My Commander(72)

"Yes, I accept you." No sooner had she spoken the words when a searing pain encircled her wrist. The vision cleared and they were back on Adelaide's veranda where the October sun provided just enough warmth, making the cool fall breeze enjoyable. Ryuu winked up at her and stood.

"We are bound together for all eternity. It feels good to be in service again." Meryn noticed that he seemed younger, happier, as if the burdens on him had lightened.

"Well someone doesn't have commitment issues."

"We were meant to be Meryn. Fate brought me here."

"I thought the same thing before I said yes." Meryn pulled up her sleeve and stared. Around her wrist, like a sapphire bracelet was a blue dragon tattoo.

"Wicked! I get a tattoo! Ha. Take that Aiden!"

"It will allow me to monitor your health, track your location and interpret your feelings." Meryn didn't know how she felt about that.

"We're going to have to work on your communication skills."

"Oh, I don't know. I think I timed it perfectly." Ryuu said with a straight face.

"It's gorgeous. I love it." Meryn couldn't stop staring.

"Denka, it's getting colder, we should go inside."

"What's Denka?" Meryn asked heading towards the door.

"You don't like when I call you Lady Meryn, Denka, is a formal mode of address in my language, equivalent to something akin to Royal Highness." Ryuu held the door open for her.

"I like it."

"Have you worked everything out?" Adelaide asked when they entered the drawing room.

"Yes. I think he and I will get along perfectly." Ryuu had taken a position behind her, standing feet spread, hands clasped behind his back.

"I'm glad. Meryn, I had Marius make you a cake to take over to Elder V'Ailean's for your visit. It's Vivian's favorite, a Lemon Crunch Cake. Please give it to her with my thanks. She made last night so pleasant." Adelaide sipped her tea.

"Sure, what time do I ..." Meryn's question was cut off by a deafening roar. Aiden charged into the room and pinned Ryuu to the wall by the throat. Meryn's mouth dropped.

"What the hell Aiden? Let him go!" Meryn yelled.

"He has marked you. He has put his mark on you. You! My mate!" Aiden roared. Ryuu on the other hand, looked calm. He accepted Aiden's treatment. He simply turned his face to Meryn.

"What would you have me do Denka? He is your mate and I don't wish to harm him." His voice was composed, even pleasant.

"Aiden, please!" There was no talking to her mate, Aiden had flipped his shit. She looked at Ryuu.

"Get away if you can, without permanently injuring him." She was so mad at Aiden, she was tempted to go get the toilet back from the downstairs bathroom and brain him with it.

"As you wish." Ryuu's dark eyes flashed as blue fire covered his body. With a yelp Aiden dropped him and stood back, holding his arm.

"Did you electrocute me?" Aiden asked wincing.

"It can feel that way to some. You must be very strong, most are not able to remain conscious after receiving such a jolt." Ryuu complimented.

"Why did you mark my mate?" Aiden demanded.

"She accepted me as her squire. In my country this means the joining of our houses, it is a bond that will last until either my line ends or yours. The mark is simply a physical manifestation of that bond that will allow me to serve and protect my charge better." Ryuu explained.

"Look Aiden, I got my own tattoo! It's not a sexy mark like your bite." Meryn held up her wrist and showed Aiden the mark. He brought her wrist up to his face and began to cover her with his scent.

"What do you mean allow you to serve her better? I want to be crystal, fucking, clear about your serving duties." Aiden growled. Meryn rolled her eyes.

"I will watch over her, guide her, teach her. I will be her mentor and friend. I will guard her health and happiness and protect her with my life." Ryuu clarified.

"You touch her, if you even look at her like ..." Aiden started.

Ryuu shook his head. "The bond I share with Denka is beyond the physical. You wouldn't understand as you have never served." Ryuu crossed his arms over his chest.

"Master Aiden, maybe I can help explain." Marius stepped forward. Aiden gave a curt nod for him to continue.

"There was a time when your father and I stood across from one another much like you and Master Ryuu are doing now. Your father was afraid I desired his mate, and though I loved her I would never hurt her by dishonoring her bond with Byron, to do so would have destroyed a piece of me. When you are a squire, a good squire, your whole world narrows and all you see is your charge. The bond is profound, but it is a platonic one, I assure you." Marius placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder.