"Can you replay spheres?" Meryn asked in a small voice.
Brennus smiled. "Yes, we can watch it again whenever you wish."
Aiden made Meryn sit back down and joined her. He handed her the tea and snuggled her close. "Why don't you just rest for now?"
The other men returned to their chairs and this time when Oron sat down, he chose the loveseat closer to his family. He pulled her down to sit next to him and tucked her close to his body.
The queen tapped the crystal near her chair and a few moments later, there was a knock on the door and Portia entered.
"Yes? Your Majesty."
"Can you take the following announcements down?"
"Of course," Portia unrolled her scroll and it hung in mid-air as she readied her quill. "Ready when you are."
"Please announce that I am calling all my children home. This is an order and not a request. We will make every effort to make the relocation as painless as possible, but time is of the essence."
Portia nodded and the queen continued. "We are also announcing that Darian Vi'Alina has been confirmed as my heir, he will be the next king." Portia nodded as if she had been expecting that for some time. "I'd also like to add the following birth announcement. Thirty-five years ago, Meryn Eirlea was born to Eamon and Violet Vi'Eirlea. Meryn was raised in the human world and has recently mated to Aiden McKenzie. She will be designated second in line for the throne."
Portia's eyes bulged as she dropped her quill.
Darian dropped his head back on his shoulders. "Mother, can't we just keep this to ourselves for a while longer?"
Brennus rubbed his chin. "Should she be Meryn Vi'Eirlea?"
Doran shrugged. "Makes little difference to me who carries the title of head of household. Just let me know if I should be Li' now."
Meryn sat forward. "What the what?" She set her tea down. "If y'all are making major announcements and stuff I need coffee, not coma tea." She turned to Brennus. "And never mind about the Vi' thing. I'm Meryn McKenzie."
Aiden gave a single emphatic nod. "Exactly."
The queen turned to Meryn. "Darling, fae royalty outranks a possible Elder status for Aiden."
Meryn crossed her arms. "I like being a McKenzie."
Aiden beamed. Meryn continued. "The alliteration is cool. Meryn McKenzie, two m's."
Aiden looked crestfallen. "That's why?"
She shrugged. "Besides loving you to pieces? Yeah."
The queen turned to her mate. "She really doesn't care about rank."
Brennus looked confused. "Months of following her on Facebook and you're just now figuring that out?"
Portia picked up her quill. "Should I still make that announcement?" she asked, sounding more composed.
The queen nodded. "Regardless of what name she ends up with, I want the world to know she is tied to our family. I want her to have every layer of protection her station affords."
Behind them, Celyn had collapsed to one side laughing uncontrollably. Vivian looked down at her mate, open-mouthed. "Celyn, what on earth?"
Every time Celyn went to speak, he just began laughing again. Finally, he calmed down enough to speak. "Renee is going to swallow his tongue the first time he has to call
her Lady," at the declaration he exhaled. "I can't wait to get back."
Meryn began to giggle. "Elder Vi'Ailean, you're awesome."
Celyn sat up frowning. "That's Uncle Cel to you, young lady."