My Guardian (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 6) (16 page)

"I would wait for Aiden, but he already knows." Magnus picked up his wine glass. "Adriel, you and your mate have been invited to dinner tomorrow night with the heads of the Géroux and BelleRose families. I cannot invite the entire Eta Unit, but I did want some familiar faces there to make it easier on Meryn."

Adriel inclined his head. "Of course, we will be there."
 

Eva felt a moment of panic. She was looking around the table when Beth caught her eye and nodded. "I'll help you get ready. We're about the same size, even if you're a little taller. My full length dresses will look perfect on you."

"Thank the Gods!" Eva said leaning back. "We weren't able to bring much, and what we were able to pack is somewhere between here and Albuquerque. But I can tell you this much, I know I didn't pack anything formal."

"Why would you dear? This was only supposed to be temporary, remember?" Adora reminded her.

Just when she thought her mind would explode with all the plans she needed to make to transition here, she felt a light kiss on her cheek. Adriel's calm gaze helped her to catch her breath. He smiled. "One day at a time. Nothing can be solved overnight."

Stefan laughed. "Except Noctem Falls' Wi-Fi problem evidently."

Adriel gave Stefan a flat look and turned to Demetrio. "Did you need this one? Do you have another offspring to carry your name?"

Demetrio chuckled. "We have another son. He ended up leaving his unit and working with the Vanguard."

Meryn snapped her fingers. "That's why their name sounds familiar. I just added his name to the database. Cristo Bolivar, right?"

Adora nodded. "Yes, that's our eldest."

"Come find me tomorrow and I'll get you ready," Beth promised.

Eva gave a pointed look to Meryn. "Doesn't she need your help more?"

Beth gave an undignified snort. "No. She has the Gown of Éire Danu; the little monster can be ready at the drop of a hat."

Meryn crossed her arms and sat back. "I don't know why I have to go. I'm just going to pretend to be mute."

Demetrio leaned in close to his mate. "And you wanted girls," he teased.

"Oh you!" she laughed.

"Meryn, I met Viktor BelleRose tonight. He's the unit leader for Iota, and if all the BelleRose men look like him, you'll want to go, trust me." Eva winked.

Meryn sat forward. "Really?"

"Maybe you should stay here," Aiden grumbled, walking back into the room and sitting down.

"No way! What did he look like?" Meryn asked.

"Long, silver hair and amethyst eyes, the most gorgeous smile, and impeccable manners," Eva described.

"All the BelleRose men are stunning," Beth said, ignoring her mate's growls.

"Totally going, but I may still pretend to be mute." Meryn rubbed Aiden's arm. "Is everyone still in one piece?"

Aiden sighed. "For now. I had to make Colton promise not to get retribution."

"Do you really think he won't?" Meryn asked, looking skeptical.

"No. I know he will, but I did tell him if the men weren't alive and in working condition when I got back, I was making Kendrick our son's
athair.
"

Meryn winced. "Ouch. How'd he take it?"

"He promised they'd all be able to do patrols and then hung up."

"How much do you want to bet he is planning on doing something to Sascha that does not impair his ability to walk?" Gavriel asked.

Aiden rubbed his chin as a slow smile began to form. "I'd take that bet."

Meryn clapped her hands together. "So. Tomorrow we set up Wi-Fi, get Eva to Beth for girl stuff, and then go meet the hot vampires?"

Beth pulled out her planner. "I'll be in meetings with Uncle tomorrow morning." She looked up at Stefan and Demetrio. "I'd like for at least one of you to sit in on the early afternoon meeting I'll be setting up to go over housing requirements."

Demetrio nodded. "I can do the meetings, which will leave Stefan free to stay with the pack. They'll be more settled if the Alpha is with them."

Beth chewed on her lower lip. "How is Micah going to show the twins how to create the stone houses if he's guarding Meryn?"

Micah sighed dramatically. "Alas, duty pulls me away from my true loves. The lovely warrior goddess will be guarding my delicate flower in my stead. Such bittersweet goodbyes."

Declan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Adriel, do we really need him?"

Grant patted his shoulder. "Now, now. He's useful every once in a while."

