Chapter Thirteen

Kincaid watched his Elder carefully. The man had been staring into his teacup for the past five minutes.

"What do you mean we're adopted?" Neil asked.

Meryn looked at the twins. "I said you were my brothers."

"Yeah, but you also said that Noah, Jaxon and Pip were your brothers too," Nigel pointed out.

"They are," she replied back, looking confused.

Finally, his Elder looked up. "She officially adopted you two weeks ago. Rex Lionhart helped her put the paperwork through." He blinked. "It was impeccably done too." He eyed his niece. "Genius to get all four councils to stamp it."

Meryn sat back looking smug. "Well, I was adopting three witches, a vampire and a shifter, it made sense to just get them all."

Neil looked like he was about to faint. "We're really adopted?"

Meryn looked from one twin to the next. "Why is this a shock?"

Neil just stared down at the floor. "We didn't think you'd really do it."

Meryn paled so fast Kincaid actually started to stand to go to her, but her squire got to her first. "You don't want me?" she asked, in the tiniest voice he had ever heard out of her.

Ryuu stood behind her, hands on her shoulders watching everything with a patient smile.

Both boys jumped up and squeezed her between them causing Ryuu to take a step back. "Of course we want you! It's just, it's for real, for real."

"Yeah," Meryn said, still not understanding.

"Neil, call Noah and Jaxon, see if they know," Nigel ordered.

Neil grabbed his phone as Nigel looked to Pip. "Why aren't you more surprised?"

Pip simply smiled. "I have belonged to Meryn since the day we met. I don't need a piece of paper for that."

"Hey Noah, is Jaxon there? Speaker? Yeah." Neil put his phone on the table.

"What now? If it's another mission I need more sugar," Noah complained.

"Did you know we were adopted?"

"Huh?"

"Like as Morninglorys?" Jaxon asked.

"No. Did you know Meryn freaking actually, officially, on paper with seals from each of the four pillar cities, adopted us? All of us!" Nigel exclaimed.

"What!" Noah screeched.

"Wait, us too?" Jaxon asked, sounding faint.

"Yes! Me, Nigel, you, Noah and Pip."

"I don't get why this is a big deal, I said you were my brothers," Meryn protested, her arms across her chest.

Noah began to laugh. "She wouldn't get it."

Meryn stomped her foot. "What!"

Ryuu placed a hand on her head and his hand glowed blue. "Calm down, this is a happy occasion. They are in disbelief because of how overwhelmed they are, not because they do not want you."

"No! That's not it at all!" Noah said. "Dammit, I hate being separated like this. Next time you travel, we get to come with you."

Meryn looked up at Ryuu, tears in her eyes. "I don't get it."

Ryuu stared down at his charge then over to Nigel and Neil. "This time Meryn, I think it's them that do not get it. I will help to clarify."

He looked to Nigel. "If Meryn were starving, would you feed her?"

"Of course!"

He turned to Neil. "If she were about to be shot, would you protect her, even risking your own life?"

"You bet I would!"

"Master Jaxon, if Meryn wanted to commit murder, would you help?"

Jaxon chuckled. "I think we did that already."

Ryuu smiled. "Master Pip, if you saw that Meryn was struggling, not able to face the world, would you help her?"

Pip nodded. "I would give her all the cuddles!"

"Master Noah, would you stand between Meryn and anything that would harm her or her happiness?"

There was a sniffle. "You know I would."

"Then as Master Pip said, you were her brothers a long time ago, the piece of paper just made it legal." He looked down at Meryn. "In the paranormal world, there are a few more shades of grey regarding family and bloodlines than how you see things. Vampires have their Books of Life, and as you have seen, the fae have their Trees of Life. Family ties are extremely important to those who live for centuries. By becoming legal, you gave them something tangible to hold on to. That piece of paper as you saw today, became a shield for them."

Kincaid saw it click not only for Meryn but for the boys too.

"Once she said she was her brothers, that was it for her, wasn't it?" Noah asked.

"The adoption papers keep them safe," Meryn whispered.

"If they are officially adopted by Meryn, they should be added to the Eirlea tree," Brennus said.

"Why not the McKenzie registry?" Aiden asked.

Brennus pointed to Meryn. "They are tied to her. If they were added to your registry they would be tied to you."

"Auntie! Can we open a portal and get Jaxon and Noah?" Meryn pleaded.

"Of course. I also wish to meet the young men that saved my people," the queen said.

