Chapter Nine

Kyrn stepped in and Portia closed the door behind him.

Oron stared, not saying a word.

The queen's expression was tight. "Explain yourself Kyrn Vi'Evlyer."

Zadie took in everything she could about the man. For a fae he seemed, unkept. His hair was pulled back but tangled. His clothes looked as though they once had a lot of thought put into them. Now, the cuffs were frayed, and the entire robe looked worn. Worn, yet clean.

Oron sat back down as if his legs could no longer support him.

Kyrn took a half step forward as if to help and stopped himself. "I heard about the posting for a squire for House Eirson. I know I have no right, but I dared to hope that I could have a chance to serve again."

Darian's face was twisted in a snarl. "Where in the hell have you been? He had no one from his family!"

Kyrn dropped to his knees in the face of Darian's rage. "How could I approach him? The family I served betrayed our queen and our people and not only did I not see it coming, I was not able to help him. I could not show my face to him."

"So, you simply left?" the queen asked frostily.

He nodded, his head hanging. "I did not deserve to stay amongst our people."

Izzy turned to Ryuu and whispered something. The man nodded and left the room.

"Do you think you can serve House Eirson again? How could we possibly trust you with its children?" the queen demanded.

His head came up and tears began to trickle down his cheeks. "There are children?"

Zadie looked to Kincaid, and he nodded. Either this guy was an amazing actor, or he hadn't played any part in what happened with the kids.

Motion from the back corner of the room had Zadie turning. Meryn was being led back in with Ryuu.

Blinking she zeroed in on the fae on his knees.

"Whoa."

Everyone turned to look at her.

The queen straightened. "Do you see anything?"

Meryn walked forward slowly. "Oh." She stopped when she was standing in front of him. She placed her hands on either side of his face.

Meryn turned to Cas. The fae woman, stepped forward. "Violet. Regret. Emerald green and swirls of yellow. Guilt and hope."

Meryn looked down at the man. "Fields of purple hyacinths, I know that means regret, but," she smiled. "There's hundreds of dragonflies going from flower to flower." She turned to Ryuu. "I think that's hope."

Ryuu nodded looking very proud. "Dragonflies can represent hope, change or new beginnings."

Meryn turned and walked to her squire wrapping her arms around his waist. "He's like you were, when we first met."

Ryuu, with no indication that her affection bothered him in the slightest, held her close. "He was waiting to die."

"Can he be trusted with the children?" Darian asked, his anger cooled by Meryn's words.

The smaller woman nodded decisively. "I wouldn't trust anyone but him. He would die for those kids."

Kyrn expression hardened. "I will not be fooled a second time."

The queen looked from Ryuu to Cord. Both men nodded.

"Kyrn Vi'Evlyer, few men ever have the chance at redemption, do not squander yours," she said, then smiled. "Welcome home."

The man fell forward, practically putting his forehead to the floor. "I swear to serve House Eirson faithfully for the remainder of my days. I will be a shield for its children and a sword for its people. If blood is to be spilt it will be mine over theirs. This, I do swear eternally."

Oron went to the man and helped him stand. "I thought they killed you." He pulled the squire into a fierce hug.

Kyrn pulled back and cupped Oron's face to look into his eyes. "I am so proud of you. I never got the chance to tell you, but gods above! I prayed for you every day."

The queen raised her hand and Cord was at her side. "Help him set himself to rights and bring him up to date on what our trials have been and what our plans are for the children. He has a house to put in order."

Cord looked like he was two seconds from weeping himself. He walked over to the returned squire. "Come, my old friend, let us catch up."

Kyrn bowed to Oron. "I would like to speak with you later Master Eirson."

Oron shook his head. "I'm Vi'Eirlea now."

Kyrn smiled. "You will always be Oron Vi'Eirson to me." He bowed again and followed Cord to the kitchen.

Meryn yawned and kept her face pressed against Ryuu's vest. Smiling down at his charge. "Back to bed with you."

"Had to come, Izzy is my ride or die," she said, then yawned again.

