My Savior (6 page)

Amelia watched him as he walked away. Knowing what he felt didn't change anything. How could she convince him that they were meant to be together?

An arm looped around her elbow. She looked to her left, Meryn stood beside her. "Come on, Bubbles, no matter what is wrong with the world, it's nothing taco night can't fix."

Amelia couldn't help but smile. Meryn might be prickly and skittish, but she had a good heart. Even though she wasn't comfortable being around new people, Meryn did what she could to make her feel better.

"Thanks Meryn, I think I needed that," Amelia admitted as they started walking.

"Any time, Bubbles," Meryn replied before turning to her. "So, what do you know about explosives?"

"Meryn!" Aiden growled behind them.

Amelia couldn't help it; she began to giggle. Meryn was too cute!

CHAPTER THREE

As luck would have it, Ryuu had left an empty seat for her next to Darian. Keelan sat on her other side and gave her winks of encouragement.
 

Rheia turned to her. "Amelia, this is my mate, Colton Albright, and this is my daughter, Penny Carmichael." The tiny child waved at her, a bright smile on her face. She waved back. Rheia continued. "Elizabeth's mate is Gavriel Ambrosios, and the auburn-haired man to your right is Keelan Ashwood. Across from you are Jaxon Darrow and Noah Caraway; they are studying computer science with Meryn to better support the different units."

"Who's the sprite?" Amelia asked pointing to Meryn's shoulder.

Rheia turned to her. "You can see him?"

Everyone turned to Meryn. The tiny sprite on her shoulder waved to her and turned the pendant on his necklace.

"Hey, Felix," Colton said.

Amelia turned to Colton. "You can see him now?"

"Yes. We gave him that pendant so he could make himself visible to us, although most of the time, he likes to stay invisible. He's really bonded with Meryn, so much so, he left his colony at the fae elder's estate," he explained.

Felix waved at everyone and turned to her. "My name is Felix Skysong. Pleased to meet you." When he went to reach for the pendant again, Elizabeth held up a hand.

"Felix, actually, could you answer a question for me?"

Felix nodded shyly.

Beth smiled. "When Penny and the Carmichaels were attacked, you were able to create a shield to protect them, but when Meryn told me about her attack, she said you left to go get help. Why didn't you create a shield then?"

Felix pointed to his wrist.

"Time?" Elizabeth asked.

He nodded.

"What about time?" She asked looking confused.

Felix kept edging into Meryn's hair. He didn't look like he wanted to be the center of attention.

Amelia spoke up. "I think I get it. At home, the sprites can do their versions of spells, but since they are so small, there is a limit to what they can do. In Penny's attack, was help nearby or on the way?"

"Yes, the Gamma Unit was assigned to the house. They arrived in under a minute," Aiden explained.

"In Meryn's case, was anyone nearby that could help?" Amelia looked around the table. Everyone was shaking their heads. "There's your answer; he could have shielded Meryn for a couple minutes, but then what? He would have ended up exhausted, and the attacker would have still been there. Leaving to go get assistance was the only way he could help."

Beth smiled gently at Felix. "Thank you for answering, I was just curious since I don't know much about your people. I know you did everything you could to help. You're an amazing member of this family."

Felix turned ten shades of red before he activated his pendant and hid in Meryn's hair.

"Have you always been able to see sprites?" Rheia asked.

Amelia nodded. "When I realized my mate was over seven feet tall and blond, I put two and two together and figured out he was fae. I would visit the fae council member at Storm Keep regularly. He said my ability to see sprites made sense considering I was going to be mated to a fae." Amelia stared at the side of Darian's head. He still ignored her. She stuck out her tongue at him and Keelan laughed.

Elizabeth continued the introductions. "I am creating a census program for the council so we can better track our citizens. Rheia is a doctor and works with Aiden's brother, Adam, in what started off as the warrior clinic but has grown to support all of Lycaonia. Meryn is working on integrating updated technology throughout the city, not only to help the citizens but also to provide surveillance to help keep the city secure."

Amelia was about to reply when Ryuu walked out of the kitchen rolling a mobile taco station. Her mouth began to water as the smell of tacos and refried beans hit her nose. "Gods! That smells incredible!"

