"It's the mating heat," he managed to say between gasps.

"We mated, shouldn't it be dying down?"

Kendrick shook his head against her neck. "It gets more intense as the years go by."

"I'll never make it." Anne pushed his bangs back and kissed his forehead.

He pushed himself up and slowly slid from her body causing them both to moan. On shaky legs, he walked over to the dresser. "You have to get up, love."

"Put caution tape around me; I can't move." Anne said, still trying to catch her breath.

Chuckling, he waved his hand and she began to float over to him. He righted their bed then used his magic clothing to clean them up. When she was tucked in next to him, her head on his chest, she sighed happily.

"Now that the tests are done, I can try to track down the witch responsible for the necklaces," he said quietly.

"I support you, no matter what." She placed her hand over his heart.

When he didn't reply, she sat up and kissed his lips. "Tomorrow. Worry about it tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being a mate I can lean on."

"You deserve no less." She kissed him again and lay back down.

"Very fitting for a queen."

She bit him gently, and he laughed. "I'm just a nurse."

"Yes ma'am." His arm tightened and she fell asleep to the beating of his heart.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They stayed in bed until noon the next day. Every time one would go to get up, the other one pounced. Laughing, they walked hand-in-hand into the dining room just in time for lunch.

"They live! Good," Meryn teased.

Anne dropped into her chair and yawned. "I'm starving."

Kendrick sat down beside her and stifled a yawn.

Aiden pointed to the mountains of sandwiches in the center of the table. Anne reached for the sandwiches then stopped and pointed. "What's that one?"

Rheia let out an exasperated sigh then pointed at Colton. "His own special creation. It's mayonnaise, peanut butter, beef jerky, pickles, and cheese."

"Yummy!" Penny crowed, waving her sandwich about.

"They are delicious," Meryn chimed in taking a huge bite out of hers.

Anne looked over at Kendrick. "Be my guest. I'll pass." He pointed to the pile, wondering if she would really try such an odd sandwich. Anne picked one up, looked at it, and then took a bite. At first, her expression was one of horror, but the more she chewed, the less panicked she looked. She swallowed. "It's actually not that bad."

"Wonderful. Another convert." Ryuu sighed and placed a large bowl of fruit salad on the table.

Kendrick searched the large pile until he found a boring ham and cheese sandwich and dug in.

"Kendrick?" Meryn called his name.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Meryn."

"Since you have three tattoos, does that mean you have three squires?" It was an innocent enough question, one he didn't mind answering because he knew she was genuinely curious and not seeking more power.

He shook his head. "No, they weren't squires, they were my best friends."

"Were?" Meryn's eyes filled with sympathy.

"A long time ago, we traveled together. When they faded from this world, they left me their power. It took me thousands of years to master each one, but it was worth it. Every time I use their magic, I feel like they are watching over me."

"Why did they fade?" Anne asked.

"I think I may know," Gavriel said quietly. "When you live for so long and you see so much pain and mindless evil, it becomes hard to find a reason to get up each day. The longer you live, the more you just feel like resting and letting everything disappear." He turned to Elizabeth and smiled. "That is why, when you find something to live for, you fight for it."

"Gavriel is right. They were very, very tired and their souls were weary." Kendrick rubbed his right wrist.

Meryn turned in her chair and poked Ryuu in the stomach. "No fading."

He nodded. "I don't see how anyone could get bored with life around you, denka."

"Good! Wait..." She eyed him. "Was that a compliment?"

"It was," he answered.

"Okay then." Meryn turned back in her chair and resumed eating her monstrous sandwich.

Kendrick waited until everyone was mostly done with lunch before he decided to bring up the topic of necklaces.

He looked over at the Unit Commander. "Aiden, now that the tests are finished and we know what the necklaces are, I could attempt to try and trace down the witch responsible for their creation."

Rheia turned to Noah and Jaxon. "Boys, can you take Penny to command central?"

Noah stood. "Of course. Come on squirt, when you get asked to leave the table because the adults want to talk, you get two desserts." Noah stacked up plates with slices of pie in his arms.

"Yay!" Penny cheered. She climbed into Jaxon's lap and the three of them left the dining room.

"Thank you, Rheia," Kendrick said.

Aiden sat back. "What are the risks?"

"To trace the magic to the witch who cast the spell, I'll need to break every bead in every necklace we have to get a strong enough trail. If we do that, no more different types of testing; that's the trade-off."