“Gods,” he whispered, bringing her hand to his lips to gently kiss it. “Are you sure about returning? We could stay with my family.”
She held his knuckles against her cheek, enjoying his warmth. “It’s past time for me to return. I’ve been gone nearly two-hundred years. Maybe, having a house full of people will help.”
“Lady Illiya, we can find another place to stay if opening your house will be too painful,” a Vanguard warrior offered. Around them, the men nodded, sympathy in their eyes.
Now she knew she was doing the right thing. These men had hard times in front of them. If she could make it even a bit easier by providing them with a place to stay, she would.
She shook her head at the men’s kindness. “My mother would have agreed with me. She always loved parties and large groups of people. I cannot think of a better way to honor her memory than to re-open House Illiya.” She made a face. “Though I may expect you gentlemen to help with some repairs. I know nothing about handy work.”
“We said it back in Monroe, but you don’t have to worry about a thing. We’ll take care of it,” a warrior to her left offered.
“And whatever they don’t get to, myself and my unit brothers will assist with,” Priest volunteered.
She blinked, then looked down to watch her feet as they walked.
“Weird, huh?” Meryn asked.
She looked up to see the small woman watching her from her mate’s arms.
“Weird?”
“Going from being alone to having tons of people around you. I still don’t know how to ask for help. It gets easier, though, if you just let them do what they want.”
Cas nearly stumbled as what Meryn said really hit home. She was mated, and her self-appointed brothers would be home all the time now. Plus, she didn’t think the other Vanguard would let her struggle, much less Priest’s unit brothers. “Oh.”
Meryn nodded. “Yeah, if I didn’t have Ryuu, I’d have to start shit like Christmas cards in June to keep track of everything.”
Cas laughed. “We had a squire growing up. I missed him as much as my parents when I left. I was so very thankful they had him in the end.”
“I’d probably starve and forget my underwear without Ryuu,” Meryn admitted.
Around them, the men cracked up.
Aiden sighed. “Baby, I am more than capable of feeding you.”
Meryn narrowed her eyes at her mate. “You wouldn’t remind me about my underwear?”
Aiden smiled but remained silent.
Meryn gasped. “Aiden!”
Now, the men were laughing.
Cas watched as a wave of pink cascaded away from them, with Meryn at the epicenter. “You are a delight Meryn.”
Meryn looked over at her from where she was flicking Aiden’s ear repeatedly while the man laughed. “Thanks.”
As they approached her childhood home, she noticed how the other Noble Families had maintained the surrounding houses in such a lovely way. She was cringing, thinking her house would have something akin to an HOA warning plastered to the door.
When they stopped in front of House Illiya, she could only stare. It looked exactly as she remembered it. Nothing looked worn or falling apart. Her mother’s flowers looked to be thriving thanks to small heated stones lining the underbrush.
“How?” she whispered.
The door opened, and a lithe, elegantly dressed man stepped forward. Placing a hand over his heart, he bowed. “Welcome home, My Lady.”
Tears ran unchecked as she body-checked Luca out of the way. “Eion! Gods! You’re here!” She threw herself heedlessly at the man, knowing he would catch her.
“Oh dear,” the man whispered softly. How many times had she heard that phrase growing up?
Behind her, she heard an intake of breath, then Priest asking. “You’re her family’s squire, aren’t you? You helped raise her.”
Wordlessly she nodded, rubbing her cheek on Eion’s robes.
“Oh, that’s beautiful!” Meryn sniffled and wiped at her eyes. Ryuu, smiling himself, passed her a handkerchief.
The man in long dress robes stepped back and wiped at Cas’ tears. “I see you have brought guests.” He bowed to the group behind her. “Welcome to House Illiya. I am Cassandra’s squire, Eion Mormaer.”
Laughter burbled up from around her heart. “Yes, I’m sorry for not letting you know we were coming. I had no idea you were here!”
He smiled slyly. “Where else would I be except waiting for my little miss to return?”
“The house? How? Why? What?” she babbled. She couldn’t believe that the man who had been like a second father to her was actually here. When she found herself unable to return, she thought for sure he’d find a new family to serve.
He wrapped a fatherly arm around her shoulders. “Gentlemen, if you would follow me?” He steered her into the house. “While we may not have an individual room for everyone, we should have enough, if most of you do not mind sharing.”
Reston stepped forward. “Just let me know which rooms are off limits, and I’ll get the men sorted while you take care of Cassie.”
The squire inclined his head regally. “You have my thanks.” He pointed to the stairs. “Family personal quarters are in the west wing. You may assign any room in the east wing as you see fit.”
Reston gave a piercing whistle. “All right, men, let’s get our stuff dropped off, then get orders from our commander.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“You okay, hun?” Luca asked.
She nodded, then wiped her nose on her sleeve. Next to her, Eion sighed. “He’s like my dad.”
“Good for you, kiddo. We’ll catch up with you later, right?” he asked.
Aiden turned to her. “I’ll head up there and make sure shenanigans are kept to a minimum. You catch up with your squire. This evening is the party at Dav’s pub. Hope to see you there.”
Meryn gave her a thumbs up. “I like you. You should come.”
She turned to Priest. “Will you be there?”
He gently pulled her away from Eion and into his own arms. “I don’t know, my mate, will we?”
A displeased huff from Eion had her smiling. “This should be fun.”
“Why do we have to go? It’s getting good,” Meryn protested.
Ryuu gave a half bow to Eion, then followed his charge as she was carried up the stairs.
“Come, My Lady, I’ll start a pot of your favorite tea,” Eion said, holding out his arm, pointing toward the sitting room.
“White jasmine?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Once the door to the sitting room closed behind them, Eion crossed his arms over his chest. “I suppose introductions are in order.”
Cas felt her chest lighten. “Eion, this is Priest Vi’Aerdan. I just found him this afternoon upon returning home. He is my mate.” She looked at Priest, drinking in his dark looks, and sighed. “Isn’t he wonderful?”
Eion’s mouth twitched. “I suppose you could do worse than a Founding Family head and unit warrior.”
When she caught Priest’s eye, he winked at her and puffed his chest out a bit, causing her to laugh.
Eion finally relaxed when he saw her laughing. “Good. Now, let us have some tea.” He moved to the sideboard and started a kettle to boil.