Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
Moira, Simone, and Garrett had accepted Rowan’s hospitality and were staying on the other side of the Keep, a few miles away from Rowan’s main residence.
We planned to reconvene tomorrow to figure out what we could do to stop this disaster in its tracks.
Rowan would call Ben in the morning, but tonight it was only us, dining outside under the stars.
Where it was normally easy between us, tonight held a fine thread of tension, the many things we left unsaid lying between us.
I was on my third glass of wine and should have been wiser.
This was the stuff Mom and Hazel had invented, and it had a kick.
Such a kick, my tongue threatened to wag, and that rarely went well for me.
But Rowan had imbibed too, his third glass sitting almost empty by his plate. We dined on beef stew tonight, served with a delicious crusty bread. I asked to meet his chef, but Rowan demurred.
“He’s shy,” was all he said, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.
“Are you keeping me from your people for a reason?” I asked, wincing as the words tumbled from my lips.
Rowan blinked in surprise. “Evie. No. I—you came here wounded and alone. I thought seeing everyone all at once might overwhelm you.”
“I’ve been here a month!”
Rowan laughed at my outraged tone. “Yes, and in that month you’ve been barely alive. You’ve done more these past few days than you’ve done in weeks.”
My nostrils flared. The urge to argue with him almost overwhelmed me, but he was right.
Rowan grinned. “There’s that spark. I wondered when it would come back.”
“You provoke me on purpose,” I grumbled.
He held his hands up and leaned back. “I answered a question! But your memories are wrong. You’ve already met some of my people.”
I narrowed my eyes, racking my brain for the answer. “The artist.”
“And everyone in the town square. I have far more paranormals than just shifters. My territory has long been considered a haven for others who are different.”
“More different than a Chimera?” I said with a rueful chuckle.
“You’d be surprised,” he said cryptically, “but no, there are no Chimeras here. You and your Barrett are the only ones I know of, though I’m sure if anyone knows more, you’d be the one to ask.”
Moira’s words came back to me. “Caelan is on his way.”
“I’m surprised he isn’t already here.”
“Moira wouldn’t give him a potion.”
We grinned at each other before Rowan’s smile faded. “He will hold a grudge, Evie. For all of this.”
I looked down at my clasped fingers. “I know. He hasn’t declared war yet, so that’s a plus.”
Rowan snorted. “He won’t declare war while you live on my lands. He comes here to take you home.” He eyed me. “If you still consider Joy Springs your home.”
Rowan poured us both a glass of wine, laughing when I sighed and took it. “I have some special drops in the kitchen. Remind me and I’ll give you some before you go to bed. They’ll stop a hangover in its tracks.”
I perked up. “Did Mom give them to you?”
He winked. “I’ll never reveal my sources.”
I studied him, the booze loosening my tongue. “You have a way with people, Rowan. You lead with hope, not fear. Your people look at you with kinship. It’s admirable.”
Rowan swallowed, his hazel eyes sparking a vivid green in the low candlelight. “I don’t know how to lead any other way. Instilling fear in someone is not the way to win their loyalty.”
“Caelan’s people do not fear him. Not exactly. He has never responded with violence to anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Rowan’s eyes flashed and his knuckles tightened around his glass. “Caelan is many things,” he said, which was no response at all.
I leaned forward. “What are you not saying?”
My fingers itched to reach out and trace the firm line of his jaw, brush his hair away from his face. I clenched my hand into a fist, but Rowan…he noticed.
He leaned closer and took my hand, gently opening my fist. He traced a symbol on my palm and pressed my hand to his stubbled cheek. “Touch me whenever you like, Evie.”
His eyes closed as my thumb rubbed over his cheek, tracing down to his full lips.
“What is happening between us?” I whispered.
Rowan leaned closer, brushing his lips over mine.
His touch sent fire skittering down my nerves.
He reached down and jerked my chair toward him, gripping me by the waist and hauling me into his lap.
One hand slid through my hair, tugging my head back to grant him easier access to my lips.
The kiss deepened, his tongue sliding in my mouth.
A low moan escaped me, Rowan’s grip tightening in my hair.
I pressed my palms against his muscled chest, fingers gripping his sweater. “There’s something between us,” I said against his lips. “Something different.”
