My Guardian (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 6) (7 page)

Bethy's voice brought him back to the present.

"Meryn, didn't you pack? When Darian escorted us to the portal, all you had was your backpack, and Aiden only carried a small suitcase."

Meryn glared at her mate. "No. I've been wearing my super gown because
someone
won't let me go get maternity clothes because they are being a paranoid, drama bear."

Bethy blinked. "You're using the Gown of Éire Danu for maternity clothes?"

Meryn nodded. "I think it likes me. I mean, think about it. It has all this cool power but only gets pulled out a couple times a year for the same ole boring stuff like, poufy dresses. I could be wrong, but I think I gave it a graphic tee shirt addiction."

Bethy groaned and buried her face in her hands.
 

Gavriel rubbed her back trying to fight back a smile. "There, there love."

Etain was staring at Meryn, his face a mask of concentration.

Meryn caught him staring. "What?" she demanded bluntly.

Etain tilted his head. "Is that truly the fabled Gown of Éire Danu? One of the most powerful fae relics in existence?"

Adriel really looked at Meryn and saw what Etain was talking about. Meryn had on a tee shirt that looked like it had zombie teddy bears on it. Over the tee, an unzipped grey hoodie covered her arms and, if he remembered correctly, earlier Meryn wore faded jeans and scruffy sneakers.

Meryn rolled her eyes before she closed them. Seconds later, the air around her shimmered, and she was now wearing an emerald green gown with an empire waist that draped demurely over her rounded belly. Her short curls were arranged and a silver circlet sat on top of her head.

"There, better? Does it look all regal now?" Meryn pointed to the dress.

Etain smiled. "I don't know why, but I think you're right Meryn. I feel like the gown is having fun dressing you."

Bethy shook her head. "Zombie. Care. Bears. Meryn! Where did it get the idea for Zombie Care Bears?"

Meryn concentrated on her silverware. "I may or may not have a Pinterest board dedicated to tee-shirts I like, and it may or may not be on there for reference." Meryn closed her eyes again and her tee shirt, hoodie and jeans were back.

"What's wrong with a nice pair of khaki capris and a light green cardigan with pearls? Or a sundress and sandals? Why zombies?" Bethy asked.

Meryn picked up her butter knife and set it on her empty dinner plate. Absently she began to spin it. "Because when I wear dresses my thighs rub together, and it sucks. Capris are weird because sometimes they aren't short enough when I'm hot, but too short when I'm cold. Jeans and hoodies are always perfect.

Declan turned to him. "I never knew women felt that way about dresses."

Adriel shrugged. He had never given women's fashion a second thought; evidently more planning went into it than he knew.

A throat cleared and the table turned to look at Sebastian. "Meryn, while you are here, I could take your measurements and begin some stylish yet comfortable maternity clothes for you. I make all of Bethy's clothing."

Bethy's face lit up. "Sebastian, you are a life saver! We've been trying to get her to a tailor for months!"

Meryn scowled. "They poke me with pins on purpose! And it's always, 'Hold still!' and 'You can't have to go to the restroom again!' Mean old biddies!"

Sebastian made a clucking noise. "Poor darling. Do not worry Meryn, I have never stuck Bethy with a pin, and you can take as many breaks as you like."

Meryn thought for a moment then nodded. "Okay, but only to give my super dress a break every now and then. I had to stop wearing my other hoodies when they started to fit."

Declan frowned. "That's good right?"

Bethy grinned. "She wears them three sizes too big."

Understanding dawned on his face. "Oh."

Magnus chuckled. "On that note," he turned to Sebastian and Ryuu. "Whenever you gentlemen are ready, let us begin."

Sebastian and Ryuu worked seamlessly serving the entire table. A large roast was brought to the center of the table along with three bowls of steaming vegetables. Basket after basket of fresh bread was set down and wine and water goblets filled. When everyone was served, Magnus smiled. "Micah, if you would please?"

Micah looked surprised but then started a low incantation. Adriel felt the pressure around them build then settle. Micah had encased the room in a sound-proofing spell.

Magnus relaxed against his chair. "Thank you Micah."

Micah inclined his head. "Anytime, sire."

