Page 42 of Final Shift
“Temporarily. That's all. Only for a little while. You know I'll give it back as soon as this is over.”
“And I know you'll relinquish it if I ask you to now. Won't you, Evie? Will you keep your promise to the man who almost destroyed you?”
I frowned and glanced at Rowan. His brow furrowed, and he shook his head at Caelan's choice of words.
“I—” If I went back on my word, I would break this fragile thread of trust growing between us. “Please, Caelan. I'm begging you.”
“Will you keep your promise?” he asked again.
A tear slipped down my cheek. Silence stretched between us. Rowan gave me a sad smile. “Your call,” he whispered.
Rowan would support me if I decided not to free Caelan, even if it was for the Lord's own good. But I couldn't live with myself if I did.
“You sonofabitch,” I whispered. “You know I will.”
“Good. When?”
I bowed my head. “I'll meet you in the morning. Eight good with you?”
“Eight it is,” Caelan agreed.
I glanced at the clock. “You have nine hours to change your mind.”
Caelan chuckled. “No dice, flower girl.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “We both know a lot of things can happen in a few hours.”
We both fell silent for a moment.
“See you tomorrow, Evie.”
I hung up before I could beg him again to reconsider. He wouldn't.
Even if it would save his life.
I wokeup at six a.m. and checked my phone. No calls. No texts.
Caelan was still on the path of madness. Rowan sat on the edge of the bed watching my frantic pacing. “You can't change his mind.”
“I'm aware,” I all but growled.
Rowan scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “Are you sure you want to keep your promise?”
“No.” I exhaled. “But I have to. The only reason the Lords have trusted me this far is because I've kept my word. I've claimed the least amount of territory possible and healed them all. No encroaching or trespassing. If I don't keep my promise to Caelan, it will destroy my credibility.”
Rowan's lips thinned. He knew I was right. Caelan had effectively put me over a barrel. Denying his request would shatter any trust he or the other Lords had in me. Word would spread fast, and I'd find doing any business with them in the future difficult. Not to mention Rowan suffering due to his association with me.
Once again, Caelan was screwing me over. I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, picking up my shoes as I settled next to Rowan. He put his hand on my thigh. “He's a survivor. All the Lords are.”
“He can't fight the gods.”
“I didn't say he'd do it alone.” When I looked at him, he tugged a strand of my hair. “I can barely stand the guy, but I know you care about him.”
At my raised eyebrow, he sighed. “I care, too. But he's still an asshole.”
I snorted. “Agree with you there.” My shoulders slumped. “I can't let him die, Rowan. Even after everything, he doesn't deserve that.”
Rowan's jaw tightened. “I know, Evie.” His fists clenched. “But every time I see that bastard, I want to punch him in his smug face. I think about the way he tore you down and how you looked when you woke up at my Keep. I could feel your broken heart even before we were mated.”