He stood, gripping me around the hips. I laced my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. Rowan kissed me senseless once more, his lips trailing down my throat, leaving a searing trail of heat down my skin.
“You’re right,” he said, holding me tight against him. His head rested against my collarbone. “I’d like to show you something.”
I ran my fingers through his hair, tracing the lines of his beautiful face. “I didn’t realize this when I first met you, but you are beautiful, Rowan. Inside and out.”
I felt him smile against my skin. “Prettier than the little wolf Lord?”
I laughed, glad we could joke about him, at least a little. “Less scary for sure.”
He still held me, his grip warm and firm. “You were surrounded by enemies on all sides. A friendly face was warranted.”
I laid my cheek against his hair. “If I haven’t said it yet, thank you for everything you’ve done.”
His arms tightened. “You never need to thank me.”
I let Rowan carry me through his lands, enjoying the feeling of safety and security. He stopped several minutes later, gently setting me down next to a large oak tree and a small pond.
He tugged me to the ground, and we sat facing each other.
I looked around, realizing I’d never been here before. I’d walked a lot of his land, but 1,500 acres was too far for one person to explore in a short period of time. Moonlight shimmered on the water, the only sound a soft breeze rustling the branches.
I broke the silence. “You’re making me nervous.”
Rowan smiled, but it was a hesitant one, his eyes wary. “I’m about to show you something no one else knows.”
I watched him, wondering if I’d regret coming here, curious if he was going to break my heart with this newest secret.
Whatever was happening with us, I felt exhilarated, but terrified, scared, and overwhelmed.
I wasn’t ready. There was no closure with Caelan, and I owed it to both of us to see the ruins of our relationship through to what might be the bitter end.
When Rowan saw my expression, he huffed a laugh and reached for my hands.
“No. Evie. This affects me far more than you. I only wanted to be honest with you. I’d like there to be no more secrets.
Not between us. There is something more than friendship here, but you are my friend first. No matter what happens, I hope you will always be my friend. ”
My heart melted. “Of course I will be your friend. Always.”
“I would never do anything to hurt you. Never.”
I nodded. Despite his words, I still felt apprehensive. “I feel the same.”
Rowan nodded and scooted back, slowly rising to his feet. “My mother was not a shifter.”
“Alright,” I said slowly. “It doesn’t matter to me who your parents were.”
A faint smile before a shiver of magic flowed over my skin followed by a flash of light. Where Roman had once stood, a large white owl hovered.
I sucked in a breath. “Rowan.”
He sailed over. Without thinking, I held my arm out, just like I did with Poe. Rowan landed on my forearm, wicked claws curling carefully over my skin. I reached up and stroked the downy feathers atop his head. “Aren’t you a pretty thing,” I cooed.
Rowan rubbed his cheek against mine and flew away. Another shiver of magic and a flash of light, and a woman stood before me, Moira, this time.
My heart dropped into my stomach. I stared at him, the words falling right out of my head.
Rowan shifted again, this time into the guise of an eagle. A sharp cry came from his throat as he circled overhead.
Was he…?
No, he couldn’t be. Rowan circled a few more times and came in for a landing, shifting into his human form.
Still fully clothed, thank goodness. My eyes narrowed as I shifted through the potential. “You’re part fae.”
He sat down, facing me once more. “My mother’s name is Bea. She’s a shapeshifter. My father is a bear shifter.”
I stared at him open mouthed. “Can you become anything?”
“I haven’t tried everything, but so far there’ve been no barriers.”
The possibilities were endless. Rowan, much like me, could be the perfect spy. No wonder he kept this secret from everyone. “None of the other Lords know?”
He shook his head. “They do not allow mixed blood Lords, though I know for a fact Ben is one, so that rule seems to get tossed when it doesn’t work for them.”
“Why would you trust me with something like that?” I rubbed a hand over my face. “I know what it’s like to keep such a secret. You’ve given me your life, Rowan. Why?”
“Because there’s something else you should know.”
That spot in my chest warmed once more. I touched my heart, our eyes meeting. And when Rowan opened his mouth to speak, I suspected I knew the truth he was about to utter.
The wards around Rowan’s property boomed.
The Lord bowed his head and expelled a heavy sigh.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” I asked softly.
Rowan didn’t answer, merely stood, and offered me his hand.
And together, we turned to confront the inevitable.