My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(27)

Magnus greeted them warmly then turned to her with a questioning look. "How did you get here?"

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Might I suggest moving to the dining room before launching into many more explanations," he eyed Magnus. "Your food will get cold."

Magnus rubbed his hands together. "I feel like I could eat everything you set before me." He snaked an arm around Beth and one around Vivi before kissing each of them on the cheek. "I am still very feeble and need assistance getting to the dining room," he said pouting at both women.

They laughed and leaned their heads on his shoulders. Beth patted him on the chest. "Of course, uncle, we'll help you."

Etain and Gavriel followed, looking decidedly grumpy without their mates. Serenity hung back as everyone made their way to the table. Marjoram stopped in front of her on her way to join the others. "They never really grow up," she looked at Micah. "Some less than others."

"Oh Marjoram, my ripest little berry. I know you will be desolate without me," Micah teased.

Serenity was shocked to see the older woman blush. In earlier interactions she had been put together and in charge.

Marjoram swatted at Micah. "You better take care of this young lady Micah Sageson, don't make me call your grandmother," she threatened.

Micah paled. "You know my gran?"

Marjoram gave him a sly smile. "I looked her up after meeting you. She told me to tell you that you are in big trouble for taking her wine."

Micah gulped. "It was only a few bottles," he mumbled.

Marjoram raised an elegant brow. "A few bottles? She said you emptied her entire cellar."

Serenity turned to him. "You have an entire cellar's worth?" she asked eagerly.

"Maybe," he said eyeing Marjoram.

The older woman held up two fingers. "Two bottles and I'll smooth things over with your gran by offering her my snickerdoodle recipe and gush over you meeting your mate."

Micah looked relieved. "Deal!" he agreed immediately.

She met Serenity's eyes and winked before disappearing behind the closed dining room door. Micah turned to her grinning. "She is amazing. Maybe my gran won't kill me now."

"What's this about wine?" Laelia asked.

Serenity gave Micah puppy dog eyes. He sighed. "Of course, they can have a bottle."

Serenity looped her arm through Laelia's and headed toward the dining room. "Let me tell you about the best wine in the entire world."





*****





Once everyone was seated Micah was amazed to see they had actually filled the long, royal dining table. He watched as Hal, Ryuu, Pavil and Sebastian served everyone effortlessly. Of course, with this many seated for dinner you would almost need four squires. He'd attended balls with fewer people.

He sat back as everyone seemed to talk at once. Slowly Magnus was brought up to speed. Kari, bless her, once seated had presented Magnus with his iPad and went over the itemized list of changes.

Serenity leaned in. "They're so happy."

He pulled her close remembering the awful evening Magnus fell ill. "We needed this. Everyone has had so much thrown at them, we truly needed this joy. Having Magnus back with us changes everything." He kissed her nose. "You're my miracle."

"May I have everyone's attention please?" Rex asked standing. He raised his glass. "I would like to propose a toast to..." He paused dramatically. "To Fate. Not only has she provided our warriors with mates who will be the salvation of us all, she has also introduced us to new friends who have become family and has blessed us with the start of the next generation. Though our fight isn't over to drive back the sickness amongst us, I have no doubt that this family will overcome."

Declan stood his eyes bright. "To family!" He raised his glass. Around the table everyone stood and raised their glass high.

"To family!" everyone cheered before draining their glasses.

After everyone sat down Pip turned to Meryn. "Me too?" he asked.

Meryn nodded. "Absolutely."

"Pip," Magnus said softly getting the young man's attention.

Pip turned to the prince his eyes wide. "I am sorry my father made you sick. That was bad of him. And I am sorry he called you a weak fool, that was mean."

Magnus looked a bit surprised at Pip's apology then chuckled. "You have nothing to be sorry for." He glanced down at his iPad. "After hearing your story, I feel like I have to apologize to you Pip. I never really looked into why you acted the way you did. You and others like you suffered because politics got in the way of me doing the right thing." He looked from Adriel to Gavriel then back to Pip. "Luckily I have very good friends who are helping to straighten things out. Can you forgive me for not seeing how you were being treated?"

By the end of the apology Pip was trembling so badly he looked like he was about to fly apart. Meryn looked around the table. "What do I do?" she asked.

"Hug him Meryn. It will make him feel better," Serenity advised.

Meryn scrunched her nose at the word hug, but she nevertheless wrapped an arm around her distraught friend.

Magnus looked hurt. "I did not mean to upset him."

Pip buried his face in Meryn's shoulder and shook his head back and forth. "No. This is wrong, I am nothing, I am bad. The prince should not say such things to me," he whispered.