Chapter 17 Her Mother
Reiya sat on a small balcony that overlooked a tiny flower garden. It was nice. It reminded her of Elysia. She sipped her hot tea and inhaled deeply. She knew that the men were anxiously waiting to hear what she had seen, but she thought it would be best to talk about it with her mother first.
She looked up at the sky and smiled softly to herself.
There was time to change it. She would change the future that she had seen.
She would find the Ocean’s Tear. She would win the dragons over so they would be there to help.
She had to have faith in herself. The premonition was a gift so that she could prepare for the upcoming future.
She had no idea what the Ocean’s Tear was actually for, but it had to mean something.
For some reason, she was told to find it, by someone.
She thought about her mother. Her mother must have been so strong when she first left her home.
She was often told stories of how her mother faced every challenge head-on, and that she had always wanted to be front and center in the action.
She even faced the demon Abaas, confronting her childhood fear.
She didn’t just confront it … she overcame it.
She could be strong like her, too. It was in her blood, so she would rise and meet her destiny as well.
She might not be as brave as her mother, but she had something her mother didn’t.
Her mother may have had Grayson, but he wasn’t Brody.
Brody was her rock and had been a constant in her life.
Plus, she had Lee. Unlike Seraphina, Lee made an effort to be part of Reiya’s life.
Was it for a sinister motive? No, she wouldn’t …
couldn’t believe that. He had always doted on her and treated her like an older brother would, even though what Reiya really wanted was for him to look at her as a woman.
She couldn’t help but wonder if she could ever be with him, if he would ever look at her differently.
With feelings like this inside her, no wonder it was easy for her to believe in him.
She trusted him so much that, if she ever discovered he was betraying her, it would shatter her.
“How was your meeting with Mason?” Reiya decided to focus on something else. It looked like they were enjoying themselves, from what she had seen earlier. Though secretly, she was a bit annoyed over the attention from the ladies.
Xander raised his brow a little, and then a genuine smile spread across his face. He found her so interesting. In fact, she fascinated him. She was so different from what he was used to. She managed to always keep him guessing, and that was intriguing.
“Well, Mason was … well, Mason. He has some issues, and that makes him uninterested in everything and everyone. Which is sad, since he is the King of the East Dragon Kingdom. His issue is sad in itself. Anyway, the meeting went as anticipated.” Xander eyed Reiya thoughtfully.
“I wonder if someone like you could actually help him with his problem—”
“Xander!” Lee growled angrily. “No,” he said very coldly, to which Xander put his hands up in defeat.
“It was just a thought. Sheesh.” Xander was only thinking out loud. He wasn’t trying to force anything.
Reiya let her eyes wander over the two dragons sitting across from her.
She thought about her premonition. Would neither of them come to her aid?
How could they act like they were so close to her but leave her when she needed them the most?
There was still the thought that her premonition didn’t take into account that she would make the dragons her allies.
Lee should have been there, though. He said he would always come to her, and she felt like he was answering truthfully when he said it.
If that was true, then what happened? Did something happen to him?
Did something happen to him because of her?
Could he have been killed? The nauseating pit in her stomach returned at that thought.
She wondered what the Ocean’s Tear was. How could it change the course of events? How could she get it? She had so many questions.
“Reiya?” Brody nudged her.
Reiya was shaken from her thoughts and noticed the three men looking at her. She must have been in her own world for some time. “Yeah?”
“Reiya …” Lee said soothingly. She popped her blue eyes onto him and noticed that he was studying her. He wanted answers, but so did she. She trusted her mother and wanted to talk to her first. She also wanted to hear what her mother thought about everything, including the map of Elysia.
“Here she comes.” Xander pointed up to the sky.
Reiya could see a gryphon flying their way with her mother on its back.
She found this interesting, since they always took the hippogryphs.
Plus, she didn’t like that her mother had come alone.
She immediately hopped up and took off from the balcony, heading for her mother.
Brody was right at her side, and she could hear the other two men following after them.
Reiya watched her mother hop off the giant animal. “Mom!” she yelled and dove into her arms.
Lita giggled. “Did you miss me this much already?” She rubbed her daughter’s hair gently and extended a hand over to Brody, who leaned in to hug his mother in return.
