My Warrior (Bewitched and Bewildered #12) - Alanea Alder Page 0,1

mate a wry look. "That human has wormed her way into your heart as well?"

“Half- human,” Rex corrected.

Jedrek simply nodded his acknowledgment and looked to his mate for an answer.

She set her cup down. "Doing something simply for the sake of tradition without reason or purpose is asinine, doing those things repeatedly and expecting different results is insanity. I find it refreshing that Meryn can see into the heart of matters and ask questions that allow those around her to see beyond our traditions."

Jedrek's mouth dropped. Catherine's words rang with truth and conviction. It was quite stunning to behold. Jedrek's eyes shifted to a tawny color. "Darling, what do you have planned after breakfast?"

Smiling, she looked down at her plate before lifting her heart-shaped face to grin at her mate. "Nothing that cannot be rescheduled."

Rex chuckled. "And people wonder how you two have been blessed with so many children."

Their mother blushed, but laughed at his words. "We're tame compared to Byron and Adelaide McKenzie."

Ari snapped his fingers together. "Speaking of the McKenzies, is it true that Aiden challenged every level of Noctem Falls?"

Rex's grin turned evil. "It most certainly is true. An impudent tunnel escort's words had a devastating effect on Meryn. If Aiden had not challenged the city, I'm pretty sure Magnus would have." He winked at Ari. "Etain told me that Aiden started on Level Five and worked his way down. I swear his recounting of the tale has grown with each telling. If it hasn't been immortalized in our history books yet, it's only a matter of time."

Jedrek chuckled. "That boy most definitely takes after his father. Slow to rile, but once their bear is enraged, watch out."

"Good morning, Ari," a familiar voice called out in greeting.

Ari looked up to see Leo, his parents' squire, breeze into the room carrying a steaming carafe of coffee. He immediately came to his side and poured him a cup.

"Good morning, Leo. Do we have any eggs today?"

The squire shook his head. "No, a cold breakfast was prepared. We have a selection of fae fruits, bread, and cheeses available in addition to yogurt and granola." He looked him over. "You've been training more than usual, haven't you?"

He grimaced. "Yes. Our commander has Lorcan running us through blind man bluff drills."

Leo set down the carafe next to his cup. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll whip up some eggs. You need the extra protein."

Ari sighed in relief. "Thank you, Leo."

He simply inclined his head and returned to the kitchen.

"Yeah, you're not spoiled at all," Rex taunted good-naturedly.

Catherine turned to her eldest son. "And who was it that complained that they hadn't had in fresh fae fruit in years?"

Rex blushed. "I wasn't angling for special treatment."

Ari was about to tease his brother mercilessly when a familiar chime echoed through the house.

Catherine frowned. "Who on earth could that be? We don't have any appointments scheduled until this afternoon."

Ari shook his head as a male voice reached them. "Baby, I told you that we shouldn't just drop in."

Ari rose as his commander and Meryn, with Ryuu and Pierce were escorted into their small dining room. His father and Rex rose as Meryn entered the room.

"Rex!" Meryn hurried over to his older brother. "Do the arm thing," she entreated, ignoring everyone.

Grinning from ear to ear, Rex brought his arm up and flexed his bicep. Ari watched in amazement as Meryn hopped up and swung from his arm. "So hot," she said, laughing.

Grumbling under his breath, Aiden walked over and plucked his mate off of Rex's arm. "What did I tell you about using the Elder as a jungle gym?"

Leo had to turn his head to hide his laughter. He coughed once into his fist and faced them, his mouth twitching. "Commander, would either you or your lovely mate like to join us for breakfast?"

Meryn turned to him, her interest piqued. "Breakfast?"

Leo nodded. "We have a selection of fruits, breads, and cheeses available."

Meryn sighed. "Oh. Fruit. Again."

Aiden covered his face with his other hand, his ears turning pink. He dropped his hand and looked out over the room. "Meryn is still getting used to fae cuisine that is rich with fruits and vegetables."

Meryn shrugged. "It's okay for a day or two, but not all the time. I swear I'm going back to the goblin village for more boar."

Jedrek leaned forward. "Boar?"

Meryn nodded slowly. "Oh, yeah. Roasted on a spit and everything. They cut huge chunks off with, like, a machete and hand you whole body parts.