Page 38 of Henry & the Dragon
Six brothers, their wives and children, four sisters with husbands and family, his parents, and a family dog. In total, there would be thirty-six of them making the journey. When Henry fretted that might be too many, Arissa assured him they could take ten times that number without issue. Yet, oddly, Henry could think of no one else to take.
“Are you ready?” Queen Arissa asked, as she strode through the assembled crowd. “Have you made all the arrangements?”
“Yes,” Merry replied, but her voice trembled with what Henry could only imagine was fear. He reached for her hand and laced their fingers together, doing his best to give her strength like she did when he was a boy. “We’ll be okay, Merry. You have my solemn vow.”
She drew in a breath as she gave a weak smile. “I trust you, brother.”
He turned to his daughter, who stood expectantly. “Dmitra? Are you certain this is something you wish to do?”
She flashed the biggest smile Henry had seen to date. “Oh, yes. I can’t wait.”
One of their youngest was the most eager. Of course. Still, Henry was proud of their daughter. She wasn’t at all fearful of the unknown.“We are ready, your majesty.”
She smiled at him. “I believe you are. Please join hands with everyone.”
They all linked hands. Merry’s were clammy and she leaned in closer to Henry. “I’m afraid,” she admitted softly.
“I would be too, I’m certain. Kai would never allow anything to happen to us, though. And Queen Arissa is as noble as any person you would ever meet. They will protect us.”
“With our lives, if it came to that,” Kai proclaimed. “You are mine, Henry. The mate of a dragon is not something to be taken lightly. We are very possessive of our friends.” He gave Merry a nod. “And our family.”
“Thank you, Prince Kaithyn,” Merry said quietly, her eyes downcast. “Your Majesty, I would like to apologize for my rudeness to you and your mother when you arrived. I have no excuse for my behavior beyond fear for Henry’s safety.”
He reached up and gave her shoulder a squeeze, which caused her gaze to snap up and Merry to look into his eyes. “You are to be my sister-in-law, so it’s only fitting that you call me Kai. As for taking you with us? Think nothing of it,” Kai insisted. “With everything your family has endured over the years, I would be wary too, if I were you. I think on how I felt when I feared losing Henry after so short a time. I can scarcely begin to understand your feelings for a brother you lost for so long. Please, I beg of you, don’t fret. Neither of us is hurt or offended. In fact, we are proud to meet such a strong person who cares for her family.” He took her hand in his and held it firmly. “You are loved, Merry. You who are nowourfamily.”
“O-Okay,” she whispered.
“All right,” Arissa said. “Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you. There is no danger, but the first time traveling by this method can be jarring.”
Everyone closed their eyes, except for Henry. He’d already traveled this way once, and he was dying to know how it came to be.
“Henry,” Arissa chastised teasingly. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
He recalled his first time and knew he should do as the others were, but he wanted to see this new world to which they would travel. “Yes, milady.”
She chuckled. “Very well. Here we go.”
Their lands shimmered and the buildings and fields began to fade from view. The last thing to go was the metal bell his father had made, and it warmed Henry to know that everything would be in their new home upon their arrival. He wondered at the stories the people in the village would tell, of how the Cabot family and all their belongings simply disappeared overnight. He couldn’t help but smile, knowing word of their lives would live on.
Arissa pulled them aside last evening and told them since Mother was connected to this land, it would hurt her immeasurably to leave it. Instead, she’d arranged to take it all with them and use it to create their new area. Henry was beside himself with happiness when he explained it all to Mother, who seemed doubtful, but she promised she would trust the queen.
As the last sights disappeared, bright swirls of light surrounded them. Henry’s mouth fell open at the beautiful coalescence of colors and sounds. Yes, it was chaotic, but there was an order there as well. Then, in an instant, it was gone, and Henry found himself standing in a large field, looking nearly identical to his home. The house, the barn, the outbuildings were all there, and if he didn’t know better, he would say they werestill in Innernook. But he did know, and one breath of the crisp air told him they were away from that infernal place.
“What is your home called? he asked Kai.
“This is the world of Shilan. It is home to dragon-folk, humans, elves, fairies, dwarves, and many others. It’s a large, thriving world. War is virtually non-existent there. Oh, there might be skirmishes from time to time as the races flex their muscles, but they’re very short-lived. The neighboring kingdoms quell them quickly, because they all enjoy the fruits of peace. And this land upon which we stand? Mother made it so it would please you. She scanned your mother’s mind while she slept and had it created for your family.”
“It’s perfect,” Henry said, his voice filled with awe even to his own ear.
“This isn’t all,” he told Henry. He held out his hand and an image formed. “Is this an accurate depiction of Dmitra’s mother, Constance?”
Henry stared and Kai’s outstretched palm. There, in the center, was what looked to be Constance, but she wasn’t made from stone!
“Yes, it looks exactly like her.”
Kai smiled. “Good. Mother will be pleased to hear that.” He turned and placed the box on the ground, and then stepped back as it grew to much larger proportions, but through it all, Constance smiled.
“This is what we call a hologram. It’s created of light, and can be made to look very lifelike.” He turned to Dmitra. “Does this please you?”
