"I should send some of these to Laelia and Radclyffe so they can press them into our journals," Serenity said, standing with the ferns in hand.
Micah turned to them. "Can we do this once we reach Éire Danu?"
Oron looked at them. "Quite easily, there's a courier service dedicated to deliveries between the pillar cities."
Micah nuzzled his mate's neck. "Thinking about home?" Serenity nodded silently.
"I can open another portal now to Storm Keep if that is what you wish," Darian offered.
Serenity shook her head. "The Witches' Council stripped me of my position as Head of the Water temple and banned me from Storm Keep," she whispered, almost as if speaking the very words caused her pain.
"Why on earth would they do that?" Oron demanded.
She met his eyes. "Because I disobeyed them and went to Noctem Falls to assist with the virus. Thank the gods they listene
d to Troy. He told them he would flat out quit if Laelia and Radclyffe weren't allowed to return. So, the council deemed that they were influenced by me to act and they were accepted back to their positions, with Troy being promoted to Temple Head," she chuckled. "And he is not happy about it one bit. I am getting emails from him daily, complaining about how hard it is to get anything done while hogtied by council rules and regulations. It would not surprise me in the least to hear one day that Troy has flooded the council chambers in a fit of frustration."
Oron groaned. "That's what the queen meant when she said Allia and Ailain were in a tizzy. Zach was on a rampage and they were scheming along with him. I kinda feel sorry for the Witches' Council, they set off the fae twins."
Serenity laughed. "I think it all worked out for the best. This way I can design and grow the healing center Magnus wants at Noctem Falls. Marjoram and I were drooling at the budget he gave us. But as much as we want to race out and get everything we need; we are taking this slow and planning every step so it's done properly."
"Anything you do will be perfection," Micah assured her.
A familiar warrior jogged over to them from up the worn path. "Commander McKenzie, welcome to Monroe!"
Oron stepped forward. "Commander, this is Liam Donahue, wolf-shifter and longtime Vanguard squad member for Monroe."
Aiden clasped arms with the warrior. "Well met."
Liam stepped back. "Gods, you look like your father."
Aiden grinned. "So I have heard."
Liam pointed back up the trail. "Let me show you to the Vanguard compound."
"Compound?" Meryn asked.
Liam looked down at her. "Are you the Menace?"
She nodded. "I am."
"Just a word of warning, tales of your exploits have reached our remote and humble facility, you're kinda famous," Liam explained.
Meryn eyed him. "Like celebrity famous or serial killer famous?"
"Hmmm, maybe a celebrity falsely accused of being a serial killer famous."
Meryn brightened. "Awesome."
Aiden shook his head. "Baby, that's not awesome."
"So awesome," she repeated, following Liam.
Oron turned to Darian. "You heading to the palace?"
Darian glanced back at his mate and shook his head. "Amelia wants to arrive with Meryn to show our support."
"And you don't want to miss a second of the Meryn Show."