“Too full of chocolate for something to eat?” Dav asked, sliding over a frothing pint of amber liquid.
“She ate half a dozen brownies. Then shortbread, I’m thinking some chicken would do her some good,” Gage advised.
“Sheis sitting right there,” Meryn said, narrowing her eyes.
Zoe realized that Gage had been speaking for her. She didn’t mind, but she also didn’t notice it until Meryn said something.
Gage looked at her, contrition on his face. “I did not mean…”
She nodded. “I know.” Looking to Dav, she smiled. “I’d like to try the chicken and the fish and the beef stew, please.”
Dav’s eyes widened then he began chuckling. “Give me a few minutes.”
“And fries!” Meryn called out.
“Aye, she’ll probably want some fries too,” Dav said.
Meryn rolled her eyes. “No Dav, I’d like some fries,” she clarified.
“Of course, hun, be right out,” Dav said and disappeared behind a set of swinging double doors.
“Can I have a bite of your beef stew?” Meryn asked.
“Sure. I may need some help eating it all. I shouldn’t have ordered so much, but I really wanted to try everything.”
“We can help,” Neil offered, pointing between himself and his brother.
“Thanks, guys.”
Gage nuzzled her neck by way of an apology, then turned to Ari. “She charmed the old bastard. He is actually cooperating with her investigation.”
“He honestly wasn’t that bad,” she refuted.
“He probably liked you because you’re so sweet,” Meryn suggested.
“I am?”
“Yup. And you have a warm smile.”
“Thank you, Meryn.”
“No charge.”
When the door opened, she looked over and edged closer to Gage as six warriors walked in. Gage smiled and wrapped his arm around her. “No need to be nervous around these numbskulls, my darling.”
The tall blond of the group walked over and simply pulled Gage away from her, passing him to a grinning strawberry blond behind him. She remembered them from earlier.
“Ramsey, get your paws off me,” Gage protested.
She shook her head as the one before her took her hand and kissed it. “As I said before, welcome to Éire Danu, Zoe. I don’t know if you remember, I imagine you’ve had a lot of names thrown at you recently, but I’m Aeson Vi’Liordon, the unit leader for Chi. The warrior that looks like he’s having entirely too much fun torturing your mate, is Ramsey Lionhart, Ari’s cousin. He was with me when we accompanied you to the palace.” He stepped to the right and introduced the others with him. “This is Matthieu Lucien, of Noctem Falls, Leon March…”
“Fox- shifter,” Leon added. “Everyone always thinks it’s a lion because I was named Leon, but I’m a fox.”
She grinned at the way his nose scrunched up when he explained his name.
“And last but certainly not least, Carson Elderberry, our witch.”
“Fire witch,” Carson clarified. “I heard your magic is a bit tricky, so I’ll help out whenever I can.”