Serenity had a glowing hand resting on Meryn's head.
Meryn rubbed her arm over her eyes, looking pissed at her show of emotion. "I'm being stupid," she grumbled.
"No, you're not." Amelia refuted. "You've been through a lot in the past couple days. Of course, you're going to miss the ones who ground you and help to buffer you against the world."
Meryn sniffled. "They better not be rushing Pip."
Micah chuckled and both women helping Meryn glared at him. He held up his hands. "Pip is rushing Pip. He keeps sneaking out the door and hurrying back in. Sebastian threatened to sit on him at one point, of course, he isn't one to talk." He smiled broadly. "A little birdie told me he's working on a care package for you."
Meryn brightened a little. "Meat kebobs?"
"What else? And your Magic Pudding."
Serenity's hand dimmed and she sat back down next to her mate. Amelia dropped a kiss on her little sister-cousin's head and went back to her own seat.
Ari looked around. "What's Magic Pudding?"
Micah threaded his fingers behind his head and tipped his chair back. "Only the best pudding in the world and one of the only things Meryn ate while in Noctem Falls. Evidently, it had fae cinnamon in it, which helped her to eat."
The queen nodded. "Of course it did, she's half fae. Even without her light, her body knew what she needed." Her eyes grew wide. "No wonder you had such a rough time there, you poor thing."
Oron turned to Meryn. "Your light was returned while I was getting confirmed as an Eirlea, wasn't it?"
Izzy nodded. "Yeah, y'all went outside and your mom found Meryn's light in the orb."
Oron's eyes turned sad. "Before Abraxas appeared we saw a second branch form from Eamon's, your mother's branch. It instantly petrified before yours sprouted with a tiny bud," he pointed to her stomach. "No wonder the Elder Guardian appeared."
"The spirits are a sight to behold. I was only ten years old when I was given my father's name of Vi'Aerdan and added to their tree," Priest smiled. "She was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen."
"Dude, Abraxas was hot!" Meryn said in agreement.
"Meryn," Aiden growled, lifting her into his lap. She giggled as he nipped at her neck.
Priest laughed at her display. "Abraxas, huh? The Hawthorn spirit is Liaylia."
"Pu-ding," Creelee said.
Meryn smiled at him. "I will definitely share with my eating buddy. Can you say meat kebob?"
"Bob!" Creelee repeated excitedly.
Ari and the rest of the Tau Unit looked enchanted by the brownie and sprites who were flittering around the table. Ari turned to the queen. "Are there always little ones here?"
Izzy's new mom shook her head. "Felix looks to Meryn and we gained his brothers when she defended them from their chieftain. Izzy is the one who brought Creelee into our home. We have been very blessed."
Ari was locked in on Creelee. "I've never seen a brownie before. Are they all adorable like him?"
Izzy shrugged. "I have no idea, I only met Creelee when we visited the goblin village in the Dark Forest."
Once again, the men were staring. Gage sat forward. "I'm sorry, I thought you said you went to the Dark Forest."
Meryn nodded. "Yup. They were super cool. Made a killer bar-b-que boar too."
Ari licked his lips. "Bar-b-que boar?"
Meryn's expression became blissful. "So freaking good."
"You know, if you ever need an escort when you go back..." Ari started.