by Alanea Alder
Kendrick waved all around them. "In our world, every wall has eyes and ears, even with soundproofing spells, thoughts can float on the wind. But here in Éire Danu, because the queen removed the city from our world, what is said here almost always stays here."
"Makes sense," Meryn said, going back to her plate.
Thane grunted again.
Kendrick swirled back. "Sorry about that old boy, must be my spinelessness distracting me. Now." He walked over and placed a hand on Thane's shoulder. "I don't know how to tell you this, but, you are the baby daddy," he said in a deadpan voice.
"Kendrick if you don't..." Anne threatened.
"Fine." Kendrick removed his hand. "My name is Julian Stormhart, my father was Kiran Stormhart, and I am your king."
Thane's body trembled, and his breathing became erratic. His eyes cut to Law, who was nodding.
"It's true brother, I found out in Noctem Falls."
Kendrick whispered, and the spell freezing Thane and Justice was released. They immediately fell to the floor.
Anne scowled. "Look what you did," she pointed down at them.
Kendrick winced. "It was either freeze them or suffer a broken jaw."
Thane's head snapped up. "That may still happen," he threatened.
Justice stood on shaky legs and helped Thane to his feet. They both straightened then bowed. "Your Majesty."
Kendrick smiled. "Care to join everyone at the table so I can tell you what happened?" Thane nodded stiffly and the four of them sat at the table.
Izzy listened to Kendrick's story and felt her eyes fill with tears. His father loved his mother so much that he followed her into death. When Kendrick started explaining how babies were being murdered and how his parents were trapped as beads, she felt a sliver of ice slide down her back.
Instantly Oron was rubbing her arms. "What is it?"
"It's real. At first, everything seemed like a fairy tale, but this darkness is far worse than drive-bys and crackheads."
Kendrick's smile was sad. "It's true that this world holds many depraved beings, but it also holds miraculous wonders as well."
"We have ferals, but we also get Magic Pudding," Meryn pointed out.
Izzy sat back. "I haven't tried that yet."
"So good," Meryn said, rubbing her belly.
"Why was no one shocked about my secret?" Darian asked, looking petulant.
"Probably because it's not really a secret, I mean, doesn't everyone know she's your mom?" Meryn asked, pointing at the queen.
"What he means dear is the fact that I made him my heir, he is the next King of the Fae," the queen explained.
You could hear a pin drop. The queen looked around. "That was the secret he was talking about, right?"
Meryn looked around then finally up at her mate who was looking anywhere but at her. "You knew?" Just like Serenity, she balled up her fist and punched Aiden in the leg.
"He's my commander Meryn, I had to tell him so he could plan my replacement."
Meryn turned to Amelia. "I'm losing you?" she whispered, eyes filling. Aiden scooped her up into his lap as she began to shake.
Amelia popped up out of her seat, cuffed her mate on the back of the head before hurrying over to Meryn. "Of course not! We're not going anywhere, what idiot over there meant was that as the queen's heir he won't be performing the more dangerous aspects of unit work."
Darian stared at his commander. "What?"
Aiden returned his flat look. "Hell yeah, I'm clipping your wings a bit. There's no way on gods' green earth will I have to report to your mother, the queen of all the fae, that I let her son and heir get hurt or killed on a mission."
"What am I supposed to do?" Darian demanded.
Aiden flushed. "I'm still working on that. But right now, the Alpha Unit is comprised of nothing but Kings, Princes and a future Elder. None of us should be doing missions." His words echoed throughout the room. Aiden paled as he realized what he said. "What in the hell is coming?"
"I feel like boss music should be playing right now, like the dungeon level in Mario Brothers," Meryn admitted.
Izzy and Amelia just nodded in agreement.
"When will you return?" Thane asked in a shaky voice.
"You know I can't, not until we figure out why my parents were driven out," Kendrick said quietly.
"I miss my brothers," Meryn said, turning to bury her face in Aiden's chest.
