Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
We left Seymour with Caelan. I had him in my arms ready to transport home, but his traps started to droop, and he kept looking Caelan's way. I finally gave up and walked him back, depositing him into Caelan's outstretched arms.
“I don't know how long he'll live or how much more he will evolve.” The flytrap happily waved his traps at me, as if saying he didn't care even a little.
Caelan nestled Seymour in his arms. “Can I—” His gaze flicked to Rowan.
My mate nodded.
Caelan's jaw tightened. “Can I call if something goes wrong? Or if I have questions?”
This was so weird. A few months ago, Caelan wouldn't have hesitated. Had something happened when I stepped away from them? Had Rowan said something to him?
I cleared my throat. “Yes. Of course. You already know his diet and his preferred snacks. Seymour will let you know when he needs his pot changed.”
“He's still venomous?”
Rowan winced. “Definitely. I think his venom is more potent than before, so make sure to properly introduce him to new people. He's still reactive.”
Caelan nodded. “You ready to go, Seymour?”
The flytrap waved his traps in the air and trilled. “Alright. I still have some of those good snacks.”
Without a goodbye or a thank you, Caelan turned to go.
“I'll call you tomorrow,” the Lord said as he walked away.
“Thank you!” Rowan called.
Caelan held up his middle finger and kept walking.
I sank against Rowan's side.
He wrapped an arm around my waist and turned his face into my hair. “Are you okay?”
“That sucked, but we all walked out alive.”
“You would have walked out anyway,” Rowan vowed.
All this faith everyone had in me was going to give me a complex. “We need a hotel,” I said instead.
“I dunno,” Rowan said thoughtfully, staring toward the wooded area. “We can get naked and I can chase you through the forest all night.”
A delighted laugh broke from me. “As fun as that sounds, this forest technically belongs to Caelan.”
Rowan grunted. “Doesn't have to.”
I eyed him. “You little budding despot!”
He laughed. “I know. Our forest is better anyway.”
Moira nudged me. “Your mom booked us a few rooms. She'll pick us up in a minute.”
“Sounds good. I hope there's a place to eat around there.”
Garrett nodded. “Several places.”
Mom and Dad appeared in a gust of cool wind. “Everyone good?” she asked.
I nodded. “He'll call tomorrow and let us know what he wants to do.”
Dad eyed Caelan's Keep. “Think he'll make the right decision?”
Rowan shrugged. “Considering who I'm standing with right now, I give it fifty-fifty odds.”
Dad snorted. “True.” He shook his head. “Gather hands so we can get out of here. There's something off about this place.”
In an instant we were gone.
My phone rang a few hours later. Curled in bed with Rowan bingeing mindless tv, I almost didn't answer it until I remembered who might be calling. I snatched my cell from the nightstand.
Caelan's number was on the screen. I waved my phone at Rowan, who sat up and watched me. He'd hear everything we said once I answered.
“Already made your mind up?” I said by way of greeting.
A long pause on the line made my stomach tumble. “Caelan? Everything alright?”
His heavy sigh told me everything. “Don't do this. Please.”
“I'm sorry, Evie. My answer is no.”
“Caelan. You'll die. The moment I release my hold, Danu will know. The virus already lives in your blood. She won't have to do anything but wait. Don't let it end like this.”
“You're already plotting my death, flower girl?” His low chuckle sent a pang of grief barreling through me. At one time, I'd lived for that sound. Even now, I was happy he could still laugh when he spoke to me.
But this was no laughing matter. “No. Never.” I swallowed hard.
Rowan reached over and took my free hand, his thumb brushing over the back of my palm.
“You cannot beat her,” I said softly. “Please let me heal you.”
“And let you claim my land.”
“Temporarily. That's all. Only for a little while. You know I'll give it back as soon as this is over.”
“And I know you'll relinquish it if I ask you to now. Won't you, Evie? Will you keep your promise to the man who almost destroyed you?”
I frowned and glanced at Rowan. His brow furrowed, and he shook his head at Caelan's choice of words.
“I—” If I went back on my word, I would break this fragile thread of trust growing between us. “Please, Caelan. I'm begging you.”
“Will you keep your promise?” he asked again.
A tear slipped down my cheek. Silence stretched between us. Rowan gave me a sad smile. “Your call,” he whispered.
Rowan would support me if I decided not to free Caelan, even if it was for the Lord's own good. But I couldn't live with myself if I did.
“You sonofabitch,” I whispered. “You know I will.”
“Good. When?”
I bowed my head. “I'll meet you in the morning. Eight good with you?”
“Eight it is,” Caelan agreed.
I glanced at the clock. “You have nine hours to change your mind.”
Caelan chuckled. “No dice, flower girl.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “We both know a lot of things can happen in a few hours.”
We both fell silent for a moment.
“See you tomorrow, Evie.”
I hung up before I could beg him again to reconsider. He wouldn't.
Even if it would save his life.
I woke up at six a.m. and checked my phone. No calls. No texts.
Caelan was still on the path of madness. Rowan sat on the edge of the bed watching my frantic pacing. “You can't change his mind.”
“I'm aware,” I all but growled.
Rowan scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “Are you sure you want to keep your promise?”
“No.” I exhaled. “But I have to. The only reason the Lords have trusted me this far is because I've kept my word. I've claimed the least amount of territory possible and healed them all. No encroaching or trespassing. If I don't keep my promise to Caelan, it will destroy my credibility.”
Rowan's lips thinned. He knew I was right.
Caelan had effectively put me over a barrel.
Denying his request would shatter any trust he or the other Lords had in me.
Word would spread fast, and I'd find doing any business with them in the future difficult.
Not to mention Rowan suffering due to his association with me.
Once again, Caelan was screwing me over. I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, picking up my shoes as I settled next to Rowan. He put his hand on my thigh. “He's a survivor. All the Lords are.”
“He can't fight the gods.”
“I didn't say he'd do it alone.” When I looked at him, he tugged a strand of my hair. “I can barely stand the guy, but I know you care about him.”
At my raised eyebrow, he sighed. “I care, too. But he's still an asshole.”
I snorted. “Agree with you there.” My shoulders slumped. “I can't let him die, Rowan. Even after everything, he doesn't deserve that.”
Rowan's jaw tightened. “I know, Evie.” His fists clenched. “But every time I see that bastard, I want to punch him in his smug face. I think about the way he tore you down and how you looked when you woke up at my Keep. I could feel your broken heart even before we were mated.”
I scooted closer and lay my head on his shoulder. “All of it brought me to you, Rowan. For that, I could never hate him.”
We sat like that for a while until the hour grew late and we had to leave to meet Caelan.
I'd give him back his territory, but I never agreed to allowing him to die.