Magnus was about to begin speaking when a low vibration echoed throughout the room. Everyone turned to look at Ryuu. Frowning, Ryuu pulled a small phone from his pocket. "My apologies. I usually never receive any text messages." He looked down and scowled. Without even replying, he tucked the phone back into his vest pocket. Seconds later, another vibration sounded throughout the room.

Meryn's eyes narrowed. "How are you getting texts?"

Ryuu raised a brow at his charge and smiled wickedly. "How else? Magic. I took the liberty of casting a spell on everyone's phones by zeroing in on your device's batteries and used water particles to carry the signals. It isn't permanent, it will only last a day or two, but my
denka
, should have a solution figured out by then."

"Damn, skippy!" Meryn muttered.

Ryuu's phone dinged again, he looked down chagrined.
 

Aiden began to laugh. "It's Colton, isn't it?"

Bethy's eyes widened, and she, too, started laughing. Meryn smirked, and Gavriel shook his head.

Adriel tuned to Aiden. "Why is your second in command texting your squire?"

Aiden shook his head chuckling. "Ryuu is Meryn's squire, not mine. And Colton has a man crush on Ryuu, mainly for his ability to cook. I'm guessing Colton isn't liking his first night fending for himself for dinner."

Ryuu exhaled loudly. "I left plenty of food in the kitchen, along with planned meals and recipes. They shouldn't be running into issues the first night."

Meryn got up on her knees and turned in her chair so she could see her squire. "What happened?"

Ryuu rolled his eyes. "The men assumed the women were cooking, and the women assumed the men were. It's ten o'clock there now, and they are having sandwiches. Colton keeps texting me pictures of him pouting. It's getting ridiculous."

"Awww, they miss you." Meryn giggled. Another phone vibrated and everyone looked at Ryuu, who shook his head. "That wasn't me."

Meryn sat back in her chair. "That one was mine." She checked her phone and smiled softly. "Felix, this one is for you." She propped up her phone against her water glass.

Adriel looked around. "Who is Felix?"

Meryn pointed down to the table. Seconds later, the air shimmered, and a tiny sprite became visible, sitting on the edge of Meryn's empty soup bowl.

Etain gasped. "Is that a sprite? I haven't seen one since I left Éire Danu. They never leave fae gardens." He looked at Meryn in wonder. "How did the two of you meet?"

Felix jumped down and hugged Meryn's phone before returning to his tiny perch.

Meryn smiled up at Aiden. "Penny sent a good night hug to Felix. She misses him."

Aiden nodded.

Meryn looked up at Etain. "I was invited to the fae gardens in Lycaonia. Elder Vi'Ailean and his mate Vivian had me over for cake. Felix was there, but it didn't look like he was having a very good time, so I jokingly invited him to hang out with me. He packed a bag and moved in; we've been together ever since. I couldn't do without my little buddy."

Felix blushed and reached up to his necklace; seconds later, he was gone again.

Declan's eyes were wide. He stared, entranced, at the place where Felix had been sitting. "How'd he do that?"

Meryn's face clouded. Bethy answered for her. "Keelan made a necklace for Felix that allows him to become visible or remain invisible."

The table quieted. Magnus broke the silence. "Never in my wildest imagination did I ever believe that we would ever have a sprite here in Noctem Falls. Thank you for such an amazing gift."

Meryn's face brightened a little. "All I did was bring him along; Felix is a gift all by himself," she paused and giggled. "He's blushing."

Adriel lifted his wine goblet. "You left Colton in charge?"

Aiden nodded. "He may seem carefree, but he's actually stricter than I am when it comes to drills and patrol. I've chosen him as my successor in the event I need to assume my father's Elder seat before my son is of age."

Magnus smiled wide. "You are having a son?"

Meryn shook her head. "We don't know yet. I'm hoping for a girl."

Aiden shuddered. "No way. I don't think I can handle a girl. I'd never get any sleep. I'd be worried about my tiny princess all the time."

Broderick chuckled. "I know the feeling, but let me tell you. Nothing in the world is better than the sweet hugs and kisses from your daughter."

Bethy blushed. "Oh, Daddy."

Aiden's face softened. "Maybe a little girl wouldn't be so bad."

Meryn rubbed her belly. "She can be a
Doctor Who
watching, hacker ninja!"

Aiden scowled. "No, she won't. She'll be delicate and demure."

Meryn looked confused. "You have met me, right?"

Gavriel swirled his wine in his glass. "She has got you there, Aiden."

