Chapter 83 MY Mate
Lee glared at the dragons. He looked at the ones that had been subdued, who were now surrounded by guards. They wouldn’t be kept alive. There was no room for traitors. His blue gaze met Xander’s amber eyes. It was time for his announcement.
“From this day forth,” his voice echoed out, crisp and resounding, “I want it to be known that the fairy princess is MY mate.” Shocked gasps were heard throughout the crowd.
“I will only ever say this once. To injure my mate will mean certain death to whomever hurts her. And while this doesn’t need to be said, it will be so there is no mistake.
As my mate, her rank is unquestioned. She will be treated as you would treat me.
She is my equal and should be respected as such.
” Lee spoke with a deep, clear, authoritative voice as he looked over the dragons.
The other dragons immediately lowered their heads in respect.
He was done. Done tiptoeing around. Done hiding his mate. And if he felt any pushback, he would easily be done with the dragons. She was his first priority. She would be someone they would look out for and protect. Otherwise, they would each have the life snuffed out of them.
Xander smirked as he caught Clovis’ face. He was completely distraught, having heard that Reiya was Levi’s mate. He knew then that he would not live to see another day. It was a crime to harm their deity’s mate, and the punishment was death.
Xander stepped forward, toward Levi, and bowed his head before straightening himself to stand tall before him. “Your mate will be our treasure. You can count on the full support of the West Dragon Kingdom.” Xander smiled at Levi, who nodded his head, smiling back at him.
Next Dex, then Weston, and finally Mason all made their public announcement in support of his mate. The four dragon kingdoms unanimously supported their deity. There was no dragon who could ever oppose him, but showing their support was endearing.
Levi nodded his head, then walked up to Xander.
“Find out what you can. See if you can find out how many more traitors are among us, by any means necessary. And see to it that HE doesn’t see the next morning sun.
” He glanced over at the other traitors that were surrounded by guards.
“I don’t want any of them wasting any more of our oxygen. ”
Xander nodded and Levi swiftly walked past him. This was Xander’s kingdom, but when it came to Reiya getting injured, Levi had no problem pushing his authority. Not that he needed to. Xander would have done the same thing.
Levi looked at the castle and hurried on his way. The dragons had a lot of issues on their hands right now with the traitors. However, his mate had been injured. His place was at her side.
“Brody, I’m fine. Quit hovering.” Reiya batted at him as he leaned over her.
You’re far from fine. It’s going to take me another hour to fully heal you. And that’s with mine and your fairy powers combined, plus the medicine you were given.
I was too na?ve, but I think that, with experience, I could have beaten the old man. Reiya smiled internally.
In a couple of years, we would have been prepared enough to kill the old man. Next time, though, I get a piece of the action. Lumi pouted sourly.
As long as they aren’t dragons. What good can you do against a dragon who can fly in the air?
I can do everything you can do, plus I have claws and fangs. It’s better to let me fight. I’m faster than you, too. I have better reflexe—
Okay, Lumi, I get it. Hush. Concentrate on healing me.
Reiya listened to Lumi chuckling confidently.
She had just gotten her wolf. They needed more time to build the relationship between the two of them.
They were already close, like siblings in a sense.
The trust in the relationship would develop with time.
“Here, Reiya. I brought you some tea. Brody, help her sit up,” Chelsie snorted in agitation. She was in a foul mood since Reiya had been hurt.
Brody chuckled, adjusting the pillows and pulling Reiya up into a sitting position. It was a good thing Levi came when he did. He would never underestimate the dragons again, especially the royal line. They were very fearsome.
“Brody …” Reiya sipped her tea as she brought his focus to her. “What were you about to do? You were telling us ... goodbye.” Reiya gave him a small, accusing glance, and Chelsie also fixed her gaze on him.
Brody smiled. “Don’t worry about it, Ray Ray. Everything’s okay now.” He didn’t want to talk about it. He already knew how they would feel about what he was going to do.
“Nope. Tell me,” Reiya insisted as she looked at him accusingly.
“I wasn’t going to let either of you die. I was going to protect you, that’s what,” Brody said softly.
“How?” Reiya was curious, since she also had something she had never talked to Brody about, and it seemed like he had something similar.
“It’s a last resort method. I can take out any opponent, but if I use it …” Brody’s eyes met with Chelsie’s. “I will also die. My job is to protect you with my life. You both are too important to me. I will protect you by whatever means necessary.”
A liquid crystal trickled down Chelsie’s cheek. She walked up to his side and buried her head into him. She knew he had to protect Reiya, but she couldn’t imagine losing him. Somehow, she became someone who needed him. She really did. She needed Brody.
Reiya stared at her tea. She also had a similar ability. A double-edged sword. Brody had confided in her about his. It would only be fair to also let him know about hers.
Only yours is more powerful. You and Hunter can single-handedly take out the demon army …
at your own demise, of course. It’s the thing you have been secretly banking on all this time—protecting everyone no matter what, Lumi said in minor annoyance.
