My Warrior (Bewitched and Bewildered #12) - Alanea Alder Page 0,51

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