Amelia sat back practically beaming. "Look at you! You admitted you missed someone and asked for a hug! Oh, Meryn, I'm so proud of you!" Amelia wrapped her arms around Meryn's shoulders hugging her fiercely.
"And there's the octopus thing I kept telling Eva about," Meryn said her voice muffled from being pressed into Aiden.
Amelia sat back. "I missed you while you were away too!"
Justice pointed to them. "Do they not realize what was just discussed?"
Meryn turned at his question and rolled her eyes. "You're late to the party. I've been working on these problems since last year, so check your superiority complex. You still haven't realized that Kendrick used a combination of the Ashleigh and Ironwood names. I figured that shit out the first week or so after meeting Kendrick. He's been under your nose for like centuries."
Thane and Justice both looked like you could knock them over with a feather. "Sonofabitch," Justice whispered.
"Ha.Ha. Motherfuckers," Meryn taunted.
Law laughed outright. "Meryn, be nice."
"Why?" Her response only made him laugh harder.
"My apologies young Meryn, I didn't mean to sound rude, the part of my brain that handles politeness got shut down by Kendrick's revelation." He turned to the witch. "It's still Kendrick, right?"
He nodded. "For now."
Meryn gave Justice a thumbs up. "That happens to me all the time."
Law turned to his brothers. "She was my handler when I was overseas."
Thane and Justice stared at Meryn before Thane placed a hand over his heart. "Thank you for keeping my brother alive."
"No worries, it was my job."
Darian sat back. "I wish Gavriel and even Colton were here. I feel like we're about to tackle a problem without any backup."
Aiden sighed and nodded his agreement. "I know how you feel."
Micah rapped his knuckles on the table. "We're chopped liver?" he asked, pointing to everyone else.
Darian turned to Micah. "You know what I mean. I almost feel incomplete without my unit."
Oron sat back, getting comfortable. "Well, my unit leader is probably hiding out in the mountains, so even if we were to head back, my unit would still be one person short."
Aiden frowned. "Why is he in the mountains?"
Darian laughed. "Trying to avoid Colton."
Aiden smiled smugly. "Colton is the second highest ranking shifter in the country, do you really think hiding in the mountains will help?"
Oron groaned. "I don't want to break in a new unit leader."
"So, do we have a boss fight to do like Meryn said?" Izzy asked, feeling anxious.
Oron shook his head. "No, we'll let Sascha face Colton as he deserves. For now, we're going to eat Cord's amazing food and get to know our new extended family."
Izzy rested her head on his shoulder. "I can do that."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Izzy spent the next hour watching the emotional ping pong happening on Thane's face. He went from pissed to shocked to jubilant to petulant, and it was entertaining to witness.
Everyone slowly had tea and discussed the events that transpired in Noctem Falls. Izzy was grateful she hadn't been trapped underground in a quarantined city as a virus ran rampant, she might have scrubbed her skin off.
She followed the conversation but paid particular attention to Meryn's running side commentary, after all, Meryn was one of her people and if she could relate to anyone at the table it was her.
She was so wrapped up in Meryn's sarcasm she almost missed Oron standing. "If you'll excuse us, I'd like to take my m
ate shopping before the dim."
The queen stood and went to a side table. She came over a slid an ornate golden bracelet on her wrist. "Use this darling."
She looked over to Oron who was frowning. "Mother, I can pay for the things for my mate."
The queen simply nodded. "I know dear. But this can also open portals and is equipped with a panic button that will alert the palace if she needs help." She pointed first to the yellow jewel, then the red one.
Oron sighed. "Thank you, mother."
Serenity stood. "We'll be taking our leave as well. I need to visit with my parents," she explained.
The queen nodded her understanding. "No more putting yourself in harm's way young lady."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Serenity replied.
Brennus pulled her into a hug before handing her off to Micah and Zach, who had stood and walked over to Serenity. "She's all yours, gentlemen."
"Mine," Micah grumbled.
"Oron, hurry back, I haven't nearly enough time with you or your mate."