Ryuu steered her from the room.

Zadie exhaled. "Thank god she didn't see I had her coffee."

Oron pulled his mate into his arms. "Thank you, my mate for thinking of getting Meryn. As usual she was able to shortcut us to where we needed to be. I feel like we would have gotten to where we are eventually, but maybe with more hurt feelings."

"I'm just glad it worked out. I could see how much he meant to you. His face appeared regularly in your drawings," Izzy said holding him tight.

Oron looked tired but happy. "I won't have to worry about the kids with him at the house. He was an amazing squire, not quite as good as Cord, but damn close. He served House Eirson before I was born."

"I never would have sentenced him into exile for failing to stop the men of House Eirson. To me the larger crime was leaving Oron alone," the queen said, staring at the door leading to the kitchen.

Cas spoke up. "I won't speak for him, but I can see why he did what he did. My parents chose to fade rather than lose themselves. In his mind he believed that leaving Oron in your care would protect him from whatever he was becoming. It was the only way he could keep Oron safe."

Zadie spoke up. "I hated my father for abandoning my mother and I when I was a child. Later, I found out that he was an addict, like my mom, but when he was high, he was violent. I was told that on his deathbed the only thing he had been proud of was walking away. He never hurt me. It was his way of keeping me safe."

Brie nodded. "He did the right thing. I saw way too many calls where the father didn't walk away. Those were never good days."

Kincaid turned to her. "You said you were in Foster's Care, is that because your mother was also ill?"

She shrugged. "I guess you could call addiction an illness, but yes. Child protective services removed me from my mother when I was fifteen."

"Gods above honey, how old are you now?" his mother asked.

"Thirty. I was in the system for just a couple years, then got bounced out to make it on my own," Zadie replied.

Kincaid's father looked at his son. "Fifteen years ago? Wasn't that when you said you came into your second element?"

Kincaid nodded absently, then what his father said sank in. He sat back. "I always thought it was because Giles had been born. I had a sibling to protect."

Zadie took his hand. "I have a feeling, with you, it was probably both. Let's go shopping, then check in with the warriors at the house. There's a lot to do there to get it set up for the kids."

He stood. "I know just where to start."

"Baba's." More than one person said at the same time.

"Have fun kids," his mother said.

"We will," she promised.

*****

Zadie wanted to like the robes but no matter how many she tried on; she couldn't muster up the enthusiasm.

The older woman, Baba, hummed and grunted here and there as she handed things to her.

"Is it the colors or the fabric?" the woman finally asked.

Zadie thought about it. "I don't think I like that it's like a dress. I work with children. I need to be able to move. Pants would be great."

"Ahh, now we're getting somewhere." Baba went to the storeroom and came back carrying a stack of items. She set the stack on the long bench in the changing area. "Try those and let me know what you think."

She looked at Kincaid, who was sitting with his elbows on the arms of the chair, his hands folded under his chin. He waited patiently with a smile. She sighed happily.

Baba chuckled.

Zadie shrugged at being caught staring. "That one is mine," she said, pointing.

Baba's expression softened. "He's a good one. All the boys are good, but he is full of light. Like his older brothers, I fear for that most days."

She placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Don't worry Baba, I'm violent enough to keep that intact."

"Aye, you have that air about you, like the little one. Survivors, both of you."

Zadie winked and Baba laughed. "I do feel better knowing you can take care of yourself and him if need be."

"Zadie, I'll be right back, there's something I need to pick up," Kincaid said, putting his phone away. He stood and stretched.

"I'll be here," she said, pointing to the store. He walked over, gave her a quick kiss, then walked out.

She turned to Baba. "Let me go see what you have," Zadie said, heading to the changing room.

She walked in and shut the door. Looking at the stack she sighed.

"I heard that! Just try ‘em on!"

Shaking her head, she undressed and began unfolding the items to try on. The first thing she picked up looked to be a blouse. It was cut to resemble the top half of the dress robes but ended at the top of her thighs.

