Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Iawoke covered in flowers and vines. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I frowned as an unfamiliar ceiling loomed above me. It took me a minute to remember where I was.
“Rowan?” I croaked.
My cheeks turned crimson as I remembered what happened. The Lord poked his head out from around the corner and sent a critical eye from my face all the way down to my toes.
“Hi,” I said. My voice was hoarse from overuse.
His eyes crinkled at the edges. “Hey. I made some lunch if you’re hungry.”
I sat up and brushed away the flowers, frowning at them. I hoped this wasn’t a new thing to happen every time I went to sleep. The vines fell away as I swung my legs over the side of the couch. With a whispered command, the greenery disappeared.
My stomach growled, making Rowan laugh. “Don’t get up. I’ll bring you a bowl.”
I tugged a blanket across my lap and waited, inhaling the scent of something delicious.
Rowan came in holding a tray with two bowls of something steaming, fresh-cut bread and a saucer of golden butter.
Moira followed him in holding a pot of coffee and several mugs.
Ash came behind her holding a pitcher of something cold, and Tess walked behind him holding a few glasses.
I blinked at the sight of them, and I felt my face crumple once again. But this time, I wasn’t crippled by heartbreak. All I felt was happiness they’d chosen to follow me. I could do many things, but living without them wasn’t a life I wanted to live.
Moira sat beside me, so close our thighs touched, and poured me a mug of coffee. I curled my hands around the mug and gave her a wobbly smile. Moira responded by laying her head on my shoulder for a moment.
“I love you, Evie.”
“Love you back.”
Ash and Tess settled into chairs next to each other. Rowan set the tray down and sat on my other side.
“Are you guys hungry?” I asked, noting there were only two bowls.
Everyone shook their heads. “Declan fed us before we came over,” Ash said.
“The apartments are wonderful,” Tess added, a sparkle in her pale eyes. “These lands are perfect for a banshee to haunt.”
Rowan blinked at that one.
“I can sense a few banshees somewhere within the boundaries. Maybe I’ll try to find them later.”
Rowan opened his mouth and shut it before saying anything. His nonplussed expression made me chuckle. “You get used to it,” I said quietly. “Tess is one in a million.”
“I have banshees?” Rowan asked. His expression is bemused.
Tess nodded enthusiastically. “At least two. You’re lucky,” she added. “If you haven’t heard their screams, your people all have healthy lifespans ahead of them.” Tess smiled. “So far.”
With that ominous note, Rowan shook his head and let out a little laugh. “Alright. We’ll leave them be and hope not to hear any screaming.”
Tess blessed Rowan with a beaming smile. Ash chuckled under his breath and poured himself a glass of tea.
“Here,” Rowan said, passing me a bowl sitting on a saucer. “I don’t often cook because of my schedule, but I make a mean potato soup. The bread is courtesy of our local pastry chef.”
“Thank you.” Our eyes met, and I saw no judgment or disgust. Only a warm concern and something more.
He handed me a spoon. “Eat up. There’s plenty more in the kitchen.”
Soon enough, I’d focused on my soup, and everyone else was chatting about their plans to settle into their new places. As I sat there, seeing how animated my friends were and how easily they were adapting to this massive change, something in my heart eased, and for the first time, I relaxed.
Not too long after, everyone made their excuses and left, but not without a tight hug from each of them. When Rowan and I were the only ones left, he shifted his body to watch me closer. “Are you alright?”
My cheeks heated. “I’m okay. I think I needed a good cry. I’m sorry I—”
Rowan’s eyes flashed with anger. “Never apologize for being vulnerable. Grief and anger are poison if left untended.” His face softened.
“Yours were long left untended. I do not know everything you’ve been through, but I know that was more than Caelan.
I hope this is the first step toward a new beginning. ”
My lower lip wobbled. “I don’t know how to not be careful anymore. I’ve kept everything bottled up for so long it feels natural to keep secrets now. I had to in order to keep myself and everyone I loved safe.”
“Everyone has secrets, but the weight gets easier to carry when you share the burden.”
