Page 21 of My Haven (Bewitched and Bewildered #16)

Caiden filed in behind his mate, keeping an eye on Meryn. The second she looked like she was even the slightest bit upset, he was taking them home. Genevieve’s hand in his gave a small squeeze. He gave a squeeze back and they sat down.

The parlor they were led to was one he had seen a few times before. He could tell immediately that the furniture and decor was mostly left over from their king and queen.

The timeless pieces that surrounded them, screamed of craftsmanship, and displayed wealth and class more than any gold or silver piece. Finely carved bookcases and inlaid flooring gave the entire room a very warm feel.

When the two squires entered, Caiden turned away to look out the window. Had things been different, he would have been raised by one of them.

“Lady Meryn, Lord Caiden, Lady Genevieve, welcome,” a light baritone voice said, walking in with a serving cart.

Caiden turned and watched the man that used to serve the Ironwoods. “Miles Spencer how is the Witches’ Council treating you?” he asked, trying to keep the bitterness from his voice.

Miles, smiled softly, then picked up the teapot. “I am well.” He turned to Ryuu. “Does your charge have a particular tea she prefers?”

Ryuu pulled a sachet from his vest pocket. “She is on a custom blend of Blessed Chamomile.”

Miles took the sachet and brought it to his nose. “Kendrick Ashwood’s work, if I am not mistaken.”

Ryuu nodded.

Miles measured out the tea and started a small teapot for Meryn.

“Lord Caiden, do you still prefer double strong black?” he asked.

“I do.”

The second squire stepped forward. “I will serve Lady Meryn, if permitted. I hear she is Lord Thane’s godsdaughter.”

Caiden looked out the window. “As if that means anything to either of you,” he murmured. Atticus Maison, used to be the Ashleigh squire, before the fall of the court.

“That’s cool. Ryuu, you can chill,” Meryn said.

“Yes, denka ,” Ryuu replied.

Caiden turned and watched Meryn. She was relaxed and smiling at the two squires.

Atticus looked relieved and smiled at Meryn. “We don’t see many pregnant witches at the castle.”

“Oh, I’m not a witch, not really. I am half fae though,” she said.

The squire looked like he was about to speak when Thad joined them, with five others.

Caiden exhaled slowly in relief. Karl wasn’t among the visiting council members.

Caiden stood, as did Nigel, Neil, and Pip. Once the council members sat, they too sat back down.

Thad pointed to the cart and Miles began pouring from the larger teapot.

“Now, Meryn, I’d like to introduce you to my fellow council members.” Thad began.

Ryuu moved slightly forward, simply placing a hand on Meryn’s shoulder. Caiden was watching that man closely. If Ryuu had to act, Caiden wanted to be a half step behind him.

“To my immediate right we have Jayne Wintercress and Daia Rosewyn. Across the table is Ruadh Datura and Nia Aconite, and to my left is Varan Hellebore. Esteemed council members, our visitors today are Lady Meryn McKenzie, Lord Caiden Ironwood, Lady Genevieve, his mate, and Meryn’s attendants,” Thad said, wrapping up the introductions.

Jayne eyed Nigel and Neil. “I was told that Nigel and Neil Morninglory were Meryn’s brothers, are they attendants now?”

Thad placed a hand on his chest. “I misspoke, Nigel and Neil Morninglory along with Pip Maverick are Meryn’s adopted brothers. Behind her are Ryuu Sei, her squire and Pierce Alamarez, her guard,” he corrected.

Daia nodded. “It makes sense she would have a guard.”

“Thad, am I seeing things?” Varan began.

The charismatic witch laughed. “No Varan, you’re not.

I was surprised to see that our Lady Meryn here, has a touch of magic.

She has been getting lessons from Kendrick Ashwood, as he was recently visiting Lycaonia and currently Thane Ashleigh as he is her athair ,” Thad explained, as if he known all along.

Nia spoke up. “Meryn, have you been tested at all? It must be so frustrating discovering magic later in life.”

Meryn shook her head. “Thane says I have just enough to be a headache, so I never really saw the need to be tested.”

Atticus moved so that he was standing between Meryn and several of the council members. In his hands, he held her teapot. Slowly, he served her a cup. “Lady Meryn, do you prefer milk or sugar in your tea?”

Meryn smiled. “Yes.”

The squire carefully poured the milk until Meryn nodded, then added sugar until she lifted her hand. He handed her the teacup. “If it isn’t to your liking, please let me know.”

Once Meryn was served, he turned to the council members. “Your usuals I assume?”

Thad waved a hand. “Yes, that’s fine.” Smiling at Meryn he continued. “We were actually hoping to get your help with something.”

Meryn sipped her tea. “Oh?”

