Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Our home was full when I finally made it back. Hope, Declan, and Moira shared a couch. Garrett and Simone shared a loveseat. My mother sat on the floor, and Rowan sprawled in my favorite chair and a half, bought for me last month when he saw how much I loved the smaller chair.
He was a bear and wanted to be next to me any time he could, even if all I was doing was reading a book.
His eyes lit up when we shimmered in, and he patted the space next to him. I went straight over, kicking off my shoes to the gods know where, and curled up beside him, burying my nose in his chest for a moment.
I loved the way he smelled, like pine and woods and a little bit of magic.
Moira grinned and winked. Rowan pulled me in closer and held me.
Things would go faster if I just spit everything out while we were all here. “I know why the fae are so angry.”
Rowan stilled.
“It’s my fault,” I admitted.
“It’s not,” Dad interjected.
I gave him a quelling look. “It is. When I destroyed the tree and became the bridge, I thought it would be better to keep the power a secret. Maybe it was for a while, but all I did was foster anger and resentment. I trapped every single lower fae where they were.”
Rowan’s hand slid down and gripped my own.
“I separated people from their loved ones and didn’t once think about the impact it might have.” I swallowed hard, guilt flooding me. “I am so sorry, Rowan.”
“Evie. You take the world’s burdens upon yourself. No one could have predicted what might happen, and you were right to keep the power a secret. You’ve been hunted your entire life. Becoming the bridge and being responsible for every single fae who wants to cross is an unfathomable burden.”
“One we need to figure out how to fix,” Dad said. “And soon. Nyria will tell others what happened tonight, and when she does, our kind will seek you out.”
My phone signaled an incoming text. I ignored it. All the important people were here, and Ash and Tess were safe on Keep grounds as far as I knew. I’d look at it in the morning after a good night’s rest.
“There’s something else,” I said to Rowan.
He chuckled. “Isn’t there always?”
His phone beeped next.
One more text and there might be an issue. I pressed on. “Soren wishes to move territories.”
Rowan blinked. “Seriously? He’s tired of his den of iniquity?”
Declan snorted. “That bastard’s harem is infamous.”
Moira winced, her relief at not taking that final step with Soren written all over her face.
“Seems that way. He wants to return to a place with nature.”
Rowan sat a little straighter. “He told you all this?”
“People confide in me,” I said with a shrug. “He’s tired, and he wants to leave the south.”
“Does he have a succession plan?”
I glanced at Garrett. “Not quite.”
The shifter’s eyes narrowed. “Louisiana?” He shuddered. “Absolutely not.”
I laughed. “What? Why not? I hear the food is amazing there.”
“I wouldn’t know and don’t plan to find out,” he grumbled. “I’m not opposed to moving Soren to a new territory, but I don’t want to take his place.”
Rowan shifted to where he could cradle me against his chest. He toyed with my hair as he spoke. “Are you at all interested in becoming a Lord?”
Garrett didn’t need a moment to think about it. “In the past, I might have said yes. Working for Evie is a dream. I get a good paycheck, and I’ve only been shot once.”
Everyone besides me laughed. When I thought of that night, the trauma of watching him almost die hit me all over again.
But I had to admit, Garrett and I started forming a bond afterward when we’d woken up naked in a hole together.
Odd how we’d gone from him threatening to murder me to him being equivalent to a Lord’s Second.
“Just once?” Moira asked. “Those are rookie numbers.”
Garrett flashed a grin. “I’m surprised it hasn’t been worse, actually.”
“Stop,” I begged with a groan. “I want no one I care about in danger. Not even you, Garrett. I care about you the least.”
We grinned at each other. “Are you sure you don’t want your own territory?”
Garrett shook his sandy colored head. “I’m getting the best of both worlds, Evie. I protect your interests while not getting caught up in politics. You give me the freedom I need, and I get the autonomy I want.”
“Simone?” I asked.
My friend and Omega shrugged a slender shoulder. “I’m with Garrett. I’ll be with you for as long as you want or need. Going back to Pack politics and a strict hierarchy—” she shuddered.
Rowan stared at them incredulously. “Damn. I guess I’m chopped liver.”
“Not at all,” Garrett said. “You’re the fairest Lord I’ve ever known. But Evie—” he slid a sly glance my way, “keeps things interesting.”