Darian stood. "I got this. I know that house like the back of my hand."

He opened the portal and walked through. A few minutes later he returned with Jaxon and a blubbering Noah.

Meryn, the twins and Pip, descended on them.

Pip stared at Jaxon eyes wide. "You come with wheels? That's so cool!"

Jaxon laughed. "I know someone else that thought so too," he looked at Meryn.

Pip nodded. "She is very smart."

Meryn held onto Noah as he dissolved in her arms.

"We have a r-r-real h-home now," he cried.

"You stop that, Noah! I hate crying, my nose gets all stopped up," Meryn complained as she wiped her eyes too.

Noah wiped his face with his sleeves. "I've missed you."

Meryn hugged him tightly. "I've missed you too."

Noah stepped back. "Holy crap, your stomach is huge."

Meryn's mouth dropped open. "Way to put me out there Noah."

He pointed. "I never really saw it before because you were sitting." He knelt down. "Hey peanut! Remember me?"

Jaxon looked around. "Where's Felix?"

Meryn pulled back her shirt. "Hey Felix, looks who's here."

A drowsy Felix floated up from the front of her shirt. "Jaxon! Noah!" the sprite flitted around the both of them.

Grinning Nigel lifted up one side of his vest. "Finley, come say hi."

Kincaid couldn't help but smile. He loved seeing the young sprites.

Neil did the same for Feris.

Brennus stepped forward and bowed low to the young men.

The boys looked shocked.

Brennus stood. "Thank you, for all you have done to save the fae."

Jaxon and Noah blushed, unused to the attention.

The queen stepped into the small circle where Meryn was surrounded by her brothers. "Nothing would make me happier than if you were to consider us family as well."

"I call her Auntie," Meryn chirped.

The boys exchanged glances, there was no way they would be calling the Queen of the fae, Auntie.

The queen winked at the boys. "We will figure something out. Now, let us go introduce you to the Elder Guardian, Abraxas."

Everyone walked into the garden and crowded around the Eirlea tree.

"Abraxas, ello, ello!" Meryn called out.

Brennus and Oron winced at the informal greeting.

Laughter filled the garden as Abraxas appeared.

"Oh, my, god," Noah said, in a strangled voice.

Meryn nodded. "I know right?"

"I hope that we do not have another tragedy on our hands, little Meryn," Abraxas said, floating over to her.

She shook her head. "I would like to add my adopted brothers to the tree if we can."

Abraxas looked at each of them. "These are the ones who guided the warriors? The ones that saved our people?"

"They are and… I love them. They take care of me, and I want to take care of them too," Meryn said, stumbling over her words.

Abraxas' expression softened. "Such a hard emotion for you, little one. But, I think because it is so hard for you, it is doubly precious." He eyed them carefully. He raised a hand and everyone except for the boys and Meryn were pushed outside of a barrier.

"Kendrick, what is this?" Kincaid asked.

Kendrick ground his teeth. "No idea."

Ryuu was blazing with a bright blue light. "Abraxas, you dare keep her from me?"

Abraxas ignored him. "To add a non-fae to the tree, it would be very painful for you Meryn, are you sure you want to proceed?"

She nodded. "Yup."

Abraxas stared. "Do you understand, the pain will be very intense."

She became thoughtful. "Will it hurt my jellerbean?"

He shook his head. "I would not allow that."

"Cool then."

He stared. "Meryn, I do not think you…"

Jaxon rolled forward. "Meryn, don't. Nothing is worth you being in pain."

Nigel and Neil pressed closer. "Yeah, we have the paper, you don't have to get hurt," Neil said.

She smiled. "The pain to add you to our tree is nothing compared to the pain I lived without family."

Kincaid watched as Ryuu, Aiden and Brennus began to come unglued.

"Abraxas!" Ryuu shouted. "She experiences a single moment of pain and you and I will have problems."

Abraxas turned to the boys. "Would you take the pain for her?"

"Of course." The boys chorused.

Abraxas turned to face Ryuu. "Quiet."

Meryn spun and saw her loved ones panicking. "I'm okay. This is my choice. We're stronger than you think."

"Is this one Meryn?" Pip asked, looking at the branches. "It has a bud!"

Noah hurried forward. "I wanna see."

Nigel and Neil looked from the other side. "Meryn are these your parents?"

Meryn nodded, looking somber. "The branches petrify when they die."

Pip turned to Abraxas. "I just need to bleed near Meryn, right?"

