Chapter 71 Burn Her
Reiya stood there quietly. The answer was no one.
There was no one who could take over in her place.
If something happened to her, would they let her brother lead?
Possibly. She didn’t know. There wasn’t a precedent for it.
“That doesn’t mean that any of you are any less important to me, though.
I would be the one having to live with the guilt if something happened. ”
“And us? If we weren’t there to help you? If we weren’t there to protect you? How do you think we would feel?” Brody asked quietly.
Okay, he was right. If she suspected Abaas’ presence, she should at least let Brody and Chelsie know instead of just rushing into the fight.
She should make sure Lee knew. She needed to let those who were close to her know.
She didn’t have to be scared, but she also didn’t have to let pride cloud her judgement.
She was so stuck on the idea that she could defeat Abaas on her own that she didn’t see that she didn’t have to.
Ugh, she hated that she was wrong. Still, she wouldn’t sit idly by and let everyone else fight her battles.
“I won’t be locked in a tower to watch the battle unfold, but I promise I won’t act impulsively, and I won’t leave you guys out.
Sorry, I’m just frustrated.” Reiya sighed, playing with her fingers.
“That’s my kick-ass girl,” Chelsie said as she wrapped her arms around Reiya.
“It’s okay to stand up for yourself and fight.
It’s also okay to lean on the support you’ve created around you.
We’re all here because we want to be part of your life.
We want to be involved in your fights, too, so don’t leave us out.
You know how salty I would be if I didn’t get to kick some demon ass?
” Chelsie leaned her head into Reiya and the two exchanged a warm smile.
“So, do you have to go back down there to be marked by Xander?” Brody asked, not knowing about Lila yet.
“Actually, Xander has found his mate.” Reiya smiled and looked at Xander.
“Ha! Talk about providence … well, in a sense. What’s the game plan now?” Brody asked, turning to Lee and Reiya.
“We’re just going to try to keep things on the down-low for now. Xander is just going to claim that he was protecting me and leave it at that.” Reiya watched Brody nod his head in understanding.
“What about Xander’s mate? Is she understanding about all of this? Because I don’t care who she is, if she gives you a hard time, I’ll crack her skull.” Chelsie’s dark eyes shot up to Xander and glared at him with promise.
Xander chuckled and shook his head. “Lila isn’t like that.
Besides, I wouldn’t allow even my mate to mistreat Reiya.
Not to mention Reiya is above her. Reiya is Levi’s mate, and she knows it.
To mistreat Reiya would be the same as mistreating Levi.
There are not many who, knowing that, would engage her with ill intent. ”
“So, Reiya is, in a sense, the queen bee around here?” Chelsie took a step back and leaned into Brody’s side. This was reassuring to hear.
“She’s on equal status with Levi. Well, she will be, once everyone knows.
But for those of us who do know … well, Levi here has never been a lenient fellow.
” Xander chuckled and shrugged. “I do need to get back. I need to settle this mate issue and then officially do the acceptance kiss, with my actual mate,” Xander said, feeling a bit giddy thinking about his new mate.
Lee walked up behind Reiya and pulled her into him. “I’m happy for you, Xander. Lila has always been a kind girl. She’ll be a good mate for you.”
“Thank you, Levi. I feel relieved knowing it’s her. Okay, well, I’m heading back down.” He looked up at Lee. “You’ll be down there, right? To give your blessing and such? Plus …” Plus, Levi was his family. It was a moment he wanted to share with him. He had to have his big brother there.
Levi smiled, already knowing what Xander was thinking. “Of course I’ll be there. You’re marking your own mate. Now, THAT I wouldn’t miss for the world.”
Xander chuckled and nodded his head. “When the time comes, the four kingdoms will also give you our blessing publicly. We all decided that you’ll still need to go through the mate acceptance kiss, Reiya, just with the proper mate.
” Xander winked at Lee, then turned and jumped from the large opening.
He turned into his dragon and gracefully flew away.
“Man, werewolves and werebears are really behind the times. Were we the only ones who didn’t get to keep their clothes when we shifted? Thank goodness for troll nail clippings.” Brody grinned sheepishly and chuckled. “It’s so much more convenient this way.”
