Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
ROWAN
“She’s pissed, isn’t she?” Thorvin scrubbed a hand over his face.
I liked the scholarly Lord, though like all of us, I knew not to underestimate him.
Evie, after almost getting Garrett killed when she trespassed on his land, had learned the lesson the hard way.
Thorvin was a crack shot with a weapon, so good I always wondered if he had a touch of magic.
Or, like me, a lot of carefully hidden magic.
Regardless, Thorvin was one of the gentler Lords, only retaliating when someone pushed him.
He, like my territory, maintained peace and a good relationship with his people.
He wasn’t loved like some of us, but respected.
And that seemed fine with him. Thorvin was introspective and introverted, and difficult to get to know.
I’d known him for years and still couldn’t figure out what made him tick.
Learning was his passion, but I always worried the Lord was letting his books get in the way of his social life, if the poor bastard even had one.
We respected each other and had a good relationship, but today, based on the fury and heartbreak in my mate’s eyes, would determine whether it stayed that way.
The shifter looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.
Dark bags had moved in under his eyes and made themselves at home.
His hair and skin were dull, and his clothes looked like they’d been slept in multiple times over.
Empathy filled me, but Evie wasn’t wrong.
He’d been insanely neglectful of his territory.
“If you could feel what Evie could, you’d understand,” I said quietly.
Thorvin sighed. “Shit, Rowan, I couldn’t control this.
This magic…it’s completely unfamiliar to me.
I feel like I’m an intruder on my own property.
This shit seems sentient, like it’s watching me and waiting.
” He shook his head. “This power wants something and I don’t have a clue what that might be. ”
Thorvin leaned against the side of his vehicle and studied me, sharp intellect and realization in his light brown eyes. “You mated.” A quick flash of smile. “It looks good on you.” Thorvin chuckled under his breath. “You were always good at fucking up a plan, weren’t you?”
I couldn’t help my wince.
“I assume Caelan isn’t taking things well?”
“Understatement,” I agreed. “Though he spearheaded how this came to be and is too shortsighted to see it. One day he will understand why Evie left him, and when he does, I hope he has a friend to go to.”
Thorvin eyed me. “That friend won’t be you?”
My magic spiraled. Thorvin gasped and took a step back. “Rowan. Your eyes.”
“He abused Evie until she broke.” My voice sounded not of this world, a side effect of joining with Evie and one I’d have to learn to manage. “Caelan no longer has a friend in me.”
Thorvin’s slow, thoughtful nod calmed me.
“I hope when Evie is through with you that you still call me friend.”
Thorvin’s jaw tightened. “You won’t step in?”
I laughed. “I keep reminding everyone she is not a Lord. Evie might be my mate, but she is an earthbound goddess. I could no more stop her than I could stop the sun from rising.”
She came over the hill, dark hair dotted with daisies flowing behind her like a banner. Her azure eyes glowed with magic, and flowers rose behind her as she walked toward us, healing the land with every step she took. She’d removed or lost her shoes somewhere along the way, no way to tell with her.
Desire tightened my skin. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She moved like an assassin, silent and lithe.
Thorvin cursed softly before letting out a sigh of resignation.
“Is she going to kill me?”
I was so caught up in watching my mate walk toward us it took a second for his words to register. “Not today.”
Thorvin let out a soft snort. “You got it bad, man.”
I did and life was finally as it should be. “She’s magnificent. I hope one day you experience this.”
Thorvin was silent for a long moment. “Me too,” he said quietly and pushed off from the vehicle to meet his fate.