Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
Rowan was right. Caelan answered on the third ring.
Once, not too long ago, I thought he was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. His hair was dark, still tousled, longer on the top than the bottom. I used to think his hair was the only thing messy about him and thought him a storm contained in human form.
His eyes were charcoal grey flecked with gold, the color of the smoke from an out-of-control fire or a storm brewing in the clouds.
He looked the same, but I felt nothing.
For the first time, I felt absolutely nothing when he looked at me.
A smile threatened to break over my face, an emotion I couldn't afford to show him.
Rowan still lay sprawled across the couch, his eyes moving over the text on the pages.
I knew he'd have to re-read those pages later, because his eyes were a little too sharp and interested.
“Evie.” Caelan's deep voice rumbled. “I'm surprised to hear from you so soon.”
He sat in his office, the books on the shelves behind him as neat as they ever were. One major change he'd made was the absence of any plant life. Caelan liked plants and had made a point to bring in dozens whenever he started pursuing me.
The lack of them now was understandable but still saddened me for reasons I couldn't explain.
“Your messenger came with your demands.”
He nodded. “Then I will see you in two days.”
A thread of annoyance trilled through me. Just like him to assume I'd do whatever he wanted.
“I do not agree.”
A flash of surprise and a slight narrowing of his eyes was his only tell of surprise. “Oh?”
“I will be there in three days. Rowan and two members of my court will accompany me.”
A thread of gold ringed his iris. “No.”
Rowan's words crept back into my mind. It took everything I had to keep my face mild and uninterested. “Very well,” I said. “Call me back when you're ready to meet my terms.”
He opened his mouth to speak just as I ended the call.
Rowan's low chuckle sent a thrill down my spine. “Good girl.”
He knew I loved it when he said that to me. “You're not allowed to say such things when you know he's going to call right back.”
Rowan's slow grin made my stomach tighten.
My computer signaled an incoming call. “Dammit, Rowan,” I said through clenched teeth.
His wicked laugh made my lips tug into an answering smile. I hit the answer button.
Caelan's furious face swam into existence.
“Goddammit, Evie. Do not hang up on me again!”
“Rowan and two members of my court will accompany me.
They will sweep the room we meet in, and one will remain with me during our meeting.
If you do not agree to those terms, we will not meet.
We both know you can say whatever you want to say right now.
There's no need for these theatrics or for me to travel to you, other than to soothe your wounded ego.”
Rowan let out a soft laugh. “Good girl,” he whispered for my ears only.
I squirmed in my seat.
Caelan's irises turned full gold now. His teeth pulled back from his lips. “You think now that you're mated to a Lord you can say whatever you wish to me?”
I rolled my eyes. “Let's not pretend I've ever had a filter.”
“My original terms stand.” He crossed his arms over his powerful chest and waited.
I smiled and disconnected the call once more.
Rowan's laugh was a crack of sound. He put his book down and motioned me over. “Ignore his next call.”
I'd barely gotten out of my chair before the video notification went off once more. I stilled but Rowan watched me, his eyes glowing with desire.
“Come, mate. I felt you when Caelan's face came on the screen. You think I'm prettier.”
I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt. “Mmm. And if I do?”
His smile widened. “I will just have to ensure you keep thinking so.”
He held his arms out.
I launched myself at my husband. Hearing his shout of surprise and the warmth of the bond inside my chest, feeling his hands wrap around my waist as he caught me, I knew every step I'd taken, no matter how awful the journey sometimes, every bit of it had led me here, to Rowan.
Caelan called back four more times, but Rowan and I were a little distracted. The fifth time Rowan's phone beeped.
We lay tangled together on the ground, our clothes haphazardly tossed around the room.
“Hmm. If he video called now, I might answer,” Rowan murmured.
I smacked him lightly on the chest. “Cad.”
Rowan grinned and held up his cell, peering at it with one eye closed. “The Lord has agreed to your terms but has refused to allow me access to the Keep. You'll have to go in with the other two.”
“Of course.” Caelan could be such an ass sometimes.
“You can wait at the old flower shop.” My mother and father had claimed the space for the fae.
If Caelan stepped foot on the property, my mom and dad would know, and there would be hell to pay.
I'd refused to sell the place, mostly just to piss the Lord off, so the old shop sat vacant, a sore thumb in the middle of a once vibrant town.