Rheia kissed Penny on the forehead. "Okay pumpkin, bedtime."

Penny hugged and kissed everyone at the table. When she got to Amelia, she mimicked what Rheia had done to her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Thank you, Penny." Amelia said giving the child a hug.

Penny gave her a thumbs up and walked out of the dining room.

Amelia turned to Rheia. "She puts herself to bed?"

Rheia nodded with pride in her eyes. "She said she had to hurry up and be a big girl so she can help me when her baby brother or sister is born. She's taking her role as big sister very seriously. Besides, she knows we give her a kiss every night when we go to bed, so she's happy."

"When does she eat?"

"Since we don't eat dinner until eight p.m. she eats earlier so it doesn't affect her bedtime. Colton and I will grab a snack and sit down with her in the kitchen while she eats her dinner. She loves getting our undivided attention. We're trying to indulge her as much as possible before the baby arrives," Rheia explained.

"You're pregnant, too! Congratulations!"
 

"Thank you. I have to say, it happened quicker than I thought," Rheia admitted.

"We had a lot of practice," Colton teased. Rheia turned pink as everyone laughed.

Meryn was served first and she immediately began to inhale her food. When Ryuu started to place something different on her plate, she swallowed, quickly frowning. "Ryuu, what the hell are these?" Meryn asked pointing to the newest addition as Ryuu continued to place dark green crispy leaves on her plate.

"Kale chips
denka
, they are high in iron."

"I hate kale." She pushed the chips to the far side of her plate.

"Try them, I made them special." He winked at her.

Meryn chose the smallest one, and with her nose scrunched up, she popped it into her mouth and began to chew. A delighted expression crossed her face. "They're good! More please!" She held up her plate.

Amelia watched in wonder as Ryuu filled half of Meryn's plate with kale. "Okay, I have to ask. Are they really good?"

Meryn nodded. "They taste like salt and vinegar. They're perfect!"

"That sounds heavenly. I love salt and vinegar."

"Me too!" Meryn agreed.

Ryuu smiled. "I hear you also have the same taste in ice cream."

Amelia turned to him. "Yes, it's really cool to have found someone else who likes bubble gum ice cream."

Ryuu nodded his agreement and made his way around the table. As Amelia waited to be served, she thought of something. "Does Alpha unit have a squire because y'all are Alpha?" she asked.

Aiden shook his head. "No, Ryuu serves Meryn. He was a gift from my mother for the day that Meryn will take over as Lady McKenzie."

"Lady McKenzie, huh? Doesn't seem to fit." She eyed Meryn.

Elizabeth sighed. "We're working on it."

"Elizabeth, are you doing a census for just Lycaonia or all of the pillar cities?"
 

"All of the pillar cities and please, call me Beth, Elizabeth is so formal."
 

"I call her Bunny." Meryn said between bites of her taco.

Beth turned to Amelia, a pained expression on her face. "Once you get a nickname, you have it for life."

"So, I guess I'm Bubbles then." Amelia smiled around the table.

Keelan laughed. "It suits your personality."

Meryn frowned. "The guys call me Menace."

Keelan nodded. "And that suits your personality."

Beth and Rheia laughed. Meryn scowled.

Gavriel ruffled Meryn's hair. "Admit it, it fits."

Meryn ducked away from his hand smiling. "Only a little bit."

Jaxon took a sip of his water and turned to her. "So Amelia, what do you do?"

"I'm a cosmetologist," she announced proudly.

The men looked around confused expressions on their faces.

"She does hair and makeup." Rheia explained.

Beth clapped her hands together excitedly. "I could do with a makeover! I've been wearing the same look for decades."

Meryn bounced in her chair. "Could you show me how to look sexy? I'm tired of everyone saying how cute I look. I want to be a femme fatale."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "You're already a femme fatale."

Meryn shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Gavriel cleared his throat. "By definition, a femme fatale is a beautiful woman who ultimately brings disaster to the man she is involved with. I think you qualify."

Meryn pouted and pushed her kale chips around her plate. "Y'all know what I meant."

Amelia jumped to her defense. "Don't worry Meryn. I have just the makeup tutorial for you. It will show you how to get the perfect smokey eye," she promised.