Curious, she reached for the second item. When she popped them out, she was delighted to discover they were wide legged pants, similar to harem pants she had seen online. When standing, it looked similar to a pleated skirt, but she was able to bend down and more importantly. Move. She opened the door.

As soon as Baba saw her face she began to smile. "I knew I'd find something."

"Baba, these are amazing! They're so stylish and comfortable."

"I only have the two sets I handed you. But, I can get started on some more. I have some self-cleaning cloth that would be perfect for you, being around little ones all day."

Zadie clutched at her chest. "Self-cleaning?"

"Aye. Heard some witch out of Noctem Falls is producing sheets as well. Makes sense with all these warriors mating. I can't imagine that is neat business at all."

"Baba!" Zadie said, pretending to be scandalized.

"Ha!" She waved a finger at her. "Try not to break the poor boy."

"I make no promises. I heard there are healers around here somewhere."

"Wow, Zadie, those look perfect!" Kincaid said, walking up carrying something in his hands.

Blushing she looked at Baba who looked like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Turning back to her mate she pointed. "What do you have there?"

"I ran next door. Baba has many beautiful things, but I noticed the lack of cloaks."

Baba grunted. "Adding those soon. But, in the meantime, Grenlya's work is good," she admitted. "Though the colors she chooses are a bit boring for my tastes."

Kincaid handed her a soft cashmere cloak in a deep navy blue, with a silver fur trim. "Kincaid, this is…" She rubbed her cheek against it. "I've never owned anything this nice."

He blushed at her praise. "It's waterproofed and self-cleaning."

"I'll wear it every day!" She wrapped it around her.

He cleared his throat. "Ari kinda started a tradition of warriors giving their mates a broach that matches our tattoos. Once he presented his to Brie, I had one made, so that it would be ready when I met my mate. It represents my family, my unit and my city. I thought maybe you'd like it as a cloak pin." He handed her a small box.

When she opened the box, she felt tears prick her eyes. No one had ever treated her like this. Like she really mattered. "It's perfect." She secured the pin on the fabric that kept the cloak closed. "I don't have anything for you."

He smiled wide. "You're my gift."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I'm never letting you go. You know that right?"

"I am perfectly okay with that, though it may make drills hard to do."

She laughed and stepped back. "I'd like these pant versions. Baba said she can make some that are self-cleaning too."

"Those are pants?" He knelt down and tugged at her pant legs. "That's genius. Baba, could I order a pair for my mother? With five kids, she could really use these."

"Gods above, how many?" Baba stared.

"Five, well six actually if you count me. But I'm older now, the next oldest is Giles. He's fifteen," he answered.

"They in Storm Keep then?"

He stood. "No, my parents have taken the position as house parents for House Eirson. We'll be living there too, teaching the little ones."

Baba nodded. "I'll send her six pairs, free of charge. One for each child she's had."

Kincaid shook his head. "Let me pay, please."

"Not a dime from you. Also, bring those children here. I'll get them outfitted in no time."

"Baba…"

"No Baba, nothing. I'm an old lady and I get to do what I want."

"Thank you, Baba. It would mean the world to them to have actual clothes and not rags."

"Rags! Why haven't you brought them by yet!" she fussed.

Zadie laid a hand on her shoulder. "They were starved as well and simply don't have a lot of strength yet."

"It's true then, what the queen sent," a female voice asked, closing the door behind her.

"That depends, you are?" Zadie asked. "My name is Zadie Williams, recent mate to Kincaid Bayberry," she said, smiling at her mate.

"Forgive me, I am Kyla Vi'Aileanach. The queen inquired about my recommendations for caretakers for the returned Eirson children." Her words were polite but strained.

Zadie remembered that this woman lost her sister to the children's fathers. "The children were kept in destitute conditions. Rags on their backs and little to no food. The older children were kept in cages and the younger ones had to take care of the infants."

Kincaid stepped forward. "Cody, one of the five-year olds would walk miles to milk a goat the best he could to get milk for his brother. He would then dilute it with water to make it last longer."

