I did my best topull myself together as my stomach convulsed uncontrollably but luckily, Phinwas quick to calm my nerves and I was able to speak.
“No, I’m sosorry. I just… it’s just that I’ve never heard my name like that, you know?It’s okay. It was really nothing. Everything is fine. I’m totally fine. Hi, howare you?”
“I’m well, YourHighness, thank you for asking,” he replied.
“I think we canskip the formalities, Arric. I think the lady might need a little more timegetting used to her new handle, yeah?”
Arric smiledwide. “Of course, cousin.”
Cousin?
Arric ismated to Isla, Connall and Pepper’s daughter. She’s sitting to his right.
He’s so…scary looking.
What are youtalking about? He’s smiling at you.
More likebaring his fangs.
He’s notscary at all, love.
Not scary? Didn’tyou tell me Arric is actually Ketill Feilan, the warrior who killed like agazillion people?
Yes, but justwatch him with Isla, he’s a complete teddy bear.
Well, I’m notIsla, and to me he looks like a real bear. And you know how us Goldiloxys are aboutbears.
I heard hischuckle in my mind before he turned to the group.
“Please beseated everyone,” Phin said to the council. “It’s wonderful to see you allagain so soon. Please forgive my disappearing act from the gala, but as you nowknow, I wascalled awayunexpectedly.” He gave me a wink.
“Yes,” Arricsaid. “Let’s meet this amazing woman we’ve heard so much about.”
Phin guided mecloser to the council table, introducing each member one by one.
“Lord Arric andLady Isla, I’m pleased to introduce my beautiful and brilliant mate, LennoxGunnach.”
Phin hadinstructed me to bow when I was introduced to the council, but I found myselfdropping to my knees out of a feeling of instinctive reverence, rather than histraining.
“Please rise, YourHighness,” Arric instructed. “As your mate said, we’re all family here, today.”
I did as heinstructed.
“My husband andI look forward to getting to know you, Lennox,” Isla said warmly. She wasstunning. Long blonde hair, with a slight curl at the ends, deep blue eyes, andpetite. Arric towered over her, but there was no doubt she was in control.“We’ll have you to the house, once all this silliness is over and done with.”
There was akindness in the way she used the phrase ‘silliness’ when referring to theattempted assassination plot and frame job ordered by my father.
“Thank you. Iwould love that,” I replied.
“Next, we have Haddi,my greatest teacher, and mentor besides my father of course.”
Haddi smiledgently. “We’ve waited for your arrival for quite some time, young one. I wasn’tsure if I’d ever live to see the day.”
“I’ve heard somuch about you, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Haddi is ourgrand elder magician. He’s extremely powerful and insufferably wise,” Phinsaid.
Haddi rolled hiseyes. “All my wisdom has not yet revealed to me why the Fates would ascribesuch a beautiful mate to a wise arse such as Your Highness.”
