Page 16 of Final Shift
Caelan's irises turned full gold now. His teeth pulled back from his lips. “You think now that you're mated to a Lord you can say whatever you wish to me?”
I rolled my eyes. “Let's not pretend I've ever had a filter.”
“My original terms stand.” He crossed his arms over his powerful chest and waited.
I smiled and disconnected the call once more.
Rowan's laugh was a crack of sound. He put his book down and motioned me over. “Ignore his next call.”
I'd barely gotten out of my chair before the video notification went off once more. I stilled but Rowan watched me, his eyes glowing with desire.
“Come, mate. I felt you when Caelan's face came on the screen. You think I'm prettier.”
I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt. “Mmm. And if I do?”
His smile widened. “I will just have to ensure you keep thinking so.”
He held his arms out.
I launched myself at my husband. Hearing his shout of surprise and the warmth of the bond inside my chest, feeling his hands wrap around my waist as he caught me, I knew every step I'd taken, no matter how awful the journey sometimes, every bit of it had led me here, to Rowan.
Caelan called backfour more times, but Rowan and I were a little distracted. The fifth time Rowan's phone beeped.
We lay tangled together on the ground, our clothes haphazardly tossed around the room.
“Hmm. If he video called now, I might answer,” Rowan murmured.
I smacked him lightly on the chest. “Cad.”
Rowan grinned and held up his cell, peering at it with one eye closed. “The Lord has agreed to your terms but has refused to allow me access to the Keep. You'll have to go in with the other two.”
“Of course.” Caelan could be such an ass sometimes. “You can wait at the old flower shop.” My mother and father had claimed the space for the fae. If Caelan stepped foot on the property, my mom and dad would know, and there would be hell to pay. I'd refused to sell the place, mostly just to piss the Lord off, so the old shop sat vacant, a sore thumb in the middle of a once vibrant town.
Maybe I'd give up the space, but not anytime soon. Caelan could walk past that space every day and think about his mistakes.
“I'm bringing Seymour.”
Rowan peered at me. “Out of kindness or extreme passive aggressiveness?”
I tossed my shirt at him. “A little of both. Seymour is adjusting well, but he loves Caelan. I think it'd be good for him to visit.”
“And Hannah?”
I shook my head. “Hannah has taken to this place like a duck to water. Her and Moira are getting along like gangbusters.”
“Makes sense. Hannah is gentle. Seymour's a thug.”
I rose and pulled my pants on. “Seymour was made as an attack flytrap and somehow became a sentient being. He's developed his own personality. I can't help that he has his favorites.”
Rowan peered up at me through long lashes. “He's poisoned several shifters since he's been here.”
I winced. “Yes, well, Seymour doesn't like surprises. Your people came from behind and startled the poor guy.”
At Rowan's lifted eyebrow, I snorted. “He could poison everyone and hasn't done that, so you gotta give him a little credit. Taking him to see Caelan might mellow him out a little.”
“Or make him worse,” Rowan muttered.
I nudged him with my toe. “I took Seymour away from his best friend. In a million years, I would never have expected him to become what he has. The poor thing bonded with something, showing us all he's capable of strong emotion. Looking back, I should have let him say goodbye.”