Kyla grabbed her throat. "Those poor babies."

Zadie took a chance and pressed the issue now. Better to know right from the start. "It's true that their fathers were the same ones responsible for the deaths of so many fae."

Kyla's expression saddened.

"But, it's also true that those children suffered more than any fae at their hands," she challenged.

"I know what you do," Kyla said, softly. "You needle me for their sake."

"Of course, I am. I will be responsible for teaching them and helping them grow."

Kyla hesitated. "What are they like?"

Zadie blinked. "The children?" She stopped. "Not like children actually. Cody and Cana show more spunk than the rest, but they're quiet. They're all too quiet to be healthy. They watch everyone carefully to make sure they are angering no one. The older kids won't eat until the younger ones do. And they're all too damn obedient."

Kyla started to smile then. "That's an odd thing to hear from a caretaker. You want rambunctious children?"

Zadie shook her head. "I want to see the children be able to run and play without fear in their eyes. I don't want their choices hindered by the decision-making process stemming from whether what they're about to do will result in pain or starvation."

Kyla straightened. "I can assist during the day but won't be able to do evenings or overnights. When I received the queen's request I thought it some kind of test, but in your words, I see now what it was." She clenched her hands into fists. "It was her hope. I am ashamed to say, I almost let her down."

Zadie held out her hand and slowly Kyla took it. "I trust you more knowing you hesitated, that you acknowledged your own pain and still said yes."

Kyla gave her hand a squeeze. "The day I got the queen's message I was hosting my small sewing circle. We all discussed it together. Tell the queen starting next week, myself, Cedra Ri'Emer, Trisa Li'Oplin and Farie Vi'Brinelle will be able to take care of the infants from seven in the morning through two o'clock in the afternoon. Cedra and I will be able to do Monday thru Wednesday. Trisa and Farie Thursday thru Saturday. There will be a slight gap midday, but our grandmothers will be able to do seven in the evening to seven in the morning. My grandmother, Willow Ri'Isthe, and Cedra's grandmother, Prisa Li'Morinin will cover the same days that we do, Monday through Wednesday while Trisa's grandmother, Ulie Li'Farro and Farie's grandmother, Nyra Ri'Emro will do evenings from Thursday through Saturday. Sundays will be our days off. It is the best we can offer."

"Are you kidding! That's nearly round the clock care! We couldn't ask for more. You all are true angels," Zadie exploded, causing Kyla to step back a bit, then smile.

"Children, all children are gifts from the gods. I would hope that if something were to happen to me, that my children would be as loved and looked after," she admitted.

"You have no idea how good it is to hear that," Zadie said. "Humans don't have such ideology. I lost both of my parents before I came of age and there was no one to raise me."

Kyla frowned fiercely. "Where did you go?"

"The government sent me to live with a random family that got paid for me to live in their house. I endured that for a few years while I was in school, then a favorite teacher of mine showed me how to apply for scholarships and grants, so I could pay for college. After that, I worked and went to school supporting myself."

"How old were you when you were supporting yourself," Kyla asked.

"Seventeen."

"Surely, you mean one-hundred and seventeen."

Zadie laughed. "If I was one-hundred and seventeen, I'd be more wrinkled than Baba." She frowned. "Actually, I'd probably be dead. Humans don't live that long."

"You were just a child, a baby yourself," Kyla said, looking like she was trying to make sense of it all.

Zadie shrugged and Kincaid wrapped an arm around her waist. Smiling, she leaned into him. "It's why I took a job that let me help children."

Kyla huffed then straightened her back. "We do not do that in éire Danu. Baba! Do you have anything for infants? I need to see all you have. Blankets too."

Zadie looked up at Kincaid who gave her a single nod. The children had a true champion now.

"Kyla, there are four boys and a little girl for the infants. Dane, Dariel, Dillon, Dion and Damira," Zadie said.

"Oh, those are lovely names and all with the letter ‘D'."

