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by Alanea Alder
"Menace is out," Meryn replied.
Aiden opened his eyes. "Move out."
Ari led his men around to the back of the building. Knowing that Meryn was monitoring their advancement and suppressing any alarms was huge. He reached forward and pulled on the door; it opened with ease. He looked back at his unit, and they grinned back at him. He could really get used to this. Quietly, they made their way through the halls that smelled like lemon disinfectant. He heard movement to their right as Aeson, leading Chi, appeared in the hallway, coming in from the west.
They had almost made it to the main storage room when they heard a deafening roar. He and Aeson took point and ran to the door that led to the front of building. Despite wanting to run through, he held up his fist. He pointed to Aeson who peeked through the cracked doorway. When the older fae spun around and slid down the hallway wall, Ari knew what they'd find.
"Gage, stay with Aeson, the rest of you are with me," he ordered.
He opened the door and led them into the large, mostly empty room. Along one wall, Aiden's team formed a semi-circle around a stack of bodies. They walked up. "Sir, did you need me to call Rathais?" Brie asked.
Aiden nodded. "He and River will need to head to thru the portal, then on to the palace…"
"I'll get them," Darian said quietly, walking away from the pile. "If I go, I can bring them directly back here, and they can start processing the scene sooner."
Ari had never seen Darian look so broken. Oron walked up behind his brother. "I'll go with them. Darian can drop me off at the palace so I can update the queen in person, then he can pick me up to bring me back here."
Darian shook his head. "No. I'll drop you off, but you need to stay with the queen. This is going to kill her."
Oron looked torn. Every warrior knew that there were no two people that Oron loved more than his mother and baby brother. "Are you sure, Dari?"
Darian took a deep breath. "Yes. It's time we started protecting her for a change."
Oron looked around the room. "Where's Aeson?"
"I'm here," the warrior said, walking in with Gage.
Oron looked over at Darian then back. "I'm leaving him in your care."
"I give you my word that nothing with happen to our prince," Aeson promised.
Aiden scowled at Oron but didn't say anything. Ari knew that the commander wanted to add that he wouldn't let anything happen to his own unit brother, but by not saying anything, he acknowledged that the request was just as much to help Aeson as it was to protect Darian.
Brie approached, tucking her phone back into her vest. "He said they'd be ready by the time you got there."
Aiden waved Thane over. "I'm assuming there's a barrier."
Thane nodded. "It's identical to the one we saw in Monroe."
Aiden looked over at the pile. "Considering the reaction we got in Éire Danu last time, let's wait until we have processed the scene and transported the bodies before we take it down."
Thane eyed the walls. "That works. I want to study this a bit more as well."
Ari and Brie stared down at the dead. He immediately noticed a difference. "They haven't been dead long," he observed.
Brie pointed to one arm. "There's barely any bloating."
"The sooner River can get here and begin documentation, the better," Aiden said, sounding tired.
As soon as River arrived, he began to bark out orders, getting the men organized. He, along with the rest of the warriors in gloved hands, began to unstack the dead. It took them hours to get the bodies photographed and into the black body bags. Every once in a while, his mate would pass by wielding an impressive looking camera. She took pictures of everything, paying special attention to the ceiling and the marks on the floor.
When they were done, all but Aiden's group and the Tau unit had made their way back through the portal to Éire Danu. Ari stayed behind because he wanted Kincaid to watch Thane and Justice in action. He might not be a witch, but he knew that opportunities to work with these legends didn't happen all that often.
A few seconds after the barrier went down, Aiden's phone rang.
"It happened again," Meryn reported in a small voice.
Ari couldn't even fathom the confusion and pain that would be running rampant in the city tonight. He sent up his prayer of thanks that his family was alive and safe.
Aiden turned to Darian. "Let's head back."
Darian was already using his signet ring to open a portal. They stepped through, and Ari felt a wave of relief that he had brought them directly to the palace. He didn't want to walk through the streets tonight.
"Where's Mother?" Darian asked, glancing around the room the moment they walked through.
