My Commander (Bewitched and Bewildered #1) (15 page)

"Colton take your clothes into the bathroom, shift back and get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready. The sooner we go downstairs the sooner Meryn can get dressed." Colton grabbed his clothes in his mouth and darted into the bathroom. Gavriel's eyes were laughing yet he never broke a smile. Meryn looked up and saw the vein in Aiden's temple was throbbing. That couldn't be good, even for a shifter.

"You ... you ..." He pointed at her shirt.

"What?
Voltron
kicked ass!"

"I can't do this. I'm going downstairs. We'll start this morning over at breakfast." Aiden turned and slammed the door behind him. The bathroom door opened and Colton dashed out not even looking in Meryn's direction. He swung the door open and bolted down the hall.

Gavriel stared down at her waist. Meryn pulled her shirt down.
Was he staring at her crotch?

"What?"
 

"You're off by a day." He pointed out. It dawned on her that he was talking about her day-of-the-week panties.

"My OCD had a bit of an issue with that. When Aiden kidnapped me, my days of the week got off track. I was supposed to start a new week the day I was taken. I was relieved that the pervert who wrecked my apartment didn't mess with this set, it's my favorite. When we picked up my stuff I couldn't decide if I should still wear them in order or skip a few days and have them correctly correspond with the current day. If I skipped days they would wear out at different times." Meryn explained. Gavriel nodded seriously.

"What did you decide to do?"

"I'm wearing this one until noon, then changing, I should be caught up and back on track later today."

"I can't believe I understood that. See you at breakfast Meryn." Gavriel gave a salute and closed the door behind him.
 

Meryn decided to take her time. She got her shower and reviewed her tee-shirt selections carefully. Today she was definitely feeling like Doctor Who. She yanked on her TARDIS tee and dug around for her blue Converse in her suitcase. Her long multi-colored scarf completed her ensemble. She grabbed her hoodie and her Mac Book Air and headed for the door. Nodding in the mirror, she winked at herself as she walked by.

"Allon-sy!"

She hopped down the stairs all the way down, eying the long wooden banister. Not today. But soon. She was going to try sliding down. The highly polished wood was practically begging for it. She walked into the dining room and sat down next to Aiden. She noticed that Keelan, Darian and Aiden's brothers weren't there. She dropped her hoodie and laptop beside her chair on the floor.

"Where is everybody?"

"Adam is back at the clinic. Adair had early morning classes and Darian and Keelan started morning drills with Ben's unit." Aiden answered before kissing her soundly on the lips. She kissed him back enthusiastically until she smelled something that had her mouth watering. Her nose twitched.

"What is that yummy smell?" She looked around.

"I remembered your espresso machine this morning. We both left it in the back of my car yesterday. Marius has been perfecting his espresso shots since I brought it in." Aiden took a bite of bacon.

"Speaking of cars. Where is mine?" She demanded. Aiden shuddered.

"You mean your death trap on wheels? At the Alpha Unit's barracks."

"You be quiet about Serenity. She has served me well."

"You named your car?" Colton asked.

"You don't?" Meryn was surprised. She thought everyone did. The doors to the kitchen opened.

"I think I have it just right. If the strength isn't to your liking, please let me know." Marius brought over a small ivory cup capped in white foam. Meryn reached forward with eager hands and picked up the stylish cup before bringing it to her nose.

"Smells wonderful." She took a sip. The foam itself was sweet and the bitterness of the espresso shots was tempered by the milk. She looked up at Marius.

"I love you." Aiden froze. Marius didn't bat an eye.

"And I adore you little miss. Crepes or french toast this morning?" He asked, holding an empty plate.

"What's in the crepes?"
 

Marius blinked. "Do you know, the boys have never asked me that. Not once."
 

"That's because they usually eat two servings of each, it doesn't matter what the filling is." Adelaide cut her crepe with ladylike precision.
 

"There are two different kinds of crepes this morning. Blueberry and cream cheese or cream cheese and almond." Marius answered Meryn looking pleased.

"Could I have one of the almond ones, please?" Meryn tipped her cup and tried to suck the foam off of the inside wall. When she set it down she sighed happily. Already she could feel the caffeine working its magic.

