"Denka, calm down. We need to start your meditation lessons sooner than I anticipated." Ryuu clucked as he gently pushed her back down into her chair.
Meryn took a deep breath and turned her gaze back to Anne. "You have to be in-Doctor-nated. Clear your schedule. Besides taking care of Keelan, you will be learning about the Doctor."
Anne crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, only if you agree to watch my favorite anime shows with me."
Meryn nodded. "Deal."
Anne nodded. "Deal."
Colton shuddered. "Why do I feel like I just watched an unholy union ?"
Rheia bumped shoulders with him. "Goof! I'd like to watch some of the anime shows, too."
Elizabeth looked at Amelia who nodded. "Count us in, too."
Anne's smile lit up her whole face. "I've never had anyone else interested enough to watch with me before, just Keelan and Kendrick."
Colton looked at Kendrick. "Really?"
Kendrick grinned at him. "It had a great story. You should watch the one Anne introduced me to earlier."
Anne giggled.
Colton smiled at his mate. "Why not? I watch Digimon with Penny, and that's not too bad."
"You'll love it," Kendrick promised wickedly.
"If most of the serious discussions have concluded, I need to finish preparing dinner." Ryuu looked at his watch.
Aiden stood, rubbing his stomach. "Food sounds like an excellent idea. After a day like today, I'm looking forward to dinner."
"By the way Aiden, how did your father take the news about the Committee?" Elizabeth asked.
Aiden shook his head. "Mother will probably be making him his favorite Honey Bun cake for weeks." Aiden looked down at Meryn. "I wish you would learn how to make that cake; it is perfect for stressful days."
Meryn looked up at him confused. "You don't want blow jobs anymore?"
Aiden turned bright red. "Meryn!"
"What? Cake or blowjobs? You're not getting both," Meryn insisted.
Around the table the men turned their faces to hide their laughter.
Aiden got a calculating look on his face. "Let's go upstairs and discuss it."
Meryn giggled and jumped to her feet. Aiden swept her up and dashed from the room.
Once the couple was out of sight, everyone gave up on being dignified and laughed.
"He needed that levity; I've never seen Aiden so stressed," Elizabeth commented as everyone stood to leave the room.
"What Aiden forgot to mention is that the Committee will be stopping by sometime tomorrow to meet with you ladies. I am sure he is upstairs laying ground rules with Meryn now. Be prepared," Gavriel advised them.
Anne looked nervous. "Does that include me?"
Darian smiled at her in sympathy. "I'm afraid so. However, since you haven't been here long, they probably won't ask you any questions besides your name."
"Gods above, give me strength to help Meryn tomorrow," Elizabeth murmured in prayer.
"So mote it be," the men echoed together.
Kendrick had a feeling it would take every God listening to keep that spitfire under control. Smiling, he escorted Anne back upstairs to check on Keelan. He knew no matter what, Meryn was going to be Meryn. Without a doubt, he would be sitting in on those introductions with the Committee; he wouldn't miss it for the world.
CHAPTER SIX
Later that evening, after dinner, Anne found herself back in Keelan's room with Kendrick. Throughout the day, Kendrick had been attentive and supportive. He hadn't judged her for watching anime and even began watching it along with her, despite it being a boy's love series.
She peeked out at him from behind her iPad. She had tried to dive into a new book, but found that, for once, reality was better than fiction. Every time she started a sentence, her mind wandered back to Kendrick. Every time they touched, she could feel a jolt of raw need race through her body. When she had been scared at the thought of killer zombies, he comforted her. His arm had been warm, and the second he pulled her close, she realized she had never felt safer in her life.
But Keelan was her mate, wasn't he? She shook her head. He had to be; he had told his family that she was.
"Kendrick?"
"Hmmm?" Kendrick's eyes stayed glued to the massive book he had been reading earlier.
"Has anyone ever made a mistake claiming their mate?" she asked.
He closed the heavy tome and turned in his chair to face her. "There have been a few documented cases, mostly amongst witches, where a mistake was made. Why?"
"Why witches? Why not the others?"
