The man nodded then turned to her. "I'll meet up with you tomorrow morning at breakfast. I'll have a full roster by then." He clapped Aiden on the shoulder then walked away.
"Aiden, I'm returning to the palace with Aleks. I'll be advising Cord that dinner will start a bit late tonight, around eight." He simply looked down at the woman in his arms, and Aiden nodded. "Understood Brennus.”
Brennus looked at everyone else. "Cord, Leo, and Ryuu have assembled drinks and light hors d'oeuvres in our personal dining room. Feel free to assemble there before dinner." He, along with Aiden and a small group of men, headed up the hill toward the large brightly lit building.
Beside her, Gage, Priest, Kincaid, and a man that looked a lot like Ari stood around them looking tired.
She nudged Ari then pointed to the older looking version of the man that was supposedly her mate.
Ari smiled. "Rex Lionhart, I have the incredible honor in introducing my mate, Brie Wilson. Brie, my eldest brother, Rex."
Rex blinked then a wide smile broke out over his face. He swept her up into a fierce hug. He looked over at Ari, affection shining in his eyes. "I see you still defend the Lionharts down to the depths of your soul."
Kincaid snorted. "Lionharts? Yeah, to some degree. But you know it's when anyone says something derogatory about you or Declan that sets him off."
Rex swelled with pride. "I have the most incredible baby brother and now a new baby sister. Gods! I thought Kari had a hard time when she first discovered Declan was her mate. How are you holding up?"
For some reason his genuine concern had tears prickling her eyes—the day seemed to be catching up to her. "Well, all things considered, I'm okay, I guess." She looked around for the familiar head of light brown curls of her father.
"I'm right here, baby." And suddenly, she just couldn't stand anymore. She let her father support her as she buried her face in his chest and breathed in his familiar scent of Ivory soap and coffee.
"Is she okay," Ari demanded.
"She will be. She just needs to rest." Her father kissed her hair. "I'm so proud of you, baby girl. Just hang on a bit longer." She looked up and nodded.
"Bring her," Rex ordered imperially. "We're heading straight to the
Lionhart estate. Mother and Father will want to meet her, and we can ensure she will get the rest she needs." He walked away without looking to see if they were behind him.
Ari smiled. "He means well, but he is the eldest and used to his orders being followed." He gave her a wry smile. "Better get used to being smothered lovingly."
She pushed away from her father until she was steady on her own feet. "Doesn't sound so bad at the moment."
Ari looped his arm through hers on the left, and her father did the same on the right. Gage ruffled her hair, and Priest and Kincaid brought up the rear.
One thing at a time.
*****
"Mate!" The one word was screeched and reached them before they approached the door.
Ari began to chuckle. "My mother," he said, by way of explanation.
Moments later, a tall, blonde woman was barreling toward them. "Ari! What's this about a mate?" she demanded, practically yanking her away from her father and Ari.
"Mother, this is my wonderful mate, Brie Wilson, and Brie's father, Chris. Brie, this is my mother, Catherine Lionhart, and the man standing next to Rex at the door is my father, Jedrek Lionhart."
She was suddenly wrapped up in a soft hug. It had been years since her own mother's passing where she had experienced the kind of comfort only a mother could give. When she sagged against the woman, she was gently led toward the house. "Idiots, every single one of them. Insensitive morons! Come this way, darling. Let's get you into a hot bath, and you can tell me all about your horrible day." She glared at not only her own son but Brie's father as well. "Between the two of you, could neither of you see how worn out she is?"
"I've asked Leo to start a bath for her, Mother," Rex said when they walked into the large estate.
"I've also sent up some treats to perk her up," the older version of Rex added brusquely. If Ari aged like these men, she was one lucky woman.
"Thank you. Now, we'll be upstairs getting ready for dinner. Ari, send out for some robes for your mate and your new father." She led her up the stairs. Once they were ensconced in a large steam filled bathroom, the woman rolled her eyes. "Males!" She turned her back to allow her to undress.
Brie eyed the bath longingly. Without a second thought, she began to strip out of her uniform and stepped into the bubble filled bath. "Ahhhhhhh." The foamy layer of vanilla scented bubbles rose to her chin when she sat down. She had never been in a tub deep enough to truly soak, this may become an addiction.
Catherine took a seat on the elegant lounger against the wall.