“Lillie, I’m sorry. I forget that time runs faster here. It’s not been that long ago that I left you. I’m sorry, I’m just... You… Please, introduce us to your… friend. Cara seems to be quite taken with him.” Lachlan is having a hard time articulating his thoughts.
I step forward, “Lachlan, I’m Daxell. I met your parents the night before last, I’m surprised that you were not informed that I would be working with LJ, that being said, LJ is right, what transpires between us is really none of your concern, but you should know that I truly have your sister’s best interest at heart.”
LJ mutters behind me, “That’s just freakin’great! What is that supposed to mean? I haven’t even had my coffee yet. Everyone knows how cranky I am in the morning without my java.” Turning, I see LJ stalk away, back toward the stairs. Looking back, I scowl at her brother and the others in the room. In several long strides I catch up to her, Cara is on her heels. She turns and says, “I’m so sorry for how my brother greeted you, Dax. He’s normally very easy going.”
Shrugging, I grin, “I sometimes bring out the worst in people.”
Her smile is weak, “I don’t happen to think that’s true.” I feel compelled to reach out to her and she leaps into my arms. After the encounter with her family, I realize that I will do whatever it takes to protect her, but she can definitely give as good as she gets.
Once back in my room, I quickly shower and meet LJ downstairs with a very quiet foursome waiting for us. We walk into the room together, a united front, when that happened I have no idea. LJ’s holding my hand, and I can’t think of any good reason to let go of her, so I gently squeeze her fingers in my own. As we walk back into the kitchen LJ is all smiles as she looks around the room and says, “Let’s start this day over again. Everyone, this is Daxell. Dax, you’ve met my numb skull brother, Lachlan. His best friend there is Samuel, our aunt Lexie’s son. Then there is my little sister, Tolianna Timbra, but everyone just calls her Timbra, and this beautiful sprite creature is my best friend, Poppy. We are a very motley crew. Just so you know, Dax. Lachlan and my sister and I are cross between elf, panther shifter, and our parents are ascended gods, so we’re all a crossbreed of epic proportions. Samuel over here is a cross between human, druid, and elf. Last but not least is our beautiful Poppy, she is very unique. Poppy is a cross between sprite and satyr.” LJ smiles up at me and I realize that she is trying to put me at ease.
Grinning, I ask, “ Are you going to out me to your motley crew?”
She smiles, “I’ll let you do the honors. When you’re ready, of course.”
“Maybe later. Let’s keep them guessing, for now.” I wink at her, but deep down I know that her brother is going to go bat shit crazy once my breed is out in the open.
LJ smiles back at me as Timbra jumps to her feet, she is a taller replica of her mother and smiles up at me, “It’s nice to meet you, Dax. Nevermind our brother, he tends to be overly protective at times.” She turns and glares at Lachlan before continuing, “I’m the baby of the family.” As soon as she says that LJ snorts and tries to cover her laugh. Timbra looks confused, “What’s so funny, Lillie? Last I checked I was the youngest.”
“Yeah, Lillie, why is that so funny? What do you know?” Lachlan demands.
“Only that when I saw Mama and Da two nights ago, at Tarron’s place, she let me in on a little secret. Timbra, your coveted spot as the baby in the family is about to change.”
Poppy is the first to catch on, her wings begin to beat furiously in her excitement, and she blurts out, “Faerie freakin’ keeper baby, Timbra’s going to be a big sister.”
LJ points to her nose and back at Poppy and says, “Yippers. The sprite guessed it on the first go around.”
Timbra scrunches her nose up at the thought, “Ewww, that’s… gross.”
“Mama’s right Timbra, her and Da will be young for like, forever. She said she missed having little ones around the house. Let’s face it, none of us have been little for a very long while. As we continue to find our way out in the realms on our own, we’ll be around the Keep a lot less often. I’m happy for them, and I can’t wait to meet the newest addition to the family, which won’t be for a little while yet, so enjoy your status while it lasts.”
Poppy links her arm with LJ’s and lean’s in, “Now that’s out, there happen to be more pressing topics of conversation. Lillie JoBug, you’ve been keeping secrets and you let that oaf of a brother drop the bomb on me. That wasn’t very nice, but before we get to that, Millie and Maith sent quite the spread. Why don’t we all get a bite to eat and we can catch up. You can tell us how you and your demon dreamboat met.” She gives me a mischievous wink.
Sighing, I make to pull away from LJ but she squeezes my