“Yeah, I’m glad that won’t be an issue when Reiya starts shifting.
I don’t need anyone getting a glimpse of what they shouldn’t.
” Lee smiled and rested his arms around Reiya.
He still needed to have a talk with his kitten about everything.
He wanted it known that she was never to just run off like that.
He wanted to be sure she understood it. It was her and him.
“Reiya—” Brody started.
“Nope. Don’t ask. I’m going down there, too. I’m going to witness this event as well. After all ...” She tilted her head up to Lee and smiled. “This is an event that Leviathan’s mate should be at, right?”
Lee chuckled lowly, bending down and kissing her nose.
He was also going to ask her to stay up here, but how could he now?
Such a clever little kitten. She knew what she was doing.
And hearing her say ‘Leviathan’s mate’ made him feel a child-like happiness.
“Yes, my mate should be present.” He looked up at Brody and Chelsie.
“I’ll have her seated at the head table.
Dex has offered to look after her, and he’s a trustworthy guy.
Not that I’ll let him pretend to be your mate.
” He grinned. “But he’s always been honorable, and she’ll be safe at his side.
The dragon kings are not ones to be messed with.
She’s safer there than she will be with you.
” He could see Brody wanting to protest. It wasn’t that Brody wouldn’t protect her with his life—he knew he would—but that no one would dare touch his princess if she was wedged safely between the royals of the surrounding kingdoms.
“I don’t feel comfortable,” Brody said quietly.
His eyes flashed over to Reiya with a small frown.
He felt like he was slacking on his duties, even if she was safer with others over him.
Maybe it was something he just needed to adjust to.
The fact that there were other people helping him look after his precious sister, the fairy princess.
“I’m not going anywhere either. I’ll have one eye on her at all times.
If it makes you feel better, you two can patrol the grounds and see if you can catch his scent.
But … I suggest you continue your evening together.
” Lee looked down at Reiya with a sad, serious face.
“You might as well enjoy the moment while you can. Things will not always be quiet.”
Brody understood what he was saying. It was just too close of a call for him.
His instincts were to protect his sister …
to protect the fairy princess. He felt like he hadn’t been doing a good job.
Grayson would never have left his mother’s side.
That part stung a bit, knowing Grayson wouldn’t have ever left Reiya alone if she was his charge.
“Brody, don’t,” Reiya said quietly, smiling at him. “Quit beating yourself up over nothing. Lee is right. I’m safe. You think something will happen to me under Lee’s nose?” She leaned into her gentle protector’s arms. Well, he was gentle with her ...
Brody sighed. “Chelsie and I will do a round around the premises, and then after that, we’ll rejoin the party.
I want to keep my eye on you, just in case.
” He looked at Reiya with a small frown.
She was always trying to make sure he was happy.
She wanted him to be her normal brother, not the brother who was her guardian.
He appreciated it, he really did, but he was her guardian.
He would do his best to balance his life and enjoy the moments he could, especially since Levi would be there tonight.
He could enjoy the evening with Chelsie later.
But before that, he wouldn’t feel better until he did a perimeter check.
“Come on, Brody. We might as well get started checking the grounds. We don’t want to miss the big event either.” Chelsie tugged Brody back down the stairs. She was giving Reiya a moment alone with Levi, since she wouldn’t be able to touch him for the evening.
As soon as they left, Lee spun Reiya around in his arms, tilting her chin up to him, his fingers gentle against her skin.
Their lips met, and it was like tasting honey for the first time—sweet and addicting.
What was supposed to be just a quick kiss ignited into something deeper, their bodies moving together in a dance of passion and desire.
He pressed his lips forcefully against hers, parting them with a determined tongue that sought to explore and conquer.
He held her head firmly, his fingers tangled in her hair as he greedily devoured her mouth.
Her soft moans were like a siren’s call, urging him on as his free hand trailed down her body, exploring every curve and dip with an almost desperate fervor.
The taste of her lips was like a drug, addicting and intoxicating all at once.
He couldn’t get enough of her; he wanted to consume her until there was nothing else left in the world but the two of them entwined in this passionate embrace.