"Could I also have another one of those cappuccinos?" Meryn held her empty cup up. Aiden put his hand over the cup.

"That depends, what are your plans for the day?" He asked.

"I was planning on taking her shopping with Colton acting as an escort." Adelaide answered before Meryn had a chance to speak. She stared at the sweet woman in horror. Aiden lifted his hand and shrugged.

"Okay." He nodded. Meryn eyed him.

"What if I had planned on visiting with you today?" Aiden looked at her.

"As much as I would love to spend the day with you, I have to write up the report from last night's mission and go over some new concerns with the other unit leaders." Meryn just stared at him. He totally didn't answer her question.

"I wanted to go over those case details that Elder Airgead gave me some more." Meryn mumbled as Marius put a plate with a fresh crepe before her.

"You spent all yesterday afternoon in the sewing circle going over that laptop. Today I am going to show you my favorite boutiques! We need to get your All Hallows' Eve costume. I'm hoping we can find something decent. At this late of a date the best ones are bound to have been taken." Adelaide was nearly shaking with excitement at the thought of a shopping expedition. Meryn began to edge off her seat. She had done the sewing circle thing, but that and shopping in the same week was asking too much. Aiden's heavy arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her back on her chair.

"Mother has been looking forward to a daughter for a very, very, very long time Meryn." He looked down at her his eyes pleading.

"I guess." She thought about it for a second. "Can we go back to that café? I promised Sydney an update about how the sewing circle went." Meryn cut a huge bite of the crepe and stuffed it in her face. The cream cheese was smooth and sweet with a hint of almond. Marius set another cup in front of her.

"So good! Now I see why you said you needed him so much Lady Adelaide." Meryn picked up her second cappuccino.

"I have arranged for your squire interview for the day after the ball. Marius has agreed to help with some of the qualification tests." Adelaide paused and Meryn glanced up. Adelaide hesitated before continuing.

"Meryn, Lady Adelaide is so formal. I'd like it if you called me Mother, or if you're not comfortable with that just Adelaide." Meryn stared. She had never called anyone Mother for as long as she could remember.

"Mother." The word sounded funny to say.

"Muuuuuuther."

"Maaaaa."

"Are you my mummy?" Meryn giggled, then turned to Adelaide who was starting to look at her in concern.

"I've never used that word before. I like it ... Mother. Does that mean I can call you Papa?" Meryn asked Byron shyly. She heard a sniffle and expected Adelaide to be the one who was emotional. She, however, was smiling at her mate. Meryn was surprised to see that it was Byron who rubbed at his eyes like a sleepy toddler. Manfully he cleared his throat.

"I would love it if you called me Papa." Meryn smiled up at him, the man was just a huge marshmallow. He gazed lovingly at Adelaide.

"We have a little girl." He said in a voice filled with wonder. Adelaide nodded, then a lighting quick flash of calculation crossed her face.

"Byron, I'm using your account to go shopping today." Byron nodded absently with a wide goofy grin on his face. Aiden leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for making them happy."

"It's not like I'm not getting anything out of the deal. I've never had parents before." Meryn shrugged.

"I'm leaving Colton with you for the day. Tell him to keep his clothes on." Aiden kissed her temple and stood up.
 

"What's this?" Byron asked.

"I discovered I like Colton better as a dog." Meryn finished her crepe.

"I am not a dog! I am a wolf." Colton tried to sound haughty, but no one believed it.

"You should have seen him as a puppy! I think I have some sketches around here somewhere. Some of Aiden too." Adelaide offered.

"No photos?" Meryn asked.

"Cameras hadn't been invented then, dear." Adelaide explained gently.

"Oh." She looked up at Aiden. "Damn you're old!"
 

He rolled his eyes and stood.

"Have fun shopping. Stay with Colton." He kissed her, went to walk away and returned. The second kiss lingered until her head began to swim. They broke apart reluctantly. Aiden kissed her forehead and stepped back.

"Be good." He grabbed a banana out of the fruit bowl and walked out with Gavriel.

"I'm always good." Adelaide, Byron and Colton stared at her.

"I am." They continued to stare.

"Mostly."

"We're going to have a great time today." Adelaide beamed.

"Yay!" Meryn cheered weakly. She hated shopping!