Aiden leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Fine, we'll have a boy."

Meryn shrugged. "Then
he'll
be a
Doctor Who
watching, hacker ninja."

"No hacker ninja stuff."

"Too late."

Aiden froze. "What do you mean?"

"I've been putting headphones on my belly and playing lectures about coding and early
Doctor Who
episodes." She patted her belly. "Meryn two-point-oh likes it."

Aiden's face was priceless.

"I am sure it will be fine, Commander," Grant said trying to cheer Aiden up.

Aiden grunted and dug into his roast. The man seemed to be trying to devour his worries along with his dinner.

"You can't really count on little girls being demure." Micah waved his fork. "Little Bethy practically grew up around the units. She may have learned politics from Prince Magnus, but she learned how to throw a punch from Adriel."

Adriel smiled at the memory. Bethy had been such a tiny little thing.

Gavriel turned to his mate. "Speaking of which, what did he mean when he called you his little valentine?"

Bethy's eyes widened; she scowled at Adriel then looked up at her mate. "Caught that one, did you?"

Gavriel raised an eyebrow. "I do not miss anything when it pertains to you. Story?"

"When I was little, four I think..." She turned to him for confirmation. Adriel nodded and she continued. "...Papa was explaining the history of Valentine's Day and how it was observed. Since Adriel was the one that looked after me the most outside my family, I wanted him to be my Valentine. I drew a heart on a piece of paper and had Tarak escort me to the Unit Level. I walked right up to him in front of all six units and asked him to be my Valentine." She smiled. "He graciously accepted, and not once did he make me feel unwanted or as if I were a bother. He's a true gentleman."

"She was adorable; how could I say no?" Adriel set his glass down.

Declan laughed. "We were all jealous. Every year after that we competed to see if we could be Bethy's valentine; she usually chose one of her fathers, her uncle, or Adriel though."

Bethy giggled. "You all made me feel so special competing that way. You made every suitor that approached me later in life seem dull in comparison."

Caspian leaned back in his chair and gave him a thumbs up. Adriel winked. Of course, her fathers had been ecstatic when she showed little interest in dating while she lived here.
 

Bethy shook her head at her father's antics. "Adriel would escort me to social functions so I didn't have to go alone. He kept the more ardent suitors at bay."

"You mean like that douchebag, Jourdain?" Meryn asked.

Bethy frowned at Meryn down the length of the table. "What do you know about him?"

Meryn pushed her roast around her plate. "I saw your reaction to him in Lycaonia. I almost had Kendrick convinced to kill him, but you know, 'politics' got in the way. Evidently, he's like an important douchebag here."
 

Magnus's face darkened. "Did he do anything?"

Bethy reached over and patted his arm. "No, Unky, he didn't; he was just his normal obnoxious self."

"I still want to kill him. He upsets you." Meryn took a huge bite of mashed potatoes.

Declan growled. "Join the club. I've been dying to get my claws into him for decades."

"I will pretend I did not hear any of this; plan away." Magnus said and continued eating his dinner.

"What's his deal anyway? I mean I knew all vampires except Gavriel were douchebags, but he takes the cake." Everyone turned to stare at her. "What?"

Bethy cleared her throat and pointed around the room.

Meryn looked around. "Oh. Unit warriors are excluded since Bishop, Christoff, Drake, Griffin, and Malcolm are my peeps. And y'all are nice, practically normal, so you don't count as vampires."

Declan turned his head, his shoulders shaking; he was laughing so hard.

Magnus winced. "Thank you, I think."

Etain turned to collapse against Declan, both of them laughing uncontrollably.
 

"Are you quite finished?" Adriel asked.

That set them off further.
 

Across the table, Micah had his face buried in his hand. "The rumor is true! She called René Evreux a douchebag!"

Meryn huffed. "He deserved it. Jerk."

Magnus turned to his niece. "I see what you mean about being needed in Lycaonia."

Declan, who had just started to regain his composure, lost it again. He simply sat back in his chair and laughed loudly.

Adriel pinched the skin between his eyebrows. "Declan, really."

Declan bumped Adriel's shoulder with his own. "Aren't you glad you're a warrior 'peep'; that makes you normal."

Adriel looked at Meryn. "Do you prefer shifters because you are mated to one?" he asked curiously.