Page 110 of My Haven
Chapter Fifteen
Genevieve placed a plate of cookies in front of Meryn and took in the scene before her. Caiden and his brothers carried in additional seating and tables to the dining area. Ryuu started on refreshments and drinks. She offered to help and he waved her off pointing at Meryn. “If you could help limit the cookie consumption, I can handle serving the visiting dignitaries.”
She nodded quickly. She could handle cooking, but serving the elite was way out of her wheelhouse. Before she knew it, she was standing next to Caiden as the room began to fill. The first ones to arrive were the Storm Keep Elder Council and the Founding and Noble family heads. Both sets of Ashleigh and Ironwood brothers sat by Marshall. Second to arrive was Aiden’s dad and Lycaonia’s Elder Council. Then Magnus, his squire Sebastian and the rest of the Noctem Falls’ Elder Council arrived, with the visitors from Éire Danu arriving last. Which included the Éire Danu Elder Council, King Darian, his mate Amelia, former queen Aleksandra, and her mate Brennus. Since some of the Founding and Noble family members of Storm Keep also served as Elders, there was some overlap.
Caiden pulled in for a hug. “How are you holding up?”
She thought about how she actually felt. “I don’t think being kidnapped has sunk in yet. I knew you would come for me, but it really drove home how different your world is. I didn’t have any rights; I had no recourse to save myself. I know I said I imagined silver-eyed children, but I’d be terrified trying to raise them here. I couldn’t save myself, how could I save a child?”
“Then I will change things so that you feel safe here,” he promised.
“How? How can you change an entire city?”
“One day at a time.” He pointed to the larger room where the Elders sat waiting for the meeting to start. “We aren’t aloneanymore. The other cities are getting involved. Listen to what they say and see if that helps you feel better.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He stepped back and took her hand and led her to their seats. Once they sat down his father began.
Marshall cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?” He then proceeded to introduce everyone for those new to their world, for which Genevieve was truly grateful. She kept the spreadsheet Meryn sent her open on her phone just in case.
“Meryn, did you offend the Witches’ Council?” Alastair Primrose asked.
Meryn rolled her eyes. “Ha ha, very funny. It wasn’t me this time.”
“Father, it’s true, this time the Witches’ Council went too far,” Troy said, taking Meryn’s side.
“Forgive us, Your Highness, but we do remember a certain young lady that had her witch brothers fly a bespelled crystal into the detainment cells to cast an embarrassing spell on Ivan DeLaFontaine,” Dagda Vi’Ilsimir said, looking amused.
“Never was there a better use of magic,” Rex Lionhart said, nodding to Alastair and Dagda, his fellow council members from Noctem Falls.
Byron chuckled. “Are we compiling Meryn’s Best Moments? Because I can add a few.”
“Daaadd!” Meryn complained.
“My niece has never been anything but appropriate and ladylike,” Celyn refuted.
“I have yet to see her in action, but I am looking forward to it,” Lucius commented.
“She has an uncanny way of getting the best results in an efficient manner,” René added, begrudgingly.
Meryn’s mouth dropped. She hopped out of chair, padded over to him, and began petting his arm. “I was told you aren’t a douchebag on purpose. I am realigning you in my brain.”
René looked two seconds from bolting. He took in Meryn’s expression and heaved a huge sigh. “You aren’t the menace I thought you to be.”
Around the table the men laughed. Marshall looked at René. “She absolutely is, but she means well.”
René patted Meryn’s hand once.
Meryn stared for the longest time, then nodded, before returning to her seat.
Mikel looked down the table at his fellow council members. “Godwyn, Jerek, Frédéric, do you have any exploits to add before we get started?”
Godwyn placed a hand on his heart and gave a half bow in his chair. “Our princess served her home city well. We will stand by her, even if she did manage to alienate the Witches’ Council.”
Aiden leaned forward to look at Godwyn. “Lycaonia is her home city.”
The older fae just smiled. “Sure.”
