Page 84 of Final Shift
I nodded. “With some caveats.”
“Alright,” he said slowly. “Anything I need to worry about?”
“Not really. I’ll need to?—”
Caelan’s phone buzzed several times in rapid succession. He let out a low laugh. “What are the odds this is about you?”
“Pretty high.”
I offered him a sheepish smile. Caelan let out a loud laugh and sighed. “Come on, flower girl. Let’s get you back to your mate.”
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
When we turned the corner, Rowan took off running. He was at my side in an instant, his arms reaching out to scoop me up in a fierce hug. The bond tugged between us, bright and warm. His hand tangled in my hair, a shudder of relief shaking his shoulder.
“Evie. Thank the gods. Are you alright?”
Caelan huffed. “I’d never harm Evie.”
Rowan spun with me in his arms, his eyes glowing with fury. “You hurt her all the godsdamn time when she lived here.”
Ethan put a warning hand on Rowan’s shoulder.
Caelan sighed. “I’m well aware of what I’ve done, and I know my actions are unforgivable.”
“Caelan—”
His gaze flicked to me. “Unforgivable to your mate, I should say. Your tender heart has once again given me more than I deserve.”
Ethan frowned. “And your silver tongue doesn’t hurt.”
Caelan grinned. “I’m afraid Evie has planted a permanent structure on my property. Mind sticking around for a little while? I’ve summoned the Keep mages to tend to the wounded. Though I’m not sure anyone is wounded anymore, thanks to Evie.”
“They’re all unconscious,” Ethan said, giving me an odd look. “We saw the moment Evie started working.”
“Like magic,” Rowan said dryly.
“Let me check on them. Please stay. We need to look at the tree Evie summoned.”
Rowan blinked. “Another tree?”
“Mmm. Yes. It was the only thing I could think of that had room to put everyone.”
Rowan and Ethan both stared at me confused.
“I’ll explain when we get there.”
Caelan was back in less than a minute, relief all over his expression. “The healers said they expect everyone to wake up in a few days. They’ve asked me to extend my thanks.”
“Where were your mages when Titania and Danu came onto your lands?” Ethan asked.
“I have very few left and couldn’t afford to risk them. They were instructed to stay put until I called for them.” His expression darkened. “Or until they felt me die.”
Ethan looked around Caelan’s Keep. “Things are that dire then.”
Caelan nodded. “I made my bed.”