“Mom, why are you alone? Where’s Dad and Uncle Grayson?” Brody asked, feeling protective over his mother.
“They’re visiting Hunter and Chasen. I sent Chelsie there to let them know I was coming to see you.
Though, knowing them, they’re probably panicking at the mere thought of me being out of Elysia.
” Lita giggled at the overprotective men in her life.
She took note of how protective Brody was acting as well.
“You act like I’ve never been in a fight before.
Not only have I fought in battles, but I’ve never lost one.
So, save that protectiveness for a girl who needs it.
” Lita tapped Brody on the nose with a gentle prod.
“Still, I’ll see you back home, just to be safe,” Brody said with a frown.
“Me too,” Lee said with a slight nod. “I will also ensure that you return safely.”
“I guess, no matter where I go, there will always be someone watching over me.” Lita grinned and then looked down at her daughter, who was still buried in her arms. “Reiya, why don’t you show me to your room where we can talk?
” She felt her daughter nod. Chelsie had been very distraught, saying that Reiya was very upset over something.
It sounded like a vision of sorts. Lita never really had these gifts, but her mother had them.
And her grandmother had been extremely gifted in her foresight.
She knew enough about it that she could help her daughter with it.
The two walked into the castle together and down the long hallway, leaving the men in the main hall.
Reiya opened the door to her room and then shut it gently after they both walked in.
Lita walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, patting for her daughter to come over.
Reiya laid down on the bed, placing her head on her mother’s lap.
She felt her mother run her soft hands through her hair.
This was something she had always done for her.
It helped relax her, and a small smile spread across her face.
Even as a young adult, there was something special about being comforted by her mother. It was such a warm and safe feeling.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened? Start from the beginning.” Lita smiled as she stared down at her daughter and waited for her to speak.
Reiya explained everything to her, from the map to the premonition. She let her emotions flow freely, and her mother helped dry her tears.
“I don’t know what to think … about everything. I’m so confused, Mom.” Reiya stifled her sob as she finished what she had to stay.
“Hmmm … Well, I can’t imagine you failing at anything.
I think that the vision didn’t take into account that you will win the dragons to our side.
As far as the map goes, why don’t you just ask them about it?
I don’t think there’s any real threat from it, though.
The dragons are wise. They wouldn’t start a war with the fairies.
I think there must be another reason for the map.
Why not ask Xander or Lee? Do you not trust them?
” Her mother’s voice was filled with wisdom as it gently carried through the room.
“What about Lee not coming? I—”
“Reiya, do you trust them?”
“Yes. Am I wrong for trusting them?”
Lita smiled. “My sweet girl. Trust yourself. You have to be able to trust yourself and your feelings. And believe in them. The world could be telling you that you’re wrong, but you must have the courage to trust in yourself.
Remember the time we fought Abaas, and everyone told me to give up on your father?
They told me he was dead, but I believed in myself.
I knew that he was alive. I ignored them all, followed my gut, and I found your father.
Who knows how things would have turned out if I wouldn’t have believed in myself?
You must trust yourself and your feelings.
Try not to overcomplicate things, Reiya. ”
“You make it sound so simple.” Reiya smiled and sighed.
“Some things are. Trusting yourself is simple. Having the courage to follow that trust can be a bit trickier.”
“What about the Ocean’s Tear?”
“I’ve never heard of it. I’ll ask your grandmother and see if she knows anything about it. I bet Grandpa Sage knows what it is. Maybe even Leviathan and Xander, too. I can’t see any harm in asking about it.” Lita reached her hand up and brushed her daughter’s hair back.
“I felt like I was doing something wrong by blindly trusting them.” Reiya gave her mother a weak smile.
“It isn’t blindly trusting. You can feel it deep inside if a person is good or bad. It gets stronger with your wolf, too. I’m sure she’ll come to you soon. When she does, trust her. She’s your partner.”
“Thanks, Mom. I knew I would feel better after talking to you.” Reiya wrapped her arms around her neck and smiled widely. This was why her mother was the best. It was simple for her mother. Believe in yourself and follow your gut. She trusted them. She trusted Lee, and she would continue to do so.