Declan was still breathing hard when she closed the bite with a swipe of her tongue and sat up on her knees. With her thumb, she captured a bit of his come from the corner of her mouth. With the twist of her wrist, she licked it.
"Thank you, my mate," he said between pants.
"My pleasure. You taste incredible."
"Do we have to go to dinner?" he asked pitifully.
"It is your brother," she reminded him.
"I know. That's why I'm asking."
Laughing, she got off the bed. "When you are able to move, get ready for dinner," she teased.
"Heartless woman," he muttered to himself.
She winked at him and left feeling better than she had in decades.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kari sat next to Declan at the large dining room table. Everyone else had changed for dinner, and even though their clothes were far more formal, they looked considerably more relaxed than when she met them after Declan's attack.
Kari watched Rex as he sat across from Declan and beside Meryn. Meryn kept looking up at him as if trying to determine what she thought of him. Rex turned his head very slightly and glanced down at the small human, and as everyone was talking, he gave her a slow, long wink and then went back to his wine. Meryn nodded, her opinion seemingly cemented. She picked up a butter knife, sat it on the plate, and began spinning it. Ryuu and Sebastian walked around serving the appetizers.
Rex took another sip of wine and looked over at Declan. "I don't understand why you are second in command when you are clearly more suited to an advisory role." Rex tilted his wineglass back and forward, the red liquid shifting in the glass.
Kari could hear Declan's teeth grinding. "Because I'm tired of the game," Declan admitted. "If Father wants to play keeping up with the McKenzies, he can. I want no part of it."
Rex looked shocked. "What do you mean, keeping up with the McKenzies?"
Aiden's eyes widened as he looked from one brother to the other. "Yes, what about the McKenzies?" he asked.
Declan scowled at his brother. "As if you don't know."
Rex shook his head. "I have no idea what in the gods' names you are talking about."
Declan "We almost lost Mother because of his games."
Rex's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "Declan, we almost lost Mother when she gave birth to Ari; Father had nothing to do with that."
"And why did she get pregnant?" Declan asked. He continued without waiting for an answer. "Because Adelaide McKenzie had just given birth to her fourth son and Father wanted another to keep up."
Rex shook his head. "That is not..." he cleared his throat and looked around the table. "Maybe we should have this discussion later."
"Awkward," Meryn piped up, looking thoroughly entertained.
Declan gave a harsh laugh. "Why not now? I think everyone here has heard enough already. Why not hear the rest?"
"If that is what you would like." Rex set his wine glass down. "Mother had another child for you."
Declan tensed beside her. "What?" he demanded.
Rex looked at his younger brother. "You were older of course, an adult, but the way you were raised, Mother was always regretful of it. Father and I spent a lot of time away from home, and Mother was always busy with societal demands. She wanted you to know how a family should be. So she begged Father for another child. When Ari was born, she knew she had done the right thing. Father returned home, and I took a position in Éire Danu to be closer to you and our new little brother so that I could take care of you both. You were finally able to experience what I had growing up with Mother and Father before he became an Elder. After Ari, we celebrated Winter Solstices and birthdays. For the first time in centuries, we sat down at the dinner table and listened to one another. It wasn't until Ari was older that I realized you were the only one who never had that growing up. I'm sorry I failed you, little brother. I'm sorry Father and I were too busy to give you the home you deserved."
Declan slumped back in his chair, and Kari reached for his hand. "For me?" he asked.
Rex nodded. "For you," he confirmed. "We are a political family, and yes, we have our fingers in many pies, but it has never been about keeping up appearances. Politics is what Father is good at it and what he raised me to be good at it. You learned watching us, and Ari is learning watching Father now. I said that you would be a good advisor not because of your blood, but because of how you were raised. What you gleaned from us growing up cannot be taught. Declan, you have the most important thing required to be a successful leader, and it isn't the Lionhart name."
"What then?" Declan asked.