Page 110 of My Eternal Light

“Cedric Ri'Emere, is nowhere near ready to join Alpha,” Aiden groused. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Ahhh poor baby,” Meryn said, gently moving the plate of pastries closer to her mate. “We’ll figure it out. I’m sure Dav or one of the Old Guard would do a few rotations while Cedric finishes his training.”

Aiden picked up a brownie morosely.

Meryn sniffled. “I’m losing my cousin too.”

Amelia gasped. “We’re not going home?” she whispered, before running over to hug Meryn. Soon both women were weeping softly.

Lily stood and went over to cuddle them both. “There, there girls. You are acting like portals don’t exist. Amelia, your mate can open a portal anywhere. I’m fairly certain you visiting won’t be an issue.”

Amelia lifted her tear-streaked face. “Really?” she asked timorously.

Darian knelt beside her, taking her hand. “Of course! Lycaonia was my home for centuries. I would miss it too much to stay away entirely.”

“It won’t be the same!” Meryn wailed.

Amelia dashed at her own tears. “But, Meryn, think of it this way, you get bat caves in Noctem Falls and Éire Danu. Plus, you’d be coming here a lot for your aunt and uncle, right?”

“And lots of different squire food,” Meryn added wiping her nose on her sleeve.

“Exactly. We can do this,” Amelia said, dabbing her own eyes with a napkin.

Meryn nodded. “We have to have visits figured out by the time your nugget is born. I want my kid to have lots of kids to play with.”

Outside the bells began to toll again, but this time with an urgent staccato.

Darian stood and when he turned to look at the door Portia was already there. “The city is under attack. Battles are being reported in the Border City, over two dozen assailants and counting.”

Darian turned to Aiden. “Help me defend my people?” he asked.

Aiden stood and checked his gun. “It would be a distinct honor, Your Majesty.”

Kendrick pointed to the women. “We’ll stay here at the palace.”

Darian looked relieved at the offer.

Ari stood as did the rest of Tau. Kincaid kissed Zadie.

She pulled him back down for a fiercer kiss. “I’ll be waiting for you with the children. They might be scared with the bells going.”

“I’ll be home soon,” he promised.

Together with their new king, they walked through his portal into battle.

*****

Gage pointed and shot. “This shit is getting old fast,” he complained.

Darian laughed. “Try doing it for centuries. Alpha has always had to fight ferals in Lycaonia.”

The Old Guard had gotten the people to evacuate into buildings and shops and they were now, slowly eliminating the enemy as they moved through the Border City.

“Brie, do we have reapers?”

Wearing her goggles she nodded. “Just enough to be fucking annoying. Not enough to get a good sweep in.”

Horns sounded from the far end of the street.

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