Page 38 of Final Shift
I held my hands out. “Then I would say our business is concluded. I will release your land from the hold and let you deal with the fallout.”
He leaned forward, too, and slid his palms forward, so close our hands were almost touching. Heat beat from his body. “You won't help me?”
His voice had turned seductive, cajoling. Before Rowan, a tone like that from him would have melted all my misgivings.
Moira let out a light snort. “She's only horny for Rowan, Lord.”
Garrett choked. Caelan's eyes flared bright gold. His fists clenched, and he opened his mouth to speak.
Moira didn't pause and continued twisting the knife, as one's BFF did. “You lost your opportunity the moment Rowan carried her away from here, holding her in his arms like the princess she's always been.”
My lips twitched. I was far from a princess, but the picture Moira painted must have been quite the sight.
“I've already apologized,” Caelan snarled.
Moira grinned. “I know.” She lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. “Just thought you should know, in case you had any doubt.”
“Moira,” I murmured.
Her eyes widened in fake innocence. My lips twitched, and I shook my head. She'd always been an instigator.
I stood. “Think about it. I'll stay close, but out of the city.”
Moira and Garrett rose as well. “Let me know what you decide.”
Caelan nodded.
I hesitated. “Can you walk me back to the border? I brought something for you.”
Caelan's brow furrowed, and he didn't answer right away. He looked over at Garrett, who nodded.
“Fine.” Caelan rose in a graceful motion and gestured for us to go first.
As tough as this was, it had gone better than expected. And I planned to keep my word. If Caelan refused my offer, I would drop my hold on his land and let him go it alone.
Even if it ended with his death.
Chapter
Fourteen
ROWAN
Every step she took brought her closer to me. I took Seymour out of the bag and held the squirming flytrap in a tight grip. He vibrated with energy, sensing Caelan's powerful presence following his maker.
My wife came out of the shadows, Moira and Garrett beside her. Every time I saw her, my heart thundered, love for her roaring to the surface. She had no idea how much her presence had changed since her father had ripped off that lock. Evie walked through the world, and the world responded, tree limbs leaning toward her, grass swaying gently in the breeze. When her feet were bare and she walked the land, flowers bloomed under her skin.
A brilliant smile broke onto her face when she saw me. My heart thundered behind my ribs as I answered that smile. How was it possible to love someone so much it felt like your heart would stop beating without them?
Evie stepped to the right, allowing Caelan to come up beside her. Our eyes met first, a ring of gold circling his iris. Caelan would never forgive me for taking Evie from him.
But his anger was misplaced. I never took anything. A person wasn't something you took. Evie came to me of her own free will.
But I considered her mine now, and that wasn't something Caelan would ever forgive. He played for keeps, but he still couldn't take full responsibility for what he'd done to my wife.
Until he did, he and Evie would couldn’t fully repair their relationship. Even if they came to some kind of peace, our friendship was over. We both knew it.
“Rowan,” Caelan said, power rumbling through his voice.
