Page 19 of My Haven (Bewitched and Bewildered #16)

Genevieve parked outside the city wall, and they all walked inside to meet the guys where they parked the ATVs.

Caiden took in her flushed expression and raised a brow.

“Arlo and Meryn were teasing me,” she said.

He just nodded silently and led her forward to take point in showing them around.

The outer wall was a thick stone barrier, with slick green moss covering the lower half.

Vines and other vegetation looked to either be pulling it apart or holding it together.

What impressed her the most was that the wall itself was at least eight-feet thick.

Walking into the Lower City felt like she going through a tunnel.

Once past the gate, Caiden pointed to the buildings surrounding them. “This is the Lower City. Most of the city’s residents live here. Of the four elemental temples, only the Water Temple is located in the Lower City, right next to the Inner City wall. The Water Temple handles the city’s healing.”

The closest to what she could compare it to was Edinburgh, Scotland. Dark stone, buildings lining both sides of the street. Mismatched architecture mixed up with an earthy sort of cottage core. Cramped but cozy.

Genevieve saw that most of the buildings were old and extremely weathered. “I’ve been to Europe and didn’t see buildings this old,” she remarked.

“Though some have been rebuilt, most buildings are originals and was built nearly five-thousands years ago, when Storm Keep was established,” he explained.

“Man, we can’t even build roads that last a winter without potholes,” Arlo complained.

Caiden waved to one of the residents. The woman looked around before waving back. Caiden’s face tightened, but he still smiled. “Things are a bit different lately.”

Most of the people they came across showed the same timid nature. Under their feet the cobblestones were worn but mostly even, only dipping sharply here and there. Ryuu kept a constant arm around Meryn to keep her from twisting an ankle.

“Where’s Kendrick’s place?” Meryn asked.

Caiden steered them right, leading downhill toward the outer wall. After a few streets, they came upon a small stone cottage with a thatched roof.

“This is fairytale shit, right here,” Meryn said, heading for the door.

“Meryn, do you really think Kendrick didn’t set traps?” Caiden called out.

She paused. “Fuck, you’re right, he totally would. I’ll have him bring me back. I want to see the fairytale house.”

“Come on, I’ll show you the Water Temple next.

” Caiden walked so she could keep pace, keeping her hand firmly tucked in his.

“Troy Primrose has been heading the temple since Serenity was exiled. He tried to avoid being Temple Head for years and was happy when Serenity took over. When she got banned from the city, he threatened to flood Storm Keep castle,” Caiden said, smiling at the memory.

“He sounds fun” she admitted.

“He’s a Primrose, his family have been taking care of the Water Temple for generations, kind of like the Appleblossoms at the Fire Temple. He just wanted to do research. Now, he’s up to his ears in paperwork,” Caiden said, turning left, back up toward the Inner City.

Genevieve saw a large stone building before them and guessed it was the Water Temple. A line of sick people was trailing out the door. Some held broken limbs close to their bodies or ice packs on burned patches.

“What the hell?” Meryn asked.

Caiden sighed. “We’re a magic city Meryn, learning magic comes with risks.”

Neil grimaced. “I accidentally created a sinkhole once and fell into it breaking my arm. If it weren’t for knowing Serenity, it would have taken hours to be seen.”

Caiden walked past those in line and people began to protest. He held up a hand. “We’re not here to be seen, just checking in with Troy.”

The people quieted to a low grumble.

They hurried inside, past the lines of low cots, to the back rooms. Caiden went to an impressive looking wooden door and knocked.

“Go away!” an angry male voice shouted.

“Troy, it’s Caiden, I brought you guests,” he said, in soothing tones.

“Come back tomorrow! I’m already behind on next week’s reports,” Troy shouted.

Meryn walked up and kicked the door. “Open up. Serenity told me to meet you,” she shouted back.

There were a few seconds of silence before the door swung open and a man with dark hair, pulled in every direction, stood in the doorway. “Seri sent you?”

“Yeah, said you knew peeps and we should be besties,” Meryn said.

His eyes narrowed. “She probably said we should meet, but she definitely didn’t say for us to be besties,” he refuted. He looked down at her. “You shouldn’t be standing,” he paused. “Your blood sugar is low. Come in, come in.” He stopped. “Don’t touch anything.”

Grinning Meryn waltzed in behind the erratic man. Genevieve followed with Caiden.

Troy pointed to some benches and got out a small box of cookies for Meryn.

“Just a few,” he said. “Cheese would be better, it’s both a sugar and a protein.

” He bent down in front of a small box and began rummaging through things.

He lifted a small cheese wheel and smelled it.

“This should be okay.” He got out a knife and cut off a few slices.

He placed them on her cookie plate then took her wrist. His eyebrows shot up. “Water magic?” he asked.