Micah sniffled. "I'm unappreciated in my time."

Declan looked at Adriel, a pained expression on his face. "Do we really want Romeo here influencing the twin demons?"

Her mate chuckled. "I think they will be just fine. Unless you are volunteering to go with them?"

"No, sir," Declan answered quickly.

Meryn smiled. "I can't wait to meet them."

"Gods help us all," Declan, Grant, and Etain said in unison.

Eva threaded her fingers behind her head and tilted her chair back.

Buckle up, cowboys.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Later that night, as they were getting ready for bed, Eva kept waiting for awkwardness to set in. In truth, she had known this man less than twenty-four hours, and even though they had claimed one another, there were so many things she didn't know about him. He turned out the light, but she could make him out clearly from the nightlight in the bathroom.

"What has you looking so serious?" Adriel walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He had changed into a pair of loose pajama pants, but his chest was wonderfully bare. She leaned back against him, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers.

"What side of the bed do you sleep on?"

"That is what you were frowning over?"

She stared up at the ceiling. "No, not exactly." When she didn't elaborate, he simply held her. "We don't know each other that well."

"Ah, now we are getting somewhere. Of course not, we just met."

"And here we are about to climb into bed, turn off the light, and say 'goodnight dear'."
 

"We could jump on the bed, leave the light on, and say
bonne nuit
if that makes you feel better."

"Are you teasing me?"

"Maybe a little. Do we have to sleep? Yes. Do we have to share a bed? No. If you prefer, I will sleep in one of the guest rooms."

Eva spun quickly in his arms. "That's not what I meant."

He kissed her nose. "I know. So, mate of mine, would you like to join me in this bed to sleep for the night?"

"I like to stretch out."

"Okay."

"I toss and turn a lot."

"Not a problem."

"I've been alone for centuries; I don't know how to do this. What if your breathing keeps me awake? Or what if you wake up every time I get up to pee?"

"I have been alone just as long, but tonight is different from every other night that has gone before." He steered her to the bed and pulled back the covers. She shook her head and climbed in. He got comfortable behind her and held her close.

"How is tonight different for you?" She held his forearm against her chest like a stuffed animal.

"Because unlike the thousands of nights before I met you, I know how beautiful my mate really is. So many things I thought of, but it is the things I did not imagine that make me want to drop to my knees and thank the Gods you were chosen for me."

"Like what?"

"I did not think you would be a shifter. Living here, I always assumed I would have a vampire as a mate. But having touched you once, I know that would have been a travesty. I crave the warmth of your body. If I had mated another vampire, I would have been in the cold for the rest of my existence."

He kissed her neck and she shivered. "Your body is another thing I was not prepared for. You stand so tall and strong. As a warrior, I was ready to protect my mate against all things, but I find that I love that you can match my stride and walk beside me. The fact that you possess such strength means that when you give yourself to me I feel humble for being able to caress a body that is so powerful, yet so soft and delicate.

"These are things I could never have planned for; it means I will have to make adjustments to my way of thinking and to the way I do things, but that does not mean that what we have is not perfect. For every new thing we discover about each other, we receive a gift, and I for one am eternally grateful."

Eva couldn't speak; every single word he spoke tightened another knot in her throat. So she simply nodded and focused on keeping her tears at bay. When he was quiet for a while, she whispered, "Goodnight dear."

"Goodnight, my love."

*****

Eva woke up and stretched. Frowning, she realized she was alone in bed. She had been so worried the night before about sleeping next to him, and she had passed out the second he stopped talking. She sat up and looked around; a white piece of paper was on the nightstand.

It was pure hell leaving our bed this morning, but I had to meet with the men. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. The twins should be dropped off before you leave to be with Meryn. They will be with you until Micah can catch up with them later. Eternally yours, Adriel

Eva tucked the letter away under her pillow so she wouldn't lose it. She got up and headed to the bathroom. If she had to wear the same clothes from yesterday, at the very least, she would be clean. She quickly showered and dried her hair. She looked in the mirror and frowned. She didn't have so much as a ChapStick with her, and she doubted Meryn had any makeup. She definitely needed to get with Beth later for some help.

