Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
“You ready?”
Rowan tugged on a cashmere pullover and ran his fingers through his messy hair. “Are you?”
“Nope.” Today was Caelan's deadline. While I didn't care much about meeting his timeline, I was trying not to be a total asshole. We both knew who held the power here, but I didn't need to rub it in his face.
“We don't have to go,” Rowan said as our eyes met in the mirror. “You can tell him to fuck off and tangle him in some thorns or something, and then I can drag you back to my lair and have my way with you.”
“Hmm.” I pretended to think. “Your idea sounds way better.”
He went to grab me around the waist to do just that, but I danced out of his reach, shaking my hairbrush at him in warning. “We need to settle this thing between us. The sooner, the better. “
“While I agree Caelan is an asshole. We shouldn't do anything to make his life easier.”
The familiar and rhythmic thump of Seymour's clay pot sounded in the hallway.
The Red Dragon flytrap was completely stoked about his visit and was letting us know by impatiently thumping every time he thought we were taking too long.
Moira had distracted him somewhat by tossing his favorite crunchy bug treats at him, but Seymour was on a mission and would not be denied.
“I don't plan to,” I assured him. “I'm ready to close that chapter of my life.”
Rowan came up behind me and slid his arms around my front, resting his chin on top of my head. Our eyes met in the mirror once more. “What's your end game? He won't apologize and there's no fucking way his mate is suddenly going to pop onto his property life an offering from the gods.”
I'd made myself clear the moment I'd stabbed him with a poison tipped blade. Either Caelan showed true remorse over his actions or his mate arrived and knocked some sense into him. When one of those two things happened, I'd release the stranglehold I had on his land.
“Crazier things have happened.”
“Hmm. True.” He kissed the top of my head and gave me a cheerful pat on the bottom. “We're waiting for you on the patio. Don't take too long.” His eyes warmed. “There are things I want to do to you the moment we get back.”
My cheeks heated. “One day we'll both have to get back to work.”
Rowan grinned. “But today is not that day.”
He winked and walked away. I allowed myself a small smile even though my stomach was churning with nerves. Rowan and I had married after I'd cursed Caelan. He'd undoubtedly heard by now.
This conversation would not go well. I felt it in my bones.
Regardless, I had to go and see what he wanted. Yes, he was a prick for not telling me over the phone, and yes, there was a strong possibility this was a trap. But, if it wasn't a trap and he genuinely wanted to speak to me in person, Caelan deserved at least that small favor from me.
After a final swipe of lip gloss and a critical look in the mirror, I ran my hands down my hips and straightened my shirt.
Inhaling a deep breath, I left the restroom and snagged my purse on the way out.
Seymour waited for me by the hall table.
I bent and held my hand out for him. In one smooth leap, he landed in my palm.
“Ready, buddy?”
Seymour waved his traps in excitement.
Mom, Dad, Moira, Rowan, Garrett and Declan stood outside waiting for me. Moira and the two shifters had their heads together arguing in hushed voices.
I didn't even try to listen to them. “I've already made my mind up. Moira and Garrett will come with me today.”
Declan's lips thinned. “Why wouldn't you take two shifters instead of…” He flicked his fingers at Moira.
Moira's eyes flashed a brilliant electric green. “Instead of a brilliant, beautiful, dangerous vampire?” She snorted. “Unlike shifters, I don't stand around all day flexing my muscles.” She tapped her finger against her temple. “I prefer exercising my mind.”
Declan rolled his eyes. “This is not brains vs brawn, Moira. What happens today affects us all.”
Moira vibrated with anger. “I'm well aware of today's importance, Declan. But I'm also Evie's best friend who's been with her for over a decade. I know her, and I know how this will affect her.”
My heart warmed.
“Evie also knows I am formally unaffiliated with the shifters. I pay Rowan rent—”
I glanced at Rowan in surprise. He leaned over. “A very small amount so we can have the paperwork of a business arrangement rather than me showing favorites.”
“Ah. Smart,” I whispered back.
“Yes, well, thanks to you, I am the most powerful Lord in all the land.”
Moira gave us an exasperated look and kept speaking. “And once Evie's shop reopens, I will be employed. I'm also quite reasonable in negotiations.” She grinned at Declan, and the sight made me go still. “I have no testosterone, so no one has to worry about me getting too…emotional today.”
I chewed on my bottom lip to keep from laughing.
“One day, vampire. You and I are going to tangle.”
Moira's crazy grin widened. “I look forward to that day.”
“Then it's settled. Moira and Garrett, you're with me. Rowan will also travel with us, but Caelan has requested he stay away from the Keep area.”
