Chapter 98

Chapter 98
Snuggled together, we fell asleep. The next morning, I dressed simply in a pair of jean shorts and a deep red sleeveless shirt. My bigfoot slippers on my smaller feet. When I came out of the closet, the room shimmered. Caspian matched my outfit as usual. This time even wearing matching slippers. I chuckled and tugged his beard to bend him down to me for a quick kiss.

He led me down the stairs. On the main floor, we heard some voices coming from the kitchen. Holding hands, we walked through the archway. Ace and Carissa were leaning on the counter sipping coffee.

“Good morning!” Carissa greeted us. She waved a hand towards the island. “Look at this spread!”

“Welcome to my life.” I grinned. The island was covered with multiple flavors of scones, blintzes, egg muffins with peppers and onions, bagels, and a breakfast pizza. Various flavors of cream cheese and fruit compote filled little bowls. A platter of fresh chopped fruit was off to the side.  Bacon, sausage, and toast rounded out the food offerings. Bottles of juice. Sitting on a hot plate a carafe of coffee summoned me.

I poured a cup of the brew and poured a liberal amount of creamer from one of the bottles conveniently left on ice in a bucket. Happily, I filled a plate with a little bit of everything. Everyone else was also filling a plate.

I took my plate and coffee to the back door. On my way, I noticed Chubbers in the butler’s pantry chowing down on shredded chicken. I shook my head.

“She’s getting so spoiled.” I complained as I took a bite of my perfectly made cheese blintz dipped in a cherry compote.

“Yeah. SHE’S getting spoiled.” Carissa pointed her blueberry scone that shimmered with sugar on top at me. Ace and Caspian chuckled too.

“You’re just jealous.” I fired back. She opened her mouth to say something else, so, I shoved a piece of bacon in it. We all got a good laugh at that one.

Breakfast was a leisurely meal. We all chatted and enjoyed the wonderful spread left by the Kerrigan. If I could recommend anything to make a person happy, it would be to get a house imp. And a mara demon. I was very happy with mine.

“Why do you look so sappy?” Carissa asked with a knowing chuckle. Oops. I didn’t realize I was staring at my mara.

“I’m just happy.” I sighed. Caspian kissed the top of my head.

“Me too.” His words sent that special tingle down my spine. I tugged his beard gently while smiling all gooey at him. He winked. Yep, he felt that tingle. He probably felt the tingle his wink gave me. I was such a lost cause.

We sat out on the balcony for awhile after we finished breakfast. At one point we had brought all the coffee stuff out with us. Carissa was surprised when we had gone back in for refills to find the carafe was full again. I just shook my head.

When the carafe was empty again, we gathered everything up and went back inside. Carissa stopped just inside the kitchen. It was spotless. No crumbs or dirty dishes in sight. Not event the scent of food hung in the air. The house now smelled like pumpkin spice.

“Guess Kerrigan was tired of the place smelling like pina colada.” I shrugged as I put the creamer in the fridge.

“How can I get one of them?” Carissa demanded. Caspian and I laughed.

“Um, well.  First you have to have a mara pop into your bedroom.” Ace and Carissa both nodded. That was a bit disturbing. But ok. “Then you have to naughty time with them. Lots of dirty naughty things will be done.”

Caspian kissed me a little harder than appropriate given the audience. “Not just that. But their souls have to bond.”

Ace frowned at that one. He nodded towards Carissa. “But she already has my soul.”

“Your balls too. Don’t forget that.” Carissa snickered at him.

“Those too.” Ace nodded unconcerned.

“Well, no imp for you.” We all laughed at my accent.

We hung around the house for the rest of the day. Just enjoying each other’s company. My oldest friends getting to know my man. Sitting on the couch with his arm around my shoulders, I’m not sure I ever felt happier.

In the evening, we got up to go find some dinner. In the hall, we noticed the scent of food wafting from the formal dining room. Odd. I didn’t recall the last time that was actually use. Carissa and I exchanged looks. We both shrugged and followed the men into the room across from the kitchen.

Inside we found the pale aqua room had been given a face lift. The long dark wood table was draped in a white runner. White pumpkins and blue glass vases surrounded light blue and white flowers in a white basket as a center piece. Through the glass doors on the white China cabinet, I could see white a pale aqua dishes displayed with matching fall décor scattered on the shelves. Throughout the room the theme of white and pale aqua continued in fall décor. It was simple and elegant.

The table was set with the same China that was in the cabinet. Distressed aqua candle sticks held white shimmering candles. Silver platters with appetizers were on the table. Gasping, we sat down. Caspian and I on one side, Ace and Carissa across from us.

Eagerly, we filled our plates with the scrumptious looking food. Spinach artichoke cups, bruschetta, sweet potato crostini, and baked feta bites. Goblets of an apple cinnamon concoction were there to wash down the delicious food.

We continued chatting as we ate. After about ten minutes, Kerrigan came into the room with a sterling silver serving cart. They were still in the lime green chef’s smock and black pants. This was the first time Ace and Carissa had met the imp. I could see them trying not to stare, but, failing horribly. Snickering, I introduced them.

“Kerrigan, these are my friends Ace and Carissa. Guys, this is Kerrigan.” Kerrigan bowed respectfully to the humans.

“Oh, I know them. Big fan of their shenanigans.” Kerrigan wiggled their eyebrows at them. Carissa actually flushed. Ok, that was funny. They removed the plates Carissa and Ace had used for the appetizers and stashed them on the bottom of the cart. Then slid a plate containing duck and an apricot chutney with a side of rice in front of first Carissa, then Ace.

The smell was amazing. I was excited when Kerrigan moved to me and Caspian. They slid our plates in front of us. Then served Carissa a glass of wine. Ace and Caspian were given whiskey. I got a delightful mocktail that tasted of pomegranate and cinnamon. Our needs met, they bowed then pushed the cart out of the room.

We dug into our fancy fare. After dinner, Ace and Carissa said their goodbyes before heading for the airport. Alone again, Caspian and I climbed the stairs for an early night since I had work the next morning.