"You're really leaving?" Emma asked in a cute small voice.
Hearing this, Ray knelt down so that he could be at an eye-level with her.
Then he gently patted her head and replied. "Yeah, Chipmunk. But I'll be back before you know it."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Emma threw her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder.
Ray held her tightly while his own eyes slowly began to sting.
"You take good care of Ember, okay?" Ray said softly. "She's going to protect you and Mom while I'm gone."
Emma nodded against his shoulder. "I will. I promise."
Ray pulled back and ruffled her hair.
Then he stood and looked at Ember, who chirped softly and nuzzled Emma's cheek.
Ray smiled as he stared firmly at the little Wyvern with a look that says "Make sure nothing bad happens to them while I'm gone."
Ember instantly understood the meaning behind his gaze and her orange eyes locked onto his in return.
