CHAPTER TWELVE

"Meryn is that you?" Adelaide called from upstairs.

"Yeah."

"Hurry darling, the carriage will be here in less than an hour. I want to make sure that you are perfect."

"Yes, Mother!" She called out as she climbed the stairs. The sooner she got dressed, the sooner she could see Aiden.

She walked into her room to see that Adelaide was already dressed. She looked like a queen with her long blonde hair in a braided coil on her head like a crown. The dress was done in brown silk with bright green embroidered vines and leaves. She wore a gold and green leaf headpiece that matched the theme giving the dress a simple, but elegant design. It was clear even to Meryn that she represented Mother Earth. The long white satin shift that Lady Fairfax had given her lay across the bed. When Adelaide turned, her mouth made a little 'O'. With a low cry she rushed forward and pulled her into a hug.

"You've mated!" She exclaimed.

"Okay is this a freaky shifter smell thing? Because if it is, that's awkward and gross." Adelaide shook her head and pointed to her neck. "Oh. Yeah, I guess that's a pretty big clue."

Meryn was about to set her backpack down when she heard a ding. She pulled out her laptop. The program had finished running a nationwide search and the results were ready. She looked over the numbers and fought not to gasp. She knew she had to tell Aiden, but seeing Adelaide's excitement she decided to wait until after the ball.

"Is everything okay?" Adelaide asked.

Meryn nodded. "Yup, just nervous I guess."

"Don't worry about a thing. With that mating mark it's crystal clear that you are Aiden's mate. My son always had impeccable timing. Now all of Lycaonia will know that he is mated and claimed. I'm so happy I could float away. Now let's see what your dress will be. I'm dying to see it in action. This dress is legendary." Meryn stripped out of her clothing and hesitated at her undergarments.

"Do you think that thing provides underwear?"

"One way to find out." Adelaide held up the shift. Meryn stripped completely nude and Adelaide slipped it on over her head. Meryn looked at Adelaide who was beginning to panic.

"Do you think it's not working because I'm human?"

"It has to work, we don't have anything else for you to wear!"

"Maybe it ..." Meryn felt something slide across her abdomen.

"Adelaide I think something is happening." Meryn watched in amazement as the material changed in texture and weight right before her eyes. One second the shift was long, white, satin. The next it was a heavy brocade in a deep, royal blue. Meryn gasped.

"It's TARDIS blue!"

"What's Tardis dear?" Adelaide asked.

"Nothing." Meryn ran to the mirror and couldn't believe her reflection. The dress had one strap over her left shoulder. The bodice hugged her tightly, pushing everything up and holding it in place. Where the dress narrowed at her waist, the color faded to a lighter blue and kept fading until it ended up a foamy white at her feet. Meryn's mouth dropped. Covering nearly every single inch of the corset were tiny blue and clear jewels. On her head a delicate tiara woven in silver metal, interspaced with pearls.

"Please tell me those aren't real?"

"As if the fae would use fake gems? Oh Meryn, it's just perfect. Aiden loves the color blue, if only it had a wrap."

No sooner did she speak the words when a gossamer silver and white wrap appeared around Meryn's shoulders.

"It thinks of everything doesn't it? Even your make up is exquisite. Did it provide you with underthings?" Adelaide asked. Meryn shifted around a bit.

"Yup, it's like silk leggings, they are warm and comfortable. I could get used to these."

"Excellent. Let's go downstairs. Byron arranged for a horse drawn carriage that way we are safely dropped off at the Council Manor entrance and don't have to walk. I love the cobblestones in the city, but sometimes they can be a nightmare to work around." Adelaide picked up a small clutch off the bed.

They walked downstairs and met Marius and Byron in the foyer. Byron looked kingly in his Elder dress robes. She was dying to see what Aiden looked like in his dress whites.

"The loving earth and the gentle sea, the two of you take my breath away." Byron kissed each of them on the cheek. They were about to head towards the door when Marius cleared his throat.

"Is little miss wearing shoes?" Meryn glanced down.

"No, I ..." Seconds later the world shifted as she was elevated four inches in the air.

"Yes, I think I am now."

"Have a wonderful time."

"You're not coming?" She asked. He shook his head.

"My mate Bronwyn has a terrible time around people. I will be celebrating with her in our quarters. She's the one who gave me the crackers for you earlier. She has really taken a liking to you." Meryn felt an odd sense of kinship with the woman she hadn't met yet. Those crackers had helped tremendously this morning.

"Tell her thank you and when she's ready I'd love to meet her."

"I'll do just that."

Meryn turned away from him and had only taken two steps when her ankle twisted and her entire body pitched forward. She landed on the marble floor.

"Motherfucker!" She yelled. Byron hurried forward and reached through yards of fabric to help her stand.

"I'll kill myself in these shoes!" Meryn wobbled unsteadily. She experienced a moment of vertigo and she was back on flat feet again, the dress had shortened itself to allow for flatter shoes. When she lifted the hem she could see blue Converse peeking out.