He sat his mug down and opened his arms. “Come. I quite like the feeling of you against me.”
I laughed at the earnest words.
Rowan gave me a roguish grin and wiggled his eyebrows. I scoot over and settle in between his legs, my back pressed against his chest. His contented sigh made me blush. My chest warmed in the spot of our bond, a soft and gentle heat. I could almost feel him there right at the edge of my senses.
“There’s no other furniture in the house. If you decide to stay here, you can pick out whatever you want.”
“I have plenty of money. Moira and the others should be financially secure for a while.”
“Your shop is closed and business has been down for months now.”
I tensed in his arms.
“Simone told me,” Rowan said. “Caelan has not been good to you, despite how you might feel.”
He’s not wrong, but it chafes to realize how I’ve allowed myself to be treated. “The business took a hit,” I admit, “but we’re all good savers, and my father gave me access to a bank account. He calls it my inheritance.”
“Odd word for a man who will never die.”
“True. I’ll need to order the furniture unless there’s a place around here with sustainable practices.”
“I forget how sensitive you are to certain things. Is this couch okay?”
“I don’t have any bare skin touching the surface. Bedroom furniture is the most important. All my furniture back in Joy Springs would—” I stopped and groaned. “I can just call Dad to move it.”
“Handy power, that,” Rowan mused. “There’s a spot in the middle of downtown that’s for sale. I don’t know how large your shop was in the back, but it might work. We can go tomorrow if you want.”
“Starting over might be nice,” I mused. “That sounds good.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “Caelan was sick when I found him.”
Rowan tensed behind me. “The spell?”
I nodded. “He refused my help, but I forced a healing on him to buy the idiot more time. I don’t know how far the spell has reached within his borders. I need to speak to the other Lords soon.”
“They’re meeting tomorrow,” Rowan said, his voice close to a growl. “Ethan called an emergency meeting.”
“They know what we did.” Unsurprising. I’d been waiting for that for a while now.
“They do, and they’re less than enthused about things.”
I chuckled. “Can they do anything about it?”
“Dario can challenge me for it.”
I jerked upright and turned to face him. “That’s our land. Not Dario’s.”
His eyes are soft when he reaches up to brush my cheek with his fingers. “Ours,” he said quietly. “I like that word coming from your lips.”
I stared at him and wondered what would have happened had I chosen him first. Too heartsore to move forward as fast as I wanted, I could only hope I won’t hurt him in the future. Possibility reached between us, unfurling with potential. “He’d be an idiot to challenge you,” I grumbled.
“He’s young and arrogant. Regardless, I’d like you to come with me. We can appeal to the Lords’ sensibilities and hope they see reason.”
“What if Dario challenges you?” I’d never seen Rowan in a true fight.
He charmed his way out of most conflicts, unlike the other testosterone-laden Lords.
None of them were slouches in the physical prowess department or they wouldn’t hold or maintain so much power.
If Dario pushed things, I had no doubt Rowan could easily take him down.
“It’s our land, as you said. He’ll have to challenge us both, and I’m not sure he will.”
The thought intrigued me. “It’s been a while since I’ve kicked someone’s ass.”
Rowan snorted. “There’s the feisty Evie I know.”
“Caelan will be there tomorrow.”
Rowan inhaled. “He will. I understand if you don’t want to go. Being with me will send a statement. If you aren’t ready, I’m happy to attend without you.”
“I’m not worried about being seen with you.”
The tension in his form relaxes. “I’m happy to hear that.”
“Caelan may not react well. I don’t want to make any problems for you.”
He nuzzled my ear. “I’m well equipped to handle Caelan.” His warm breath against my ear sent a shiver down my spine. My neck arched, and I froze, embarrassment heating my skin.
“Oh,” Rowan breathed. “Your ear is sensitive. Duly noted.” His teeth gently clamp onto the lobe, the flick of his tongue dragging a low moan from my throat.
