Ashur The moon was well past high peak when Merna stopped rushing around and completing each task that she found that HAD to be done. If anything she had a great work ethic, she just did not know when to slow down. Alma was jumping up and down, I knew something had her going, but I had no idea what it was until she was able to speak with Merna. “I found her!” Alma was having a hard time standing still. “Found who?” Merna took the time to listen to my little sister. This is one thing I love about Merna. No matter how busy she was, Merna always took the time to listen to others, even if that someone was a little eccentric like my baby sister. “The girl with the black hair with two looooooooong braids!” She was swaying back and forth with a dreamy face, “She is my mate!” My jaw dropped!, “Is that …” “Yeah!” I did not have the chance to finish my sentence when Merna started to laugh. “Oh dear!” Merna was now trying to calm herself down. Alma was confused as to why Merna was acting this way. I knew I had to intervene before Alma became angry but even I could not help but laugh. “Orion is going to be pissed!” I half yelled while laughing, “the irony of this all!” “I know right!” Merna and I were both laughing. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, “Stop it!” Alma stomped her foot. “Oh no!” Merna was quick to respond to Alma’s feelings. “We do not mean to laugh at you, this has nothing to do with you. Well it kind of now does but we have more knowledge on a situation than you do. See the girl you speak of … her name is Ada, she is the youngest daughter of Orion. Orion has been trying to set up a match with Ada. The reason why we are laughing is because it is very clear that Ada … well she is not or has not shown any interest in males.” “OH!” Alma held onto the o Merna brought Alma in for a hug, “We are laughing because Orion has been told by many that they believe that Ada is not what her father wants her to be.” Merna tilted my sister's head so that she could kiss the top of her head. “Ada’s mother suspects but has not accepted it fully.” Merna pulled away, “My suggestion Alma, wait until Ada becomes of age. While you are waiting, if Aguns likes you … that is Ada’s mother … it does not matter what Orion says or does, Agnus is the one that will put Orion in his spot. She is the one that when she says something, everyone does what they are told!” Merna started to giggle. “Trust me you will understand later on!” My little sister only bobbed her head up and down as if she was ready to cry. “Will she break the bond?” “Ada, No!” Merna held on to the o. “Orion … he will pitch a fit at the start but if Agnus likes you … she will make sure you two get married!” Merna snapped her fingers, “Agnus is like Zefer, if she likes you, you are allowed into the family!” Alma started to jump up and down again. “I understand!” Both Merna and I watched Alma skip down the hallway happily as she swung her arms back and forth. “Zefer is not going to allow Alma to leave her side that easily!” Merna glared at me, not understanding. “Zefer is like a combination of Agnus and Orion in one. Of all of us, she protects Alma the most because of her disposition. As you can already tell Alma is not like the rest of us … she requires … a lot more attention! I am not sure Ada will be able to handle that!” “I think you might be wrong! I have seen Ada put her brothers in their place with one look. Making them all bow to her with a snap of the finger. Orion claims he wears the pants in the house, but Agnus is the head of the family and Ada has learned from her mother how to take control and hand out commands like a pro. The only one they can not use their charms on is me.” Merna started to snicker, “They have tried … trust me!” Patting me on the arm, “I have to do one last thing before we call it a day!” I raised a brow, all I wanted to do was bathe, eat and take my mate to bed. “What?” I was not happy. “I need to talk to Agnus! I do not want her to be blind sided about what is about to happen. Ada may not know about the mate bond. But if Agnus finds out that I knew and did not tell her, she is going to be pissed. And even you can not save me from the tongue lashing she will try to give me.” She kissed me on the lips, “after this …” She wiggled her brows, “bath, food and friction under the sheets?” She was now bouncing on the heels of her feet. Finding Agnus was not an issue. She was barking orders as if she had lived here her whole life. Aiming our feet in her direction, Merna yelled her name, getting her attention. Whispering, “Have you thought about Agnus being your second in command?” I asked Merna as we waited for Agnus to finish speaking to one of the girls in the group.“Agnus does not deal with anything in the meeting rooms and other related things. Keeping everyone organized she has taken that position up by herself. Which we appreciate. But I have Draco and Cancer for my council. “How can I help you, my queen?” Agnus said as she approached us. I could not overlook the circles that were forming under this lady's eyes. This woman was in her late fifties but the strain of everything was starting to show. She might only have been five three but with her pale complexion and long black hair, she was anything but weak. She worked hard, just as hard as Merna. Pulling Agnus further from the group, Merna looked around for who I could only assume was Orion. Merna explained to Agnus the scene that happened with my sister not too long ago. First Agnus was angry then disappointed. “I was hoping that Ada would marry someone of our own kind. Our numbers are so small and polluted!” She sighed loudly. “Yet Ada had made it clear to me that she was not an incubator and would not be one for anybody.” She placed her hands on her hip. “Are you sure?” Nodding, “We will know for sure in two weeks when Ada becomes of age! It states in the books that when a male or female becomes of age, they have the ability to meet their mate!” Agnus was breathing loudly in and out. “Orion is going to be fuming!” “That is why I wanted to tell you!” Merna was mimicking Agnus’ actions. “I do not want a spectacle of this. Though I know first hand how it feels. The pull is powerful, especially when there is compatibility! There is also another issue …” Merna looked up to me. “My baby sister is … different! She requires a lot of attention and is very excitable!” Agnus was bouncing her eyes from me to Merna, “You mean the cute little thing that is with the amazon. You know the one that looks like she could rip your head off!” Merna and I started to laugh, “YES!” We both said at the same time. “Oh then that is not a problem, I thought for a second it was the amazon that Ada was mated too! Ada does not take well to being told what to do, she is accustion to giving orders!” I looked at Merna, “She is perfect for my baby sister!” Agnus patted my arm forgetting who she was touching. Letting it slide this time, I listened to Agnus continue to speak. “We will wait for Ada’s birthday, if it is true they are mates … I will deal with my husband. If Ada accepts the bond that is! I know we have lived in the physical realm for a long time. And have adapted to human ways, but we still hold onto traditions. If there is a mate bond that will trump any arranged marriage!”“Excellent!” Merna began, “I should let you go, there are other things I need to get done and you look like you could use some rest as well!” Getting my mate to the bathing room. We cleaned each other enjoying the water and small talk. I could feel every tense muscle relax under my touch. Lifting her out of the water I dried her body placing a simple silk gown over her head. Gently touching her skin as I pulled the fabric down her body. Sparks came to life with our contact bidding us to bring our bodies together. Whispering in my ear, “Let us bypass the food and go to the friction under the sheets?” How could I say no to my little mate, especially when it meant I was going to be able to devour every inch of her body with my mouth.