“They’re still people,” the Queen whispered, then stood. “She’s absolutely right. We’ve been focusing too much on their deaths, not their lives.” She rushed over and hugged Meryn tight. “Thank you!” She hurried from the room, calling for Portia.
Brennus was frozen in shock for a moment, then practically sprinted from the room to keep up with his mate.
“Huh?” Meryn asked, looking at her squire.
Ryuu simply patted her on the head gently. “As usual, denka, you see things clearly.”
“I guess.”
Aiden stood, then stretched. “Meryn, did you want to come with me to meet the Vanguard?”
She leered. “Does a bear shit in the woods?”
Around the table, everyone began to crack up.
Aiden scooped up his mate, then turned to her adopted brothers. “What do you boys want to do?”
Pip exchanged glances with Nigel and Neil, who, in return, shrugged. Pip looked back over to Aiden. “Can we go to Dav’s and help with decorations?”
Aiden nodded. “Good idea. We’ll meet you there later.”
Priest also stood and fell in step with Aiden. When Aiden looked down and raised a brow, Priest simply pointed to Meryn. The pleased expression on Aiden’s face told him he made the right decision. With so many new warriors about, Ryuu and Pierce may need help keeping the Menace in line.
As they were leaving, Meryn popped up to look over Aiden’s shoulder at her cousin. “Amelia, we may need to add a Vanguard section to our database.”
A loud smack had Meryn’s eyes nearly popping out of her head as she rubbed her bottom. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
At the table, everyone was having a hard time breathing as they were laughing so hard.
“Rude!” Meryn yelled as Priest shut the door. Laughter from the Queen’s chambers was heard for a while as they walked down the hallway toward the front gate.
*****
It was nearly two hours later before the main portal lit, and squad after squad began to come through.
Aiden had to direct the men as they arrived because, to the man, each froze in place, reacting to the darkness and the cold.
Priest lingered near Meryn as Aiden walked away with a squad member named Reston to get more updates. When he stepped closer to the fae woman speaking to the Menace, a tantalizing perfume tortured him. It was sweet yet hinted at a warm spice like cinnamon and nutmeg. “Gods, what is that aroma?” he wondered out loud.
Ryuu’s mouth twitched as he placed both hands on his shoulders and steered him to stand directly in front of the two women.
“So, you have a name?”
The fae laughed. “No.”
Meryn’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Of course, I have a name.” The gorgeous blonde thrust out her hand. “I’m Cassandra Vi’Illiya.”
Meryn took her hand. “I’m Meryn McKenzie. Nice to meetcha!”
He took another step forward.
Meryn scowled at him. “Dude, personal bubble.”
Cassandra turned to him, her eyes widening. “Oh dear.”
“Cas, you okay?” asked a Vanguard warrior, as he stepped closer to Cassandra.
Priest growled low in his throat and pulled his mate behind him.
“I don’t fucking think so,” the Vanguard said, squaring up to him.
“Coop, it’s okay! He’s my mate!” Cassandra yelled from behind him.
“What!” Multiple male voices demanded.
Aiden walked over. “Priest, you steady?”
He could only nod. In his chest, his bird felt like it was clawing his organs. “Bird…isn’t…happy,” he grunted out.
“Luca, please help him! He’s all red,” Cassandra begged.
Scowling, another warrior stepped past the one called Coop. He laid a hand on his shoulder, then pulled it back quickly. “Son of a bitch!”
“Luca, you okay?” Coop asked.
Luca sucked on his fingers. “Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting the sharpness of the pain, is all.” With a gentler expression, he put his hand back on his shoulder. “Conquiescere, frater meus. Be at peace, my brother. We don’t desire your mate. We have just been looking after her for a long time.”
Inside his body, his bird settled down, and Priest was able to exhale. “Thank you.”
“Thank you, Luca,” Cassandra said, stepping around him to look up. “Hello, my mate.” She smiled so brightly that he felt his heart stutter.
“I swear by all the gods to protect this smile,” he whispered.
“Oh!” She covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh.”
Luca sighed loudly. “Looks like we have a new brother.”
The one named Coop and the equally intimidating one next to him grunted in agreement.
“I turn my back for three freaking seconds…three!” Reston ranted, coming around to stand next to his squad brothers, hands on hips.
“You sure, hun?” Another asked.
Cassandra nodded. “We haven’t been formally introduced…”
“Priest, I’m Priest Vi’Aerdan,” he said, grinning ruefully. “Not the best introduction, is it?”
She nodded, then tilted her head. “You’re a shifter but have a fae Founding Family name?”
“I was adopted.”
Reston rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure who wins.”
Coop was wheezing with laughter.
“What’s this?” Cassandra asked.
Reston pointed to his fae squad brother. “Ilian and I had a running bet whether you’d end up with a fae or a shifter. He’s kinda both.”
Ilian rubbed his chin. “I would say he counts as fae, especially as he carries the name as Head of House.”
Reston pointed. “He is literally a shifter,” he sniffed the air. “A bird of some kind,” he paused, then turned to Cassandra, eyes wide. “Sorry, hun.”
Priest looked down at his mate, who was grimacing. “Sorry?”
She twisted her hands in front of her. “I’m not a huge fan of birds.”
Meryn bopped her head about. “I don’t mind them when they’re outside, and I’m inside, but if truth be told, I don’t like anything that can dive bomb my head, bugs included.” She shuttered. “Especially bugs.”
Cassandra pointed to Meryn excitedly. “Yes, that, that exactly.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’m a terrible shifter,” he admitted.
She ran a hand up and down his arm as if sensing his personal disappointment. “We can talk about it later.”
He shook his head and smiled at her concern.
Just feeling her hand on his arm had him nearly floating. Fingers snapped in his face. “Did you hear what I asked?” Reston said, smiling indulgently.
“Huh?”
“Yeah, didn’t think so. Did you want to come with us to see what state the Illiya house is in?”
“House?” Why did he feel stuck on stupid? His mate must think him a simpleton.
Casandra nodded. “I have opened up my house for the Vanguard to stay, mostly because it’s empty. I’m the last of my line.”