Cristo smiled at Meryn. "Stefan knew your scent because he had met you before, we both have." He held his hand up about two feet off the floor. "You were about this big when Stefan and I found your father. My little brother decided to tag along when I went searching for my friend, that's how he ended up meeting you, Eamon and your mother."
Meryn scowled at Stefan. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Cristo held up a finger. "Because he never knew your name. Your mother said it was safe for us to meet as long as we never knew your names. In fact, she said it was important that Stefan met Meryn, she said it would help her later."
Kendrick sighed. "I wish I could have known Violet Vi'Eirlea. I have never met anyone, witch or no, who had so many detailed and accurate premonitions."
Stefan looked confused. "Why was it important that I meet her?"
Cristo took pity on his brother. "Why is Meryn sitting here? Why did I go to Noctem Falls?" Stefan blinked and Cristo continued. "You acted as the link between Meryn and me. Between the past and the present. You knew her scent, but couldn't place it but you also associated it with me, which had me curious. So, I go to Noctem Falls and I remembered exactly where I knew her scent from because she smelled like Eamon to me. I wasn't one hundred percent sure you were Eamon's child, but I couldn't say anything since Eamon made me swear not to discuss you or your mother to anyone outside of Éire Danu."
Brennus' face was like a thundercloud. "You could have damn well told us!"
Cristo stood anger in his eyes. "Told you what exactly? Oh, hey Brennus, I know you are mourning your older brother, but guess what? He also had a mate and the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen, and gee they also died in the fire." He pointed a finger at Brennus. "You didn't know! You didn't mourn them!" He pounded his own chest. "I did!" He let his arm fall to his side. "You were hurting enough, I couldn't add to your pain," he said, hanging his head.
"But I didn't die," Meryn said.
Cristo looked up. "The ones responsible for the fire spelled it so that when it burned, there were no remains. We had nothing to entomb, so I assumed you had perished with them. The enemy even left a few dead ferals in the yard to make us believe they died in a random attack. I swear to you Meryn, had I even the slightest inkling that you lived I never would have stopped looking for you. I would have come to Éire Danu, told your uncles, rallied an army and launched a worldwide search for you," he vowed.
"Her disappearing saved her life. Had she come to Éire Danu, that demon would have found her," Kendrick hypothesized.
Aleksandra looked at him. "What makes you say that?"
Kendrick pointed to Meryn. "The demon told her that witches warned him of her, that he'd been searching for her. Had she come here and taken on a royal name; she never would have lived past ten years old." He grimaced and turned to Meryn. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, but going to your grandmother may have also been another layer of protection. By ignoring you, she kept your very name out of the ether, you couldn't have been more hidden."
Meryn gave a slow nod. "Until I met Aiden."
"Yes, until you were claimed and took your place in our world. That is when it seems the wheels began turning," Kendrick surmised.
"It also explains why my Aunt Lily didn't know about me even though she met up with my mother after my birth." She looked at Cristo. "Why in the hell did she say her name was Evans?"
Cristo laughed. "They pulled it from a hat. Vi'Eirlea is an obvious fae name if you know what to look for, and since House Eirlea was tied to the throne, they couldn't even use that abbreviated version."
"I had a fake fucking name my whole life?" Meryn exclaimed.
Izzy shrugged. "Evans isn't a bad name though. You could have gotten stuck with something weird."
"Or the name of a family known for treachery and murder," Oron whispered.
Meryn snapped her fingers. "I know! Make him Vi'Eirlea instead of me," she said, pointing to Oron. "My dad obviously cared about him and Darian, he even called Oron son. I don't think he'd mind."
Brennus stood and looked to Doran who was grinning from ear to ear. "Meryn, that is a brilliant idea!" He frowned. "Why did we never think of it?"
Oron tensed under her hands. "You can't be serious," he whispered.
Brennus whipped around to face him. "Of course, I'm serious. Your mother is making Darian her heir. I will adopt you into my family and make you head of our house." He jerked his thumb to his chest. "I'm the queen's consort. I'm basically eye candy for her and I snarl at anyone who needs to step bac
k in line."
The queen pinched between her eyebrows. "Brennus, really."
He continued. "The rank of head of house is wasted on me." He pointed to Doran. "He is blissfully happy being in charge of the royal guards and eschews all forms of responsibility."
"Sad, but true," Doran confirmed.
Brennus walked over and pulled Oron to his feet. "Meryn has already declared she will remain a McKenzie, so you take nothing from her. I feel like I have done nothing for you as your adopted father. Please let me do this," he pleaded.
Oron stared. "You're begging me to take your name? One of the most respected and venerated names in our world and you're begging me to take it." Oron looked back at her. She stood and took his hand. "It's your choice, my love. You'll always be Mr. Pokie to me."