Page 27 of Final Shift
We followed Garrett into the woods.
Neit led us to a densely forested area and sat down on an old stump. “I'm surprised your father isn't here.”
I shrugged. “Dad stays out of Lord business.”
At Rowan's disbelieving snort, I sighed. “For the most part.”
“Lies,” Garrett muttered under his breath.
I threw up my hands. “Fine. I have no idea why Dad didn't stay. In fact, he loves drama so much I'm surprised he isn't lurking around somewhere eavesdropping.”
Everyone fell silent. Neit squinted up at the trees. “Is he?”
“No.” I would know if he was close.
“Very unlike him,” Garrett remarked. “Wonder what else caught his attention?”
“Anyway,” I drawled. “Why the cloak and dagger act?”
Neit scrubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “Shit has gotten weird.” He rose and started pacing. “I assume you're here to see Caelan. He won't allow anyone on his property, and I don't have the heart to tear his wards down.”
Neit said the words without judgment. Guilt flooded me just the same.
Rowan's hand landed gently on my shoulder. “Caelan's actions warranted this retaliation.”
He didn't have to say ours, but his claiming of my punishment only reinforced how different relationships can be when you allow yourself to truly trust.
Neit held his hands out. “We all know what Caelan did. You'll find no judgment from us.”
A sly look flashed over his face. “Some of us wonder if the punishment fit the crime. We have a betting pool for how soon your father will kill him.”
“You will all lose. I don’t want him dead.” Dad was furious when he realized the extent of Caelan’s damage to my psyche and would have delighted in taking Caelan’s life if I had allowed him to.
If Caelan had been a bad person, I might have let him. But I wasn’t in the business of being in serious relationships with bad people. Even my ex-husband wasn’t a bad person in the strictest sense of the word. Yes, he cheated. Yes, he kinda sucked. Was he a murderer or physically abusive? No.
He was just an asshole.
But even assholes could leave lasting damage.
Caelan had been a bit more than just an asshole. He’d come close to destroying me. With trust, patience, and love, Rowanhad rebuilt my inner sanctum brick by brick. To Caelan, our mating and marriage must have seemed fast.
Hell, it was. But if he could feel what I feel when I look at Rowan, when I feel him inside that knot deep in my heart, he would realize I was helpless to resist committing the rest of my life to him.
“He’s redeemable,” I said when the silence had gone on too long. “Or at least I hope he is.”
“And if he’s not?” Neit asked quietly.
“Then I’ll kill him myself.”
Rowan’s hand tightened. Guess I should have said as long as Rowan doesn’t get there first.
“Why are we here?” Garrett asked.
Moira had remained suspiciously quiet since we’d arrived. I glanced over to see her sitting cross-legged on the ground, her face tilted up to the sky. Her eyes were closed, and a faint silver and violet glow surrounded her.
I’d never seen its like before. Rowan and I exchanged a concerned glance.
“I’m fine,” Moira drawled. “I can feel your eyeballs on me.”