Maybe I'd give up the space, but not anytime soon. Caelan could walk past that space every day and think about his mistakes.
“I'm bringing Seymour.”
Rowan peered at me. “Out of kindness or extreme passive aggressiveness?”
I tossed my shirt at him. “A little of both. Seymour is adjusting well, but he loves Caelan. I think it'd be good for him to visit.”
“And Hannah?”
I shook my head. “Hannah has taken to this place like a duck to water. Her and Moira are getting along like gangbusters.”
“Makes sense. Hannah is gentle. Seymour's a thug.”
I rose and pulled my pants on. “Seymour was made as an attack flytrap and somehow became a sentient being. He's developed his own personality. I can't help that he has his favorites.”
Rowan peered up at me through long lashes. “He's poisoned several shifters since he's been here.”
I winced. “Yes, well, Seymour doesn't like surprises. Your people came from behind and startled the poor guy.”
At Rowan's lifted eyebrow, I snorted. “He could poison everyone and hasn't done that, so you gotta give him a little credit. Taking him to see Caelan might mellow him out a little.”
“Or make him worse,” Rowan muttered.
I nudged him with my toe. “I took Seymour away from his best friend. In a million years, I would never have expected him to become what he has. The poor thing bonded with something, showing us all he's capable of strong emotion. Looking back, I should have let him say goodbye.”
Rowan's jaw tightened, but he nodded after a moment. “As much as I hate to give the bastard anything, this isn't about Caelan. It's about what's best for your vicious little flytrap.”
I went to my knees and kissed Rowan. “I love it when you're grumpy.”
Rowan snagged me around the waist and pulled me on top of him. “Tell me what else you love about me.”
I pretended like I was going to bite his nose. “I'll recite poetry for you later. Mom and Dad are coming for dinner.”
“Do we have to?”
“Considering you invited them, yes.” I rolled away and got to my feet, picking up his discarded shirt with my toes. “Put this on and meet me in the kitchen.”
“Bossy.”
I cracked open the door. “You like it.”
I didn't miss the glow in his eyes as I slipped outside.
Yep. He definitely liked it.
Dad aka Cernunnos, aka the former fae king was positively delighted by my current progress in figuring out my magic, but much less impressed by my refusal to try any form of travel farther than a few feet.
We stood in the clearing about twenty feet away from each other. Dad wore his human guise today—joggers, t-shirt, and tennis shoes—but his eyes swirled with magic and annoyance.
“You've used it before.”
“Yes, when Rowan was about to die.”
The Lord winced at the reminder. He, Mom, Moira, and the others were on the patio drinking sangria and watching me and my father argue.
“Tap into the same emotion you felt then and move.”
I stared at him. “You want me to tap into all-consuming grief every time I want to go somewhere?”
Dad's nostrils flared. “You know what I mean.”
“I don't, actually.”
He sighed and sat down on the ground, motioning for me to come closer and join him.
When I'd settled across from him, he leaned over and took my hands. “I forget you are not like us, Evie.”
I eyed him warily. Amusement made his eyes sparkle.
“You are not human, but you were raised among them and lived like they do for many years. Humans are far more emotional than our kind. As such, you tie emotions to some of your powers.”
“Like moving through space and time.”
He inclined his head. “You weren't able to use the power until someone you loved was in danger. Now, every time I ask you to try, you think of Rowan, of the possibility of what could have gone wrong had you not reached him in time, yes?”
I glanced over at Rowan, who watched me—a soft ring of watermelon tourmaline magic around his iris. My breath caught. He looked at me as if I were his salvation, and part of me still felt unworthy of his adoration.
“Yes,” I said softly.
“Your scenario did not come to pass.”
My brow furrowed. “Does it matter?”
“Yes,” Dad said simply.
A beat of silence before I took a deep breath so I wouldn't scream.
“You are thousands of years old. You've seen entire civilizations fall. I was born this century and married to a man who treated me like shit, then dated someone who hid most of his red flags. Then I met Rowan, and suddenly, he was the most important thing in my world. I will never stop seeing Caelan coming for him, never not think about losing him. The image is forever stamped in my mind.” I took a breath, still forcing down the urge to yell at him.
“You say things so matter-of-factly as if you have any idea what it feels like to be mated.”
I regretted the words as soon as I said them. He and my mom had a complicated history, and if Cliona ever opened the door to the possibility of them being together again, he would happily walk through it and fall to his knees before her.