“Should be,” Elyse said at the same time Manny answered, “That’s all of it.”
Sera said nothing as she idly flipped a vial of blue potion between her fingers. Killian would have thought she’d be more excited. The Sammerhan Games were being held in Otsuk this year, the kingdom where Sera’s parents resided. The Tan’s estate was less than an hour away from Quinar, the city where the tournament would take place, so they would be staying with her parents for the weeks leading up to the Games.
Elyse strode to Sera and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you ready to see your family?” she asked, excitement tinging her voice.
Sera looked up, her vacant eyes shifting into understanding. A tentative smile blossomed across her lips before spreading into a genuine grin, and she nodded and stood.
They formed a chain, holding on to each other’s wrists while Killian, Manny, and Elyse each grasped the handle of one of the chests as well. Mrs. Southwick gripped Killian’s bicep so hard, he figured he’d have a bruise tomorrow, but he didn’t protest.
“It’s like jumping into a lake,” Killian assured her. “It’s nothing.”
Mrs. Southwick was too busy hyperventilating to heed his consolation.
“Okay then,” Sera said. With a wistful look at the potion, she flung it to the floor.
Reality evaded Killian as the room vanished. Darkness and nothingness pressed in around him, squeezing and pulling until it ceased altogether.
No sooner had his feet landed back on solid ground than something whacked him across the shoulder.
“Like jumping in a lake!” His mother’s voice was shrill in his ear. He clutched the spot where she’d smacked him and prepared for another hit, but his mother was doubled over with her hands on her knees, panting hard.
“Sorry, Mum,” he mumbled as he placed a hand on her back. “I couldn’t exactly tell you that it’s like—”
“Like being shoved into a casket that’s three sizes too small?” she snapped at him.
“Yeah, that,” he answered with a grimace.
“Welcome!” called a tittering female voice. Heels clacked against the tile floor as a tall woman with short black hairgracefully hurried toward them. She had the same narrow eyes and heart-shaped face as Sera.
“Mamay!” Sera squealed and bounded toward her mother. She closed her eyes as they embraced one another.
“It’s so good to see you,” the woman sang as she pulled back to take her daughter in. She held Sera’s arms and gave her a loving yet assessing look, the kind only a mother could pull off. Then her gaze landed on Mrs. Southwick, who was now fanning herself with her hand.
Sera’s mother frowned. “Oh, no. Doesn’t take well to transportation?”
“First time,” Killian answered with a wince.
Sera’s mother turned toward a servant who stood at the edge of the room. “Bring her a lemon water, please,” she said in a soft but commanding voice. The servant nodded and exited down the hall.
They’d landed in what appeared to be a large foyer with a set of grand double doors to their backs. The high-ceilinged room was wide but crowded with six people and all their luggage. It felt even tighter as a shorter, stocky man in a tailored suit made his way into the space.
“My little iris!” the man cried as he opened his arms wide. Sera rushed in to fill the space, letting him squeeze her tight.
Something in Killian’s chest tightened to see Sera reunited with her family—something like joy and contentment tainted by envy.
The servant returned with the lemon water and wended her way through people and trunks to hand it to Mrs. Southwick.
“Thank you, honey,” his mother said as she took the glass.
“Papa. Mamay,” Sera started. She was now grinning, and some of that cheer she’d been missing was back in her eyes. “I want you to meet Manny.”
Manny leapt forward and extended his hand in greeting, which Sera’s father shook with vitality.
“We’re pleased to meet you, son,” her father greeted him, a genuine smile on his face. His black hair was pulled back and tied with a leather band at the nape of his neck.”
“Likewise,” Manny said, then quickly added, “Consul Tan.”
Sera’s father chucked. “Please, call me Kal.”
