My Warrior (Bewitched and Bewildered #12) - Alanea Alder Page 0,50

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,