Meryn looked up, excitement back on her face. "Really?"

"Yup! We can break out my makeup case tomorrow. You can try any look you want."

Meryn turned to Aiden. "Ha ha! Be prepared to be wowed by my sexiness."

Aiden's face softened as he leaned over to kiss the tip of Meryn's nose. "You can wow me anytime, baby."

Amelia smiled at the teddy bear of a Unit Commander. If her brothers could see him now.
 

Ryuu stopped behind her. "How many and what type of taco for you
itoko-sama
?"

Amelia frowned up at him. What did he call her?

He held up the platter of tacos. Hurriedly, she looked over her choices. "One beef and one chicken please."

Carefully, he placed them on her plate. With a bow, he moved on to her mate. She opened up the shells and added cheese, sour cream and jalapeños. When she saw that someone had put a jar of banana peppers on the table she helped herself.

"Gods, they are alike," Aiden said looking worried.

Meryn was giving her a thumbs up and pointed to her own tacos.

Amelia looked around the table; everyone was staring at her choices. "Don't judge. They go perfectly together."

Rheia elbowed Colton. "You have no room to talk, sandwich master."

"So, is Storm Keep like Hogwarts?" Meryn asked.

Beside her, Keelan began to choke on his taco. Laughing, she pounded on his back. She turned back to Meryn. "Actually, kinda. The city of Storm Keep is named for the castle that was built by the only royal family we witches have ever had, the Stormharts. The different units live in estates like this one outside of city limits and maintain a perimeter around the city. There is a tall outer wall that surrounds the city proper, which is connected by four stone towers located at each directional point. The poorer section of the city is located close to the castle walls; it's the cheapest place to live since they are closest to danger. If we were ever attacked, that section of the city would be the first to fall. After that, in the event of an attack, everyone falls back behind the Inner City wall. The Inner city is where the middle class and merchants live. They have the best eateries and shops on the west coast. The different types of magic you can buy there is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Moving toward the center of the city, you reach Storm Keep itself. The castle is huge and is home to the ruling houses, our council members, and the Academy of Magic."

"Hogwarts," Meryn whispered, entranced.

Keelan shook his head smiling. "My brother, Kendrick, works in the archives located in the lower levels of Storm Keep."

Amelia turned in her chair to face him. "You look just like your brother, only he's... older and grouchier."

Keelan laughed out loud. "He is a bit grouchy. He always said it was because he was forced to work with idiots all day." He smiled at her. "I was surprised you knew my brother. He never mentioned becoming an
Athair.
"

Amelia frowned. "When was the last time you were home?"

He shrugged. "Maybe forty years ago, every once in a while we talk on the phone."

"Keelan!" Meryn exclaimed.

He blushed. "My brother and I had a disagreement before I left, so I haven't really felt in a hurry to visit. He can be very domineering."

Amelia shook her head. "The only time I ever saw him smile was when he said your name. You should visit."

Keelan looked pleasantly surprised. "Really?"

"Of course," Aiden interjected. "No matter how mad I get at Ben, he's still my baby brother."

"I can't wait to tease him tomorrow." Colton rubbed his hands together. The men laughed.

As everyone continued eating dinner, Amelia thought about the man beside her. Darian hadn't said a word throughout the meal. He ate with a cardboard smile on his face. She desperately wanted what she observed with the other couples. Someone to laugh with, to comfort, a lover and a friend.

"
Itoko-sama?
" Ryuu said, getting her attention.

"Yes?" She looked up at the squire.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have taken the liberty of carrying your luggage to the guest suite upstairs." Ryuu bowed.

"Thank you, Ryuu."

Darian turned to her. "You can't stay here," he said harshly.

Aiden stood, drawing all eyes to him. "Darian, I need to know. Is she or isn't she?"

Darian turned his head away from her to stare at the opposite wall.

"Well?" Aiden demanded.

"Yes," Darian said, clenching his jaw.

"Then you need to take care of your mate." Aiden crossed his arms.

"That's what I'm trying to do!" Darian bellowed, shocking everyone.

Aiden's eyes narrowed. "Is there something you want to tell me?"