Chapter 89 Mate Link
Reiya and the girls were playing cards upstairs in what they were fondly referring to as ‘The Pad’. Now that everyone knew Lee was her mate, Xander and Lila would be staying downstairs again in Xander’s room. The men sat there, watching the girls with amusement.
Reiya eyed the colorful cards in front of her.
She bit her bottom lip and shifted the cards in her hands.
She raised her eyes and suspiciously stared each girl down.
One of them had what she wanted, but which one?
The other women were all smiling up at her innocently.
Darn them and their poker faces. They revealed nothing to her.
She had to be careful. Asking the wrong girl would reveal her weakness to them all.
Her eyes shifted nervously to each one as she began to chew on her bottom lip.
She had to make a choice. Her tongue rolled over her lips and she took in a slow breath. She had made her decision.
“Lila, do you have any sevens?” Reiya asked, meeting with the girl’s batting eyes.
Lila’s lips curled upward. “Go fish.”
Reiya winced and reached for the deck of cards in the middle, drawing yet another unmatched card.
“Man, the tension between you ladies is brutal. Can you imagine playing a real game?” Weston snickered and elbowed Dex.
“What do you mean a real game?” Ruby hissed, looking at her brother in irritation.
“I mean a real game. Not something that’s for keeping babies entertained.” Weston shrugged with an evil grin on his face.
“Such as?” Lila turned and looked at Weston, waiting for his answer.
“Ignore him. This game is obviously too difficult for him.” Reiya smiled and raised her eyes up to him.
“Says the girl who’s losing.” Weston’s cheshire cat grin grew.
“Maybe, but I’m not the one all wet,” Reiya said calmly.
“I’m not all—” Reiya interrupted him, sending a surge of water down over him, dousing his clothes. He looked up as water droplets rolled down his face and dripped onto the floor. Xander and Dex muffled their snickers while Mason and Brody laughed loudly.
“I wish I would have had you around growing up,” Ruby giggled, looking at her brother.
“I think the princess needs a hug,” Weston said with a smirk. He started to walk toward her, but a firm hand landed on his shoulder.
“Better think twice, unless you want an angry deity after you.” Dex chuckled, reminding him who Reiya belonged to.
“Ugh, so unfair. She’s completely untouchable … okay then. I’ll have to take it out on her brother.” Weston smiled wickedly over at Brody.
“Leave Teddy Ruxpin alone. He’s my little brother now. But if you’re looking to vent your anger, I’m game,” Xander said, rolling his shoulders back.
“You don’t need to protect me, Xander. He wants a piece of a guardian, then I’ll give it to him.” Brody leaned back and grinned.
“Are you going to have another food fight? I’m in if you are,” Dex said, feeling amped up.
“We’re still due for that battle. We can’t do it without Levi, though.
I still need to show him who’s the best.” Xander’s eyes flicked to a window as he thought about Levi.
The sun had made its descent and darkness blanketed the outside.
He should be making his return soon. He knew Reiya would probably start getting nervous if Levi took much longer.
Truth be told, he was already getting nervous.
He looked over at Reiya, who was laughing with the other girls at the table.
If she was nervous, she wasn’t showing it.
He was glad they were there to distract her for now.
“Yay! I’m out of cards!” Chelsie squealed.
“I’m horrible at card games.” Reiya tossed her cards down with a fake pout. “Oh well. Time for some cookies.”
“You mean the cookies you made earlier?” Brody asked with minor remorse in his voice.
Reiya turned and dead pinned her glare on him. “You didn’t.”
“Those cookies are looooong gone.” Brody gave her a half smile and raised his shoulders in a small shrug.
“Brody!” Reiya took off after him, and the chase was on. Brody hopped over the couch, grinning back at his sister.
“Wow. So possessive over food. Sharing is caring, Reiya.”
“There were three dozen cookies there. I only wanted one. One ... out of three dozen.” Reiya raced around the couch, dodging both Mason and Xander. Xander laughed and grabbed onto her arm as she raced past him. He gently tugged her back and held onto her shoulders.
“Run, Brody! Save yourself!” Xander laughed as Reiya tilted her head to him, giving him a dirty glare.
“HEY NOW!?!” Weston said, pointing at Xander. “Why does Xander get to hold her? If Xander gets to touch her, then we should all get to touch her.”
Dex walked over and placed his hand on Reiya’s shoulder, grinning at Weston.
“Oh … I see how it is,” Weston said, folding his arms over his chest, feigning insult.
Brody walked up to Reiya, grinning. “Peace offering?” He held up a bag of small brown cookies. “Ginger snaps.”
Reiya giggled and snatched the bag from him. She then turned to look at Xander. “Now I know whose side you’re really on. I’ll remember that in the future.”
“Hey, us men have to stick together.” Xander winked at Brody, who reached over and gave him a fist bump.
Reiya took a small bite of a cookie as she looked out the dark window. Time felt fast and slow at the same time. This was the latest Lee had ever been away before. She absentmindedly twirled the cookie in her hand.
Reiya …
I know, Lumi. I feel it too. Reiya stood up and excused herself as she walked into her room. She felt like a piece of her was being clamped, almost strangled. The tightening pressure squeezed inside her. Her mate connection to Lee was being choked. It was like something was weakening the bond.
Lee, are you alright? Reiya reached out through her summon connection and waited, but there was nothing. No answer.
