Page 78 of Final Shift
“I am married, you asshole.”
“But neither of us are blind.”
“Moira!”
Her wicked chuckle made me snort.
Caelan stopped inches away from me. Cuts and bruises marred his perfect skin, some of the wounds close to mortal. How was he still standing, let alone walking?
His head moved slowly toward Moira. “Leave.”
The voice that came from him was low, rough, and gritty. Moira stiffened.
“Evie…” Moira swallowed hard. For the first time in a long time, she looked truly afraid. Not for herself, but for me.
Caelan looked like he wanted to eat Moira and not in a fun way.
I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. I can defend myself if need be.”
Moira’s nostrils flared, and I could see her about to argue.
Lightning still cracked in the sky and through the ground; Caelan’s people still lay prone on the ground. But everyone was still alive. For now.
“Do as he asks,” I said quietly.
Her lips compressed, but she took a few careful steps backward.
“Out of earshot,” Caelan growled. Blood dripped from a deep cut at his temple, snaking down his jaw to drip onto his chest. My power rose, the need to heal him almost overwhelming. I shoved it down. He was still connected to everyone, and I wasn’t sure what my power would do.
Didn’t stop my magic from reaching out to him.
Caelan, damn him, felt it and closed his eyes, tilting his neck up as if he were a cat instead of a dangerous god. Were we still connected?
Shit. Not good.
Rowan and Ethan were walking up behind him, but Caelan’s attention snapped to them. “Leave.”
My husband’s eyes began to glow.
I didn’t want anything to escalate. With Caelan in this state, I didn’t think Rowan would win. “Please,” I beseeched him. “It’s okay. I don’t think he’ll hurt me.”
“I wouldneverhurt you,” Caelan growled.
Well. Not quite true and far too late for such a declaration.
The bond between Rowan and I tugged, his concern flooding our link. I sent love and reassurance to him. “Trust me,” I mouthed.
Caelan saw what I mouthed but his intense stare never wavered. Whatever he wanted, he was willing to take everyone out to get it. This could either be what he needed for closure or something that might backfire spectacularly. Since I didn’t see a way out of it without violence, I’d grant him this one time grace.
Rowan didn’t like it, but when I nodded, Rowan took a few steps back. Ethan kept his distance, but he wouldn’t care if Caelan gutted me either way.
“Alright, Caelan. You got me.”
His soft snort told me what he thought of that. “Walk with me.”
“Alright.” I schooled my emotions and did my best to slow my wild heart rate down.
He held out his arm, just like he used to, and tears welled in my eyes. How things had changed.
