Page 33 of My Pleasure

Meryn pointed. “Those kids kick ass. I added them to my spreadsheet.”

Darian shook his head. “I guess it’s official then. If she’s your Auntie, I guess I’ll be Uncle then.”

Both Keran and Nicol flinched at the word and stepped back.

Hunter pulled them to his side. “We don’t like that word right now.”

He watched as Darian’s expression hardened. “Hunter, do you need help with something?”

Hunter pointed to where his unit brothers were also scowling. “We’ll take care of it, but I appreciate the offer.”

Darian’s eyes cut to Meryn. “One should never be afraid of family.”

Meryn gave a sad smile. “Beth calls Magnus Unky.”

Keran looked up at Darian.

Darian held out his hand. “Unky doesn’t sound bad right?”

Keran looked up at Hunter.

Hunter simply waited. “I will never make you go to someone you don’t want to go to, even if they are my closest friends. You will always have the right to say, ‘no’.”

Keran looked over to Meryn, then took a leap of faith. He slowly walked over to Darian and took his hand. “Unkys won’t be bad.”

Nicol edged closer until she stood behind her brother. She reached out and held onto the back of his shirt.

“You are very brave, both of you,” Darian commended.

“Dad said I was brave too,” Keran said.

“Now, let me show you the land of the fae,” Darian said, leading them toward the portal.

Hunter held out his hand, much in the same way Darian did, and Kiera took it quickly. In a low voice, she said. “We need to find out what happened.”

“We will.”

“Have fun! See you at dinner,” Anne called out.

“Bring me back some brownies!” Meryn ordered.

Hunter nodded and walked through with his mate.

*****

“Whoa!”

“It’s gorgeous!”

Darian was showing the kids around the large family room.

“Are these the kids who need to go shopping?” Amelia asked, walking in. Behind her, the previous queen, her consort, and Cord, walked in.

Nicol stared up at Queen Aleksandra. “You’re so pretty.”

The Queen laughed. “I think you’re the pretty one.” She easily scooped her up and carried her on one hip. “Look at those curls,” she said, fluffing Nicol’s hair.

Lily Camden stood beside the queen. “Amelia had curls like this when she was younger.”