Chapter 47

Lenora had learned her expert pouting skills from Dessa. The problem was, they didn't even work on her when the three-year-old was trying to guilt trip her into taking her along with her.

Dessa was attempting to pack all of her belongings for however long they would be in Laria. Not knowing if it would be just a few weeks or longer, she wanted to make sure she had enough of everything.

Len had been the one to wake Dessa in the middle of the night, quietly opening her door before tiptoeing across her room and crawling into bed with her. It took her a minute to realize what was happening, still half asleep as Len curled against her chest and snuggled close, but then immediately wrapped her arms around her baby sister and they both quickly fell back asleep.

When Dessa woke up, she couldn't help but smile and kiss Len's forehead as she began to rouse from sleep, too. Even though it wouldn't be but for a few weeks, she was still going to miss spending time with her.

Their mother was the one to find them, knocking just a half hour after they both woke up and were whispering and giggling, already washed up and dressed for the day. Len wasn't wanting Dessa out of her sight at all, clinging to her hand or her leg even as she began packing all her belongings with Lyv sitting on the bed, watching.

"No fair," Len whined as she clung to Dessa's legs. She looked up at her with wide emerald eyes. "Why can't I come with you? I never get to go on adventures!"

"You will one day when you're older," Lyv smiled, holding out her arms for her. "Come here, baby, and let your sister pack."

Len's pouting increased as she crossed her arms over her chest, stuck out her bottom lip, and crawled into her mother's lap. Lyv smiled as she wrapped her arms around her tight and kissed the side of her head.

Without Len holding her back, Dessa was able to get more packed up in her magically extended bag, which she'd managed to do herself after her mother taught her the charm. Lyv and Len just sat there and watched as she laid everything out, muttering to herself about everything and checking off everything on her mental checklist.

Including her medical kit...and a certain tonic she'd snuck into it from the infirmary without her mother's knowledge.

"So, Elys said you were going to Blackloch for the night, too," her mother said. A small smile curled at the corners of his lips. "Luckily, he only told me that and not your father."

Dessa snorted, rolling her eyes. "I don't know why Daddy's so adamant about us not going. He loves Kalla and we're just going to see her for a day or two."

"Plus, go to one of the famous nightly parties."

"That, too," she grinned. "You guys act like I've never been to one before."

"And I'll pretend I never heard that for Jai's sake," Lyv laughed.

She continued shoving everything into her bag. "After everything these last few weeks, Elys thought it would be a good idea. We need some fun before all of this training continues, you know?"

"I just hate that we're going to miss your birthday," she sighed then. "We won't get to throw you the usual party."

At that, Dessa laughed. "You mean, the Summer Solstice festival, right? And you and Daddy's anniversary."

"We have a lot to celebrate around that time, don't we?"

"Exactly and missing one birthday isn't going to do much harm. Besides, I'm sure Elys, Milena, Eamon, and Archer will do something for me, so don't sweat it."

"Speaking of Elys..."

Dessa couldn't meet her mother's gaze, not when her face immediately heated. "What about him?"

Lyv was silent, watching her carefully, not even having to ask her if something happen...not when Dessa's fingers lifted to brush against her lips with the memory of her and Elys's kiss.

"Len, baby, you want to go find Daddy and Uncle Gideon? I'm sure they're lecturing the boys somewhere and Elys, Eamon, and Archer are in need of saving," Lyv said.

At the chance to be the heroine of the morning, Len jumped up with a cheerful yeah and ran out of the room.

Dessa still wouldn't look at her as she finished putting the last of her things in her bag, knowing her expression would give her away.

"Something happened between you two the night before last, didn't it?"

Her silence was answer enough.

Lyv started laughing. "I knew it. Finally."

Finally?

Dessa spun around, face still bright red, and glared at her. "What do you mean by finally?"

Her mother's emerald eyes were bright and sparkling with happiness. "You do know I'm not blind, right? And certainly not after seeing you two yesterday morning in the kitchen. Of course, Jai knew it was going to happen sometime soon, too, but he's just been turning a blind eye. Gideon doesn't let him do that much, though..."

Dessa was practically choking on her embarrassment.