Abraxas went to answer, but Pip was already moving. Using the petrified branches of Meryn's parents, he stabbed himself through the hand. The wood skewered his pale flesh turning the entire scene macabre.

Without changing expression, he pulled his hand off the branch. Beaming he watched his blood drip onto Meryn's branch. "There."

Abraxas' mouth dropped open, shocked into silence.

Nigel and Neil shrugged. Taking turns, they did the same.

Kincaid watched as surprisingly Noah was calm about the whole thing. He winced when removing his hand, but like Pip, he was smiling after it was done.

After Jaxon went, they all looked at Abraxas.

"Now, what?" Pip asked.

"Now what? You were never supposed to get hurt!" Abraxas yelled. He frantically moved his hands around them as if he were trying to heal them. "It was a simple test to ensure you were committed! You weren't supposed to stab yourselves!"

Nigel and Neil looked disappointed. "Oh."

Noah nodded. "Yeah, I kinda like our way better."

Jaxon smiled at Pip. "He had the right idea."

Abraxas waved a hand, and the barrier came down.

Ryuu moved straight toward Abraxas. Meryn caught him around the waist. "I'm fine. You know he wasn't going to hurt me."

Ryuu snarled over her head at the guardian.

Abraxas looked truly contrite. "I never meant for the children to get hurt."

The queen walked over to stand next to him. "These are not like other children, Abraxas. They have known deep sorrow and darkness. They do not fear pain."

The guardian turned to the boys. "Please forgive me."

Jaxon moved his chair forward. "There's nothing to forgive. I think we all agree that we preferred doing it this way. I don't know about the others, but I feel like this binds us closer."

Meryn hugged Ryuu then walked over to the tree, her hand outstretched.

"No!" More than one voice cried out.

Nigel and Neil intercepted her.

Pip shook his head. "No. We don't need your blood because you were the branch we bled on," he explained.

Meryn turned to Abraxas. "Are they okay now?" she asked, eyes hopeful.

The guardian looked to the tree. Five branches emerged from the line of Eamon and Violet. "I do not think Eamon would mind claiming such wonderful boys."

"Whoa!" Jaxon said, looking down at his arm. Where his blood ran down from his hand, thin elder branches encircled his wrist.

"I have the friendship bracelet too!" Pip said, showing Noah his.

Abraxas turned to Meryn. "Thank you for bringing us excellent sons. I will watch over them as they watch over you."

With that he walked back into his tree.

Kincaid moved forward to look at Pip's hand. "Let me heal that."

Pip looked concerned. "Are you supposed to?"

"Pip, I don't think you earn extra points if it gets infected. Then you won't be able to help Meryn," Kincaid explained.

He held out his hand. "We don't want that."

"Yeah, I need you guys able to type and game," Meryn added.

One by one, he easily closed the small wounds. Despite the pain, each of the boys looked happy.

As they were seated for an early lunch, the queen watched Meryn and her brothers with a soft smile. "An alliance that has been in place for close to five thousand years was dissolved, yet all I can think of is how happy I am the boys are here."

Meryn waved one of her delivered meat kebobs. "It's not like really over Auntie. Once we kill the assholes doing douchery, it'll be back in no time."

Lily smiled, sipping her tea.

Marshall shook his head. "I thought I got lucky with Amelia, little did I know life would surprise us with Meryn, a smaller, adorable version of my mate."

Meryn grinned at her uncle. "Murder, the gift that keeps on giving."

Amelia patted her father's shoulder. "I think both of them are wonderful. Though, I wonder if Meryn is like mother, if I am more like Aunt Violet."

The queen turned to Lily. "Why don't we watch some of the orbs Eamon sent? He said they preserved some of their moments together as he wanted to share them with us when they returned."

Lily took a deep breath. "I think I would like that."

"Portia?" Brennus called.

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Could you call Doran here? We're going to look at some of Eamon's orbs."

"Of course." She stepped back outside and closed the door.

Meryn stared at the door. "Does she just chill in the hallway?"

Brennus chuckled. "I asked the same thing after moving in and the short answer is yes. Her gift is with the written word. Her quill and scrolls are magical. She can summon people, do our spelled communications, order things, and anything else you can think of to keep us running."

"That's so cool," Meryn said.

Brennus stood and went to their private quarters, when he returned, he held the wooden box that held Eamon's communication spheres.

