Oron stared at Brennus, then her words sunk in. He leered down at her. "You do remember last night."
She winked. "What do you want to do? What would make you happy?"
Oron turned back to Brennus. "Are you certain? I would be more than happy with Li'Eirlea."
Brennus pulled him into a fierce bear hug. "Of course, I'm certain! And given what our future looks like, you need the higher rank more than either me or Doran do."
Oron rested his forehead on Brennus' shoulder. "I would be honored to be a part of your family."
Brennus stepped back and cuffed him. "You're already family, son."
Oron glanced over to Cord who gave a nod. Taking a deep breath, Oron looked Brennus in the eye. "May I call you father?"
Brennus gave an undignified whoop and began to repeatedly pound Oron on the back. "Damn right, you can. Aleks! He wants to call me father," Brennus announced.
Aleksandra dabbed at her eyed. "Yes, dear. I heard." She stood and pulled them both into a fierce hug. "Go make it official before I call Portia back to make the announcement."
Brennus took Oron's hand and began to drag him toward the courtyard. "We'll be right back!" Brennus called back to her, as Doran and Darian raced after them.
Izzy and Amelia exchanged looks before Izzy asked. "What are they doing?"
Aleksandra sniffled. "He's going to cut Oron, so he bleeds onto the Eirlea Elder tree and add him to their family line. By doing so, they will be merging House Eirson and House Eirlea. The Eirlea Elder tree will give strength and support to the Eirson Birch, which will allow her to endure until Oron and Izzy have children and more light feeds into both trees. This is the perfect solution." She looked at Meryn. "You are a true wonder."
Meryn shrugged. "I guess, even though I do most of this shit by accident."
"Accident or destiny?" Kendrick asked.
"We need to find your light," the queen announced.
Cord carried the wooden box over to the queen. She carefully lifted each sphere until she smiled. "This one is the warmest." She walked over and sat on the ottoman in front of Meryn. "Ryuu, can you get another drop of blood from Meryn?"
Ryuu held out his hand. Meryn sighed and reached out to him, turning her face away. He pricked her and she yelped. The queen dabbed her finger on the sphere and it opened. Unlike the other, which contained a recording, this one opened to reveal a small ball of light.
"Meryn, this may be a bit disorientating."
"I'll still be me, right?"
"You may gain some new abilities, but you will remain who you are," she promised.
"Okay, hit me." Meryn pushed out her chest and closed her eyes.
The queen chuckled and gently pressed the small ball of light into Meryn's heart. Both she and Aiden clutched at their chests. A moment later a tiny bead popped out of Meryn and dove into Aiden.
The queen blushed. "I forgot about them sharing since they are mated."
Aiden grunted and rubbed his sternum. "How do you feel baby?"
Meryn opened her eyes. "Still hate people and love coffee. Shouldn't I be all 'light and happiness' now?"
"I told you Meryn, you would remain who you were. You have a lifetime of experiences that make up your personality, adding your light doesn't change that."
"Holy shit!" Everyone's heads turned to the sounds of startled male voices.
Darian and Doran raced back in, looking as though they had seen a ghost. The queen stood and rushed over. "Son, whatever is the matter? Where's your brother and Brennus?" Darian pointed to the door.
Slowly Brennus and Oron backed into the room. In front of them, an ethereal form floated in from the courtyard.
"Wicked," both she and Meryn said at the same time.