My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(21)

Laelia walked over and kissed her cheek. "We're still learning from you. Thanks for noticing what we missed."

Serenity kissed her friend's cheek in return. "I was only able to help because you and Radclyffe did such an amazing job with the children. I had to find something to do," she teased.

Radclyffe waved to the kids he had been reading to and jogged over. "Marjoram said we could stay with her on this level instead of on Level One. We'll be closer to the children and it will be easier to do rounds."

Marjoram, Ellie and Anne joined their group. "I'll be grateful for the company. Ellie, Grant and Benji moved in with his unit on Level One."

Serenity looked at Micah. "Is it normal for warriors to live on the royal level?" she asked.

He shook his head. "That was the decision I was going to talk to you about later."

Serenity looked from Laelia to Radclyffe. "What about your things?"

Marjoram smiled. "I already used that handy walkie-talkie the warriors carry. Sebastian sent their things up earlier."

Marjoram leaned down and kissed Serenity on the cheek. "I heard what you were able to do. Thank you. Looks like both you and Meryn will be getting extra cookies."

Micah leaned forward. "Cookies?"

Marjoram pointed to Serenity. "See if your mate is willing to share."

Micah turned to her with such a pitiful expression she couldn't help but laugh. "Of course I'll share my cookies with you. You introduced me to your favorite treats on Level Six."

"Yes!" Micah exclaimed enthusiastically.

Ellie giggled. "Grant is the same way when it comes to Marjoram's cookies."

Serenity found that hard to believe. She couldn't imagine the stoic warrior acting like her lighthearted mate one bit. "They must truly be amazing," she said.

Ellie sighed happily. "They are."

Radclyffe turned to his mate. "You ready to go? We have some time to wind down before dinner on the royal level."

Serenity frowned. "We're eating on Level One?" she asked, feeling a moment of panic.

They nodded their heads. "We weren't expecting to hobnob with royalty and Founding Family members, but Ellie has assured us we're welcome. Honestly we'd be perfectly content to eat homemade lasagna with the twins and their friends on the Unit Level."

Serenity looked at Micah. "Who're the royalty and Founding Family members who will be at dinner?"

Everyone just stared at her. Laelia finally took pity on her confused state. "Weren't you paying attention to the introductions earlier?"

Serenity nodded, then shook her head. "I heard names, but I was too busy wondering what Kendrick was doing here and staring at Beth." She looked around. "I think I would have remembered if someone introduced royalty though."

Marjoram smiled. "I think I see the problem. She knows everyone's names but not their rank. I can see where she would be confused, everyone is so casual on Level One that you kinda forget they are important. It's almost like they're real people," she said in a playful mocking tone.

"Gram!" Ellie admonished blushing.

"Wait, so who's important?" Serenity asked.

Micah rubbed the back of his neck. "It would be easier to list those not holding rank."

"Surely not Meryn," Serenity said jokingly.

Micah nodded. "Mate to the Unit Commander and future Lady McKenzie of House McKenzie. She was adopted by Beth as a sister tying her to House Rioux and House Ambrosios. Her cousin is mated to Darian Vi'Alina who was raised by Queen Aleksandra of the fae and she's the newest owner of the Gown of Eiré Danu," Micah listed.

"That amazing little oddball?" Serenity whispered. Everyone nodded.

Laelia turned to Micah. "Maybe you should take Serenity somewhere to unwind as well. You could also go over the guest list so she doesn't have a panic attack at dinner."

Serenity was frowning down at the floor. "I mean I knew about Prince Magnus and Prince Gavriel, they exude power, but Meryn just exudes geek references and Cheeto powder."

Micah physically turned her to face the door. "We'll see you all later." He gave her a gentle push towards the exit.

"She's just so..." Serenity continued looking over at her mate.

He grinned wickedly. "Yeah, she is."





*****





Micah decided the best place to take her was his home on the Unit Level. When they stopped in front of his home he suddenly felt inadequate. If you compared his medium sized English style cottage to Declan's castle or Etain's fae treehouse, his home looked dowdy.

"I love it," his mate whispered staring up at the house.

"You do?"

"I've always loved homey places," she admitted an infectious smile on her face.

"Welcome to my most humble abode," he said with great flourish.

They stepped onto the stone path and his mate gasped. Oh, yeah. He'd forgotten about the housewarming spell he put in the stones. Seconds later his mate was on her knees her hands spread out over the odd shaped grey stones. "What spell is this?" she asked "Ever the scholar." He knelt beside her. "There are three spells woven into the stones. Welcoming, laughter and safety. To me that makes a place to call home."