Chapter 22
Chapter
Twenty-Two
“Your friend is an idiot!” Dad yelled, shoving a hand through his hair. His normal calm and cool exterior had disappeared the second he and Moira had appeared on Rowan’s land, right next to me as I knelt in the bed boosting the roses I’d brought back earlier.
I had a million questions and zero time to ask them. My best friend was too pale and motionless. “Kinda busy here, Dad.”
Moira lay on the ground, oblivious to the world.
My hands glowed with magic, sweeping back and forth over her body, restoring function to her limbs.
Whatever had done this had completely wiped her out.
Her magic registered as a faint blip inside her body.
Moira’s organs were close to failure; her heart pumping at three times its usual rate.
I closed my eyes and allowed my power to seek out the worst injuries, healing with a gentle touch as best I could.
Dad had brought her back to me close to death and couldn’t save her thanks to the type of magic used.
As it was, Dad’s hands were disfigured and burnt from carrying her back here.
I couldn’t afford to tap all my power to save her, otherwise I might find myself trapped in the ground for a few days and miss Caelan’s deadline.
But if it came down to my shop and land and Moira’s life, I’d risk it.
Rowan was on his knees beside me, in the event I needed him to hold Moira down.
Sometimes when people came back from the brink, they seized, but Moira hadn’t moved an inch.
My friend looked dead, a thought that threatened to make me freeze in horror.
The only thing keeping me moving was the soft rise and fall of her chest.
She was breathing, which meant she was alive. I allowed my magic to do one final pass before I sat back on my haunches. “I’ve fixed everything I could. She’ll need a few days of rest and cannot use any magic, otherwise she might undo all the work I’ve done here.”
Dad squeezed his eyes shut. I watched him carefully. His reaction seemed over the top. Even when I was injured, he kept his shit together. Why was he so beside himself with Moira?
“I’ll move her to the main house,” Rowan said as he got to his feet and extended his hand to help me rise.
But Dad stopped him. “No. I’ll take her to the fae lands. She’ll recover faster there.”
I started. “Um. What? Why? She’s not from there. If she’s here, I can watch over her and continue with her healing.”
Dad’s jaw tightened, a stubborn twist to his lips as he bent to scoop her up.
“No!” I snapped, snatching his hands away. “Let me look at you before you touch her.”
He sighed but held his hands out for an inspection. Touching Moira had infected him. His golden hands were blackened all the way to the wrists, his fingers cracked and blistered.
I hissed in sympathy and took both of his hands in mine. Closing my eyes, I swept over his wounds with my magic, healing all the deeper burns and blisters and cleansing his system of the spell. When I finished, I released him and scooted back. “Why can I cleanse this magic, but you can’t?”
Dad shook his head. “I’m not sure. Moira got close enough to figure out what it was. When she wakes up, I’ll talk to her.”
Rowan walked away, a far enough distance to give us privacy. “What happened? Why are you being such a worrywart over Moira?”
Dad rolled his eyes. “She’s your best friend. I would not deprive you of her presence if given a choice.”
We both knew it was more than that. “Dad,” I said in a warning tone.
He huffed. “She’s important. That’s all I will say.”
I glanced down at my friend. Moira had a pale, fragile beauty, but she was anything but weak. My heart hurt for her. “Important how? To you? To the world? Is she going to end up like me?”
Dad smiled sadly. “Her exposure to the magic all those months ago has changed her in unexpected ways. Moira has a part to play in certain events.”
“Shit,” I said with feeling. “Does she know?”
“Moira knows more than she lets on, but no, I do not believe she knows what fate has yet in store for her.”
“Can’t they find someone else?” I muttered miserably.
Dad laughed, but the sound was more sad than amused. “Certain magic is useful for certain trying periods. But I will keep a close eye on your friend.” He bent and scooped her into his arms.
I rose and stroked her dark hair away from her face. Moira looked vulnerable but peaceful. My heart hurt seeing her this way. “I want proof of life when she wakes up.”
“I have plenty of healers on staff. With the magic gone from her system, they’ll be able to help her more than you can right now.”