Reiya, we can reach him through our mate link. It’s stronger than a normal mate link and stronger than our summon link. We need to focus our energy together.
Reiya closed her eyes and concentrated, feeling the strings of energy swirl around her. She connected with the strong, warm light that Lumi was pushing forward. This time, she used her fairy magic along with Lumi’s energy and their mate bond to try to reach Lee.
Lee, can you hear me?
Reiya?! How are you able to reach me?
Don’t worry about that. What happened? Are you okay?
Baby, things haven’t turned out well. I’ve been sealed. They were waiting for me. As soon as I arrived, they immediately sealed me without listening. I’m sorry …
Reiya sighed. I was afraid this might happen. Don’t worry, Lee. I’m going to free you. Wait for me. She was going to stay strong. She didn’t want him to worry about her.
Reiya, no. Please, baby. I need you safe.
Reiya giggled through the link she was struggling to keep open.
It was incredibly draining on her body. She wouldn’t be able to do this again, not if she wanted to be at full strength when she faced the Merrow Queen.
It was a good thing he couldn’t see her, because her eyes were watering up and she had a pained expression on her face.
Forcing out a positive voice, she said, Lee, I’m going for the Ocean’s Tear.
I’m not going to be able to communicate with you for a while, because this is taking too much energy to break through.
This time, it’s my turn to protect you. I will free you, I promise. I love you, Lee.
It doesn’t matter what I say. My little troublemaker is going to go anyway, aren’t you?
You know me. Reiya smiled. I love you. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. I’ll see you soon.
I love you Reiya, my sweet fairy. Please … be safe.
I will be. Reiya began to tremble slightly from the energy drain.
See you soon, my love. The connection abruptly ended with her fading strength.
Reiya pressed herself against the cool, rough stone of her room’s wall, savoring the sensation on her back.
She could feel the tiny tingles in her fingers, a reminder of the emotions coursing through her body.
With her eyes closed, she let out a shaky breath and felt a single tear escape down her cheek.
Bringing her hand up to wipe it away, she vowed to not let any more tears fall at this moment.
The room around her was silent and still, save for the gentle sound of her own breathing.
She steadied her breaths, willing herself to find calm despite her inner turmoil.
A new, seething anger rose inside her, something she’d never felt before.
She couldn’t feel sad. Feeling sad would mean that there was a chance she wouldn’t get Lee back.
That wasn’t an option. There was no room to be sad right now.
She was determined. There was still something she could do, and she was going to do it.
She didn’t care what dangers she would face. She was going to get her mate back.
Hell yes we are! Lumi agreed in her mind.
Will we be recharged enough to leave in the morning? Reiya asked Lumi, knowing how much that communication had drained them. They must have pushed through an intense magical barrier for it to drain them that much.
We’ll be good enough. We’ll be ready for the merrows or demons or anything foolish enough to cross our paths, Lumi growled angrily. She was just as livid about her mate being kept away.
Right. Reiya opened her eyes and looked at the door to her room. Time to let Brody and Chelsie know.
She opened the door back to the main room. She could tell that everyone was worried, knowing she would be nervous about Lee. They had no idea.
She took in a deep breath and met with their gazes. “Lee … Lee isn’t coming back.” She leaned back for some support from the wall. Her energy was really drained.
“Wait, what do you mean?” Xander asked with wide eyes. “Are you all right?”
“I had to use a lot of energy to reach him. I’m okay. But he’s been sealed.”
They all looked down with very solemn faces. They thought this was the end, that there was no getting Lee back. Everyone except two other faces. Chelsie and Brody were staring at Reiya. She smiled and looked at her two guardians.
“Brody, Chelsie, get your things packed up. We leave at first light.” Reiya watched the two of them nod, both smiling in support.
“Where are you going? You don’t have to leave because Levi’s gone. This is still your home.” Xander looked up at Reiya, not understanding why she would leave. He didn’t want them to leave. They were his family, and they belonged there.
“Xander, I’m not moving out.” Reiya giggled. “I’m going to get my mate back.”
Xander looked at her and frowned. “How? How will you be able to get him back? You can’t fight the deities.”
“There’s someone I have to go and see to get something that will force the deities to hand Lee over.” Reiya watched Xander narrow his eyes at her.
“Is it dangerous?” Xander looked at Brody and then back at Reiya.
“Does it matter? It’s the only way to bring Lee back.” Reiya answered with what was most logical. It didn’t matter. What mattered was this was the only way for her to be with Lee. She wouldn’t live without him.
Xander sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Fine. I’m coming too, then.”
“Xander, I’ll have Chelsie and Brody. You can’t leave your kingdom, your guests, and your mate.” Reiya shook her head in protest.
“I’m coming, Reiya. We’re stronger together. It’s safer for us to be together. I’ll leave my kingdom in their hands.” Xander pointed to the other lords. “Lila will be safe here. They can all take care of things here. I’m coming.”
“Yes, Xander will go with you,” Lila spoke up, siding with her mate. It would be safer to have Xander with them.
“So, where are we headed?” Xander smirked, not letting up.
Reiya sighed and offered him a smile as she gave in. Honestly, she was glad Xander was going with them. They were stronger together, and right now wasn’t the time to be weakened. “We are going to visit the Queen of the Merrows. She has something I need.”