“How can you just make food out of nothing?”
“Not nothing. Magic is simply a matter of manipulating energy,” Amari explained. “I just altered what was available into something new.”
Lyrica would love to sit down with the Dragon Warriors to have an in-depth conversation about magic someday, but today was not the time for that. “It’s strange. Elder Blue had a similar reaction and did something to the pendant before I left Xenthian.”
“I sensed strong Xenon magic, but assumed it was yours. Xenon magic is still mostly unknown to me, which is why I am glad you are here. I have many questions for you, but I promised my mate that I would wait until you have acclimated to living on Earth before I interrogated you further.”
Roman smiled. “Not interrogate, sweetheart. Let’s call it a discussion.”
“Aye, that.”
Lyrica’s excitement almost had her bouncing out of her seat. “By the gods, I think I already love you in a completely-platonic-we-already-have-mates-way. I have a million questions for you as well.”
The two females shared a smile.
“One of my reasons for coming to Earth is to learn more about all of the different races. Specifically, about the mating habits and rituals of each race. Not only to understand what it could mean for the Xenon, but to help all mated pairings.”
“Most of us know the basics, but no one really talks about the misunderstandings that happen at the beginning of a mating bond,” Gabriel said as he filled his plate with food. He paused to gesture to himself. “As you can see, mating a Xenon comes with some new…complications.”
“Even so, it has been different for each Xenon who has found their mate. Gabriel’s transformation occurred almost instantly, while Alden and Harris’ happened the next day.”
Roman grinned. “I remember you mentioned that Harris is mated to Lyrica’s guard. That’s one hell of a coincidence.”
“It was fate,” Amari stated. “What other complications have occurred?”
While they enjoyed the meal, Gabriel and Lyrica told the Dragon Warriors about some of the surprises they had faced since they had met back in the docking bay. They winced in sympathy when they described the transformation and laughed their way through Gabriel’s explanation of how shocked he’d been the first time his wings had appeared.
“I would love to host a symposium where mated couples can share some of these types of details with potential mates,” Lyrica told them. “What we’ve already experienced could save new mates from shocking surprises or from dealing with the heartache caused by simple misunderstandings. But more than that, I believe understanding mating bonds is the only way to truly unify the races.”
“I was going to suggest we ask the Council of Regents for permission to use a space at the Academy for these meetings since the students could benefit from taking part in the discussions, but that would subject us to too many Alliance regulations. Besides, the regents aren’t very happy with us at the moment since I officially stepped down as commander a few days ago.”
Roman blinked in surprise. “You resigned?”
“Harris and I both did.”
The meeting with the Council of Regents hadn’t gone as well as he would have liked, but he had expected that. The reactions when Gabriel and Harris had introduced their mates had varied. Those they considered friends had been happy for them, while the majority of the members had been disappointed in them for “wasting” the opportunity they had been given by stepping down.
Before the meeting, Gabriel had planned on remaining in position until new commanders were appointed, but that plan had changed as soon as a couple of the regents had reacted with open hostility. They’d said Gabriel and Harris could no longer be trusted since their mates were Xenon, claiming that they needed to be replaced immediately. Gabriel had been fine with whatever they had said about him, but the second someone had insinuated that Lyrica couldn’t be trusted, he had wanted to throw the asshole who’d spoken through the wall.
That led to the meeting ending rather abruptly.
“I’ve spoken to Jax, Adira, and a couple of other regents over the last few days, but I told them nothing they can say will change my mind. I’m done.”
“Good for you. I tried that advisor role after I stepped down from the council, but they just kept pissing me off.” Roman grimaced. “Or, more accurately, they made the grave error of pissing off my mate.”
Amari shot him a haughty look. “All I said was if they kept making snide insults about us, I would make the rest of their existence very unpleasant.”
“Their very short existences. I told you, we just can’t go around killing the regents, even if some of them might deserve it.”
“You and your rules.” Amari waved a hand through the air in a casual dismissal. Her swirling eyes glowed brighter as she stood up. “I know the perfect place for you to host your discussions.”
When she glanced over at the twins, Roman chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ve got them.”
Amari leaned down to brush her lips over his, then she and Lyrica simply disappeared from sight.
Gabriel closed his eyes, and muttered, “I’m never going to get used to that.”
“I used to say that, but you’d be surprised how quickly you’ll get used to all the crazy magic stuff once you become part of it,” Roman said. “Amari really likes your mate. It takes her a long time to warm up to people, so it was a little surprising to see how quickly she took to Lyrica. I’m glad they’re friends, but why do I get the