She was saved by Len running back into the room, clutching Jai's hand as she pulled him behind her. "I got Daddy! He was close!"

Both Dessa and her mother were the picture of innocence as they turned toward them.

"I didn't say bring him back, baby," Lyv snorted, though she wasn't opposed to it. "Now I can't tease your sister relentlessly."

Her father narrowed his eyes, picking up a giggling Len and holding her tight. "Tease her about what?"

She smiled and reached up to pat his cheek. "Wouldn't you like to know."

"No, I don't think I actually do, since I'm pretty sure I know what you two were talking about," he answered after a few moments of contemplation. He kissed Len's cheek as he turned to walk out of the room. "I still love you most, Len, since you don't like those gross boys."

"Love you, too!" Dessa called out after him, which had her mother laughing again.

***

There wasn't any laughter just half an hour later as everyone was saying their goodbyes. Dessa, Elys, Milena, Eamon, and Archer had all already been smothered by Alexea and Emmeric before they left the palace grounds to head to the Branvon estate. They had to say their goodbyes to the dragons and, with Dessa still not fully in control of her portal magic, she didn't want to be responsible for taking out half of the royal complex in the attempt.

Dessa was wedged in between her parents with Len clinging to her legs. "It's only for a few weeks, you know. We'll be back in no time."

"You've got everything, though?" her mother asked, pulling back to look at her face, her hand against Dessa's cheek.

"You watched me pack. You know I have everything."

"Sword and dagger are sharp, too?" her father went on, touching the jeweled hilt of the sword across her back. "Just in case you need them."

"Of course."

The worry in their gazes was only for Dessa's wellbeing, not what she knew they would be walking into when they got to Arloerin. Had Elys not told them about the attack on Cleo's kingdom? Did he not want to for fear of them now letting them go? No one else beside Elys and herself, Milena, Eamon, and Archer seemed to know about it.

Dessa met Elys's eyes, silently asking him that very question.

It was like she could hear his voice in her head as he nodded. No, I didn't. Didn't want to worry them even more.

She hoped he was prepared for the fury they'd direct toward him whenever they did get back. You're dead when they find out.

Elys grinned like he heard her, too. Good thing you'll be there to save me, right?

Or we could just...not tell them you knew.

Deal, though I doubt they'll believe that.

She bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing.

Of course, Jai caught the looks between her and Elys, narrowing his eyes at the male.

Good thing there was no time for more lectures or threats, though, not when another round of goodbye hugs and kisses started. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Dessa walked toward Elys, who immediately held out his hand for her. As soon as their fingers brushed and then threaded together, a warm jolt made her shiver and step closer to him. Unable to keep her at arm's length, Elys pulled her against his side and brushed a kiss to her temple.

And, of course, Milena was grinning at them as soon as she, Eamon, and Archer appeared beside them.

"Are we ready?" Dessa asked them with a smile. "These next few weeks will probably get a little crazy."

"Crazy fun, you mean?" Archer grinned at her. "It's like you don't know us at all, cousin."

"Agreed," Milena laughed, reaching over to take her other hand. "I'm ready for a night on Blackloch first, though."

"And I'll make sure none of you get in trouble," Eamon snorted as he rolled his eyes.

Dessa was laughing then as she stepped forward, dropping Elys and Milena's hands just as her portal to Kalla's villa in Blackloch began to form in front of them. "Not likely and you know it."

Even Elys started laughing when she said it, knowing she was right.

This time, with her not concentrating as hard as she usually did, her portal was easier to stabilize as all five of them stepped through. And it helped when Elys held out his hand for hers after Milena, Eamon, and Archer jumped through. Dessa still had to look back at her parents and baby sister, plus her uncles and aunts, before she finally grasped onto his fingers, and they went through together.

Though stabilizing it was easier...her location of where it came out of us wasn't exactly the place she had planned.

It was at Kalla's villa.

She just didn't mean for it to be right in the middle of her room.

But the Pirate Queen of Blackloch, one of Dessa's family's oldest friends, merely grinned at them as she finished the end of her silvery braid, already dressed in a tight leather corset, pants, and heeled boots for the night. "Well, well, well. If it isn't some of my favorite people. Came for the party?"