Free My Guardian (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 6) by Alanea Alder

experience when Meryn passes from this world. That alone tells me how my queen views Meryn. As a son of Éire Danu, I can do no less than offer my utmost respect, assistance, and protection." He placed a fist over his heart and bowed in his chair.
    Adriel stared at Etain in shock. He had never seen Etain give that level of reverence to anyone, himself included. As his unit leader, Etain respected him and his orders. Magnus, as the prince of the vampires, was respected for his royal line. Adriel knew that Etain would listen and follow orders from either of them, but at that moment, he saw the difference. Etain would follow their orders, but he would die for Meryn McKenzie.
    Magnus stared down the length of the table, his eyes locked on the tiny human who was oblivious to what Etain had revealed. She simply gave him a thumbs up and turned back to Grant for the rest of her story.
    Grant gulped visibly. He picked up his water glass with a slightly trembling hand that confirmed to Adriel that Grant also realized the significance of Etain's declaration. He took a sip and shot Magnus a nervous look and continued. "To answer your question Meryn, most of the food for the city is raised and grown here on different levels. Each level being responsible for different types of foods. Level Five raises livestock, everything from cows and chickens to duck and quail. Level Four grows hay and grain. Level Three grows fruits in different climate controlled sections and Level Two grows almost every vegetable known to man. Spices and other major products like sugar, coffee, and tea are imported through the portal."
    "But... but... how? Don't you need the sun?" Meryn stuttered.
    The men laughed. Micah leaned in. "Remind me to show you Noctem Falls' gardens. It took the witches years to perfect the spells needed to create artificial sunlight. They used the earth witches to bring forth and arrange the needed stones and then stored the spells in the geodes and crystals in the walls and ceilings."
    Magnus sat back. "We are looking to expand into medicinal plants. So many valuable resources are being lost to deforestation. I have been working with my counterparts overseas and in the Amazon to bring many of their endangered plants here. I want to donate space here on Level One for the endeavor."
    "And for that, I will be eternally grateful." Broderick lifted his glass to his brother-in-law.
    Meryn snapped her fingers. "That's right! You make the super vitamins."
    Broderick nodded bashfully. "Something like that. Not many of the vampires are willing to take them, but all results show that when they feed from a shifter that has been taking the vitamins, the volume of blood required goes down." He looked at Gavriel. "My conversations with Dr. Adam McKenzie were most enlightening. We didn't have any results from a vampire going through transition, so your feedback helped enormously."
    Adriel's eyes narrowed at Broderick's revelation. He looked at Bethy. "You were there for his transition?"
    Bethy looked anywhere but at him as she nodded.
    "It had to be his Fifth Millennial, I mean look at the size of him," Tarak whispered harshly.
    Adriel felt his stomach clench and rubbed it absently. "Only you."
    Broderick nodded in sympathy. "I said the same thing."
    "Oh, really!" Bethy protested.
    Caspian gave his daughter an exasperated look. "We know you do not cause these things, but darling, even you have to admit, only you would find your vampire mate during one of his major transitions."
    Declan eyed Gavriel up and down. "What'd you look like before?"
    Gavriel thought for a moment. "About Adriel's size, though leaner. After my transition, none of my clothes fit. Some of my original tailors are not even alive anymore. It has been a struggle to find quality garments."
    "I will add you to the list," Sebastian offered.
    The relief on Gavriel's face was almost comical. "I was going to ask later in private. Beth has sung your praises for months."
    Sebastian looked down