Chapter Six
Kendrick eyed Meryn. “You know you are abnormally short right?”
“I am not, y’all are just tall,” she countered.
Kendrick smiled.“First of all, the average height of a human woman in the United States is five-foot-three inches tall. You’re what five-foot-one?”
“I’m five-three… ish,” Meryn protested.
“Right. Let us just say you are five-foot-three. To be considered a ‘short’, you would need to be below five-foot-three inches tall. While height alone isn’t enough to qualify one for being disabled, the medical organization of the Little People of America, define dwarfism as being at or below four-feet-ten inches tall.
This is approximately a five-inch difference from what is considered average. ”
Aiden scowled from behind his mate. “Meryn is nowhere near that short.”
Kendrick held up his hand. “The average height of a woman in the paranormal world is five-feet-eleven inches tall. If you subtract five inches, that is five-foot-six. Even if you pad that by an inch or two that’s five-four.
” He leveled his gaze at Meryn. “In the paranormal world are you the equivalent of a Little Person. That’s why everyone calls you short. ”
Meryn’s mouth opened, then closed. She opened it again, then closed it. “You know what? Fuck you all.”
Anne punched Kendrick in the arm, and went to Meryn. “I’m not that much taller than you.” She took her hand. “They’re just too tall.”
Pip cuddled Meryn from the other side. “I’m short too, especially for a guy, and I’m not even half-human.”
Meryn turned to Pip. “But you’re perfect how you are.”
“So are you,” he countered. “I can’t imagine a tall Meryn.” He shuddered. “That’s weird.”
Kendrick rubbed his arm. “That was kinda my point. How can you be considered too short, if, in human terms, you’re average? If we were in the human world, we’d constantly be hitting our heads and our knees.”
Keran came around the table and reached into Meryn’s brownie box. “Here you go Princess Auntie,” he said, handing her a brownie.
Meryn shoved the entire thing in her mouth.
Caiden cleared his throat, his lips twitching as he tried desperately to hide his smile.
“Everyone, sit down, so we can get dinner served,” Caiden said, clapping his hands.
Anne went back to sit next to Kendrick so Aiden could sit next to his mate. As usual Pip stayed where he was, on her other side.
Hunter steered his mate to a chair and sat down next to her. Keran sat on her other side and Nicol sat between his parents. In addition to everyone visiting from Lycaonia, Elder Ironwood joined them for dinner, so the dining room was full.
“What are we having?” Meryn asked, still clearly sulking.
“Stuffed shells, salad and garlic bread,” Genevieve said, spooning out jumbo pasta shells.
Meryn perked up. “Shells?”
“Extra cheese and sauce, just for you,” Genevieve said, dishing out a large portion for Meryn.
Marshall was still smiling when he spoke up. “Meryn I’ll have you know, you were right.”
“I was? About what?”
“After speaking with Magnus, Byron and Brennus, we all agreed, the established punishment for disrespecting a unit warrior will be used and he will be fined.”
Konstantine sighed, then reached under the table to pass something to the Elder. “I was not quite sure when to share this.”
Hunter watched as the Elder’s neck began to molt red in anger. “Those… those….”
“Douchebags?” Meryn suggested.
Marshall threw the paper on the table. Caiden walked around the table and picked it up. His nostrils flared. “The audacity!”
“Share with the fucking class or pass that shit down!” Meryn ordered.
Caiden passed the paper to Kendrick then turned to Meryn. “The Sky Gazette put out several articles today including an exposé about what happened with Zev.”
“That’s bad?” Meryn asked.
Kendrick held up the paper showing a snarling Zev, looking positively unhinged.
“You look psychotic,” Aedan observed.
“That fucking egg hurt!” Zev protested.
“They’re saying that the unit warriors are out of control and are a threat to the people,” Caiden continued. “They’ve also done several interviews with the families of the dead enforcers. All saying how wonderful they were and how much they’ll be missed.”
“That is completely biased reporting,” Anne protested.
Caiden nodded. “It is.”
“Is there another newspaper that would report on Genevieve’s experience?” Meryn asked.
“Excellent idea, Meryn,” Marshall complimented.
“Castle News, is the only other paper in Storm Keep. They may be willing,” Caiden said.
“It still blows my mind y’all actually use papers,” Meryn said, shaking her head.
“Do you know any reporters here?” Meryn asked Kendrick.
He shook his head. “No. I wish we had someone who knew about public relations. I feel absurdly out of my depth.”
“I could get you a few PR guys and a lawyer to boot,” his mother offered.
Kendrick raised a brow. “Oh? Who have you been hiding Myra?”
She rolled her eyes. “My sister Tabitha, who lives in Lycaonia, has four boys who own their own firm. I bet they can help.”
Hunter smiled. “Fuck yeah, they could!”
“Hunter! Language,” his mother admonished.
He pointed to Meryn.