She went downstairs, following her nose to the coffee pot. Frowning, she noticed that there was no coffee. The pot looked like it had already been washed and put back, but she could smell coffee. Growling, she opened the pantry door and stepped back.

What the hell is this?

Quinoa, chia seeds, lentils, bran flakes, super green powder, whole oats. She slammed the door and opened it again. Yup, same stuff was there. She went to the fridge. When she opened the door and looked inside, she felt her mouth drop. One dozen eggs, whole milk, cottage cheese, bottled water, a drawer of green leaves, another drawer of vegetables, and yogurt. The man didn't even have a microwave.

"I'm gonna fuckin' die."

She was rubbing her temples, trying to stave off a caffeine withdrawal headache when there was a knock at the door. She swung it open, snarling. The two warriors she had met yesterday, Dimitri and Godard, stepped back. "We came to drop the twins off, but if this is a bad time..." Godard watched her carefully as if she were about to attack.

Eva stepped out on to the small porch. "No, it's fine. In fact, I was just heading down to Level One to meet up with Meryn."

Dimitri let out a breath of relief. "Great, they are all yours."

Eva thought it was comical the way the two grown men seemed to practically run to get away from them.

She leveled a look at the twins in front of her. "How old are y'all anyway?"

"One..." Nigel started.

"Hundred..." Neil finished.

"All right boys. Let's head down to meet with Meryn and no funny business. I haven't had coffee yet, so I won't feel bad about killing you until at least noon."

"Right."

"No worries."

Bleary eyed, she followed the twins to the transport tunnel, and they floated her down. She knocked on the large wooden door that acted as the entryway to Prince Magnus' home. Seconds later, the door opened and Sebastian smiled down at her. He looked at her a moment then frowned. "No coffee?"

She just shook her head. "He didn't have any food in the house either."

He swung the door open. "Adriel is very conscientious of the food he eats. He regards meals as ways to fuel the body."

"I'd kill for a pop-tart," Eva grumbled.

"Go ahead and seat yourselves in the dining room. Meryn is just getting up; I will bring coffee and breakfast out in just a moment."

"No organic wheat germ, right?"

Sebastian shook his head and smiled. "None, I promise."

Eva had to smile as she watched the twins walk through the prince's home. They stayed very close to one another, their eyes wide taking in everything in the room. Despite the lack of coffee, she felt her tiger begin to purr. She was always a sucker for young'uns.

Eva sat down in the same seat she had the night before, Nigel sat to her left, and Neil sat on the other side of his twin.

"This place is real swanky," Nigel said, staring up at the chandelier.

"Yeah, I'm afraid to breathe too hard," Neil confessed.

"Me, too," Meryn said, walking into the room her eyes half closed. Ryuu steered her to the table. She sat down and placed her cheek on the wood surface. "Ryuu, I can't do this anymore. I need coffee, real coffee. I'm tired of being fucking tired."

Ryuu stared down at her. "We'll try one cup and see how you do." He left and headed to the kitchen.

Nigel elbowed her side and bopped his head toward Meryn.

"Nigel, Neil, meet Meryn McKenzie. Meryn, when you're conscious, you can meet Nigel and Neil Morninglory."

"Word," Meryn croaked.

Neil covered his mouth with his hands to cover up a giggle.

They're just so dang cute.

"Here we go, ladies and gentlemen. Fresh ground coffee, biscuits, gravy, bacon, eggs, and assorted pastries." Sebastian swept into the room and started setting large serving platters down. The twins gulped, taking in the spread. All Eva was looking for was the coffee.

"Where's the coffee?" she and Meryn asked at the same time. Meryn opened her eyes and nodded as if to acknowledge their shared pain.

Ryuu set a cup in front of Meryn as Sebastian did the same for her. After adding her cream and sugar, she took her first sip.

Meryn shivered. "I think it touched my soul."

Eva sat back in the chair, holding her mug to her chest. "I know mine did."

She and Meryn nursed their cups of coffee, while the twins started decimating the food platters. Eva thought that Sebastian would get upset, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "I have not had to cook for a young appetite in ages. You boys keep eating; I will make fresh for the girls here." Whistling, Sebastian headed back toward the kitchen.