Brennus looked up at them from where he sat in an oversized chair holding a goblet of gold liquid. "Anne, Amelia, Meryn, and Izzy took over the bedroom. They have Aleks cocooned in blankets, eating chocolate and watching some sort of cartoons to help her feel better."
Aiden accepted a similar goblet from Cord. "That method has proven to be very effective in helping females recover from traumatic situations."
Ari sat next to his brother. He pulled Brie down to sit on his other side. "How'd it go in the city?" he asked.
"The queen did a general announcement prior to the barrier going down, so the people weren't completely blindsided again. Though it did nothing to lessen the grief of the family members of the recently discovered." Rex leaned back to squeeze Brie's shoulder. "How are you holding up?"
Brie placed her hand over his and smiled. "Actually, I'm much better today than I was yesterday…was it yesterday? God, it feels like we've been handling this for weeks."
Rex gave a final squeeze then sat up. "I know what you mean. The past forty-eight hours has aged us all."
Ari looked at his mate. "Not that I'm not ecstatic that you're doing well, but how?"
Brie shrugged. "Part of the job mostly. Yesterday threw me for a loop because I wasn't expecting to walk in on a mass murder scene. Today, I was kinda expecting it." She nodded her head to Darian, Brennus, and Oron. "Plus, I have some distance from the situation. I didn't even knew fae existed yesterday morning, and I have no loved ones amongst the dead. It helps me to process."
Brennus turned to his mate. "You all should head home and get some rest. We start assigning warriors tomorrow to help process the dead. You won't be missing anything by having dinner at home." He grinned sadly. "Besides, Leo has all but threatened to come here and drag the two of you back by the ear if you don't show up."
Ari exchanged quick glances with his brother, and they both stood. "We'll take our leave," Rex said, inclining his head.
Once standing, Ari wrapped an arm around Brie. "We'll swing by the warrior villa to get your robes. Leo will ensure your clothes get washed tonight."
Brie laid her head against his shoulder. "I could use another bath," she said, rubbing her face on his arm.
Gods, she was adorable!
"Of course, sweetheart." None of them had actually handled the dead, that had been the other units, but being in the same room with those poor souls made him want to wash away the cloud of sadness that followed them back from the warehouse.
Walking back to the estate, Ari wondered how many confrontations they avoided by having his brother with them. As a unit warrior, the citizens were used to walking up to him and the other warriors to start conversations, but an Elder wasn't as approachable.
At the warrior villa, the men gave them some space while Brie ran up the stairs to grab their things.
"Thank you for waiting for us," he said to his brother.
Rex bumped his shoulder. "I figured it was the least I could do to help. You and Brie have done so much to organize and investigate these horrors. Truth be told, I'm feeling quite useless."
Ari stared at his older brother. To him, Rex could do no wrong. "Rex, simply having you home and assisting helps more than you know. Our people and the fae adore you."
Rex smiled warmly. "I'm just glad I
could be here for you."
Ari ducked his head. "Thanks." It was no secret to anyone that Rex was his hero.
As Brie was coming down the stairs, Balder walked up from the back of the villa where the kitchen was. He handed him a flat pan. "Broden made these for you this morning when we came off shift and heard what was going on. You can leave your gear in the foyer, I'll get it put away," he offered.
Ari sniffed, and his mouth began to water. In all their family, only Broden had managed to master their great-grandmother's recipe for Sun Brownies—a mix between a lemon bar and a blondie; they were the best of both of them in one pan.
"Gods love my cousin."
Rex whimpered and Ari smiled. "Of course, I'll share with you."
His brother smiled at him. "I have the best baby brothers in the whole world."
"What smells amazing?" Brie practically had her dainty nose against the foil.
"Sun Brownies, family specialty. We'll have them after dinner."
Brie licked her lips. "Maybe a small piece…"
Ari hugged the pan to his chest. "No. After dinner."
Rex sighed. "Might as well give up, Brie, he's an absolute stickler when it comes to food. To him dessert is after a meal."
