My Warrior (Bewitched and Bewildered #12) - Alanea Alder Page 0,45

Commander is an incompetent fool that has no idea what he is doing, or you can believe that these two leaders with impeccable track records are doing the very best they can, in the first twenty-four hours of a tragedy. A case of No Confidence is positively ridiculous when the persons you're stating you have no confidence in hasn't had a chance to do anything yet." As Aiden took his seat, Brie was certain she could have heard a pin drop, then low murmurs filled the room.

Portia raised her hand, and everyone quieted. "As usual, everyone here has a voice and will be heard. If you truly feel as if your concerns have not been addressed please stand. It's why we're all here today."

No one stood, which left Tyrien the only one on his feet as he was the one addressing the Tribunal. "Well, Tyrien Ri'Aileanach, have you anything else to bring forward?" Portia asked sweetly.

"Not at this time," he answered, through clenched teeth.

"Very well." She turned to Jedrek. "If you would?"

Her father-in-law stood. "I declare this case of No Confidence to be resolved and the Tribunal session closed." As one, the queen and Brennus stood, followed by Meryn and Darian and everyone began to file out.

Aiden held out his arm, and he escorted her back to Ari's side. Ari placed her hand in his elbow, and they followed the party back to the queen's personal chambers.

*****

Upon walking in, Brie didn't expect to find Amelia holding Meryn in a headlock, raking her knuckles across her scalp. "Were you trying to kill us?! Do you have any idea how hard it was not to laugh?"

"Get offa me, Amelia. I was just doing politics," Meryn complained, pushing at her cousin.

The queen collapsed into a chair. "I thought for sure I wasn't going to make it." She eyed her niece. "And she just kept going."

Brennus just sat back, a huge smile on his face. "Gods, she reminds me of Eamon."

Celyn nodded. "He lived to see assholes squirm."

Meryn pushed a final time at Amelia. "See! It's in my DNA."

Brie looked around. "Speaking of fathers, where’s mine?"

Brennus and Celyn both turned a bit pink in the cheeks. Finally, Brennus spoke up. "Doran has been waiting thousands of years to meet his mate. We may not see them for a while."

Cord cleared his throat. "Doran placed several standing orders for food for the next couple days."

"Days!" Brie exclaimed.

"I learned about the butt sex in Noctem Falls; you better send lube, too, Cord," Meryn added.

Cord gave a short nod. "You have a valid point, Meryn. I'll see to it they have everything they need."

"Eww! Blalalalalalalala!" Brie yelled, toppling to one side on the chaise lounge, pulling a pillow over her head.

Beside her, she could feel Ari laughing at her distress. She popped back up. "It's not funny."

"Their souls have become one and neither are alone anymore. I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

"I love the fact that they're not alone anymore, but I don't need to hear about the becoming one stuff."

Meryn turned in her chair to face the queen. "Did that seem too easy?"

The queen thought about it a moment. "Yes and no. You took the wind out of Tyrien's sails regarding the 'no confidence' in me. The proof that those poor people died before things started happening here in the city was just icing on the cake after your little show." She eyed Meryn. "I never would have thought to use Portia and Cord as a type of defense. Truly amazing, Meryn."

Meryn shrugged. "I had just had a mini meltdown, and Ryuu helped me. I figured had you truly been up shits creek, Portia and Cord could easily run stuff for ya, even if we weren't here." She picked up her laptop and powered it on.

"So eloquent and so true," Portia said dryly.

"Brie was just as amazing," Jedrek bragged. "My daughter, with one play, eliminated every doubt the people may have had about my son and the other warriors." The look of pride on his face warmed her. "That was a power play, my dear, a very effective one."

"It was partially calculated. Honestly, I was trying not to shoot the bastard, and I wanted to give Aiden the advantage in case he had to reach out and love tap someone," Brie admitted.

"I'm an expert at accidental brilliance too," Meryn said, giving her a thumbs up.

Aiden just smiled at her. "I was trying to figure out how close I had to be to reach that