Aiden smiled smugly. "Colton is the second highest ranking shifter in the country, do you really think hiding in the mountains will help?"
Oron groaned. "I don't want to break in a new unit leader."
"So, do we have a boss fight to do like Meryn said?" Izzy asked, feeling anxious.
Oron shook his head. "No, we'll let Sascha face Colton as he deserves. For now, we're going to eat Cord's amazing food and get to know our new extended family."
Izzy rested her head on his shoulder. "I can do that."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Izzy spent the next hour watching the emotional ping pong happening on Thane's face. He went from pissed to shocked to jubilant to petulant, and it was entertaining to witness.
Everyone slowly had tea and discussed the events that transpired in Noctem Falls. Izzy was grateful she hadn't been trapped underground in a quarantined city as a virus ran rampant, she might have scrubbed her skin off.
She followed the conversation but paid particular attention to Meryn's running side commentary, after all, Meryn was one of her people and if she could relate to anyone at the table it was her.
She was so wrapped up in Meryn's sarcasm she almost missed Oron standing. "If you'll excuse us, I'd like to take my m
ate shopping before the dim."
The queen stood and went to a side table. She came over a slid an ornate golden bracelet on her wrist. "Use this darling."
She looked over to Oron who was frowning. "Mother, I can pay for the things for my mate."
The queen simply nodded. "I know dear. But this can also open portals and is equipped with a panic button that will alert the palace if she needs help." She pointed first to the yellow jewel, then the red one.
Oron sighed. "Thank you, mother."
Serenity stood. "We'll be taking our leave as well. I need to visit with my parents," she explained.
The queen nodded her understanding. "No more putting yourself in harm's way young lady."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Serenity replied.
Brennus pulled her into a hug before handing her off to Micah and Zach, who had stood and walked over to Serenity. "She's all yours, gentlemen."
"Mine," Micah grumbled.
"Oron, hurry back, I haven't nearly enough time with you or your mate."
"Ever as you wish," he replied.
"You're such a good boy," the queen smiled at them and then went back to the table to listen in on Kendrick's take on the virus.
Once outside, she held up her arm. "What's this?"
"That is the fae version of a black credit card. It tells every vendor that you are to be treated as a personal guest of the queen and all charges are to be paid by the palace."
"Dude."
"Don't worry, we'll get a few pieces to appease my mother, and I'll pay for the real stuff."
Izzy wasn't exactly comfortable with him paying either, but she felt better about it than the queen giving her carte blanche. She noticed that her mate had skipped over the explanation about the portals and panic button. She eyed the red jewel and her fingers itched to press it, but fought the urge to see what happened. She wasn't trying to piss off her royal in-laws on the day they met.
The first shop they went to the storekeeper and tailor took one look at Oron and conveniently found odd jobs around to keep them busy. She waited exactly five minutes then dragged Oron out the door. They repeated the process for the next eight shops.
Finally looking utterly rejected Oron turned to her. "Use the bracelet, you need clothes."