She hesitated, then continued. "They were all born five years apart. The oldest, the fifteen-year-olds have ‘A' names, the ten-year-olds, ‘B' names and the five-year-olds, ‘C' names."

"That's strange," Kyla replied.

"Once the infants turned one, the fifteen-year-olds were culled. The next batch of infants would resume with ‘A' names," she explained.

She watched as all the blood drained from Kyla's face. "They knew they were being kept, to die?"

She nodded.

"Gods damn those bastards straight to hell," Kyla said, vehemently.

"Amen to that," Baba agreed.

"Leave everything to me," Kyla said, ominously.

"Sure?"

Kyla waved her hand back and forth. "Silly Founding Family politics. My mate is an Elder here, so I help out here and there when I can."

Kincaid gave a half bow. "Any help would be most welcome. The children have suffered enough. If they were to face even a fraction of hostility that Prince Oron did, it would be tragic."

"Humph!" Baba said, crossing her arms.

"My sister would never forgive me if I were to turn my back on these children. I will simply remind others that their loved ones would probably feel the same," Kyla said. She then turned to Zadie. "Can you please let Portia know I will be swinging by the palace on a regular basis to provide updates on how the people are reacting."

"I would also like to be looped in on those meetings" Zadie requested.

A bell chimed and Zadie looked at Kincaid. "Midday?"

He nodded. "If we head straight back to the house we'll catch the guys at lunch."

"That's a good thing?"

Baba and Kyla laughed. "The éire Danu warriors have a single well-known weakness. Food," Kyla explained.

"Then by all means, lead the way," Zadie said, pointing to the door.

"Ms. Williams-Bayberry?"

She turned back. "Yes."

"I think it will be wonderful working with you."

"I agree."

Snuggling up in her cloak, she walked hand in hand with Kincaid, back to the place they would call home.

*****

Walking into the house she could immediately hear the low hum of male voices. Kincaid led her to the back of the house where the kitchen was. Walking through the door, she had to stop and stare.

"It's like a Chippendale's calendar exploded in here, Martha Stewart edition," she said, watching as men in either white tees or tank tops carry platters or set tables.

"Oh, can I be Mr. June, he's always the most desirable right?" A blond man asked, grinning from ear to ear. He winked at her and flexed.

"Ramsey, I know you've probably heard I picked up a new element. Want to see?" Kincaid asked, his voice low.

Ramsey blinked. "Holy shit, is that Kincaid? Our baby, not baby?"

"Baby, not baby?" she asked.

Ramsey laughed. "We thought Ari was the youngest warrior for the longest time. When Kincaid transferred from Storm Keep, we assumed he was around three-hundred years old. We didn't realize that the Witches Council had been sending out younger and younger witches. Turns out he was younger than Ari. So, now he's our baby, not baby."

A tall fae man ruffled Kincaid's hair. "Power looks good on you kid."

Kincaid grinned up. "Thanks, Aeson. I'd like to introduce my mate, but I have a feeling if she has to learn any more names, she'll leave me."

Zadie laughed. "I'm a teacher, remember? Learning names is part of the job description."

"We had name tags, but most of them fell off," another fae man said, looking actually sad at the fact. "I want to order more of the same, but they didn't have any baby animal versions left."

Kincaid pointed. "That's Balder, he tries to keep us organized."

Zadie knew that if they all haphazardly started yelling names, she really wouldn't learn them, so she treated them like her students. She looked around and picked up a wooden spoon. "When the spoon gets to you, tell me your name and an odd fact about you. You have to pass it off to someone who hasn't gone yet. If you pass it to someone who has already gone, you lose." She handed the spoon to Ramsey.

"I'm Ramsey Lionhart and I think it's cool that three Lionharts serve as warriors."

One by one the men introduced themselves, sometimes throwing the spoon at their fellow warriors, whether they were anticipating it or not. If children had done that, she would have stopped it immediately, but it was entertaining to watch a wooden spoon ricochet off an unsuspecting warriors head.

