"Hogwarts," Meryn whispered, entranced.
Keelan shook his head smiling. "My brother, Kendrick, works in the archives located in the lower levels of Storm Keep."
Amelia turned in her chair to face him. "You look just like your brother, only he's... older and grouchier."
Keelan laughed out loud. "He is a bit grouchy. He always said it was because he was forced to work with idiots all day." He smiled at her. "I was surprised you knew my brother. He never mentioned becoming an Athair."
Amelia frowned. "When was the last time you were home?"
He shrugged. "Maybe forty years ago, every once in a while we talk on the phone."
"Keelan!" Meryn exclaimed.
He blushed. "My brother and I had a disagreement before I left, so I haven't really felt in a hurry to visit. He can be very domineering."
Amelia shook her head. "The only time I ever saw him smile was when he said your name. You should visit."
Keelan looked pleasantly surprised. "Really?"
"Of course," Aiden interjected. "No matter how mad I get at Ben, he's still my baby brother."
"I can't wait to tease him tomorrow." Colton rubbed his hands together. The men laughed.
As everyone continued eating dinner, Amelia thought about the man beside her. Darian hadn't said a word throughout the meal. He ate with a cardboard smile on his face. She desperately wanted what she observed with the other couples. Someone to laugh with, to comfort, a lover and a friend.
"Itoko-sama?" Ryuu said, getting her attention.
"Yes?" She looked up at the squire.
"I just wanted to let you know that I have taken the liberty of carrying your luggage to the guest suite upstairs." Ryuu bowed.
"Thank you, Ryuu."
Darian turned to her. "You can't stay here," he said harshly.
Aiden stood, drawing all eyes to him. "Darian, I need to know. Is she or isn't she?"
Darian turned his head away from her to stare at the opposite wall.
"Well?" Aiden demanded.
"Yes," Darian said, clenching his jaw.
"Then you need to take care of your mate." Aiden crossed his arms.
"That's what I'm trying to do!" Darian bellowed, shocking everyone.
Aiden's eyes narrowed. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Darian stood, knocking his chair back. He squared his shoulders, facing his commander. "I don't need a mate."
Aiden raised an eyebrow and jerked his head toward Meryn. "I remember thinking the exact same thing. Sometimes you have to accept the gifts Fate gives to you."
Keelan glared at Darian before turning to her. "I'll show you up to your room, it's right next to Darian."
Darian stared blank faced at Keelan. "Leave it be, Keelan," he warned.
Keelan smiled wide. "No, don't wanna," he said in a singsong child-like manner.
Darian looked down at her. "Do what you want." He turned away from the table and walked out the door.
"Will he be okay?" Amelia asked nervously.
Gavriel nodded. "We all went through something similar upon finding our mates. We will talk to him later. This is your home now."
His words sank in. "Good Gods! I live here now. How will I get my makeup orders?" She tried to keep the conversation light. She hated it when everyone worried or got upset. Living her life as an empath made her a human barometer for emotion, the happier people were around her the less anxious she was.
Meryn waved a taco at her. "Don't worry about deliveries. All the mail for Lycaonia goes to an outside post office box. Assigned teams go and collect the mail every day and bring it into the city where it is sorted into post office boxes here. Ryuu gets ours for us. It's how I get the Nerd Block subscription boxes Aiden got me for Christmas."
Amelia heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Thank the Gods; I was close to calling this whole mating thing off if I couldn't get my makeup."
Meryn nodded. "I could see that impacting life. I'd die without my geek stuff, especially since I'm trying to decorate the nursery with cool gear instead of typical baby stuff. Do you know how much baby boy stuff is decorated with bears? It would just be weird."
"You mean like giving little girls human like dolls?" Rheia asked sardonically.
Meryn paused and laughed. "I guess that's kinda the same, I never thought of it like that."
"What are you decorating in?" Amelia asked.
"It's going to be a Star Wars, Doctor Who mashup."
"That sounds cool."
"What if you have a girl?" Rheia asked.
Meryn frowned. "It would be a Star Wars / Doctor Who mashup, why?"
Beth carefully bit into a taco, careful not to get anything on her fingers. "Don't try to make sense of it, Rheia, it's Meryn."
"Girls can like Star Wars and Doctor Who," Amelia argued.
Beth nodded. "Of course they can, but I don't think a two-month-old will be able to operate the interactive Death Star she ordered."
Amelia laughed. "That is awesome."
"Don't encourage her," Beth laughed.
Meryn popped another kale chip into her mouth. "Are you okay? I mean about Darian."
Amelia dug into her dinner. "He won't be able to say no forever. I'm just as stubborn as he is."
"Maybe we should meet tomorrow and come up with a plan of attack," Meryn suggested.