I had no idea such a small touch could draw such a visceral response. Every nerve ending was on fire. That spot in my chest heated, a flicker of warmth floating between us, and I felt Rowan’s desire, how much he wanted me.
Rowan tilted my neck and pressed a kiss below my ear. The urge to turn around and throw myself at him is almost overwhelming. His hands stayed locked at my waist, but his lips kept busy, teasing and tasting until I was a quivering mess of need.
“Rowan,” I whispered.
“Hmm.”
“We have to stop.”
“You aren’t doing anything.”
A breathless laugh escaped me.
“Just stay right here, and I’ll let you know when I’m finished.” He smiled against my neck.
I tilted my head back and peered up at him.
Rowan looked more relaxed than I’d ever seen him.
His eyes looked green in the low light, and his hair and clothes were rumpled.
“I’ll stand by your side tomorrow,” I said quietly.
“I’ll always stand by your side. I don’t know where things will take us, but you will always have an ally in me. ”
“You can stay here as long as you want. I want you to stay at the Keep. Having you here makes everyone happy.”
I grinned up at him. “Your shifters are a bunch of hippies.”
Rowan snorted.
“Flower loving hippies.”
“My people have always been more sensitive to the earth’s call. Ever since you claimed the land with me, there hasn’t been a single fight break out in the dorms.” He grinned. “And I expect there to be a baby boom here in about nine months.”
I blinked in surprise. “Seriously?”
Rowan nodded. “Yes. Lots of noise complaints came in that same night.”
A giggle escaped me. “That’s a little embarrassing.”
“Are you kidding? I kept getting calls from the local police all night about the howling disrupting the populace. The entire Keep was blasting Barry Manilow. Total madness.”
My eyes narrowed. “You’re shitting me.”
He held a hand up. “I swear. Whatever you did got their engines running.”
I cackled. “Should I apologize?”
“Not even a little. Half the wolves wanted to go to Joy Springs and bring you back by force.”
“Huh. I never thought about the ramifications of doing what I did when all the shifters were still on the land. Did you have any ill effects?”
A slow, sexy grin spread over his face. “I’m still holding those ill effects in if you’re interested.”
I snorted and tried to sit up. He groaned as he loosened his grip. “Spoilsport.”
I stood and leaned over him, cupping his cheek in my hand. “You are wonderful, and I care about you very much, but I am not ready for anything physical.”
He watched me, his hazel eyes serious. “I know. Nibbling on your ear is a great distraction from everything else going on, isn’t it?”
I gasped in mock outrage. “I know that must have been very difficult for you. My neck must taste terrible, and I know I smell like a troll. You’ve been quite the trooper.”
Rowan’s eyes glinted with a dangerous light. “I do sacrifice for the people I care about.”
“I can assure you your job is done. You’ll never have to undergo such a trial ever again.”
Rowan reached out and jerked me forward. I squawked and pinwheeled right into his arms. He nuzzled my neck. “You smell like heaven and taste like ambrosia.”
“Flatterer.”
Rowan chuckled. “Come on. Let’s go back to the house and get some dinner. You can call your dad and see if he can transport all your furniture over.”
He rose and lifted me with him, gently setting me on my feet. “Feeling better?”
I felt like a heavy weight had lifted from my shoulders, one I had carried for years and years.
My breath came easier, my muscles were more relaxed.
My heart still ached, but it was no longer the stabbing, tearing pain I experienced when I thought of Caelan.
I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I am. Thank you.”
He slung an arm over my shoulders. “No need to thank me. Touch-starved, remember? Anytime you want to snuggle, I’m your guy.”
“Do you ever shift and get into a bear puppy pile with the other shifters?”
He gave me an odd look. “Why? Would you want to join?”
I tilted my head in thought. “I dunno. Maybe. I bet it’d be warm.”
“Everyone is naked when they wake up, FYI.” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
“You saw what happened when we got trapped in the cage.”
Rowan closed his eyes. “Mmm. I sure did.”
I punched him in the shoulder. “What are you feeding me tonight?”
“Whatever the chef is cooking.”
“Spoken like a true Lord.”