Shift of Rule (Shifter Lords #6)

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Isat at the top of the jacaranda tree watching Caelan’s Keep. Two weeks had passed in total silence, neither of us reaching out to the other. Him because I’d accused him of terrible things. Me because I’m a coward.

I’d seen Garrett a couple of times because of Thalia. She stayed away from the store, rightfully assuming I wasn’t ready to talk to her, but she had a coffee habit she couldn’t break and frequented the Mer coffee shop.

Garrett had popped his head in once a few days ago, speared me with one of his trademark intense looks, barked out, “Stop being an idiot,” then left. His words had pissed me off at first, but I missed Caelan, and, as much as I hated to admit it, he was right.

Thus, me sitting in a tree freezing my wings off in wren form, spying on my fiancé. If I could even call him that anymore.

I’d been in this tree for at least an hour trying to talk myself into flying down and knocking on the door. But what would I say? Sorry for being an asshole? Sorry I didn’t trust you and totally flew off the handle and then doubled down?

Or, more fitting, Hello, my name is Evie, and getting involved with me is gonna be a train wreck. Still want to ride?

One of the side doors opened. I tucked my wings in and ducked closer to the branch. My wren form was tiny, and there was no wind tonight, but the Keep was full of wolves with keen senses of smell.

As soon as the man stepped outside and took a step forward, I pegged him as Caelan.

My heartbeat picked up, a rapid hum inside my breast.

He stopped on the small stoop for a long moment, shoved his hands in the pockets of his ragged jeans, and headed straight for the tree I was in.

Shit.

He stopped a few feet away from the trunk, craned his neck up, and lifted his hand, palm up.

“Come inside,” he said softly. “It’s freezing out here.”

I hesitated, wondering if I could wait him out and fly away as soon as he turned his back.

“Evie,” Caelan said again. “I know you’re there. Come inside.”

I rose and flitted down, landing in the palm of his warm hand. He tucked me against his chest and jogged back inside the Keep. I shivered against his hand and waited.

He stayed quiet as he moved through the large house, his heartbeat strong and steady. My mind spun with everything I wanted to say, but every thought tangled up inside me.

It took a few minutes before he walked inside his private quarters, the one he used most often when the Keep was empty of guests. Caelan gently set me on the bed and turned away to pull the curtains closed.

“Shift,” he demanded.

I didn’t hesitate this time. Being in my fae form allowed me to keep my clothing, which was a huge relief. The last thing I wanted was to be naked and vulnerable in front of him right now.

He leaned against the door and studied me, those stormy eyes I loved so much ringed with gold. I opened my mouth to speak, and my mind went blank. All I could do was stare at him while tears flooded my eyes.

Caelan huffed and sank beside me, pulling me onto his lap. He tucked my head under his chin and held me tight.

“I know,” he said, his voice a low rumble against my hair.

He smelled of pine and the earth, of all the things I loved. My fingers clutched his sweater so tightly my knuckles went white. He sent a rough hand through my hair, cupping the back of my head.

“I’m sorry,” I croaked.

“We can’t do this anymore.”

I went still as death, knowing I’d screwed this up, knowing if I came here, it might mean the end…I’d finally gone and screwed up the best thing I had—

He let out a breath and pulled me closer, his breath warm against my cheek.

“Evie, that’s not what I mean. Letting you go would kill me, but we can’t keep breaking apart and coming back together.

It makes us weak. You have to trust in me against the forces trying to tear us apart.

If you can’t do that, we won’t make it, and we shouldn’t keep breaking each other’s hearts. ”

I nodded. Easier said than done, but he was right. This time, it was me freaking out about everything. But he had lied to me and didn’t seem exactly regretful about it.

As if he could sense the direction of my thoughts, he drew a deep breath.

“I will never allow your father or anyone else to force me to keep a secret from you, ever again. I am so sorry for my complicity in what happened. I never meant to hurt you, Evie. Protecting my people and protecting you clashed—” He cut himself off and swallowed.

“And I made the wrong choice.”

The declaration rang in the silence of the room.

“I love you so fucking much. I want you here with me every single day. When you walked out that door, my heart broke, but I knew I had to give you time, even though it went against every instinct I have not to go after you. I need you to trust me, Evie. You are the only one I want, the only one I need. You are more important to me than everything.”

Caelan exhaled and fell silent. I turned in his arms and pressed a desperate kiss to his lips, pouring all my love and regret into the touch.

His hands slid through my hair. I straddled him, both of my palms pressed gently against his face.

“Forgive me,” I murmured. “I’m so sorry, Caelan. Everything is coming at me from all sides, and I feel like I can’t trust anyone.”

“Me,” he growled. “You can trust me.”

I pressed my forehead against his. Caelan’s hands slid up my shirt, his palms spanning my waist. “Trusting anyone is difficult. I’m trying. I’ll do better.”

He rose, lifting me effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around his waist. Caelan carried me into the bathroom, gently setting me on the edge of the tub. Without a word, he filled the tub with steaming hot water and poured something in from a decorative glass jar.

The smell of jasmine and roses wafted up as bubbles frothed in the water.

I grinned. “You like girly bubble baths?”

His eyes crinkled at the edges. “I like girly bubble baths with you. Simone bought me this a week ago and told me to get you back because I was ‘being a massive, growly dickhead.’ There’s wine and good cheese in the fridge.”

I laughed. “You don’t have a tub caddy.”

He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “She bought one of those, too. It’s in the closet.”

Simone always thought of everything. I got up and put together a quick cheese board, chuckling at Simone’s selections, plus the wine with the screw top.

When I got back to the bathroom, Caelan had already placed the caddy over the top of the tub.

He took everything out of my hands and put it on top, then reached for me, nimble fingers unbuttoning my top.

I shivered under his touch, remembering how much I’d craved him when I was having my pity party. But Caelan didn’t touch me in the way I wanted. He was quick and thorough, and when I leaned forward to kiss him, he shook his head. “If we don’t get in the tub now, we won’t make it in there.”

His eyes glowed, and I thought about pushing him, but when his eyes narrowed, I reached for him and helped him out of his sweater. And if my hands lingered a little too long over his pecs and abs, I was only a woman, right?

He hauled me against him, a large hand reaching to squeeze my rear end, before he scooped me up and stepped into the tub.