Page 80 of The Dragon's Gambit

Chelsie removed her hand from Brody and looked at him, shocked. “I can … I can feel Reiya. Brody, I think I’m her guardian now, too!”

Brody’s mouth opened as he stared at her in shock. “You can feel Reiya?”

Chelsie nodded her head. “I can feel her presence, and I also feel stronger now, like a new strength was bestowed upon me. When it happened, I could smell the queen. It had her scent to it. Maybe the same powers she used when she made you a guardian flowed into me?”

Brody sighed and smiled. Of course, his mother would make sure that if they ever took mates, they would also become guardians. This would help protect their relationships with their mates. Of course, that wasn’t needed with Chelsie, but it would be good to know in case Chasen ever wanted to take a mate.

“How do things feel with Reiya?” Brody was curious if it changed anything as far as her feelings for Reiya.

“I feel like … it’s strange. I was already protective of her, but now I feel like she’s family.” Chelsie held her hand up over her chest. “It feels nice. I feel like she’s here with me. It’s a warm, gentle light inside me.”

Brody kissed Chelsie’s head and pulled her deep into his embrace. “You are family now. You’re my mate.

“That warm light is Reiya. It’s how we find her. We follow the pull toward her. That warm, gentle light is who she is. It’s why it’s so comforting being around her. That’s what she emanates.” This was better than anything Brody ever expected. They were now guardians together. They were bonded on so many different levels.

This was the moment he never dreamed he would have. But even if he did dream it, this turned out better than anything he could have imagined.

She was perfect. The moment was perfect. Everything in that moment was right.

“I love you, Chelsie.”

Chapter 54 Dex

Astrange sensation came over Reiya. An odd, heated wave flushed over her as an invisible string wound around her. A new link to her had been made. This was interesting. Just like how she could feel Brody’s link, she could now feel onewith Chelsie. She wasn’t going to interrupt things, but she had a feeling she could now mindlink with Chelsie, too. She was now connected to her, just like she was with Brody.

Xander looked at her with interest and rubbed his hand down her back. He had noticed the slight change in her posture. He wasn’t sure what had happened, but he knew something did, and he wanted her to know he was here in case it was anything major. She smiled up at him and carried on with the conversation like nothing had happened.

After their lunch, everyone had to go their separate ways. Ruby was still getting to know the dragons of the East, where she would be moving to as their queen. Mason and Xander had more of their business with the traitor and demon issue. Xander was waiting for Reese to show up when he got an urgent mindlink. He looked down at Reiya, conflicted.

“Is everything okay? Earlier, I could tell that something seemed to alert you.” Xander needed to see to the pressing issue, but he had to make sure she was okay first.

“Yes, everything’s fine. I just need to check into something, but I’ll explain later.” She grinned and watched him look around for Reese.

“Xander, I’ll be fine here if you need to leave.”

“Something came up … but I can’t leave you alone.”

“Xander, go. I promise I’ll wait in the great hall for Reese. Go do your job.” Reiya shoved him and heard him sigh heavily.

“Please … be safe.” He looked at her, torn, and she gave him one final shove with a giggle for him to be on his way. She turned around and headed back down toward the great hall. She would be good and wait there as promised. Afraid of what she might interrupt, she couldn’t head back up to her room already. What if they weren’t even in their own room? No, it was best to keep herself busy. Maybe she would even look through the library or something.

Reiya could hear shouting in the great room. A man was bellowing loudly about someone being an idiot. Reiya walked into the room to see a towering young man pointing at a young girl who was cowering on the floor, tears streaming down her face.What the hell was wrong with these dragons?!

Reiya ran in between the girl and the man. She could see a tray on the floor. There were drinks spilled all over the area, and some of the contents had gotten on the man. The girl seemed to be in some pain from her fall.

“Do you need help?” Reiya asked kindly. She watched the girl shake her head and slowly rise to her feet. “Why don’t you go and get yourself cleaned up?” The girl immediately took the opportunity to flee the scene.

“Hey! I wasn’t finished with her,” the man growled out angrily.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think she planned to fall? You think her goal was to be humiliated? And did you have to scream at her, on top of everything? Arrogant asshole.” Reiya poked the man in his chest and confidently met his hazel eyes. The man raised his brows at her and then leaned back on his heels, smirking.

“Seriously, though. Would it have been that big of an issue to simply help her up? Poor girl. Not only was she humiliated, but she hurt herself in the process. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Reiya clicked her tongue and shook her head. The man continued smirking at her, folding his arms across his chest as he continued to look at her with humor.

“Your disrespect is too much. I’m so sorry, my Lord. She is a constant problem here,” Clovis hissed as he slithered out from a dark corner of the room.

Oh no, not this asshole again.Reiya turned and narrowed her eyes at Clovis. “I’m doing my best to tolerate you ... really, I am. But every time you show up, I really just want to plant my fist inyour face. Is this a natural reaction for everyone who sees you?” Reiya watched him fume, his mouth dropping open.

“Y-y-y-you ...” Clovis stuttered out.