Page 42 of Shift of Morals
“Fine, Caelan. Our entire relationship is transactional.” My gaze skimmed down the slate blue suit he wore, snagging on another boutonniere. Disgust made my upper lip curl. Before I could stop myself, I slashed my hand downward turning the carnation and rose monstrosity into ash.
Caelan looked down at himself, sighed, then burst into delighted laughter. “My dear Evie, how will I explain this when I get home?”
I held up a finger. “Wait here.”
Stomping back to the fridge, I wrenched the door open and gathered a few things before heading to my work table. In less than five minutes, I’d put together a small, stunning boutonniere made with the Anastasia Chrysanthemum and a deep black orchid, topping it off with a small spray of eucalyptus, and tying it with a deep black ribbon and a silver wax impression with the initial C. A small touch of my magic boosted the life force of the cut flowers, ensuring it would last for weeks if properly cared for.
When it was finished, I double checked my work and stomped back over to him, anger at myself and my possessive behavior simmering in my chest. “Stand up,” I snapped.
Caelan’s slow grin made my heart turn over, but he rose.
I unhooked the cheap safety pin and tossed it into the closest trash can and fastened the new one to his lapel, brushing away the residual ash as I worked. When I finished, I stepped backand inspected it before taking him by the arm and leading him over to the mirror behind my work desk.
“This is something befitting of a Lord,” I growled. “But no one should be wearing a boutonniere unless you’re going to a formal dinner or prom. It’s not something you wear during the day.”
Caelan’s lips twitched, his tan fingers brushing over the fresh flowers. “It’s stunning.”
“I know.”
His chuckle made me want to smack him. “The arrangement will last for weeks if you store it in the refrigerator after you wear it.”
“Why?” he asked, our gazes catching and holding in the mirror.
I wasn’t sure why, but I’d felt the need to mark him. And how could a Floromancer do that better than with flowers? “If I’m to be the florist for your wedding, I want my work advertised properly, not with cheap discount store boutonnieres.”
“Ah. Of course,” Caelan said, though I could tell he didn’t believe me.
I shook my head. “Why did you come by today?” If there was a purpose, it was completely derailed by now.
“Gianna sent me with more photos.”
“She could have emailed them.”
“I know.” His fingers brushed over the flowers once more, eyes sparking gold. “I like wearing a piece of you.”
I swallowed hard and took a step back, turning away from him. “You can leave the photos on the couch. I’ll add them to your file.”
“Evie.”
I stilled but didn’t turn around.
“I will keep your secrets. You can trust me.”
I scoffed. “You are a Shifter Lord. Every one of you deals in secrets. Mine are safe until you need something from me.”
Caelan fell silent. I went to the register and opened up the shop email. A few moments later, the bell jingled, and the Shifter Lord was gone.
Chapter
Ten
Moira insisted on driving me home later that night, telling me it wasn’t safe to keep riding the bicycle with everything going on, especially with my mother in town. I grumbled a little but acquiesced, mostly because every muscle in my body hurt.
All the tension over the last few days was starting to get to me.
Moira waved as she started the car, then urged me to sleep with a weapon under my pillow. After a lame joke about my two fists being weapons, she rolled her eyes and spun out of the driveway, leaving me sitting on the front steps contemplating the chaos that was my life.
The weather had taken a sharp turn toward the cooler, a blessing in this part of the country. I relaxed on the front steps for a little while before dusting my pants off and going inside to drop my purse and keys off. It had been a while since I last walked the property. With the new wards I’d put up, it was more important than ever to ensure there were no weak areas in the magic.