I frowned. “Rowan tattled?”
Dad winced. “He worries for you.”
“Yeah, well, Caelan is being a huge dick right now.”
He made an affirmative noise but said nothing else.
“He’s free of Lugh’s magic, isn’t he?”
His eyes softened. “Yes, Evie. I personally checked on him a few days after the incident in town.”
The incident. Like I’d accidentally tucked my skirt into my underwear and walked out of the bathroom, and not straight up ruined my life by turning into a monster straight out of a feverish nightmare.
“Just a dick then,” I said with a sigh. “Pity.”
Dad adjusted Moira and touched my shoulder. “Sometimes, fate gives us blessings that look like curses. Perhaps this is one of them.”
“I know what you said to Rowan.”
Dad didn’t even have the grace to be embarrassed. “What of it?”
“Stop playing matchmaker, you interfering hen!”
He snorted. “Rowan would make a good king.”
“And?”
“And every good queen needs a good king by her side.”
“Same for kings?”
His eyes narrowed as he realized the trap I’d set for him. “Evie—”
“Seems like you need a good queen, but I don’t see anyone applying for the job. Maybe I should put an online ad out, or better yet, sign you up for online dating. Do you know how many people would throw themselves at the chance to date the Fae King?”
“Former,” Dad growled. “Very funny, Evie. I do not need your help to find someone.”
“Check and mate,” I said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I do not need you to find me a king or a boyfriend. Caelan might not be working out, but that doesn’t mean I want another boyfriend or fiancé right away.”
Dad’s eyebrows lifted. “Could have fooled me. You and Rowan have unfinished business.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Go away. Bring her home by tomorrow.”
“I’ll bring her home when she’s better and not a minute beforehand.”
“Don’t make me come get her.” A thought occurred to me, but I held my tongue. I’d only prove his point if I asked him the question. Mom would be here for lunch. I’d ask her instead.
He dropped a kiss on top of my head. “I want you to be successful, Evangeline. But I also want you to experience healthy love. You’re right about me choosing someone to spend my life with, but I do not have the freedom you do.”
“I’m queen now. Aren’t you free as a bird?”
Dad chuckled. “Not quite.” Magic prickled my skin. “I’ll try to do better,” he promised as he and Moira disappeared in a shower of emerald and gold sparkles.
Rowan walked over. “I’m surprised he took her.”
“Me too.” I glanced up at the handsome Lord. My traitorous heart skipped a beat. He smelled wild, the scent of the PNW made flesh. His hair was mussed and a faint five o’clock shadow traced his jaw. His hazel eyes always looked greener when we were outside, and those eyes pinned me where I stood.
“Everything okay?” he asked when I didn’t drop my gaze.
“Just wondering how you don’t have women beating down the Keep doors ’cuz you’re so pretty.”
My words took him by surprise. He blinked, then burst out laughing.
“Dad says every good queen needs a king, but the same goes for him. You’ve never thought about taking someone as your Lady?”
The amusement in his eyes didn’t fade as I expected. “Being Lady is not an easy job. Haven’t you noticed all the other Lords are single?”
I had. “Isn’t that because they’re all assholes and players, though?”
His laugh skims over my skin, bright and wicked. “Partially,” he admits. “Except for your Ben.”
“Ben doesn’t like it when my crazy comes out. We never would have worked. He’ll end up finding a nurturer, someone content to be led. Most people are followers, you know?”
He nodded. “It’s not always easier to be a follower. Being such takes great faith in another person.”
“I’ve never been a great follower,” I admitted. “Not a great leader, either. I do it sometimes because I have to, but I’d rather be left alone.”
“Yes,” Rowan said, pulling me in for a one-armed hug. “Our own female Ron Swanson over here.”
I gasped. “You like Parks and Rec, too?”
He laid a hand over his heart. “Best show ever.”
“It’s my comfort show. There’s not a lot of time to watch television these days, but when I do have time, it’s my favorite to watch. There’s something so comforting about low stakes shenanigans and a close found family like they have.”
Rowan watched me for a moment before tugging me toward the western side of his Keep. “Come. I’d like you to meet some people.”