Jayne leaned forward. “We’re at somewhat of a standstill in reestablishing communications with éire Danu. We wanted to know if you had any insight you could share.”

Meryn was quiet for a second. “I think getting your crystal thingie fixed could help. It’s hard to reestablish communications if the tool you use to communicate is broken.”

Thad chuckled. “You’re not wrong, but we were hoping for more insight into the mindset of the new king.”

“Darian?” Meryn asked, casually calling him by his first name.

“He’s really easy going. I think if you just approached him honestly, he’d be open to your concerns.

But I know that the huge sticking point for Darian and Auntie was the high-handed way you closed the portal.

From my history lessons, even I know that the fae have complete control of the portals as part of the alliances,” she pointed out, taking another sip of tea.

Jayne winced. “I told you that was a major issue.”

Ruadh pounded the arm of his chair. “They had dark portals popping up everywhere, you can’t tell me that wasn’t a security risk.”

Daia scowled at his outburst. “The Queen herself assured us that the established portals were safe.”

Thad held up his hand. “I think we can discuss this later, hmm?”

Daia and Ruadh both sat back.

Caiden took the break in conversation to change topics. “Meryn, what do you think of Storm Keep so far?”

She played with the spoon in her cup. “It’s okay, I guess. I miss the shops that Lycaonia and éire Danu have. Even Noctem Falls has a Market level. I was kinda hoping to buy magic stuff, like a self-inking quill for Portia or something like the heating stones Zoe and Kincaid made.”

Ruadh sat back. “What a unique perspective. You’ve just visited the other three of our four pillar cities.” He turned to Daia. “I know that additional shops were an agenda item for this year. Hearing Meryn comment on it, we should move it up on the priority list.”

Daia smiled. “I’ve been dying for a decent coffee shop, so you won’t hear me complain.”

Varan looked to Meryn. “What is this about young Zoe and Kincaid?”

Meryn shrugged. “It got colder in éire Danu, so the sprites were having a hard time, Zoe and Kincaid just made stones that were warm. That’s all.”

Nia blinked. “How?”

Meryn held up her hands, shrugging. “No idea.”

“He was just elevated by the Elder Council to a Founding Family status, wasn’t he?” Ruadh asked.

Jayne’s nose scrunched. “Do they still use those archaic titles?”

Caiden kept his smile in place, trying not to let the disdain in her voice get to him.

Varan rolled his eyes. “Archaic or not, it still means he can access three elemental powers, who cares what the title is?”

Thad sighed dramatically. “I know of at least three public works projects in the Inner City that could use someone like him.”

Meryn titled her head. “How so?”

“I was told his three elemental powers were, fire, earth and air. That would help enormously with construction. Earth for the placement and setting of concrete. Air, to run open tubes in the concrete for wires, fire to weld as needed,” Thad explained.

“That sounds cool,” Meryn said.

“It is,” Ruadh agreed.

Meryn looked down at her teacup. “Won’t he get assigned somewhere and be gone for forever? With no one knowing where he is?” She looked up at the council members.

Varan sighed. “Only witches who want to leave are assigned out. Most love blending in with humans. They find the dated values of our pillar cities stifling.”

“How come their assignments can’t be found?” she asked.

Nia picked up her own teacup. “Do you know how assignments work Meryn?”

“Nope.”

Nia took a sip, then continued. “Witches are tested on three criteria…”

Meryn snapped her fingers. “Like power, accuracy and stamina, right?”

Nia looked pleased. “Yes, exactly. They are tested and given scores for each. We then look at the long list of requests sent to us from around the world. Not just pillar cities, but even some human corporations and governments that are privileged enough to know of our existence, need witch magic to complete projects for progress.”

“Can I get a list of the humans who know?” Meryn asked.

Nia frowned. “That is very private information, what would you do with it?”

Meryn grinned. “I can track what they do online. Who they contact, what is said. I’d rather have a bead on those variables now, so that I can potentially head off anything getting out that could expose us.”

Varan nodded. “I’ve been saying something similar for decades. We take risks working with humans.”

Thad turned to Meryn. “You won’t share this information and you’d be willing to do this work on behalf of the Witches’ Council?”

Meryn gave a half shrug. “I don’t get my jollies sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. I stay in my lane and I’m happy there. I can set up programs that can scrub internet content, so in the event something about paranormals is leaked, I can minimize damage or spin it to look like a hoax.”

Thad turned to Nia. “Send the list to her,” he ordered. “We have been lucky thus far, but I think we’d all sleep better at night knowing this was safeguarded.”

Meryn eyed Thad. “I agree with Varan though. I’d cut ties ASAP. Why take the risk if you don’t have to?”