"That's very young to be on your own." Elizabeth frowned. Granted she was only one hundred and fifty, but she had grown a lot in the past fifty years.

"Pffft. I'm only thirty-four so compared to him I must be an infant," Meryn joked.

"Humans age differently than paranormals. You may be thirty-four but if you were a normal unmated human that would represent one-third of your life span. As a shifter one thousand years to fifteen hundred years represents one-third of our life span. Since you're mated to Aiden, you will live as long as he does. Since I'm mated to Gavriel, I am now immortal," Elizabeth explained.

"So in paranormal to human conversions I'm older than Aiden?" Meryn asked.

Elizabeth thought about it for a moment and nodded. "If you were going by straight numbers, but in your case I think it may be skewed."

Meryn stuck her tongue out at her.

Elizabeth laughed. "And on that note, I'm going to help Ryuu get their room ready. Meryn try, not to make Jaxon's head explode with explanations while I'm gone." Elizabeth turned to the door.

"He'll be fine." Meryn reached over and patted Jaxon's leg. He shot her a look that clearly said, 'Please hurry'.

Elizabeth wiggled her fingers at them. "Have fun."

She walked out and found that Ryuu had already moved a second bed into the guest suite that would belong to Noah and Jaxon and had a stack of sheets sat on each bed.

"Ryuu I can make the beds if you have something else you need to be doing," she offered.

He moved the second bed into place and stood back. He faced her and nodded. "That would be most appreciated. I need to start dinner and need the extra time since we're feeding more than twice our usual numbers. I have made arrangements with Aiden that the trainees including Meryn's minions will eat two hours prior to the warriors, pushing back your normal mealtime by one hour to begin at seven pm. That will keep some separation between the two groups and make it easier to serve. As big as the dining room is, I don't think it was meant for seventeen people."

Elizabeth counted in her head and looked at him questioningly. "Seventeen?"

"I have factored for each warrior finding a mate. It's best if we establish separate dining times from the start," he explained.

"Good idea. You go on ahead, I'll finish up here." She walked over and picked up the sheets.

Ryuu bowed. "Thank you. I'll let Meryn and young Mr. Darrow know of our new eating arrangements and let him know I have ordered bars for the bathroom for his ease of use."

"That was considerate of you, I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

"If you'll excuse me," he said and left.

Elizabeth looked around the room, in such a short amount of time he had done everything he could to arrange the furniture so that Jaxon's wheelchair could maneuver. The man was a credit to his profession.

Humming she began to make the beds. Chores like this always relaxed her. They were uncomplicated tasks that allowed her mind to wander. She was just finishing the second bed when she heard footsteps behind her. She didn't think anything of it until she heard an unfamiliar male voice.

"Look, my room comes with entertainment." The voice belonged to a tall, well-muscled shifter. He had blond hair and cold blue eyes. He had classic good looks that were tainted by a sneering upper lip and the lecherous look in his eyes.

"I think you're mistaken," Elizabeth said walking towards the door. She wanted to get to Gavriel and Aiden and find out who this man was. When she went to walk past him he blocked the doorway.

"Don't be like that, let's get to know each other better," he said reaching out to touch her hair. She pulled back and glared at him.

"Move. Now." She leveled her eyes at him and he smirked. He was enjoying this.

"I have connections sweetheart, I can make your life easier. Come 'work' for me and you won't have to make anyone else's bed but mine," he offered.

He thinks I'm a servant.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're mistaken, I'm mated and I live here. Now move!" She went to shoulder her way past and he grabbed her and pushed her back.

"I suggest you leave her alone." Ryuu said walking up behind her adversary his eyes completely devoid of emotion. Elizabeth had never been happier to see anyone in her life.

"Ryuu, thank goodness you're here." She breathed a sigh of relief.

The man turned and looked Ryuu up and down, taking in the apron he laughed. "Your mate is a servant. Go ahead and provoke me China man, my family will bury you," he threatened.

Ryuu looked past him and met her eyes. He raised a single eyebrow in question. She spread her hands and shrugged.

"I have no idea who he is, but he's a complete idiot. And Ryuu is Japanese you twit not Chinese." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Snarling he turned and reached for her again. Ryuu simply extended his hand and wrapped it around the back of the man's neck, a spark of blue flared. The man's eyes rolled back and he went down. Ryuu let him fall hard, Elizabeth winced as the man's face made contact with the hardwood.

Ryuu extended a hand to help her step over the odious man that now blocked the doorway. Smiling, she took his hand and he easily lifted her across.

"If you could return to where Meryn and young Mr. Darrow are, I'll fetch Aiden and your mate," Ryuu offered.

"Thank you, Ryuu." Elizabeth followed him out. He went out the front door to head towards the training grounds.