Such a waste of life. In her mind, the point was to kill everyone else to protect others, not sacrifice yourself to protect others. It seemed dumb to her.
You’re right, Lumi. It’s wrong to plan for that, isn’t it? I’m able to really understand that now. Knowing that that’s what Brody almost did ... it’s a horrible feeling. To live because of someone else’s sacrifice.
Exactly, Reiya. You are a werewolf. You are a fighter. You will fight. You will protect everyone by fighting. And we will win. We are much stronger than you think. You and Xander are strong together, just like you and Hunter are strong together. The three of you together will be amazing.
“The thing is …” Reiya agreed with Lumi, and she wanted Brody to also hear this.
“Brody, you’re a fighter. Your job is to fight.
You fight to protect those around you. You don’t give up by sacrificing yourself.
Then you won’t be there for the next threat.
” Reiya let out a breath and then stared at the liquid in her cup.
“The thing is … I know. I know what it’s like to have a double-edged sword.
” She glanced into his deep brown eyes and smiled.
“You feel like because you have this, it’s your responsibility to use it.
I know because I thought so, too. You see …
Hunter and I can use a power together that is strong enough to wipe out an entire army.
But if we use it, it will kill us with it. ”
A low growl was heard by the door. Their eyes shot up to see Levi staring at Reiya with ice blue daggers.
“Leave,” he snarled lowly as he looked at Brody and Chelsie.
He walked in at the part where she said she and Hunter had a power that could wipe out an army.
He hadn’t heard what she said before. All he could think about was losing his mate, and how he almost lost her today.
His protective instincts were in overdrive.
He looked at Brody and Chelsie, who seemed hesitant to leave her.
He let out a puff of air and controlled his anger.
“I need to speak with her alone.” Reiya nodded to them, and this time Brody and Chelsie walked out together.
They needed some time to talk as well … or not talk.
Lee shut the door once they left and turned to face Reiya.
His light blue eyes looked her over as he strode toward the bed.
He reached out and gently cupped her chin in his hands.
“Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, think about using that power.
I swear, Reiya, I will lock you away so you will never see your twin brother again.
” No twin brother meant no way for her to use her destructive power.
Reiya leaned her head into his touch and smiled.
“Lee, I was only explaining it to Brody because it was what he planned to do. I was trying to tell him that it would feel horrible to be alive at the expense of someone else’s sacrifice, that our job is to fight and keep fighting so that we can be there to fight in the future alongside those we love.
” She watched his eyes soften. He slid into the bed next to her and pulled her up into his chest.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice deep and tender.
She leaned into his hot chest, smelling his relaxing scent.
He was the best therapy in the world. Her body immediately relaxed against him.
The minor pain she was still feeling vanished next to him.
“Mmm, much better with you by my side.” Reiya tilted her head up to him with a small frown. “So, what happens now?”
He looked into her worried sapphire crystals and gave her a reassuring smile. “Everything is going to work out, baby. All the dragons know who you really belong to. You will have more protectors out there now than enemies. I know now you will be well looked after.”
“I mean, as far as the other deities go ...” she whispered.
“I’ll talk with them tomorrow.”
“Do you think they know?”
“Oh, they know. There’s no hiding it now.
The spectacle today would have had them watching what was happening.
They definitely know. I will explain everything to them.
We have the support of the four dragon kingdoms. You are a fairy princess and a Gemini twin.
It will all work out, Reiya. You’re not just an ordinary mate to have.
I don’t think there will be a problem now,” Lee said, trying to reassure her.
He felt her body grow tense, and he knew she was worried.
Reiya closed her eyes and listened to the gentle thudding of her mate’s heart. The soothing rhythm was just what she needed to help her body relax. She was tired … Lumi was tired. Their body needed to rest.
Lee smiled as he felt her body ease more into his.
He listened to the soft sounds of her sleeping breath and felt the gentle rising and falling of her chest. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and held her close.
His precious fairy mate. Now everyone knew …
everyone. For better or for worse, it was out in the open now.
“Sleep well, my sweet fairy.” Lee kissed the top of her head tenderly as he whispered into her hair. He took this quiet moment for himself, breathing in her scent to help him relax as well.
When he heard Lumi’s panicked voice in his head, he immediately flashed to Reiya in his dragon form.
His murderous intent was high as his beast demanded to protect his mate.
When he saw her lying on the ground with blood all over her body, he had never been more afraid in his entire life.
If she didn’t have her wolf … he didn’t want to even think about that.
He knew what would have happened had Lumi not been awakened.
If only he really could lock her up in a tower and keep her safe.
Her safety was worth any price he might have to pay.
Exposing her as his mate was the first step.
This would guarantee even more protection for her, with more eyes looking over her.
The next was a gamble. He was hoping, now that all the dragons knew and she was accepted by all four kingdoms, that it would force the deities’ hands.
No matter what, he had to keep her safe.