"Because witches are the only race that finds its mates by having dreams; we rely on sight alone. Vampires and shifters can smell their mates, although with vampires, it's their mate's blood they scent, not their bodies. The fae can see the aura of their mates, but witches have only their dreams," he explained.
"But Colton said that he had dreamt of Rheia, and he's a shifter, right?"
Kendrick set the book down on the long table in front of him. "Sometime last year, the matriarchs of Lycaonia went to Elder Airgead with concerns that their sons' mates were out in the world and dying. So, the elder cast a spell that would bring their mates to them. Aiden was the first to dream of his mate, which was Meryn."
"All of the warriors are dreaming of their mates, even if they aren't witches?"
He nodded. "I believe that, since it was a witch who cast the spell, it influenced how the men would find their mates."
"And the women dreamt too?" Anne hugged her iPad to her chest.
Kendrick looked at her with a serious expression. "So I've been told. Why? Did you have dreams as well?"
Anne looked away. "Yes."
"Dreams are tricky. People usually remember what they see but not how they felt, and that can change the dream dramatically. Personally, I think they are the worst way to find one's mate, but who am I to judge?"
She heard him turn, and when she looked back, he had picked up his book again and was reading. Wasn't he going to ask her who she had dreamt of? Did he not ask because he knew she was Keelan's? This was so confusing!
She stood. "Keelan is all set for the night, I think I'll turn in. It's been the longest day of my life."
Kendrick stood, which made her smile. All of the men had courtly manners; the simple gesture made her feel special.
"Despite the outrageous changes in your life, I have to say you handled yourself with grace and intelligence. I know of much older individuals who would have broken down today, yet you came through the day shining brightly."
Anne felt her cheeks begin to burn. "I did faint when they first told me about Keelan."
Kendrick inclined his head. "As any normal person would do after finding out the dire circumstances of someone they care about."
Anne felt her eyes fill at his praise. "I don't think I could have done so well without you. Thank you, Kendrick."
"You are most welcome. Sweet dreams, Anne." Kendrick gave a slight bow.
Unsure whether she should curtsey in response, she did the next best thing. " 'Night," she mumbled and ran from the room.
She didn't stop running until she was leaning against the closed door to her own guest room. Drat that man for affecting her so much.
Mindlessly, she changed out of her clothes and into a sleep shirt. A quick trip to the bathroom left her with a clean face and freshly brushed teeth. She pulled back the covers and slid between icy sheets.
I bet Kendrick could warm these for me.
I mean with magic! Ahhh! Stupid hormones!
Anne pulled the covers over her head.
I wish I knew what to do!
Slowly her own body heat began to warm the bed and she drifted off to sleep.
*****
"Hurry up! Kendrick and the boys are waiting!" Keelan pulled her hand as they ran through the woods.
"Keelan, slow down!" Anne laughed. Keelan looked back at her, his usual smile shining brightly.
"I'm sorry for the confusion, it's my fault." Keelan navigated them through branches and low hanging limbs.
She was about to ask him what he was talking about when they ran out into a clearing. In front of them, a large picnic was laid out in the afternoon sun. Kendrick was laughing and wrestling with three auburn haired little boys who looked to be about three.
"Come on." Keelan tugged at her hand, but she couldn't move forward.
She knew without a shadow of doubt that the boys were hers. Tears filled her eyes; the children were so beautiful.
A cloud moved overhead, casting a long shadow. She looked at Kendrick then at Keelan. Who was the father of her sons? She looked back at Kendrick. He was sitting up, watching the boys as they started eating their lunches. He was waiting patiently, a gentle smile on his face.
"Who is my mate?" she whispered.
Keelan leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. "Ask Darian."
She turned to ask him what he meant, but the dream began to fade. She screamed, reaching for the boys to protect them from the darkness.
"Anne!" She heard Kendrick calling out to her.
She opened her eyes and sat up, gasping for air.
"Anne! Are you okay?" Kendrick sat at the edge of her bed, a worried look on his face.
Remembering the happy dream with Keelan and her sons made the darkness of reality that much harder to face. She buried her face in her hands and wept. There was no happy family for her. Keelan still lay in a coma in the next room, and the boys' laughter was a fading memory.