Brie leveled a look at him. "He can do whatever he wants, but if I make or buy dessert and want them before dinner or even as dinner, that's what's gonna happen."
Ari stared at his mate. "But that's not right."
"I'll even have popcorn for dinner," Brie continued.
He stared at his mate in horror. "No, you need a balanced meal."
Rex chuckled. "Let's go see what balanced meal Leo has whipped up."
Ari nodded. His brother was a genius. Once Brie saw the amazing meal Leo had made for them, she'd understand how important eating a nutritious meal is. "Excellent idea."
He carefully carried his pan of precious brownies on the other side of his body from where Brie held his hand. He was so preoccupied with his dessert, the walk to the Lionhart estate was over before he realized it.
Leo greeted them at the door. "Thank the gods you boys and little Brie are home." He held out his hands to his mate. She looked up at him, and he nodded to her bag of clothes. She handed them off to him. "I'll get these washed up for you in no time." He leveled a look in his direction. "Though, it may be best if she were able to get a few of her things and change of clothes from her home so that she isn't stuck wearing the same thing for days on end."
She smiled. "I'm used to wearing a uniform everyday, so it hasn't really bothered me."
Ari winced. "We'll head back to Monroe in the morning," he promised.
"Excellent. Now, boys, your mother and father are waiting for you in their antechamber. Miss Brie, I have taken the liberty of running you another bath. I hope I wasn't presumptuous, but Lady Catherine did say you thoroughly enjoyed the one you had last night."
"I did. That sounds so wonderful. Thank you, for thinking of me. I hope it didn't put you out," she said, biting her lower lip.
Ari just stared at where her teeth were nibbling. Rex elbowed him, and he realized he had been growling again.
Laughing, she stood on tiptoe to kiss Leo on the cheek before heading up the stairs for her bath.
Ari sighed happily as he watched her ass all the way up the stairs.
"The way you keep looking at her, you may want to invest in either a contraceptive amulet or baby clothes," Leo said, smirking. "Personally, I'm hoping for baby clothes. It's been much too long since you were a baby, Ari," he said, before turning to head back toward the kitchen.
Ari's brain was still processing the words 'baby clothes'. He looked up at Rex, unable to formulate words to express how his brain was imploding.
"Let us go find you a drink. Calm down, Ari, you haven't even claimed her yet. You have plenty of time to discuss such things," Rex said soothingly, steering him toward their parents' antechamber.
"Right. Time. Right," he repeated.
"Father, Leo was feeling mischievous and short circuited Ari's brain with talk of baby clothes. Can you pour him a small glass of Forbidden Fruit?" Rex said, sitting him down in one of the wingback chairs.
"Baby!" his mother exclaimed. "It's much too soon. Isn't it?"
Ari blushed. "We haven't…" he trailed off. They had only just cleared the twenty-four hour mark in knowing each other. Much too soon to be thinking of baby clothes.
"Not that I'm opposed mind you," his mother added slyly.
His father simply walked over and handed him a glass. "This should help."
Without thinking, he downed the liquid. His throat seized, and he began to cough. His father pounded on his back. "It's not meant to be gulped."
"Leave the poor boy be, Jedrek. Baby talk notwithstanding, he and Brie have had a long day. Don't forget it started with a Tribunal at the palace and ended with another murder scene." She shuddered. "What is our world coming to?"
His father looked contrite as he went over to pour him a second glass. "Sip this one," he said when he handed it off.
He nodded and took a sip. Since the first glass had burned his mouth, throat, and esophagus, this glass was actually pleasant.
He sat back as Rex and his father discussed the newly discovered bodies. The liquor did its job in relaxing the tension he hadn't known he was carrying, and before he knew it, he could smell his mate coming toward him.
He stood when his brother and father did. When his mate came into view, he felt his mouth drop. Instead of the emerald green dress robes that he had purchased her, she now wore a pale pink dressing gown and robe. Her skin glowed, and her normally thick, brown curls were braided and hanging to one side.
Blushing, she pointed at her attire. "I hope this is appropriate. Leo left it out for me."
