Chapter 7 Daddy
Reiya and Reese were exchanging small talk between them.
She could see the resemblance to Xander.
His hair was blonde, but they had similar facial features.
He was a good-looking guy, though Xander had him beat in that department.
They were just starting the second song, and she felt a hand wrap around her waist. She looked over her shoulder to see Xander holding onto her.
“You’ve danced with her for one dance too many.” Xander looked at Reese and raised his brows slightly. It looked innocent, but Reese immediately dropped his arms from Reiya and bowed his head slightly.
“My Lord?” Reese raised his head.
“This one is already taken, so you need to find a new dance partner.” Xander tugged on Reiya’s waist, leading her away.
“Already taken?” Reiya looked up at Xander, with her brows raised. She wasn’t taken. No one owned her. No one had claimed her. Her neck was bare and unmarked.
Xander grinned down at her. “Oh, you are … you just don’t know it yet.” He chuckled lightly.
Reiya shook her head and laughed at his joke. So much for not having possessive family around her. “Where’s Lee?” Reiya looked around, noticing his absence.
Xander grinned, almost smirking. “He’s around. He’s probably blowing off some steam somewhere.”
I guess that means he didn’t get his way. “So, how do you two know each other?” Reiya asked curiously.
“Hahaha. You know, typically, it should be me asking you that, but I already know. Levi was always around. I grew up with him. He’s like my older brother.
You see, Levi takes turns living and watching over the dragon kingdoms. During my reign, he will be in the West Dragon Kingdom.
To me, he’s family.” Xander smiled as he talked about Lee.
They were obviously close. “Most of the dragons give him a wide berth because of who he is, but I was lucky enough to get to really know him on a personal level. Of course, that doesn’t stop us from disagreeing and fighting. ”
“What were you guys fighting over?” Reiya bit her bottom lip. She knew it had something to do with her … at least, she felt like it did.
Xander looked down at Reiya and shrugged, with a small smile on his face. “He doesn’t like the idea of me keeping you here. But I think it’s the best decision. He doesn’t like it when he doesn’t get his way.”
“So … if I asked him to take me home, would he?” Reiya asked innocently but felt the tension in Xander's arm.
“He better not. He might be our deity, but we have an agreement. He doesn’t interfere in the royalty’s decisions.
He might get involved and question things, but we are free to rule as we please.
After all, you probably noticed he hasn’t commanded us to protect the fairies.
Don’t you think he would have, if his intention were to override us?
” Xander looked at Reiya thoughtfully for a second.
“Did you want to leave already?” A small frown rested on his lips.
“No. I agree with you. I think this is a good opportunity to form friendships and hopefully change views. I don’t know why you’re really keeping me here, though.
That’s an issue we’ll have to discuss at a later date.
” Reiya met with his eyes confidently. She wanted him to know that she wasn’t a na?ve girl who didn’t know better.
She was just using the opportunity to help her kind.
“I hope one day … I hope you’ll want to stay here. I’d hate to lock you up.” Xander winked at her as she rolled her eyes.
“I don’t think you’re the type of person to lock me up, Xander.” Reiya smiled at him as she watched him shrug.
“I don’t know. I might be. It just depends.”
Reiya smiled and shook her head. She could feel it deep within. He wasn’t a bad guy. She trusted her senses. He was hiding something from her, but for now, she could let it go.
They heard a thunderous roar in the distance. Reiya jumped into Xander's arms and scrunched her eyes shut. “That would be Daddy.” Reiya looked up to see Xander's smiling face.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, Reiya. I’ll protect you.” He winked at her and grinned. “Guess I better meet your parents. It’s the least I can do, since I’m taking responsibility for their daughter.”
“Yeah … you might not want to say it like that around my daddy.” Reiya bit her bottom lip as they heard another raging roar.
Xander kept his arm around her and tugged her along. “You worry too much.”
They walked out of the party area toward a tree line.
Just on the other side was another clearing that bordered a big stone castle.
At the front were two guards who were standing in front of a very angry Asher.
Lita stood there calmly with Chelsie, while Brody and Grayson were flexing their muscles near Asher.
Reiya tightened her grip on Xander, which caused him to look down and grin at her again.
As they got closer, they caught sight of Reiya.
“Reiya!” Asher called out to her. She tried to go to him, but Xander held onto her firmly.
“Not yet, princess.” Xander pursed his lips together as he met with the gaze of a very angry father.
Asher narrowed his eyes at Xander. His eyes flicked from the arm around his daughter back to Xander’s eyes. “Are we going to have a problem here?” he growled out.
Grayson grabbed Brody’s arm, stopping him from charging toward the dragon.
Lita rested her hand on Asher’s arm to calm him down, then glanced up and examined the man holding onto her daughter. “Don’t tell me you’re the cute little boy who asked me to marry him?” Lita grinned, recognizing his scent. It was indeed Xander.
