Chapter 19 Xander’s Mate
Reiya felt the hot breath upon her skin. It was like getting hit with steam. She could feel the heat from the body her back was leaning into, the well-defined chest pressing against her. She sighed and leaned backward, with a small smile on her face. She knew who was behind her.
“I don’t ever recall saying that I belonged to you.” Reiya smirked, enjoying his warmth on her back. It was like having a human electric blanket. It was so comfortable, who wouldn’t soak it in? Especially when the blanket had a chiseled body and a very handsome face.
“I don’t recall ever giving you a say.” She could hear his smirk as he spoke.
Reiya whipped her elbow back, colliding the point with his stomach.
“Ooof.”
Reiya spun around and stared into the amber eyes that were squinting slightly from the impact of her elbow.
“Don’t think I’m just going to melt into your arms, Xander.
You might be cute, but you’re out of your mind if you think I’m just going to allow you to claim me for yourself.
” She reached her hand up and flicked his forehead.
Xander reached up and rubbed his forehead. “Ouch, Reiya. How can you be so mean to your future lover?”
Reiya shook her head and giggled. Such a flirt.
“Where’s mom at?” Brody walked up with Lee, looked around, and then brought his gaze back to Reiya. He watched her eyes gloss over and become a bit dull.
“She’s talking with Grandpa Sage. Apparently, it’s something I’m not allowed to hear.
” Reiya frowned and looked down the hall.
She looked at Xander and smiled. Grandpa Sage had cleared up the whole map thing.
She was happy about that, because she didn’t want to doubt them.
Then she looked at Lee. The image of herself calling for him flashed into her head.
Her sad and desperate eyes. She could feel her own heart breaking.
That was when she heard it—a low snarl deep inside her mind.
She heard it only for a moment before it vanished.
She turned to see a man in all purple approaching them.
“My Lords.” Clovis bowed, then shot an icy look at Reiya.
Xander reached forward and pulled Reiya into his side. He leaned his head down and nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck. “Clovis, is there something you need?” Xander’s eyes flicked at him with irritation.
Clovis’ eyes glared at Xander's intimate behavior with Reiya. “My Lord, given my position, I must say something. Surely this is just—” He motioned between Xander and Reiya. “This is just some fun to pass the time, right? It’s just, you’re treating her an awful lot like she’s—”
“My mate?” Xander answered with a smirk. He watched the eyes of the man widen, fury building behind them.
“You wouldn’t. You wouldn’t take a … fairy ...” The word fairy almost vomited out of his mouth. “... as your mate? You wouldn’t taint our kind like that,” Clovis’ voice hissed out with contempt.
“Careful.” Lee shot a dark look at Clovis. There was real fear in Clovis’ eyes when he noticed the glare from Leviathan.
“Last I checked, I’m the king, not you. How dare you question anyone’s choice of mate, let alone your king’s!” Xander wrapped his arms around Reiya tightly, holding her flush against him. Meanwhile, he continued to keep his head tucked away near her neck.
Reiya stood there, allowing herself to be controlled like a doll.
Xander's hot breath brushed against her neck once again. This seemed like more than just playful teasing. This was more promising, and threatening. Why would Xander go this far for a simple game? She could feel his lips almost brush against her neck, near her marking spot, and she began to feel anxious. This was taking things a bit too far, and she was getting confused. She didn’t want to make trouble.
She heard a deep rumbling noise and could feel the vibrations from the chest she was pressed against.
“Are you not going to discuss this with the rest of the council?” Clovis asked in agitation.
“Why do I need to seek approval from the council about my own mate?” Xander snapped his head up, away from Reiya’s neck as he looked at Clovis.
“Because this is unprecedented. No one has ever taken a non-dragon mate.” Clovis looked at Reiya with disgust.
“Look at her like that again. I dare you.” Xander bared his teeth at Clovis, an imminent threat in his eyes.
Reiya didn’t know what was going on, but she knew she couldn’t appear timid and weak. Making sure she stood fully and confidently, she pinned her gaze back on Clovis. This might not have been her fight, but this man was looking down on her kind. She would not allow it.
“Do you think you’re superior to me?” Reiya smirked at Clovis. “The idea that you’re superior when you aren’t even stronger than me is ridiculous.” Reiya grinned at the man, whose mouth dropped in shock.
“St-st-stronger than me?!” Clovis gasped in outrage.
“Exponentially,” Reiya answered with conviction.
“You’re quite sure of yourself.” Clovis, confronted by her confidence, felt as if he were being flung backward. There was little room to doubt this girl was a real leader, and that disgusted him.
“You wouldn’t even make me break a sweat.
” Reiya sighed in disinterest and then looked back at Xander, who was grinning with pride.
“It’s nice to let your people speak freely.
However, I think there’s a fine line between speaking freely and disrespect.
Anyway, I’m bored with this.” Reiya waved her hand at Clovis and walked back down the hall, her insides swirling in rapid motion.
She heard swift footsteps behind her and felt the familiar strong arm of Brody wrap around her.
“That was amazing. Awesome job, Reiya.” Brody spoke lowly as they continued to put distance between them.
“What the hell is going on here?” Reiya furrowed her brows and shook her head.
She felt like she was being used as a toy to break tradition.
She didn’t mind helping break the backward mindset, but she was afraid of the rabbit hole she might be forced to go down for it.
She wasn’t about to be forced into being a dragon’s mate.
This was all just for show, right? She looked up to see her mother and Grandpa Sage making their way toward them.
“Grandpa Sage, you may want to get down to the end of the hall. A guy named Clovis seems to be stirring up trouble.” Reiya watched his unreadable eyes as he nodded in acknowledgment.
She watched the older man walk down the hall.
Who was this Clovis guy that he was able to aggravate everyone so easily?
It had to be deeper than just Xander's father’s friend’s son.
“Reiya? Are you alright?” Lita looked her daughter over, noting how flustered and confused she seemed.
“I feel like I’m getting thrown into a game and I don’t know the rules or the object of it.” Reiya sighed and glanced backward toward the nothingness down the hall. “Everyone knows things I don’t.” She spun her head back and looked at her mother.
“I know the feeling, Reiya. I’ve been there before, on my own journey.
Just remember, some things you have to discover for yourself, in your own time.
When you find things out too early, it ruins your own growth.
” Lita smiled at her in understanding. She felt like almost everyone knew about her being the fairy princess before she knew.
Sometimes it was best to let the truth get discovered when it was meant to.
“Don’t worry, Reiya. You have a group of good people here.
I feel comfortable leaving you in their capable hands.
In fact, they’re not the ones I worry about.
It’s you.” Lita smiled at her and raised her eyes accusingly.
“It’s you and your own ability to get into trouble. ”
Reiya grinned and shrugged. “I guess I take after my mother in that aspect.” The two ladies giggled together, and Brody sighed.
“This only means more trouble for me,” Brody grunted.
“Oh, you know you love it, Brody.” Reiya teased, poking his chest.
“As much as I love a paper cut.” Brody folded his arms and snorted.
“Reiya, I have to get back. But as you saw, you can always reach me quickly.” Lita gave her daughter a sad smile. She might be in capable hands, but leaving her baby here was still hard.
Reiya walked up and hugged her mother tightly. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll change the future. It will be bright.”
“I never doubted that you would.” Lita hugged her daughter back tightly. “Come on and walk me out.”
“Hopefully they’re done quarreling now.” Brody grinned and looked down the hall. They had to pass through there in order to leave.