her.

“Gosh, Chelsie, grow up. You aren’t five.” Brody rolled his eyes heavily.

“I know what a relationship is, Brody. But it’s like the equivalent of a frog being in love with a rabbit and forcing its nasty, slimy self over the rabbit’s lovely, soft fur. It’s just sickening. Nasty.” Chelsie shook the disgust off one more time. “Okay. I’m going back to get some clothes and mentally prepare myself for the long stay.” She abruptly turned and hopped down the hole, descending the stairs quickly.

Reiya giggled. “You know how she is, Lee. Don’t hold it against her.”

“I would never. I know how good of a friend she is to you.” Lee smiled and nuzzled her head, taking in hits of her scent while holding her close to him.

“Well, I’m not a fan, but I’m sure I can tolerate her.” Xander shrugged and then turned to Brody. “How do you put up with her?”

“Eh, she grows on you. And you learn to tune her out.”

“Well, I have a question.”

All eyes were now on Reiya. “This is sort of a big finding-your-mate party for dragons. So, my question is, what happens if Xander finds his mate?”

There was a long silence between the men. Lee continued to hold Reiya gently. He couldn’t ask Xander to continue to pretend she was his mate if he found his own. It would be too cruel. He couldn’t imagine if the situation was reversed. If he was protecting Xander and had to pretend to have another mate in front of his own, it would be torture. No. He wouldn’t and couldn’t do that to Xander. If that meant he had to make his relationship with Reiya public, then he would do so and hope the other deities wouldn’t find out, or that they would at least be lenient.

“We wouldn’t be able to keep up the charade if Xander finds his mate. I would not risk a wedge forming between him and his new mate just because he was protecting me,” Lee answered.

“Just because Xander wouldn’t be her mate doesn’t mean we have to say who her mate is,” Brody answered, thinking this seemed logical.

“No, we don’t. There would be speculation for sure, and they would be wondering who I was covering for. In either case, Reiya still falls under my protection, regardless of whether she’s my mate or not. She’s my special guest and is to be treated as such.” Xander nodded, silently pondering the scenarios.

Reiya stood there quietly. If the deities discovered that Lee had taken her as his mate, they would take him away. How could she rescue him if they did take him? What was the ace that Grandpa Sage was talking about? She needed to speak to him. He would tell her what she needed to know. At least she hoped he would. She knew Lee would never tell her there was a way, if it could put her in danger. If something happened to Lee, she was willing to do whatever it took to save him, even if it meant renouncing their bond or sacrificing her own happiness. She couldn’t bear for him to be held captive because of her. She was willing to endure misery for his freedom.

“You’re awful quiet.” Lee gently rubbed Reiya’s shoulders. He could tell she was deep in thought. Her skin on his fingertips felt soft, and it made him think greedily about her ... about how soft the rest of her body must also be. He wanted to be alone with her and spend some precious time with her. He just needed to figure out how to do it with the beast within him demanding that he fully claim his mate. To take her as his own. To fill her with his seed. This was natural, and he was denying it, for now. A small flicker in her eye calmed everything down, though. He could see a small trace of worry there, and his protective instincts kickedin immediately. He wrapped his arms around her firmly and waited for her to speak.

“I just hope nothing goes wrong,” Reiya whispered out, hiding behind a small smile.

“Aww, Reiya, you better not be starting to worry over there. You know things will work out. They always do.” Brody grinned and walked over to the bag that Xander had brought up. “What do we have to eat in here?”

“Oh yeah! I’m hungry, too. Don’t eat everything, Brody. I need some sort of nourishment, too.” Reiya leaped toward the food. Brody grabbed the bag and held it up playfully over her head.

“Say it, Reiya. Say it first.” Brody chuckled as he swayed the bag just out of reach.

“Ugh, Brody, quit being a pain.”