Page 51 of Shift of Morals
Dammit, Caelan. I’m not yours to dress up.
My two months aren’t up yet.
I did not respond again, his words clanging inside my head like a bell.
Moira had elected to stay behind because Soren wouldn’t be at the Keep. I thought about begging her to go, but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
After downing the soup Hazel had left on the stove, I got into my car and drove to the Keep.
Once I valeted and someone who was not the butler let me in, Simone greeted me and walked me to the same place as before, staying silent the entire time.
She looked more strained than the last time I’d seen her, and before we went in, I touched her elbow.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
“Be careful, Evie,” was all she said, her gaze snagging on the amethysts in my ears. She shook her head and stepped behind me.
The doors opened, and a scene that looked straight out of a Christmas movie greeted me. There was red and white everywhere, and just as I felt my face tugging into an expression of horror, I caught myself and slapped an inane smile on my face.
“You’ve redecorated,” I said.
Gianna stood at the same table as before, dressed in red this time, and I had an image of a mall elf sitting poor, hapless children on a drunk Santa’s lap during the holidays. An almost hysterical giggle got trapped in my throat, and I coughed to try to get it out.
Rowan, my favorite Lord, stood at the table behind Gianna, grinning like a lunatic.
My lips twitched, just as my gaze snagged on the Shifter Lord. All the breath was sucked out of my lungs. He wore another suit, this time a cool dove grey. My boutonniere was attached to his lapel, fresh as the day I gave it to him. I had another in my bag I’d made for him earlier, but I hadn’t decided yet if I should give it to him.
This felt like the strangest case of madness.
I tore my gaze away to see Gianna staring at me, her eyes flickering a strange silver color. “I thought it would be nice to see what the room looked like with the color palette I’d chosen.”
“It’s…festive,” I said lamely.
Rowan coughed.
“Yes,” Gianna agreed. “It is, isn’t it? I had the red modeled after the color of blood. