Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
ROWAN
Cernunnos walked far enough away to prevent the others from overhearing.
“How much do I need to worry?” I asked. Jealousy and bitterness came at people like me all the time.
For all our people claimed to want a leader, being led tended to rankle a large portion of the population.
Even though I was considered one of the gentler Lords, I still fended off what I felt to be an egregious number of assassination and coup attempts.
What I would give for a life away from politics and leading those who did not wish to be led.
Evie’s father watched me, a faint smile on his face as though he knew which direction my thoughts had gone. “Your tie to your land is stronger than the other Lords.”
Unsurprising he wouldn’t give me a direct answer. “Do you have any practical advice, or did you bring me away from everyone else to give me more riddles?” I studied my fingernails. “I do so hate riddles.”
He pinned me with that ancient, unforgiving stare. “You wish me to be direct?”
I threw out my hands. “Yes! Just say what you’re thinking or tell me how to fix this.” Not that he would. Dealing with the fae felt like standing in an avalanche of sand, trying to count the grains before they fell past.
His guise changed from that of a young man into the terrifying visage of the leader of the Wild Hunt.
Enormous antlers grew from his head, tipped with bioluminescent moss and tiny mushrooms. His clothing morphed from athletic wear into soft leather breeches and a vest strung with bones.
A god stood before me, any pretense of friendliness gone with his t-shirt and bare feet.
I might think I knew him, but Cernunnos was crafty and fickle, manipulative and willing to do whatever he had to in order to protect those he loves.
“You and Evangeline are stronger together. If you hope to wrest your lands from this dark influence, you should cement your bond, allow her a claim on your land, and merge her untended property to yours. You would secure the largest stretch of territory in this country, wipe the influence from your lands, and become untouchable to the other Lords as well as less powerful fae.”
I stared at Cernunnos for a long moment, stunned.
“You wish me to become king.” I’d have no issue with allowing Evie’s mark on my lands, but it would be her choice and, so far, she’d chosen not to because she cared about how I felt and what I needed.
She had not yet realized that her mark was already on my land, her touch stamped deep on its Lord.
“There are worse choices,” Cernunnos said.
“Not exactly a rousing endorsement,” I spluttered. “Your daughter is still thinking of returning to Caelan. I will not force her into a bond when she loves another man.”
“We both know a bond like that can be forced.”
“But it can be formed without another’s knowledge.
” I shook my head vehemently. “I will lose her if I do such a thing. Tell me, Cernunnos, is that why you wish me to pursue such a path, so she will hate me and be free to choose among the undoubtedly numerous better choices you have awaiting her back in your lands?”
“My lands are her lands, too, Lord. There are no other men, as you say. Her heart is no contest. She won’t give it out as a prize for pleasing her. Evie will choose as she sees fit.”
“And if she chooses Caelan?”
The god’s eyes sparkled. “I would hope the man who loves her will convince her why that is a bad choice.”
I swore. “If you are through tormenting me, you may leave.”
The god’s mocking laughter lingered long after he disappeared.
I let out a slow breath and tilted my head up to the darkening sky. Secrets had gotten us into this mess. Would the truth set us free?