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She looked around and asked, “Where’s she?”
Pointing at the bulge in Branson’s sweater, I said, “Shifted.”
Nodding, she said, “Once we start going, she should come out. It’s not an easy thing to deal with when you’re so young.” She took Lily’s suitcase and led the way through the train to the car that had our sleeping quarters so we could stow the suitcases.
Once that was done, we went to a car that had all glass walls and roof, allowing for the sun to come in and for you to see the sights as we traveled.
Leona looked up from her phone when we entered and smiled. “Hello. We were starting to worry you might not make it.”
“Us, too,” I said and chuckled as we hugged.
“Hello, Rubyhare,” Kara greeted.
I made the rounds, hugging everyone before I sat on an open row that faced Dan and Ezio. “How come you’re coming?” I asked Ezio.
“Perks of the job,” he said. “I get to be bodyguard for His Majesty here as well as additional guard for you and the little cub.”
“Where is my great granddaughter?” Dan boomed.
Lily’s snake head popped out of the neck of Branson’s sweater, right next to his face. Her little tongue flicked out, tasting the air, and looking around at everyone there.
“Hello, pretty girl,” Dan crooned. He held his arms out. “Want to come sit with us and watch the scenery?”
She tried to slither out of the sweater, but Branson stopped her, lifted the bottom, and she slid out the much larger side there.
“Look at those shiny and beautiful scales,” Kara crooned as Lily slithered across the train car towards Dan. “You truly are a beautiful elfling.”
Lily stopped in front of Dan and after a pause, shifted into her human form. Dan patted the space between him and Ezio. “Don’t worry, Ezio here is a friend. He’s a protector that will help keep you safe. You understand?”
Lily nodded, glanced at Ezio, and climbed up onto the bench. Dan patted her head and she smiled up at him.
“I understand what your dads felt now,” I whispered to Caleb, who finally joined us and sat beside me.
Caleb put his arm around my shoulders while chuckling.
“Are we ready to leave?” a man in a tuxedo asked as he entered the car, bowing his head.
“Yes, everyone is here now. Thank you,” Kara answered.
He bowed and went back out of the car. Almost immediately, the train started moving.
Lily squeaked, but Dan patted her head and she relaxed as he pointed out the window. “Wave to the people, cub.”
“People?” I asked, turning to see several cameras and reporters filming.
Caleb squeezed my shoulder, and we all raised our arms, smiling and waving at the cameras. “Don’t worry so much, Emmy. I picked out the guards from each of the races myself to ensure the best would be protecting our clan. I also talked to all of our members and explained the situation. Kieran promised to work with the guards to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Exhaling harshly, I said, “I’m worrying too much, I know, but I can’t help it.”
Dan was whispering to Lily and when he laughed, she laughed, too. It must have been nice to have a grandfather like him growing up. Once again, I was jealous of Caleb and his upbringing. And now, not only were my birth parents dead, but my adoptive parents were dead as well, one at my hand.
“My queen, you’re sad again. What thoughts are you lost in?” Caleb whispered into my ear, nuzzling his nose against my earlobe.
“Jealous of you and your support,” I whispered, turned and rubbed the side of my face against his, chasing the tears away.
He made a humming sound in the back of his throat and kissed my cheek.
“Em! Em!” Lily called to get my attention. When I turned to her, she pointed out the window. “Fields!”