She shook her head. “That’s probably Ryuu.” She showed him an intricate blue dragon tattoo. “It’s how he keeps track of me.”

Troy didn’t look convinced. He held her wrist a bit longer then nodded. “Better.”

Ryuu gave the man a bow. “You have my thanks.”

“Your mate should be off her feet,” Troy chided.

Caiden burst into laughter. “Ryuu is Meryn’s squire. She is mated to Aiden McKenzie.”

Troy frowned. “The Unit Commander’s name is Aiden McKenzie.”

Caiden nodded. “Yes, it is.”

Troy looked down. “Isn’t that man close to seven-feet tall?”

Caiden’s face spasmed as he tried not to laugh. “Yes, he is.”

Troy bent down to look Meryn in the eye. “Are you okay?”

She leered and pointed to her belly. “We figured it out.”

“Hmm. I would cease sexual relations for the last two weeks of your pregnancy, you could trigger a pre-term birth,” Troy advised.

“That sounds good to me. I’m done being pregnant,” Meryn complained.

Troy’s face softened for a second, then his normal sardonic expression returned. “The closer your baby is to term when they’re born, the safer it is for both of you,” he said, then looked to Caiden. “I can give her some dietary supplements I’ve created. Was that all you needed?”

Caiden pointed to the others in the room. “You may remember Nigel and Neil Morninglory.”

Troy nodded and gave a little wave.

“Pierce is Meryn’s guard and as your heard Ryuu is her squire. The small guy behind Meryn is Pip Maverick of Noctem Falls.”

Troy gave a single nod in acknowledgement.

“Finally, this is Genevieve Taylor my mate, and Arlo Sommer her good friend,” he said, finishing up introductions.

Troy gave her a passing glance, then stared at Arlo. “You?”

Arlo blinked. “Hmm?”

Caiden inhaled sharply, then began to cough.

Genevieve whacked him on the back. “Breathe!”

Caiden beat on his chest, then inhaled. “Is he your mate?” he asked.

Troy simply nodded, still staring at Arlo.

Arlo clutched at his chest. “You mean god answered my prayers and sent me a witch mate?” he crowed.

Troy looking shell-shocked, nodded again.

Arlo smiled, looking like the cat that ate the canary. “Don’t worry hun, I won’t break you… much.”

Troy whimpered.

Arlo straightened. “Nice of you to visit the Water Temple, we hope to see you again in a few weeks. Bye, bye, now. Bye, bye,” he said, herding them toward the door.

Genevieve caught his arm. “Are you…”

He kissed her forehead and held up his phone. “I’ll call you later.”

“You better call me tomorrow and let me know if you’re okay,” she threatened.

“Hun, Troy may not even know what planet he’s on tomorrow,” Arlo pouted.

“Tomorrow, no later,” she said, firmly.

Troy shook his head. “At least by tomorrow, I have reports to finish.”

Arlo grinned wickedly. “It’s your own fault now.”

Troy’s eyes got huge. “Oh gods,” he whispered.

“Bye Kirbs,” Arlo said and shut the door in her face.

She pointed to the door. “Did you see that?”

Caiden wrapped an arm around her shoulders in an effort to steer her away from the door. “You probably want to put some distance between you and that room.”

Genevieve growled and allowed herself to be guided back out of the temple.

Meryn, and the boys were still laughing when they got outside.

Genevieve heard the words, ‘Noctem Falls’ and ‘the butt sex’, but refused to acknowledge that her best friend had just ditched her. She sniffled. “Troy better not hurt him.”

Meryn held a cookie in one hand and cheese in the other. “Honestly, I’m more worried about Troy.” She looked around. “Didn’t you say the orphanage was near the Water Temple?”

Nigel and Neil looped their arms through hers. “We can show you the way. Gods only knows how many times we took this route.”

Genevieve walked slower, every step felt wrong without her best friend at her side.

Caiden pulled her into the curve of his body. “This is a good thing. He has a place in our world, and he won’t be lonely because you’re mated. Let the mating fever die down and I bet he’ll be driving you nuts to go shopping.”

“Mating fever?” she asked.

He bent down. “You mean you aren’t affected?” he whispered.

She felt a warmth race through her. “Maybe,” she croaked.

He kissed her temple. “Arlo could only be safer in a unit home. Troy is a powerful water witch, he won’t let anything happen to a mate he just found.”

She sniffled. “Are there any cafes nearby?”

He shook his head. “Not many in the Lower City. Once we hit the Inner City there are a few places to grab food.”

“Good.”

They walked for a bit, the twins pointing out certain landmarks along the way. Genevieve heard the orphanage before they saw it. Children’s laughter and playful screams reached them halfway down the street.