"Ever as you wish," he replied.
"You're such a good boy," the queen smiled at them and then went back to the table to listen in on Kendrick's take on the virus.
Once outside, she held up her arm. "What's this?"
"That is the fae version of a black credit card. It tells every vendor that you are to be treated as a personal guest of the queen and all charges are to be paid by the palace."
"Dude."
"Don't worry, we'll get a few pieces to appease my mother, and I'll pay for the real stuff."
Izzy wasn't exactly comfortable with him paying either, but she felt better about it than the queen giving her carte blanche. She noticed that her mate had skipped over the explanation about the portals and panic button. She eyed the red jewel and her fingers itched to press it, but fought the urge to see what happened. She wasn't trying to piss off her royal in-laws on the day they met.
The first shop they went to the storekeeper and tailor took one look at Oron and conveniently found odd jobs around to keep them busy. She waited exactly five minutes then dragged Oron out the door. They repeated the process for the next eight shops.
Finally looking utterly rejected Oron turned to her. "Use the bracelet, you need clothes."
She shook her head. "I'd rather go bare ass naked so they can kiss my ass easier later."
He chuckled. "Let's head to the shop I pointed out as we entered the city, it's a bit further out, but I know the owner."
Izzy braced herself for another outright rejection when they walked in.
"Oron, is that you?" An older woman called out.
"It's me Baba, I brought someone to meet you."
All over the city Izzy had seen nothing but golden, young, and beautiful people, it was almost a relief to see an older person.
Oron walked over and helped the woman to the worn stool in front of the counter. "Baba, this is my mate, Izzy. She lost everything in a fire the other day and needs some things to wear."
"And you brought her here?"
"Where else?" Oron asked, almost bitterly.
"I could have told you to come here first, the robes here are a hundred times better than the other shops we went to closer to the palace," Izzy told her mate.
Baba looked at her closely. "It doesn't matter to you that I'm old?"
Izzy didn't know what to say. "Why would that be an issue?"
Oron wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "She's human Baba, she's seen old people her whole life."
Baba cackled. "That makes sense." She wagged a bony finger at Izzy. "I bet you didn't see many like me in those other shops."
"All I saw was a bunch of assholes," she muttered.
Baba wheezed so hard Izzy was terrified she had killed the older woman. "I bet they didn't see that trinket there," she said, pointing to where the bracelet was still tucked under her sleeve.
"No, they didn't," she admitted.
Baba waved to her store. "Pick out whatever you like," she turned to Oron. "I'll charge half to your account."
Oron looked relieved. "Thank you, Baba," he said, leaning down to rest his cheek on the top of her grey hair.
"Quit flirting with me in front of your mate," Baba complained, making Oron blush.
Izzy chuckled. "You tell him, Baba!"
Baba grinned back at her. "I like her, she has spirit."
"I think she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Oron said.
Izzy looked through different robes. "Do you have any that are flame resistant?"
"Get in that many fires?" Baba asked.
Izzy didn't even look up from the vast selection of brightly colored fabric. "Yeah, it's kinda a regular occurrence with me... and explosions."
Oron's smile slipped slightly. "Really?"
"Yeah, I found out the hard way that pressure cookers are not my friends." She held out a bright teal robe. "What do you think?"
Oron gave her two thumbs up. "Love it."
Slowly she made her way through the robes and fell in love with seven different colored ones, so that she had enough for each day of the week.
Oron eyed her small selection. "You should get more."
"I have one for each day, why would I get more?" Izzy asked, feeling confused.
"What about dress robes?"
Izzy looked down at her pile. "These are dressy."
Baba started folding her new clothes and placing them in a fabric bag. "Not really, since you'll be primarily visiting the palace, you'll need robes for events and balls and such."
Izzy pointed to her new robes. "Why can't I wear those?"
"Those are your everyday robes," Oron explained.
"Will I see these people every day?"
He frowned. "No."
