My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(24)

"Tell me about him, so I can thank him later," Micah said.

"Zachari is my older brother by three minutes. We were the first set of twins born in Eiré Danu in over a millennium. The queen herself sent my parents birthing gifts. He's tall and beautiful like my Papa. He's also kind and loyal. No matter what trouble I caused he always took up for me even when I was in the wrong."

"What'd you do?"

"Accidentally cut some of the queen's favorite flowers to give to my mother, not knowing that they were protected."

"Yikes."

"Luckily the queen was very forgiving. If I had to be honest, I think she indulged me more than my parents. I think I entertained her."

"I overheard a conversation between her and Etain once, she sounded like a wonderful person."

She nodded. "Oh, she really is. There were so many times where she made it a point to hold my hand during a function or have me sit beside her during tea, just to show others she didn't think I was any less fae because of my hair," she ran a hand over her brown locks.

She looked lost in thought for a moment then giggled. "Her consort Brennus used to sneak me candy when my parents weren't looking." She smiled up at him. "I always shared with Zach though." Her expression became thoughtful before poked him gently. "What were you supposed to go over with me?"

Micah swirled his wine in his glass. "Adriel offered all of the Eta Unit homes within the Ambrosios quarters on Level One. If we decide to stay in Noctem Falls, we have a choice of either staying here or moving in with the rest of my unit on the royal level."

She stared down into her glass. "I think it's a pretty safe assumption that my position as the Water Temple head has already been terminated." She looked around. "I think living on Level One comes with too many perks to turn down, but I would hate to give up your garden."

Micah felt sorry that his mate had probably already lost her position but was ecstatic that she already liked his garden. "Adriel completely gutted the Ambrosios quarters. Instead of walking into an antechamber you find yourself on a small road. Along each wall he left space for two smaller homes, then at the end of the road they put two large buildings side by side. One estate is for Gavriel, the other is for Adriel. The four spaces on either side of the cobblestone path are for the Eta Unit."

"Is it because you're the ranking unit?" she asked.

Micah shook his head. "No, it's because Adriel is the biggest closet softie I have ever met, and he would have missed us."

"He seems so proper."

"Trust me, whatever that man feels, he feels deeply. Plus with most of our mates tied to Level One, it just made sense to live down there too," he explained.

"What do you mean?

"Well, Eva is pretty much the liaison for the refugees. Not only does the Wolftown pack trust her, all the other refugees look to her to act as their voice. She's kick ass enough to hold her own and they know it. Then there's Kari. I'm just going to be honest, she pretty much runs the city. That's how much Magnus relies on her. She's like a little general behind the scenes telling us all what to do. After Kari, we got Ellie, then Vivi. They will probably get their own labs next to Broderick's. Magnus is no fool, I bet before he got sick he was writing up a list of stuff needed for them to be happy and stay right here and that was before he knew Vivi was his goddsdaughter. Then there's you." He smiled at her. "With the miniature baby boom in Noctem Falls, I bet he will try to bribe you to stay as well. He goes absolutely nuts for the kids." He took another sip of his wine. "So, you see, being on Level One just makes sense."

Serenity looked at him blinking slowly. He could tell she was getting sleepy. "Can we keep your garden? And your swing? And your wine?"

He gently kissed her nose. "Of course."

"You have a nose fetish," she said giggling. "Or you missed my mouth."

"Well, we can't have that," he said before kissing her slowly. When he leaned back she sighed happily. She picked up her glass and drained it before letting it tip over beside her. Smiling she closed her eyes again. "I love your garden."

Micah picked up her glass, then finished his own wine before leaning over to place both empty glasses beside the bottle on the end table.

"Drunk?" he asked, snuggling in beside her.

"No. Just..." she trailed off.

"Completely relaxed, carefree and perfectly content?"

She nodded rubbing her nose playfully on his chest. "I think it did something to the mating pull," she said, before she yawned.

Micah nodded giving in to the lull of peacefulness threatening to overtake him. "I think it sped it up."

She nodded again. "Yup."

"Yup," he echoed.

"Love you Micah."

"Love you too, my one and only," he replied as his eyes finally drifted close.





*****





Serenity woke up and looked around. They were still in Micah's magical, Disney-like garden. Her prince was currently snoring softly as their bed swayed back and forth.

She stared down at him, then remembered their confessions before falling asleep. She expected panic to overtake her at any moment, but nothing happened. If anything, watching his sleeping face snore and drool slightly had her smiling and feeling content. She eyed the bottle of wine. That stuff was potent and needed a warning label. She grinned. They were so drinking some of that later, maybe after dinner.