Brie leaned down to look at Meryn. "Did you want us here for this? It's kinda a family thing."

Meryn stared. "Aren't you like a cousin now?"

"Holy shit! I am," Brie said.

"What about us?" Zoe asked, pointing to her and Cas.

"I don't mind."

The door opened and Doran and Chris, his mate, walked in. Chris went to his daughter and kissed her on the top of her head. "I hear we're watching home videos."

Brie pointed to the box. "Something like that."

Brennus turned to Meryn. "We need your blood again."

"Fuuuuck! How many of those things are there?"

Brennus smiled. "You will be fine."

Ryuu pricked her finger and bled on the first one.

The room brightened and an image formed. It showed a fae that looked very much like Brennus.

Brennus! Doran! I'm a father! Gods above, I'm a father! Look!

The image shifted until it was showing a small infant. The baby opened its mouth and began to cry.

Isn't she perfect? This is my daughter Meryn. Violet is doing well.

Well my foot, Eamon. I'm still sore.

Eamon chuckled. She did great.

Lily gasped and leaned in closer as if trying to close the years gap between her and her sister.

The image stayed on Meryn as she cried.

I ordered her a blanket from éire Danu. He held up a corner. The blanket itself was gold satin, with the fae language embroidered along the edge. It's supposed to help babies sleep. But, I'm not sure if it's working.

Soft laughter floated in from the side. She's a baby, Eamon. Babies cry.

I do not like it when she cries. She only needs to smile and be happy.

Then we will have to spoil her rotten.

I plan to.

Are you done with your sphere? I need to feed her. You know how cranky she gets when she's hungry.

Aiden laughed. "That hasn't changed."

Hands entered the image and Meryn was picked up and held by Violet.

My beautiful ladies. Brennus, Doran, I can't wait to introduce you. But, for now the spheres will have to do.

You might as well wrap that up, you have diaper duty after she eats.

Eamon made a face. Of course, darling.

The image faded and the sphere blackened again.

Lily wiped at her eyes. "What beautiful magic. I got to see her again," she said, her voice breaking.

Meryn was quiet. "My mom was cool, huh?"

Pip laid his head on her shoulder. "She was pretty like you."

Meryn blushed. "She was more ladylike than I am. More like Amelia."

"Shall we watch another one?" Brennus asked.

Once again Meryn contributed, and the sphere came to life.

"Oh my god, is that me?" Meryn asked.

"It is! Oh, Meryn, you're adorable!" Amelia said, enraptured by the images.

The sphere showed a small girl about two, hair in pigtails, bright green eyes looking straight ahead.

Say, hello to your Uncle Brennus.

No.

How about Mama?

No.

Dada?

No.

Meryn, are you hungry?

Yes.

Of course you are.

The image shifted as Eamon picked Meryn up and began walking. They got to see cream walls and dark stained wood as he walked downstairs.

Violet, Meryn is hungry.

Again?

She's still growing.

Has she said anything else? Violet's eyes held laughter.

They heard Eamon exhaling. Just, ‘no'.

I think that's her favorite word.

No, her favorite word is Mama.

Meryn, what do you want to eat? Violet asked.

Pu-ding.

See? She can say pudding.

There you have it Brennus, her favorite word is ‘no' and she likes pudding!

The image faded and the sphere blackened.

"Oh, shut up!" Meryn exclaimed to Aiden as he convulsed in laughter.

"You haven't changed at all," he said, gasping for air.

Lily leaned against her mate. "They were so happy."

Meryn got up and went to the box. "I'm choosing this time."

When the next image started, everyone gasped.

The recording showed Eamon pushing both Violet on one swing and Meryn on another. This time Meryn looked to be around four. Both of them wore matching white dresses and large floppy sun hats.

There was no speaking, just them playing together, laughing and enjoying the sunset.

When it ended more than one person sighed.

"One more?" Meryn asked, in a small voice.

"Anything you want darling," Brennus said, his voice thick with emotion.

She let Ryuu open the last orb for the day.

The image showed Eamon sitting with Meryn, coloring.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Older.

I guess that's a given.

Do you want to color? Or maybe be a teacher?

Meryn's face scrunched up. I'm gonna be a sister.

Oh, really? Did your mother say she wanted another child?

Nope! She said, popping her ‘p'.

Your mother will have to help you be a sister.

Nut uh. I'm gonna do it myself.

Do you want sisters?

Meryn shook her head. Girls are cousins.

