Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Afew days later, I stood on Caelan’s property staring up at the world’s largest magical tree.
Caelan loomed behind me, arms crossed over his powerful chest. Things hadn’t quite been the same since I’d thrown him out of my house. I was giving him the necessary time to get over it and realize I was not the one in the wrong.
“Has Dad been back?” I asked, looking over my shoulder to see Caelan staring at me.
“No, but we’ve had some magical disturbances around the wards. Everyone is curious.”
I grimaced. “I’ll ask him if there’s a way we can conceal it.”
“There can’t be. This tree is the path for the gods. They need access to it.”
I turned around to face the Shifter Lord. “I’m sorry about this. Maybe it won’t last long here.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “What are the odds of that happening?”
“Admittedly low.”
“How are you feeling?” He hadn’t moved toward me, but his eyes possessed me, everywhere they lingered. Storm clouds brewed in his eyes, and I steeled myself for an argument.
“I’m much better. My power levels are fully recovered and I’m back at work.”
“That’s good.”
It didn’t sound good the way he said it. “You can be angry,” I said softly, “but not at me.”
His nostrils flared. “I don’t require your permission to be furious.”
“No, but I’m not apologizing for telling you to get out.”
“You shouldn’t,” he agreed.
I blinked. “Then why are you pissed off?”
His powerful chest rose in a long breath. “I screwed things up, didn’t I? Things are weird, and I’m not sure how to fix them.”
“Things have always been weird between us.”
He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Because you have doubts.”
“And if I do?”
“Doubts are normal, but you’re keeping secrets, too.”
“And you aren’t?”
A faint smile. He took a step forward. “I’m a Lord. Secrets are my business.”
“I’m not ready to share everything with you.”
The smile widened. “No one said I wanted everything. But I need more.”
He came closer and rubbed his hands over my arms, his heat soaking through my sweater. Unable to resist, I moved into the circle of his arms. He smelled like the woods, the cold scent of pine in winter. Caelan’s hand curled around my nape, fingers sliding up through my hair.
Sensation tingled against my skin. Every time he touched me, I had the urge to burrow into his skin and never let go.
“Why do you resist?” he murmured, lip against my hair. “You know we’re good together.”
“I’m not good for you.” I tilted my head to look at him, tracing my fingers over his jaw. “And I’m not convinced you’re good for me.”
Caelan stilled. “Oh?” His fingers dug into a knot at the base of my neck.
I whimpered and sagged against him while he used those clever fingers to work it out. My hand slid up his back, tracing the lean muscles close to his spine. “You’re jealous.”
A huff of laughter against my hair. “Guilty. You’re a little crazy.”
I smiled against his chest. “Guilty. You ask too many questions.”
“Mmm. You don’t ask enough.”
“True. You’re bossy.”
“So are you.”
I snorted. “You’re responsible for thousands of other people. How could you ever be a full partner to me?”
Caelan stiffened.
I winced. The words had fallen from my mouth before I realized what I was saying. “I don’t mean it like that. You are a Lord. I’m…” I let my voice trail off.
“You’re the heir to the Fae King,” Caelan said quietly. “I could ask the same of you.”
I froze. “How’d you know?”
“I may not be a genius,” Caelan said quietly, “but I’m not an idiot.
You’re a princess and it’s not hard to connect the dots.
With his constant attention, it’s no secret he’s grooming you for other things.
” He bent and scooped me into his arms, ignoring my stunned yelp. “You’re pushing me away. Again.”
“Caelan.”
“Don’t argue with me, woman. Not now.” His voice was a low growl, an assault on my senses.
I shivered. “See. Bossy.” My fingers slid up his neck and curled in his unruly hair, the satin strands sliding against my skin.
Caelan’s eyes flashed gold. “Do you want me to stop?”
I chuckled. “Nope.”
A flash of teeth turned into a full-fledged wild grin. Caelan gathered me closer and took off at a swift run as a delighted laugh tore from my throat.
Hours later, I untangled myself from the Shifter Lord who promptly objected and pulled me back against him with a snarl.
“I have to get home.”
“Stay,” he murmured against my bare shoulder.
“I’ve neglected my land and the greenhouse. If I don’t get it taken care of tonight, I might have to replace some windows.”
“I’m rich. I’ll pay for them.”
I laughed and smacked a kiss on his forearm. “Let go.”
“Don’t make me get bossy again.”
Wiggling my way out of his firm grasp, I bent to grab my bra and shirt, dressing quickly as he rolled over. The gleam in his eyes made me go even faster. His eyes flashed.
“You could stay here, you know.”
“I know. But I just told you why I had to go.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
I stilled, fingers pausing over the button to my pants. He could not be asking what I thought he was asking. A couple of hours ago, we were fighting.
“From the deer in the headlights expression,” Caelan said, amusement in his voice, “I can see you suspect where I’m going with this.”
“Moving in?” I squeaked.
Caelan slid down the edge of the bed, movements lethally graceful. “Don’t you think moving in would be the natural progression?”
“Um. If we were a normal couple, yes,” I allowed. “But we haven’t dated for that long and, if you haven’t noticed, your counterparts hate me.”
He studied me like prey. “I don’t give a shit what the other Lords think. And, evidenced by you tossing one of them around like a baby rattle, neither do you.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. I was a little out of breath and a little sweaty and I had no idea what to say. Sensing my distress, Caelan went in for the kill. “There’s more room here and much more land. Bonded to me, you’d be untouchable.”
“I have several acres, and I’m bonded to my land.” Sighing, I walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. Caelan lay his head in my lap and closed his eyes. I sent my fingers through his hair, dragging my nails gently against his scalp.
He hummed and smiled. “And you could do that every day.”
“I’m not ready,” I whispered.
His eyes opened. “Okay.”
I blinked. “Okay?”
He nodded. “Okay. We’ll wait.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why are you suddenly agreeable?”
He laughed. “I was kicked out of my woman’s house the other day because I was…and I quote, ‘being an insufferable jackass.’”
I’d put that one in a text for him later because I was still mad at him. “Maybe I should call you a jackass more often,” I mused.
“Or you could just move in with me.”
“There you are.”
Caelan’s eyes glinted. “Fine. I can wait.”
“How long? Because I won’t be ready in five minutes. Not even ten.”
He let out a dramatic sigh. “You’re breaking my heart.”
I bent to kiss him just as a loud explosion rocked the Keep, sending me sprawling to the floor.
Strong hands gripped me, helping me to a standing position. “Stay here.”
A moment later, he was gone.