When everyone had gone, the men looked truly heartbroken.

Oh, dear. They're all adorable.

"I don't suppose you gentlemen have any extra food for a hungry teacher, would you?" she asked.

The men literally began to trip over themselves to get her and Kincaid sat at one of the makeshift tables. Looking closer she realized they were eating off a door propped up on a set of sawhorses.

"How goes the projects?" she asked, as Leon piled her plate high.

He grinned. "We gave up on the paint. I heard you had said something about the walls being dry. When one wall took nearly three gallons, we switched to magic. Easier, faster and with less fumes."

He picked up another bowl and spooned out a huge serving of potato salad. "The walls to separate the classroom and the playroom was easy, though the plumbing for the public style bathrooms hurt my poor brain. We let Aeson figure it out." He waved the spoon about. "And that bed! Gods above. It took all our fae warriors and charms to move the damn thing. We put a standard king in there until you can commission what you want." He leaned in. "I bet if you ask nice, Ramsey can put in a good word with his cousin Declan. That lion carved his own bed in Noctem Falls."

"Fireplace?" Kincaid asked, hopefully, then crammed a huge sandwich in his mouth.

Aeson nodded. "That was surprisingly easier to manage than the plumbing.

"How did the kid's rooms turn out?" she asked.

Ian, Phi's witch, sat forward looking excited. "So, hear us out."

She put her fork of potato salad down. "Oh boy."

Balder waved his hands. "No, we think it's a good thing."

"Go, on."

Ian continued. "The squires did a great job cleaning so we jumped right into room setups. We can see why you would want the kids on the second floor for privacy, but it's just a law of averages. One of them will fall down those stairs. So, we completely gutted the space on the first floor where the kid's rooms would be. We made sure it was only accessible from the shared common area, which should have limited access."

"All of them?"

"We took a page from Nigel and Neil's architecture book and made four sections, each with their own common area feeding into a main living space for the kids. It resulted in smaller rooms, but I don't think they'll mind," he explained.

"Okay, I'm kinda with you so far."

Ian held up his hands. "Think of a lower case 't'. For simplicity's sake, let's call each branch ‘A-D' after the kids. The main door to the area is at the intersection of ‘A' and ‘D'. You walk in and you're in the classroom and play area. Each wall going clockwise has a door leading to a different kid's section. We did public style restrooms on the wall shared with the oldest kids and the youngest kids since, as we discovered with Yuki and Ame, all toilet sizes are not the same."

She covered her mouth. "I never even thought of the size differences."

Ian nodded. "We figured the ones for the five-year-olds and eventually when the babies are getting potty trained, it would be easier if they were the low to the ground style."

"How are the kid's actual rooms arranged?"

Aeson poured her a glass of sweet tea. "Go down the hall, two bedrooms on the left, two on the right, one at the end of the hall, times four. For the infants, we have two rooms set up for sleep, one for changing and clothes, and the last one for play. When they get older, we can convert them to proper rooms."

"You guys thought of things we didn't."

Leon smiled. "It's great to be around kids again."

"We were going to buy some of the paint and personal items for the kids, but it sounds like you have the wall colors sorted," she said, holding up the kid's assignment sheets.

Aeson immediately plucked them from her hands and began going over the kid's answers. She saw the moment he got to Cody's; he melted on the spot. "We'll take care of these," he said, quickly.

"What do you have there, brother?" Balder asked.

Aeson straightened. "Men, we get to play The Santa Claus."

Leon jumped up. "Seriously?"

She looked at Kincaid. "The Santa Claus?"

He grinned. "He means Santa Claus."

"But, you already got so many things for them already," she began.

Bastien wagged a finger at her. "Kincaid got them the boring things like books, desks and school things. We get to be Super Uncles and get them the toys and things off their little wish lists."

"Those weren't wish lists, they just put down their favorite colors, items and what they wanted to be when they got older," she explained.

Aeson held up Cody's sheet. "Cody, age five. Likes the color blue and he drew a gun."