Garrett's jaw tightened at that one. He'd once been Caelan's enforcer, his third in command, and would have walked through fire to serve him until everything fell apart. When I moved to Rowan's territory, I thought Garrett might have a tough time fitting in, but the opposite proved true.
Both Garrett and Simone were thriving under Rowan's leadership.
He'd allowed Simone to act as the Pack's second Omega, a position unheard of in any other packs.
Omegas were exceedingly rare, and for a Pack to have two…
well, let's just say there were a lot of people pissed off at Rowan's for other reasons besides me.
Not only was Simone the second Omega, she had quite the head for business. Once Rowan discovered her other superpower, he turned her loose on the unsuspecting town of Emberwood. Rowan hadn't said much, but I suspected Simone was the driving force behind Moira's offer to run a tea shop.
Garrett, on the other hand, had found a fast friend in Declan, and they shared duties when it came to Rowan. I initially wondered if it might be an issue to have two obviously powerful shifters doing the same job, but those two were peas in a pod.
And Declan got to screw around more, and he was all about the shenanigans.
So far, everyone was settling into their new positions far better than I expected.
Everyone except Moira.
She claimed to be happy. I knew better. Moira loved Emberwood, I knew that much.
Opening the flower shop back up would help her gain some stability. But Moira was meant for more. Everyone knew it. I thought the tea shop was a brilliant idea.
Now I just had to convince her.
I walked over and greeted my parents, who were quietly talking close to the outdoor kitchen. They smiled and held out their arms.
My heart warmed. A year ago, I would have laughed in someone's face if they told me this would happen—that my parents would be seated together, on my property, and we would become an odd little semi-functional family.
But here we were—Mom and I not only on speaking terms but growing closer every day, and my dad training me to be the fae queen.
Life was weird.
“Evie?” Rowan waved us over. “Ready?”
I would never be ready. Mom linked our arms together. “You don't have to do this,” she murmured.
“Dad has already offered to kill him. Multiple times.”
Mom snorted. “I'm sure he has. If I thought you might take him up on the offer, I'd throw my hat in the ring, too. But that's not what I mean.” She gently tugged. Dad walked away, leaving only us, out of hearing distance from the others.
“You owe Caelan nothing, Evie.” Mom turned me to face her. We shared the same eyes, hers glimmering with empathy. “I don't think your former Lord is a bad person.” A sad smile graced her lips. “But I do think he was bad for you.”
She touched my heart, the place where my bond with Rowan lay. “Remember who you are when you speak to him. He's angry and hurt and lashing out. Things have not been easy for him, either. Especially now. Remember he is less powerful than you, daughter.”
Her eyes took on a hard edge. “And if he tries to make you feel less, you make him remember too.”
I nodded. “Part of me wants to pretend none of this ever happened.”
“If he never happened, you would not be here, standing on land that vibrates with your power. You would not have that male over there struggling not to look at you, to touch you every time he can.”
She took my face in her hands. “You would have missed out on so many beautiful things had your path not led you here, to him. To us.”
“I know.” I exhaled and pressed a hand to my knotted stomach. “Everything is so good right now. I'm so afraid I'll lose this.”
Mom pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You are mated both by shifter magic and ours, tied to Rowan and our court forevermore. Rowan will make mistakes. So will you. Immortality has a way of smoothing even the roughest edges, my darling. Take heart. Your father and I will always be here to guide you.”
Tears shimmered in my eyes. “Thanks, Mom,” I choked out.
Mom stepped away. “I'm only sorry I was not there to help you through the worst times in your life. I can only try to make up for what I missed by being here now.”
I brought her in for a tight hug. “It's enough. I promise.”
She ran a hand down my hair and gave me a gentle squeeze. “Go on,” she encouraged. “The sooner you do this, the sooner you and Rowan can get back here and practice giving me grandbabies.”
I gasped. Mom let out an evil laugh and disappeared in a shimmer of magic.
Mom wanted grandbabies? My feet were rooted to the floor for a moment. The thought of having Rowan's children both elated and terrified me. I glanced at Rowan, who stood there with a curious look on his face.
Our children would be stunning. Rowan would make an incredible father.
“Evie?” Dad called.
I blinked and shook off the shock. “Um. Coming.”
Rowan wrapped his arm around my waist. “Everything alright?”
I nodded. “Mom said something weird. We'll talk about it when we get back.”
His eyes narrowed, but he didn't push. Rowan never pushed, something I'd be forever grateful for. He simply waited until I processed my thoughts and was ready to tell him what was bothering me.
I intertwined our fingers and reached for Moira, who then reached for Garrett.
“Don't let go,” Dad warned.
In an instant, we stood in downtown Joy Springs.