“You’ve hardly aged a bit,” Xander said, shocked. “You look just like how I remember you.”
Lita giggled. “Werewolves and fairies don’t age like humans. When we reach maturity, our aging slows significantly. Much like how dragons do, too. So … are we still friends, now that you’re all grown up?”
Xander laughed. “Of course.”
“Good. Then why is my friend holding onto my daughter like that?” Lita’s green emeralds met with his amber ones. She watched as a smile spread across his face.
“I figured, you already had a mate when I met you, but since your daughter doesn’t, I thought I might be in luck.” Xander grinned as he heard the rippling growls from Asher and the two guardians.
“I think we can go and discuss this situation rationally.” Grandpa Sage walked up and patted Xander's shoulder. “Quit provoking them.” There was a mild, fatherly scold in his voice. Xander gave him a crooked grin and shrugged.
“Grandpa Sage, it’s very good to see you again.” Lita smiled while she held onto Asher to stop him from rampaging. She could feel he was about to snap.
“Let’s go inside and chat.” Grandpa Sage looked at Xander and nodded.
Xander smiled at Reiya, loosening his grip on her. He let his arm drop from his protective hold. “Would you two please follow us? Reiya … you can wait here with your … people.” Xander looked at Asher and Lita, who agreed to follow him.
Reiya watched as her parents followed Xander and Grandpa Sage into the castle. She was then blindsided by a crashing force from the side. Brody held her tightly and then pulled away from her with angry eyes.
“I knew it! I knew you going out with Chelsie was trouble—”
“Hey! Don’t start on me!” Chelsie snapped back.
“Cool it, you two! We don’t need a continuation from earlier now, do we?” Grayson growled as he walked up to Reiya.
Brody was livid with Chelsie when he heard what had happened. The two were in each other’s faces, yelling at the top of their lungs. Thankfully, Lita managed to calm them both down.
“Are you okay, princess?” Grayson looked her over and pulled her from Brody into his arms.
“I’m fine, Uncle Grayson.” Reiya hugged him back and smiled.
“Are they really not planning on letting you leave?” Brody asked bitterly.
“Yeah … but I can work on relations and see if I can get them to become our allies,” Reiya said, trying to smooth it over.
“Okay, so say you’re able to do that, then what? Will you be allowed to return then?” Chelsie asked in a snotty voice.
“I don’t know … I’m not sure what the plan is. How did you guys get here so fast?” Reiya tried to change the subject.
“We took the hippogryphs. It was much easier than climbing up the mountainside.” Brody frowned as he looked at the small cuts and bruises over her body.
“Asher won’t let them keep you for nothing. They better have a good reason, or he is going to blow a fuse.” Grayson looked out toward the castle, wanting to be with Asher and Lita.
“There is no good reason.” Brody folded his arms and sighed. She wasn’t theirs to keep. She was the fairy princess. She was his sister. Damn snakes needed to step back.
“How was fishing?” Reiya asked sheepishly, trying to deescalate the tempers. She didn’t mind staying here for a little bit, but she didn’t want to stay here permanently. She would just take it one step at a time.
“Fishing? Seriously, Reiya?” Brody rolled his eyes at her pathetic attempt to change the subject.
“Where is your summon at?” Chelsie spat out with her brows furrowed. “Why hasn’t he whisked you away from here.”
“He’s here somewhere. From my understanding, he doesn’t interfere with how things are run in the kingdom.
So, I don’t think he can take me away from here, even if I asked him.
As long as I’m safe, then he’ll leave it alone.
” Reiya looked around. She hadn’t seen Lee since the argument earlier. She hoped he was okay.
“I knew it … he’s a dragon too, so he can’t be trusted.” Chelsie crossed her arms and sighed.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure my parents will work something out.” Reiya smiled. She trusted her parents. Surely, they could do something about this situation. “In either case, I will be staying here for a little bit. So, where’s my stuff?”
“Oh no. I forgot. I can go back and pack up your things.” Chelsie had been too caught up in the moment and in fighting with Brody to remember.
“I can bring it to you. If you’re staying here, then I am, too, so I’ll need to go back and pack up some of my stuff.” Brody sighed. He didn’t really fancy staying there, but there was no way he would let Reiya stay there alone.
“Me too. I’ll stay with you, too.” Chelsie looked at Reiya and nodded. She hated the idea of sleeping there, though … disgusting.
Reiya laughed. “Chelsie, you don’t have to stay here. It’s so easy for you to pop in and visit with your ability. You might as well be comfy in your own place.” Reiya saw her friend’s shoulders slump in relief.
“Okay, but I will be here every day to see you.” Chelsie wouldn’t argue about sleeping at her own place. She knew it was selfish, but that was just how she was.
The group had finally found a comfortable place to sit while they waited. It had been a couple of hours, and the light was beginning to fade. Finally, they could see them coming back from the castle. They stood up and walked over to Asher and Lita, all wanting to know what had been decided.