She sighed. "He said he wanted to be a warrior when he grew up."

"Then we will get him training gear, in the color blue, along with lots of toys and we'll arrange for him to start drills with House Erlondon," he explained.

"He's only five!"

Kincaid took her hand. "He says drills, but they basically get to play with the kids. Show them different games to strengthen their bodies, that sort of thing."

Aeson continued to flip through the pages, as he got to the last pages he was frowning. "Did you look at these?"

She shook her head. "I was going to when we went shopping, why?"

"Nearly all of them want to be warriors," he said.

She understood why. "Then what I'll do is ask this House Erlondon to create and maintain their playtime. If over the years they still want to be warriors they will have the foundation they need, but if they change their minds, we can support them then."

She took in the men's sad expressions. "Gentlemen, they no longer want to be victims. They are craving the strength to not only look after themselves but each other. Seeing how wonderful all of you are, I can't think of a better way for them to grow than to emulate the lot of you."

Aeson cleared his throat, then handed her a single piece of paper. "Then this one is yours."

She looked down and felt her breath catch. It was Aeron's. He wanted to be a teacher, like her. "Oh," she whispered.

"What?" Kincaid asked and she passed him the paper. He read it and smiled. "He was imitating you last night. I think he'll make a great teacher, especially with you to guide him."

"I have so many books I can get him," she began excitedly, then looked around at the men smiling at her. "Okay, okay I get it. It's a lot of fun spoiling them, isn't it?"

Aeson stretched. "We'll make the kid's rooms the correct colors then we'll head out to meet with House Erlondon and go toy shopping."

She turned to Kincaid. "That frees us up, what did you want to do?"

"I'd like to see how the room looks without that huge bed in it, then maybe look online for some furniture we like. I have a feeling even if Declan had the time, it would be a while before we got anything. In the meantime, we'll need something."

"I heard from Zoe that the craftsmen hold a general market in the afternoons in the town's square. We could go there later for personal items."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

She shoved the rest of her sandwich in her mouth. "Let's go. I want to see my fireplace."

He did the same and stood, holding out his hand to her. "After you, my lady."

*****

Without the bed the room looked huge. She turned to him. "We could even put a sofa in here and have a lot of left over space."

He nodded. "I know our offices have attached sitting rooms, but I like the idea of a small cozy area in front of the fireplace. Maybe a loveseat and extra blankets."

She looked around the room. With the bed gone, the room looked stark white and empty. "At least it's brighter."

He walked over and looked down at the bed. "They made it for us," he said, running his hands over the covers. "Gods, I love fae quality linens. After moving here, I'll never have anything else."

She joined him and reached down for the coverlet. "It's so soft."

He absently started running his hand up and down her back. "It's really starting to feel like our space."

She wanted to lean into his hand. God, it felt good.

When she looked up, she realized he was watching her with a smile on his face.

"What?"

"Nothing, just marveling at how beautiful you are."

She ran her hands down his chest. "I don't suppose you want to break in this bed and give me the sex you offered?"

He blinked. "Now?"

"I mean if you don't want to?" She squealed as he bodily lifted her and threw her on the bed.

Laughing they began pulling off their clothes. When he paused, she raised a brow. "What?"

"The other women, they wanted to wait for children. If that was something you wanted, we can wait until after you have a conception amulet."

"Kincaid, I told you I want a large family. This house already has over twenty kids, what's one more?"

She shivered as his eyes began to flash with silver light. She pushed him down and straddled him. When his heated flesh slid between her legs she groaned.

"Babe, if you keep that up, the show will be over before it's started," Kincaid warned.

She rocked her hips. "But, it feels so good," she whimpered.

When his hands went to her hips to flip them, she leaned down and kissed him. "I get to choose."

He just grinned and with his hand at the back of her head, pulled her down to lay flush against him for a kiss.

As their tongues twisted around one another, she realized she didn't feel her body weight on her knees anymore.

Opening her eyes, she saw that they were floating mid-air, and he was now over her. "Cheater."

