Page 9 of Final Shift
But I finally didn't feel the urge to apologize. Caelan had made his bed. I was only making him lie down.
The young shifter hesitated, his throat working as he swallowed. He glanced once more at his mother, who gave him asmall smile and a reassuring nod. He straightened his shoulders and walked onto Keep property.
I released my hold on the wards, allowing them to close. Rowan put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He tensed, but when Rowan merely murmured something and led him toward the main house, Jensen relaxed just a hair.
“I’ll follow,” I said quietly, knowing he’d hear me.
“He will return shortly,” I said to the boy’s mother.
“You are Evie.”
I nodded. “And you are?”
“Sheila.” She made no move to come closer to the wards.
“You’ve raised a brave young man.”
Her eyes flashed. “He should not have to do this.”
“I’m aware. Did Caelan tell you why he could not go himself?”
Sheila’s lips tightened. “No, but there is a rumor you have confined him to Keep lands.”
I nodded. “The rumor is true.”
Silence fell between us. Sheila studied me for a long moment before her brow furrowed. “May I ask why?”
“The answer is too long and sordid,” I said with a half smile. “A more concise reason is Caelan tried to kill Rowan while on his lands.”
“The Lords have been in constant conflict since they began their power games.”
“Perhaps,” I allowed, “but I’d mated with Rowan before Caelan’s attempt. He knew and tried to kill him anyway.”
Sheila sucked in a breath.
“We did not allow him onto Keep lands. He worked with someone else to gain access and attacked Rowan when his back was turned.”
The shifter paled and shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”
“He did. Rowan would have died if I hadn’t realized what was happening.”
I allowed my words to sink in before continuing. “I was well within my rights to kill Caelan. Some think I should have. Instead, I gave him…options. Caelan knows what he must do before the hold on his lands eases.”
A dozen emotions crossed Sheila’s face before she spoke again. “What must he do?”
“He has two options. Caelan can make amends and broker a peace between us. If he does not wish to do this, he must find his mate.”
Anger flashed over Sheila’s features. “Finding a mate does not always happen.”
I allowed a flash of the Chimera to shine through my eyes. “Then he’d best be rehearsing his apology note then, shouldn’t he?”
I turned, but before I left, I couldn’t resist adding one more barb. “Rowan is not Caelan. He would never harm anyone’s child, even if they belonged to his enemy. Your son will be returned when his message is given.”
The wards were all but impenetrable after I’d gotten a hold of them after Dad released the lock on my power, but the space between my shoulders itched as I walked away.
“Wait!” Sheila called.
My footsteps slowed, and I turned.
