My Commander

"I'm kinda looking forward to it." She wrapped her arm around his waist and squeezed tight.

He rested his chin on her head and rubbed her back.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be a better day.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Meryn you'll be with me today. I need to go to the Alpha barracks to meet with the other units and make sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be for tonight's ball." Aiden said pouring another cup of coffee.

"Sure. From what Lady Fairfax told me about this 'super dress' it won't take me very long to get ready." Meryn sipped her cappuccino. She looked down at the single muffin on her plate and swallowed hard. She wasn't hungry at all. Her stomach was doing cartwheels. Every time she thought about walking into a huge room full of people she didn't know she felt like she was going to be sick.

"You need to eat." Aiden put a spoonful of greasy potatoes on her plate next to her muffin. She watched the steam rise off her plate. The second the smell hit her nose, she stood. Covering her mouth, she bolted from the room. She nearly knocked Marius over before she made it to the downstairs bathroom. Since she had only had coffee for breakfast she was dry heaving by the time Aiden caught up with her.

"Oh baby, it's okay." He got a washcloth out and wet it with warm water. When her stomach stopped trying to turn itself inside out, she sat back against the wall. Aiden handed her a tiny cup of water. She swished the cool, clean water around her mouth and spit it out in the toilet. She leaned back again and the warm cloth was placed over her eyes.

"I can't tell if you being sick is from your nerves or an after effect of getting hit yesterday."

"Nerves. Trust me, it's nerves." She removed the washcloth and got to her feet. Aiden helped steady her and they made their way back to the dining room. She was relieved that her plate had been replaced and the greasy potatoes were nowhere in sight. Marius placed a small plate of saltine crackers next to her tea.

"Thank you Marius. I hope my squire is half as wonderful as you." The older man blushed a little.

"I thought that more of my colleagues would show up for your interviews, but I am afraid they have been swayed by idle gossip."

"That's not your fault."

"I was hoping that my nephew would be able to come, but he has taken a position in Belgium."

"As long as you'll be there to help make the decision I feel pretty confident about the interviews for tomorrow." Meryn snacked on a cracker.

"I will do everything I can to assist."

"What time will you have her back Aiden? The ball starts at eight o'clock." Adelaide asked.

"Well before eight Mother. Don't worry, you'll get your girl time." Aiden teased.

"Meryn did you want any more crackers?" Aiden asked standing. She shook her head.

"Little miss, I have taken the liberty of packing a few in a bag for you. Just in case." Marius handed her a small zip lock bag of crackers.

"Thank you Marius. See y'all later." She grabbed her backpack on the way out. She stepped outside and avoided looking at the recently repainted section of the porch. It was a gruesome reminder that they couldn't get all of the dog blood stains out of the wood. She stepped off the porch and followed Aiden to his car. She took a deep breath. Aiden held the door open for her.

"I'll put the windows down for the trip. Looks like the fresh air is helping." He closed the door and seconds later he was climbing inside. He started the car and immediately lowered the windows. She sat back and closed her eyes without saying a word, and she was comfortable with the silence. She enjoyed the sound of the road flying by, the fresh air in her face and his warm hand around hers.

When they got to the barracks Colton met them as they were getting out of the car.

"Hey short stuff, feeling better?"

"I'm not seeing double anymore if that's what you mean."

"Good to hear. Aiden, the men are out back awaiting orders. I'll keep an eye on Meryn since I already know I am playing escort tonight."

"Thanks Colton. Be back baby." Aiden bussed her lips and walked around to the back of the house.

"He started drills with the men. We're practicing fighting while blindfolded, so we can attack and defend against what we can't see." Colton explained.

"He's really good isn't he?" She asked.

"The very best. Better than our last commander."

"I thought Aiden took over from his father?" Meryn asked confused.

"Walk with me. I'll show you around and I'll tell you about how Aiden became Unit Commander." Colton took her hand and they walked towards the outbuildings.

"Byron was chosen to be an Elder right after Adair was born, so about six hundred years before Aiden or for you about thirteen hundred years ago. Anyway. Up until Aiden's birth, Byron held both positions, Unit Commander and Elder. Right before Aiden was born there was controversy that Byron had held the Elder seat for too long and others petitioned to put someone else in charge."

"Sydney told me about that. Adelaide becoming pregnant for the third time made them think Byron was doing a good job." Meryn interjected. Colton nodded.

"He was able to keep his Elder seat, but with three children at home, he conceded that they needed to appoint a new Unit Commander. Edward Carthage was selected as the best warrior and he became the new Unit Commander. For a while everything went on like normal, but after about fifty years the men began getting disillusioned with their new commander. He would disappear during missions, come back drunk. Wouldn't organize training or keep an eye on the men. After centuries of Byron's fair and efficient leadership the difference between the two was stark." Colton pointed to the bench outside one of the buildings and they sat down.