His ma’s eyes narrowed at him. “I’m your mother, not hers and she’s way cuter than you and can pull off that kind of language at the dinner table.”
Kendrick ignored Hunter. “Back to your nephews. You said PR and lawyers?”
She nodded. “They’re the best at what they do.”
“Can you call them?”
She held up her phone. “I can do better, I’ll have their mother call them.”
Meryn turned to Hunter. “Are they cool?”
“I looked up to my cousins growing up. They always seemed so put together and mature. Always dressed to kill and they knew how to get what they wanted,” Hunter explained.
“They’re Armstrongs,” his father said simply, as if that explained everything.
“Huh?” Meryn asked.
“My mom and her sister, mated to my dad and his brother. So, my cousins are Armstrongs too,” Hunter clarified.
Meryn looked back to Johann, who simply shrugged. “Armstrongs don’t make ugly cubs.”
“Dude!” Meryn said, looking excited.
Aiden leaned down and nipped her neck.
His mother put her phone down. “Tabitha is calling the boys now. They may need a way to get here.”
Aiden stood, phone in hand. “If they can take a portal to éire Danu, I’ll call Darian to portal them here.”
Meryn giggled. “He is like a Portal Uber.”
Everyone continued to eat while Aiden made arrangements.
Caiden helped Ryuu bring four more chairs and plates to the table for his cousin’s arrival.
When the portal opened, Meryn struggled to stand.
“You don’t have to greet them,” Myra said, looking concerned.
Meryn shook her head. “I need to distract Darian so he’s not mad at being transport again.”
Kendrick raised his wine glass. “She’s brilliant.”
They all heard voices saying hello.
“Darian,” they heard Meryn say, then a sniffle. “Kendrick said I was like a disabled paranormal.” She sniffed again.
Kendrick’s mouth dropped and he set his glass down.
Moments later, Darian appeared in the doorway. “What now?” he asked, scowling.
Meryn appeared behind him looking depressed. “He said I was a Little Person.” She paused. “Technically, I am short in pillar cities.”
Darian wrapped an arm around her. “Why are you picking on my poor, little, sister,” Darian asked, smirking.
Kendrick sat back looking exhausted. “Meryn, more than anything you’re a Menace.”
Meryn elbowed Darian in the side. “I’m texting Amelia.” She waddled over to her chair.
Darian’s smile froze. “Wait.”
“I was trying to distract you. Ingrate.”
“Distract me from being indignant about opening portals again?” Darian demanded.
Meryn’s fingers flew over her phone.
Darian ran over and dropped to his knees. “I wasn’t poking fun, I swear.”
“Sounded like you were abusing me.”
“I’ll get you anything you want. Do you want a new weapon?”
Meryn stopped texting. “Anything?”
“No weapons!” Aiden protested.
Darian ignored him. “Anything.”
Meryn’s eyes went to the men who walked in behind Darian and was watching the entire scene with fascination.
Meryn looked down at her lap. “Well… We need their help, but I don’t know if I can afford their retainer,” she said in a small voice.
Darian threw a look over his shoulder. “Send me the bill.” He immediately went back to Meryn. “What else?”
She looked up, smiling. “Head kiss please.”
Looking like he could breathe again, he stood and kissed the top of her head. “Did you actually text her?”
Meryn nodded and Darian was back to looking spooked. “I told her how awesome you were in taking care of me and to give you lots of love when you get back.”
Darian shook his head. “If anyone is abused it’s me.”
“You like it.”
Darian smiled. “I consider myself truly blessed to have you and Amelia in my life.”
Meryn’s eyes filled.
Darian waved his hands about. “Not you too!” He gently patted her head. “Shuuush it’s okay.”
Meryn wiped her eyes, grinning. “Caiden, he might need one Dav’s new shots.”
Caiden got up and went to the kitchen.
Meryn looked at Kendrick. “Pass them the newspaper,” she said, pointing to his cousins.
Kendrick blinked at Meryn. Then grabbed the paper and handed it to the one in front. He turned and stared at Meryn. He went to say something, then changed his mind and sat back down.
Caiden came back and handed Darian a shot. “Is your mate well?”
Elder Ironwood chuckled. “My daughter has been slightly emotional lately,” he said.
Darian nodded, then shot back the drink. “She’s a bit overwhelmed at times.” He looked down at the empty shot glass and exhaled. “Dav did this?”
Hunter spoke up. “Yup. He somehow mixed Blessed Chamomile and Forbidden Fruit.” He looked at Caiden. “He said he was sending over two bottles.” His eyes cut to Meryn. “For reasons.”
“I’m heading back and despite what you may think, you can call me whenever you need something Meryn, even if it’s to be abused as a taxi service,” Darian said, kissing her head again.
She waved at him. “Give everyone hugs for me.”
He nodded at Aiden, then walked past the cousins to leave.
The eldest, Augustus, held up the paper. “Interesting news.”
Meryn, Kiera, and Genevieve sighed softly.