Ari walked over to her and simply pulled her into his arms and bent down to devour those plump lips of hers. When she sagged against him, he heard his father cough. He pulled back and looked down into the face of his flushed mate. "Gods, you're beautiful," he whispered.
She leaned forward and nuzzled his jaw with her nose. He about came unglued. How could such an innocent act turn him inside out. "Only you think I'm pretty," she replied, looking up at him.
"Good. No one else needs to think you're beautiful but me." Ari suddenly didn't want anyone else to see his mate.
"Like father, like son," his mother said, walking up behind them with his father. "Come along, children, it's time for dinner."
He held out his elbow, and his mate placed her hand on his arm. They made their way to the small dining room they used for family meals. He pulled out her chair and scooted it in for her when she sat. He took a seat on one side, and Rex took the seat between Brie and their mother.
Leo came in from the kitchen, pushing a serving cart laden with food. "I thought something light would be best tonight, so I have prepared a lemon chicken orzo soup to start. After soup, we have grilled white fish and garden salad, and for dessert, I'll serve some of the brownies that Broden made for Ari."
Ari was about to protest but saw the way both of his parents perked up. There was no way he could deny them.
"Can't we just have the brownies for dinner?" Brie asked.
His mother nodded, but Leo frowned at them both. "No. You need to eat a healthy meal so that you can appreciate the decadence of the dessert."
Rex lifted his wine glass to Brie "Told you."
Brie sighed then shrugged. "Oh well, had to try." She sniffed the air. "That soup smells amazing."
Leo puffed out his chest. "It's a new recipe to me, so I hope you like it." He started with his mother, before serving Brie and making his way around the table.
Ari lifted his spoon and stared down at the soup. He was more of a meat and potatoes guy. He lifted a spoonful and was surprised at the explosion of flavor. "Gods, Leo! This is beyond amazing," he exclaimed. He couldn't seem to eat it quick enough with his spoon, but he finally finished his bowl. "Leo, could I have some more please?"
"Me
too!" his mate added, holding up her own empty bowl.
"Of course!" Leo quickly served them again.
After the second bowl, he found himself still craving the incredible soup.
"Just a bit more," Brie asked.
"Ditto."
Leo looked at the two of them. "Is it really that good?"
He exchanged looks with his mate, and they both nodded. "I don't know what it is, but it's hitting the spot."
Rex and both of his parents were looking at them strangely. His mother looked down at her half-eaten bowl. "It's okay, but not a favorite." Both his brother and father nodded their agreement.
"I bet it's the cilantro," Brie said, watching Leo carefully, as he ladled out their third bowl.
Everyone stared. "Why do you think that, baby?" Ari asked.
"It's a controversial herb in the human world. Scientists have discovered a portion of the population taste soap when eating cilantro, everyone else tastes yumminess."
Catherine snapped her fingers. "That's it exactly. I thought there might have been residual soap on the bowl."
Ari smiled at his mate. "So, our house will be Team Cilantro?"
"Absolutely."
Leo simply stared at them. "There's science in existence now that links your DNA to what you taste?"
Brie swallowed her latest bite. "Some. Then again, most cooking is a mixture of chemistry, alchemy, and witchcraft to me."
"We're so perfect for one another," Ari said, tackling his soup.
"If neither of you can cook, how will you eat?" Rex asked.
Ari looked at Brie, and they both shrugged before looking at Leo. "Leo," they said in unison.
"Of course I'll feed you two! They're the babies of the family until Kari has her little one. Plus, they are dealing with those gruesome murders, why should they have to worry about cooking?"
Brie turned to Ari. "Can we marry him?"
"As he practically raised me, no, that would be weird. But I agree with the sentiment a thousand percent."
"Will you be getting your own squire like Kari and Declan when you establish your home?" Rex asked.
Brie lowered her spoon. "Ari, where do we live?"
His lion purred at her question. She was already referring to them as a unit, which meant they were one step closer to being a true mated pair. Then her question sunk in. "Shit. I have no idea."