Blood Lines: Kallen's Tale (Witch Fairy #3.5) by Bonnie Lamer Page A

and brimstone could not talk her out of doing something she feels is right.”
     
    She is quiet for a moment.  Slowly, a smile forms on her lips.  She is full of surprises today.  “I suppose I have the same problem.”  Looking at me with the softest expression she has used since she got here, she says, “At the very least, you must uphold the moral standards in the Fairy realm in regards to courting.”
     
    My turn to sigh.  There is no argument against that.  I am not out to change the world, I simply want to be in Xandra’s company.  “I will do my best.”
     
    Grandmother’s eyes narrow slightly again.  “Your best?”
     
    I shrug.  “I do not want to make a promise to you I may not be able to keep.”
     
    Placing her hands on her hips and shaking her head, she says, “There are times I regret teaching you to speak.”
     
    Her teasing is so far out of the blue it takes a second to register.  Then I laugh.  “A problem that cannot be undone I am afraid.”
     
    She smiles.  “I suppose not.  I find I am not a fan of the cold, let us go inside and wait.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    I can still hear the blow dryer going when we are inside the house.  I have refrained from telling Xandra that she could dry her hair with magic.  I am afraid that she will set her head on fire and wind up bald.  I would still love her bald as we waited for her hair to grow back, but that is not the point.  My concern is that she would be unhappy with that fashion choice.  Growing hair is not a process that can be hurried by magic.  She would have a prickly head of hair for weeks before it grew out long enough to style.
     
    When Xandra comes into the living room several minutes later, she looks tense.  I raise my brows in question but she shakes her head slightly.  I assume that she is simply nervous about traveling to another realm.  Maybe I should have explained that even though there is magic, my realm is relatively similar to hers.  With better food.  I walk to her and slip her hand in mine.  I give it a small squeeze and her face eases a little.
     
    Grandmother chooses to ignore her nervousness.  “Are you ready to bring us home?” she asks.  At least she is smiling.
     
    Xandra’s brows knit together.  “What do you mean?”
     
    “I mean, are you ready to open the realms for our return?”
     
    The nervousness is back on Xandra’s face.  “Um, I’m not sure if I can do that.  I was drunk the last time I tore through the realms.”  On Fairy darts, not alcohol. 
     
    “Nonsense, of course you can,” Grandmother says with her trademark impatience.  If a measure was taken of both hers and Xandra’s patience levels, I honestly cannot say who would win.
     
    Xandra’s father gives Grandmother a dirty look and then floats in front of Xandra.  “You be careful, understand?  We love you and we expect you back in one piece.”
     
    “Okay, Dad.”
     
    There are several more family good byes before we are able to go anywhere and Grandmother’s attempt at a patient smile is wearing thin after the fifth one.  Finally, Xandra’s father does that ghost pat on my back that goes through my skin.  I try not to visibly shiver from the cold.  “You take care of my daughter.  Don’t let anything happen to her.”
     
    I would sooner die myself.  “I will do my best.”
     
    He smiles.  “I believe you will.”
     
    “We really must be going now.  We are due back and I do not want anyone to worry.” 
     
    I smile.  Tabitha is probably pacing the terrace.  There would not have been a doubt in her mind that Grandmother would be successful in bringing me home. 
     
    “There are others who know I’m coming?” Xandra asks.  I believe she has passed nervous and there might actually be a little bit of fear shining through her eyes.  I want to pull her close and assure her she will be fine.  I do not believe she would like me to call attention