My Warrior (Bewitched and Bewildered #12) - Alanea Alder Page 0,60

up at him. "Yes, because I'm still hungry too."

Laughing he wrapped an arm around her and they walked up the hill toward the palace.

Chapter Eleven

When they got to the palace, Brie was surprised to see the atmosphere was surprisingly light. She looked up at Ari, who nodded his head toward where Meryn sat, bouncing in her chair.

"Ari, Brie, Kincaid, welcome. Just in time for lunch. Please join us," the queen said, motioning to the table.

They sat down in three empty chairs as Brie continued to watch Meryn. "Did someone over-caffeinate her?" she asked.

Aiden placed his large hand on his mate's head and pushed up and down causing her to laugh. "Darian got a call from Noctem Falls today. He went to get the collection vials for ViThreePO, and Sebastian said he's forwarding on my meat kebobs!"

"Meat bobs! Meat bobs!" Creelee chanted from Izzy's shoulder.

"In the meantime, can I interest you in a garden salad?" Cord asked.

Meryn shook her head emphatically. "No, thank you, Cord. Every square millimeter in my stomach is reserved for meat kebobs and pudding today."

Cord eyed the empty plate in front of Meryn as if it were an enemy. "How about a piece of fruit? It'll be digested before Darian returns." The poor squire simply couldn't stand that someone at the table he was serving wasn't eating.

Meryn saw his face and relented. "Okay, maybe something small though. Oh! Those baby oranges would be great."

Amelia sighed. "They're called tangerines, Meryn."

"Whatever, he knew what I meant."

"I did, and I will be right back with some for you." He looked at them. "What can I get the two of you?" he asked.

"Technically, I've had two breakfasts, but I'm still kinda hungry. But I don't think I need a full meal," she explained.

Kincaid smiled. "Any kind of soup would be perfect for me."

Ari shrugged. "Double of whatever is easiest," he said simply.

Rex smiled. "You better watch out, Cord, Ari is like a stray house cat. If he knows that you'll feed him, he'll keep turning up."

Cord shrugged. "That's perfectly fine by me. I'll be right back with your lunches," he said, heading toward the kitchen.

Aleksandra turned to Brie. "Thank you for sending Portia that form. She said it was exactly what was needed and saved her hours of work."

Brie felt better knowing she helped. "I wasn't sure how much of it could be used, but I figured it would be better than starting from scratch."

Beside her, she felt Ari turn until he was facing Brennus. "How'd their hearing go?"

Brennus smirked. "They will both be assisting House Liordon in providing support to the warriors in the form of cleaning and laundry duties. Tyrien tried to weasel out of it, protesting that he had not thrown anything, but I cited testimonies from the warriors who were there, saying he was inciting violence. Neither was very happy with me to say the least."

"Uncle Bren kicked ass. When Tyrien tried to argue, he just did this murder face, and the douchebag shut right up."

"Murder face?" Brennus chided gently.

"Yup. Murder. Face. It was awesome. I want to be able to do that someday," Meryn scowled at her cousin. "How's that?"

Amelia smiled but Kendrick shook his head. "You look like you're constipated."

Meryn stuck her tongue out at him. "That's how you always look," she retorted.

Anne laughed and took another bite of her salad.

Kendrick sighed. "It's like raising Serenity all over again. Sisters are more vicious than brothers. Keelan never said I had a god complex or that I looked constipated," he complained.

"God complex?" Brie asked, looking at Serenity, who laughed. "He gets so insufferable when he's lecturing. There were many times I wanted to throw a book or two at him."

"You did throw a book or fifty at me," Kendrick pointed out.

"And you deserved it every time," she replied.

"I haven't shot you yet," Meryn added smiling.

"Thank the gods for small favors," the witch murmured.

"Are you feeling better, Aleksandra? When we came by the day before, we heard you had gone to bed with Meryn, Amelia, and Anne to watch cartoons and eat chocolate. Did it help?" Brie asked, taking in the queen's pale complexion.

Aleksandra smiled softly. "The girls did everything they could think of to make me feel better. And I wouldn't necessarily call them cartoons; they seemed like so much more. Especially that delightful romance between Yuri and Tezuka, I couldn't get enough."

Anne threw her fist in the air. "Another convert!"

Brie had no idea what they had watched, but if it made Aleksandra smile, it was