My mate’s knowing chuckle made my lips twitch. “It’s going to get worse,” I said with a sweet smile.
“Dad canceled court, but pretty soon you two will have to start traveling with me.”
Simone perked up. “We get to go to the fae lands and see a real castle?”
Dad nodded. “Many real castles. Evie and Rowan will have numerous social events to attend once things settle down.”
Garrett’s expression turned thoughtful. “And Thalia?”
“She’s safe on my lands,” Rowan said. “Though I think you know this by now. She’s shown a great interest in the mages.”
Garrett frowned. Caelan had placed Garrett in charge of Thalia when my father twisted the Lord’s arm into taking her on as a charge. When Garrett came with me, Thalia had to come with him. She was my sister, though we weren’t very close, and her magic was wildly different than my own.
Thalia was a Seer and could not be left alone for very long lest she be thrust into a vision and injure herself.
She didn’t remember most of her visions and needed someone there with her to write everything down for interpretation later.
While my sister was doing the best she could with the hand she’d been dealt, Thalia would never be able to work or drive or do any of the things normal people could, and finally coming to terms with those limitations was difficult for her.
I rarely saw her anymore, and she made it clear she didn’t want me coming around for a while. While this wasn’t my fault, and I refused to accept blame, I respected her wishes and had let her be. She’d find me when, if ever, she wanted to talk.
Complicating things was Garrett’s crush, though I think he was on his way to being over that, especially with how snarly Thalia was these days.
“She’s surrounded by powerful shifters, Garrett. And no one knows she’s here.”
“Caelan does.” Garrett and the other Lords had once been close friends. After everything, Garrett’s trust in him was shattered.
“Caelan has his own shit to deal with,” Rowan assured him. “And if he did decide to harass Thalia, he’s down half his people, and we have a full house. He won’t get very far.”
Garrett closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath. “You’re right. Thalia isn’t helpless, either.”
I’d seen them out sparring a few times over the last month or so, and let’s just say Thalia really got into trying to beat the tar out of Garrett.
And she was surprisingly light on her feet.
A few of the other shifters were now taking turns training her.
She’d be fine if Garrett decided to take a trip or even an extended absence.
That left one more person in my court. “Moira? You interested in taking a trip to the fae court once this is all over?”
Moira yawned. “I am, but I’ll need to balance that with the potential tea shop and other things.”
Meaning other people.
My phone went off again. I dug it out of my pocket and looked at the screen.
Rowan did the same.
Dread and fear filled me. “Titania made her move.”
I scrambled out of Rowan’s arms. “She’s decimating Caelan’s land.”
Dad rose. “If you’re coming, join hands and don’t let go.”
Rowan stood, followed by Garrett, Moira, Declan, and Hope. Simone wasn’t much of a fighter and stayed behind unless she was absolutely needed.
Just as Hope’s fingers touched mine, a knock on the door sounded.
“Who knocks?” Declan said with a snort. “This place is usually Grand Central Station.”
Rowan got a weird look on his face. “Moira, did you give Ethan any travel potions.”
Moira turned bright red.
I coughed to cover a laugh. Rowan dropped my fingers and went to the door. “I’m assuming you got a text, too?” he growled.
“When Caelan couldn’t reach you two lovebirds, he messaged me.” Moira’s eyes snapped to the sound of Ethan’s voice.
Oh yeah. She had it bad.
“Come on, then. We’re about to leave.”
Rowan came back into the room with Ethan on his heels. He didn’t bother greeting anyone, and his eyes went straight to Moira.
Hope nudged Declan just as he opened his mouth to probably say something dumb. Garrett’s eyebrows went high, but he was smarter than most. He kept his mouth shut. Simone openly gawked at them and then looked at me and pointed while mouthing, “what the fuck.”
Dad rolled his eyes. “Grab hands with your neighbors. We don’t know what we’re walking into.” He paused. “And also, once this is all over, no more free rides. Evie either learns how to do this herself or you guys hire an Uber.”
“Dad!”
“I’m serious,” he growled. “I’m the fae king, not a taxi service.”
“Technically, you’re supposed to be retired,” I grumbled.
“Can you all stop arguing so we can go save the life of a Lord?” Ethan asked blandly.
I slapped his hand in mine. Ethan took Moira’s, and my friend was still bright red. Once we were situated, we disappeared in a shimmer of light straight into holy mortal hell.