"Elizabeth let me introduce you to my fellow unit members. You have already met Aiden McKenzie and Colton Albright." Gavriel pointed to the two men.
Grinning sheepishly, Colton waved.
"On either side of them are Keelan Ashwood and Darian Vi'Alina. Keelan is our resident witch and Darian is our fae brother," Gavriel completed the introductions.
"Hello, I'm Elizabeth Monroe. I just moved from Washington DC, but I was raised in Noctem Falls," she introduced herself.
"Monroe. You wouldn't happen to be any relation to Broderick Monroe would you?" Gavriel asked apprehensively.
"Yes, he's my father," she said frowning. "Why?"
Growling Gavriel sat back in his chair.
"What?" she demanded.
"That means your other father is Caspian Rioux, younger brother of Magnus Rioux, the current vampire Elder of Noctem Falls." Gavriel's tone was aggravated.
It dawned on her. Her mate was a vampire and she had ties to the ruling vampire family. Awkward.
"Wait. Fathers?" Meryn asked, leaning forward her expression intrigued.
"Yes, fathers, as in two of them. My mother and my biological father were best friends. She wanted a baby but hadn't found her mate yet so my father agreed when she asked him to donate sperm. He figured it would be the only way he would ever have a child. Surprisingly enough she got pregnant with their first attempt. She was killed in a car accident before I was one. My father was heartbroken, so he moved us to Noctem Falls where he could focus on his research in creating an artificial blood source. There he met his mate, my other father Caspian. Caspian became devoted to my father and it was by watching him act as a lab assistant that I learned how to be a personal assistant. He was always anticipating what my father needed whether it was more tea, his notes or just being a sounding board. My Uncle Magnus is the vampire Elder. He is somewhat overprotective of me," she said wincing.
"Wonderful," Gavriel exhaled.
"My dads were so busy in the lab that most days I followed Magnus around like a lost puppy. I probably know more about the nobles in the ruling vampire houses than anyone, with the exception of Magnus, of course. The vampire court was an interesting place to grow up," she smiled at the memory.
"I need to call your uncle," Gavriel muttered.
"That might not be the best idea."
"It will be fine. I can handle myself. I'm not worried, it's just an inconvenience," Gavriel reassured her.
"If you're sure." The more she thought about it, the more she didn't like the idea of Gavriel butting heads with her uncle.
"I'm sure. I can handle Magnus." Gavriel picked up his fork and spoon and very elegantly began to twirl his pasta. Though his features remained harsh, his actions were gentle as he held out the fork. She leaned in and accepted the bite.
She chewed and swallowed. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"We definitely need to visit Noctem Falls now," Meryn said looking up at Aiden.
Aiden paled. "Are you kidding, I'm staying out of Noctem Falls until the fallout of this mating settles."
"But the vampire elder is her uncle, we totally have an in," Meryn protested.
"He might blame me for letting his niece get mated to one of my unit warriors. No. Thank. You." Aiden shook his head.
"E-Liz-A-Beth, you'll take me to Noctem Falls won't you?" Meryn begged giving her puppy dog eyes.
"Of course I will. We can go there after DragonCon next year," she promised.
"Oh no. She talked you into that convention thing." Aiden glared at his mate.
"It's perfectly safe. Think of it this way. It's an event where thousands of people just like Meryn get together for a couple days and live it up," Elizabeth explained. All five men paled.
"Thousands of people," Colton whispered.
"Just like Meryn?" Keelan asked.
Elizabeth looked around. The men had that deer in the headlights looks. "Maybe not just like her."
"Thank goodness. One Meryn in the world is enough," Colton teased, looking relieved.
"It's because I'm a 'Limited Edition'. Y'all should be grateful for even knowing me," Meryn huffed.
"We are, my love. We are." Aiden scowled at his men over Meryn's head.
"We wouldn't trade you for a sane version any day," Colton reassured her.
Meryn smiled then frowned. "What do you mean 'sane version'?"
Ryuu walked in holding two baskets. "Here's the bread, fresh from the oven." And just like that Meryn's attention was diverted. Elizabeth had to hand it to Ryuu, he knew exactly how to handle his charge.
Out of the corner of her eye she began to see a faint twinkling glow. Without saying a word she cut up a portion of her pasta into tiny pieces and put them on her bread plate. She pushed the plate towards the little light. Seconds later the tiny pieces of pasta began to disappear. She watched the entire process in fascination
"I thought life in Lycaonia would be boring," she said under her breath.
"Never, zain'ka moya, never," Gavriel said before dropping tiny rolled up bread balls onto the plate next to the pasta. Elizabeth smiled up at her mate as they too began to disappear.
*****
After dinner the men made their way to their own suites to settle down for the evening. Gavriel, ever the gentleman, offered her his arm. He escorted her as far as the foyer before pausing.