"I'm really enjoying this third element," he whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver.

"What else can you do?"

Using his magic, she felt a warm column of air race down her back and down her butt, seconds later she was being held open for him. "Kincaid!"

She had never felt so aroused and exposed.

He leaned back and looked down. She wanted to close her legs, but his smile of satisfaction had her dripping more.

"What do you want baby? I'll give you everything you desire."

"I want that cock of yours. Repeatedly."

"Done."

Using his hand, he lined up his cock and eased himself forward, impaling her gently. Despite his play, this was still the kind man she fell in love with.

"You won't hurt me. I am more than ready for you."

"A part of me would die if I did," he said, and pulled out, before slamming forward.

"Yes!" she screamed.

He took her at her word and began to work her body.

There were no awkward angles, no pressure points. By floating in mid-air, all she felt was him and pleasure. "More!"

She felt him pull her legs up and angle himself lower. "God!" Whether by luck or design, he was hitting her g-spot perfectly. "You move and I'll kill you."

His low chuckle had her smiling. She reached up and traced his jaw. "I love you more than I thought humanly possible."

He plunged deep, then nipped at her lips. "I'm not human," he reminded her.

Around them the air pulsed and she heard faint cracking from the walls. The entire house could come down and she wouldn't care.

It didn't take long for him to have her orgasm bearing down on her. "Please!"

"I will love you until we both seek the arms of the Goddess," he whispered. His final thrust hit everything it needed to, and she felt herself clenching around him so tightly it almost hurt.

"As there is a sun and moon, a sky and earth, and a Lord and Lady, so there are two pieces to this one soul. Let us be complete once more, never to be torn apart. I give everything I am into my mate's keeping, let my love protect and guard our joined souls," he said, gasping between each word.

She felt her soul lift up as it searched for his. Together they intertwined, then slowly they separated, taking a bit of the other with it as it returned to their bodies. Seconds later three balls of light shot from him, red, green and white. They danced around playfully before plunging into her heart.

When his head dropped to her shoulder, she felt gravity return as they dropped ten feet onto the bed. She let out an ‘eep' as they bounced.

Smiling, they simply held on to one another. "Baba said that someone invented self-cleaning sheets," she said, patting around on their new blankets. Feeling multiple wet spots she sighed.

"I'll order some right away," he promised, sounding like he had finally caught his breath.

"Still up for shopping?"

He shook his head. "Eventually. I actually want to head downstairs to see if the guys left any food out and then take a nap."

She pulled her legs out from around his and stood. "I'm going to get cleaned up then we can get our snack."

With his face in the pillow, he nodded.

It didn't take her long to clean up and slipping back into the pant set Baba gave her felt great. By the time she returned to the main room she saw that Kincaid was upright and dressed. "You must really be hungry."

"I'm starved."

When they made it downstairs, she saw that nearly all the warriors were still in the kitchen. A few were draped over chairs, and they all looked wiped.

"Was painting that hard?" Kincaid asked.

Aeson stared. "Painting? Painting! We were keeping the house from falling apart!" he yelled.

Kincaid frowned. "Huh?" He looked around. "Oh, no."

"What?"

Kincaid was bright red. "The ones resting? Are witches."

"Okay?"

"My magic, when we, um…"

"Oh. Oh!" she thought about what they had done, then grinned. "Yeah, that's about right."

Heath just chuckled from his chair, which set off Ian and Carson.

Kincaid just buried his face in his arms. "Thank you, for saving the house," he said, sounding muffled.

Aeson sputtered a few more seconds then started laughing.

They were still laughing when Kincaid's phone went off. He looked down, then up at Aeson.

Aeson stopped laughing. "What?"

"I've been ordered to the palace, immediately." He paled. "You don't think it's about?" He pointed upstairs.

Aeson was about to respond when his phone went off. He read his text. "Go. Run! Units, head to the villa and gear up!" he ordered.

Kincaid took her hand, and they did exactly that. They ran.