So, you want brothers?

Yup!

How many?

Five! Meryn held up her hand. Dis many!

Eamon, can you help me for a second? Violet called out sounding like she was across the room.

Be right back, baby girl.

Meryn kept coloring, though she was staring straight ahead, her eyes unfocused. One wolfie, twee witches annnn one toofers. All for me.

Kendrick stood and got closer. "Gods above," he whispered.

Heavy footsteps had Meryn snapping out of whatever she had been looking at.

Daddy, can I have dog?

We'll see.

Can I be a witch for Halloweiner?

Eamon choked as he laughed. Please ask me that in front of your mother.

Okay.

A witch huh? How about a fairy? With a pretty golden dress.

No.

Why not?

No wings daddy.

I can make you wings.

They colored for a bit more, until they heard a clock chime in the background.

What do you want to have for dinner?

Steak.

Violet! Did your family own a cattle farm in the past?

Why on earth would you ask something like that? Violet asked, as she walked into the picture.

He pointed to Meryn. Our daughter eats too much meat. She acts more like a shifter than fae. He turned to Meryn. How about a fresh salad and fruit?

No. Yucko.

How about some hot dogs and chips? Violet suggested.

Yay! Meat sticks!

Eamon visibly shuddered. Do you know what hot dogs are made of?

Don't care, she eats them.

Momma, dad said I have to be a witch in Halloweiner.

Oh, he did, did he?

Not quite. Eamon said, quickly.

Come on, Meryn. Dinnertime.

Yay!

The image faded once more, and the sphere darkened.

Kendrick whirled until he faced Meryn.

She held up a hand. "I don't remember shit."

Kincaid watched as his king spun to where the image had been and back to Meryn, all with his mouth open.

Neil turned to Noah and Jaxon. "She saw us."

Pip was vibrating in his chair. "We were brother and sister even when I thought no one loved me! But, Meryn loved me before we even met."

Nigel shook his head. "She was waiting for us, all this time."

Meryn winced. "I don't remember though."

Amelia leaned over and placed a hand on Meryn's. "I think a part of you did." With her other hand she dried her eyes. "You saw me too. ‘Girls are cousins'."

Kendrick finally gave up and sat down. "She had premonitions, the same as Violet." He eyed the small woman. "I wonder why you don't get them now."

Zadie laughed. "One word, two syllables. Trau-ma."

Kendrick popped back up and began pacing. "Accurate premonitions are rare even in the magic community. For them to be lost because of some blood fueled, single brain-celled, troglodytes…" he began muttering to himself.

Anne sighed. "Oh dear. This will bother him for a while. Lost potential truly angers him."

"I thought she still gets them sometimes," Amelia asked.

Meryn shook her head. "Not like that. What I get is more like a forced download packet from the universe."

"Ugh!" Kendrick exclaimed, throwing up his hands. He turned and faced her. "We'll have to add some exercises to your regiment."

Meryn groaned. "I was just getting the hang of this ball-sucking empathy stuff."

Kendrick put his hands on his hips. "Wouldn't you want the satisfaction of seeing an enemy's plans completely implode because of something you saw?"

Meryn's eyes lit up. "Hell yeah."

Ryuu looked to Kendrick. "Nothing too strenuous."

Kendrick motioned to where the image had been. "She did it as naturally as breathing. I don't think it will put any strain on her at all, but should she show any signs of discomfort we will stop."

Meryn shrugged. "I keep trying for lottery numbers, but I got nothing."

Brennus carefully stored the spheres away for future use. "Darling, you know we'll get you anything you want."

"I know, but I want the satisfaction of winning cause I cheated," she admitted.

"If you think of anything you want, you just let me know," he reiterated.

Meryn looked at her uncle.

Brennus placed the lid on the wooden box that held the spheres. "Did you think of something?"

She hesitated.

Brennus and Doran turned to her. "You finally thought of something we can get you?" Doran asked, sounding excited.

"Yup! I want that baby blanket for jellerbean. I mean a version of it. But, instead of fae squiggles I can't read, can you add a shield with violets wrapped around it? I looked up my dad's name and it means protector. I figured it could kinda be from them too."

Brennus turned to Doran who stood. "I'll see to it myself." He looked to his mate. "Want to come with me?"

Chris took his hand. "Always."

Meryn sat smiling. "I don't think I've ever been this happy."

Kincaid watched as her eyes went pitch black.

Cas groaned. "Not again!"