CHAPTER EIGHT

She had been lied to. Adelaide had promised her coffee, it was now pushing past twelve o'clock and she hadn't gotten her mid-afternoon pick me up. They were now at the fourth boutique and the shop owner was giving Adelaide the same line as the other three. They didn't have anything that would suit her and had run out of fabric to commission a new piece. Adelaide's back was ramrod straight.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe next year." Adelaide wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her out.

"Maybe I shouldn't have shit in ole Lady Bowers Wheaties." Meryn sighed. She was terrified of the prospect of going to a ball, being amongst so many strangers where she would be expected to make small talk and remember names. But she had to admit, she was looking forward to dressing up for a Halloween party in a paranormal city.

"Of all the juvenile things to do! I wish she would just let the past go." Adelaide shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun.

"Let's go get some of that caffeine you've been twitching to get." Meryn perked up immediately at Adelaide's suggestion. Arm and arm they walked to The Jitterbug. When they walked inside Meryn inhaled deeply. The only thing that would make this place smell better was if it sold books.

"There she is! Sit and spill." Sydney pointed to the two empty barstools across the counter from where he manned the register. Meryn and Adelaide took their seats. Meryn ordered the Pumpkin Apple latte she had the last time and Adelaide surprised her when she ordered the same thing. Adelaide had a sheepish expression on her face.

"I love tea, but variety is the spice of life."

"Please tell me the rumor I heard about you ignoring Lady Bowers is true? You have been the talk of the city! No one can believe you stood up to her like that." Sydney shared as he made their drinks.

"I can confirm that happened. She was just being rude to her daughter-in-law."
 

Sydney snorted. "You've met the cow, rude is just her nature."

"Aren't you afraid of saying bad things about her? Evidently she has already turned people against me. The shops in the city won't sell me a costume." Sydney waved a hand dismissing her concern.

"She and I had words when she said I perverted and twisted Fate's choice of mate for me. Everyone knows we have no say in our mates, that woman is just cracked." Sydney handed them their drinks.

"She must still believe I stole Byron from her. They were seeing each other when he and I met. She had grand illusions about becoming Lady McKenzie. But once you meet your mate, that's it. I had believed that she moved past that, but seeing the shopkeepers' reactions to Meryn, I can't help but wonder." Adelaide shook her head. "I'll raid my closet and piece together a new costume by hand if I have to." She said vehemently.
 

"Don't worry about a costume. I can always just cut some holes in a sheet and go as a ghost." Meryn sighed as she sipped on her drink. The sweet, tangy brew warmed her from the inside out.

Sydney and Adelaide exchanged looks of concern.

"Meryn you don't understand, this isn't just a costume party. It's one of the biggest social events of the year." Sydney explained.

"I say costume, but it's more like a ball gown with extraordinary accessories." Adelaide continued. Meryn looked from one to the other.

"So no bobbing for apples or reaching into a bowl of peeled grapes pretending they are eyeballs?"

"Is that what humans do? That's disgusting." Sydney shuddered.

"Sweetheart, it's a grand ball. The meetings, discussions, introductions, social ladder climbing and business arrangements made in this one night can determine the success for the major houses for the year." Adelaide's voice was kind. For Meryn the room started to spin.

"I can't go to something like that! Are you nuts? I'll humiliate Aiden!" Meryn gasped for breath. Adelaide pushed her head between her legs.

"Now you stop that. I've seen you in action during the sewing circle, you can hold your own." Adelaide rubbed her back.

"Thought I might find you here. My grandson has been chomping at the bit to talk to you about yesterday's sewing circle."
 

Meryn glanced up, Lady Fairfax was standing in the doorway holding a satin bag. Her grey hair was pulled up in an elegant bun and her portly figure fashionably clothed. She leaned heavily on an ebony walking cane. Though older, her eyes still sparkled with a mischievousness usually reserved for younger people.

"Grandmother, what are you doing here?"
 

"I heard rumors that Daphane Bowers had gone around to all the clothing shops this morning. What's interesting is that they were all the shops specializing in costume gowns. You haven't had a chance to get one yet, have you Meryn?" The older woman plopped down at the table behind where Meryn sat on the barstool. Meryn sat up straighter and turned to face her.