"Then they won't know that I wear them regularly. It's silly to get a robe for people I don't see so they don't think I don't rewear my clothes."
"A breath of fresh air this one," Baba said, handing her the bag.
"Then you'd love Meryn," Izzy winked at her.
"Bring her by," Baba offered.
"I will," she promised.
Izzy made sure to take Oron's hand as they walked out.
"Thank you for my new clothes."
"I wish I could have shown you more."
"I'm glad we got my clothes from here, I'll think of Baba when I wear them, not those uppity assholes."
He twirled her around making her laugh. "Care to grab a snack?"
Izzy hesitated. She really didn't want Oron to be snubbed again.
He tapped her nose. "Don't worry about me, the street vendors aren't as picky when it comes to who they sell to, unlike the clothing merchants their products can go bad." He led her down a side street until they finally popped out into what looked to an older part of town.
The stones were worn, the cloth not quite as white, and the signs were showing their age, but the atmosphere was completely different from the more upscale streets she had seen thus far.
Boisterous laughter filled the air as a pair of older fae argued on a corner. "What is this place?" she asked, trying to take in every detail.
"The Border City. It's the part of the city that skirts the edge of the Queen's realm and butts against the Dark Forest."
"What's the Dark Forest, it sounds ominous."
"It's not, it's simply where the darker fae live."
"Darker fae?"
"Yes, like brownies and goblins."
"Why don't they live in the city? Is it because of the assholes?"
"No, it's because they don't do well in sunlight. The forest protects them with its tall trees and shadows."
"Don't goblins eat people?"
Oron started to shake his head no, then stopped. "Goblins don't, but there are creatures there I wouldn't tempt with human flesh." His eyes grew wide. "You are under no circumstances to go into that forest."
"Right." Izzy looked around. "Did you have a particular snack in mind?"
"I'm serious, Izzy, no forest."
"Such a worrywart."
Oron placed both hands on her shoulders. "You're forgetting, I dreamt of you, I know how your curiosity is."
"Food," she said simply, still ignoring him.
His shoulders slumped forward. "Fine, but if you get eaten, I will be very put out with you," he threatened. He took her hand and they wove between the people on the bustling street.
When they stopped, Izzy looked up. "Is this a tavern?"
Oron nodded and pushed the door open. "Dav, you in?"
They stepped inside, and it took a few moments for Izzy's eyes to adjust to the dark interior.
"Oron! Well met! What'll you have?" a male voice called out.
"Hey Dav, I'll have a pint and some of your beer-battered fish." He looked down at her. "What about you?" he asked, as he lifted her onto the stool at the bar. Everything in this city seemed to be giant-sized. She never considered herself short, but she was starting to feel puny. "I'll have the same." She smiled up at the barkeep. He was handsome, with more character on his face than most of the too beautiful fae she'd seen.
Dav winked at her making her blush. "Who are you pretty lady?" he flirted.
Oron wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "My mate."
Dav stepped back and held up his hands. "No offense intended." He eyed her closely. "But I will say this, she's too beautiful for your ugly mug."
She felt Oron move his hand, and Dav laughed at whatever gesture Oron had done behind her back. "Dav Li'Filrien, meet Isabelle Campbell. Izzy, Dav is a retired unit warrior, he opened up this tavern so us poor grunts had somewhere to go when our unit leaders let us off our leashes."
"Izzy, can I call you Izzy?" Dav asked. She nodded. "Izzy, welcome! How do you like our city?"
She played with one of the small cloth napkins at the bar. "I like this side of town more than the other side."
Dav scratched his chin. "Seems more real? Friendlier? More human?"
Izzy stopped and thought about it. "Yes, to all of it. Why is that?"
Dav chuckled. "Border City is slightly older, we don't keep up appearances and aren't as picky about what people wear or who they're related too. Many human mated couples move here because we seem more open, which of course led to the majority of people being a mixture of human and fae, and in turn, made them more open and friendly, drawing in more human or shifter mated couples. Over several generations, the result is what you see."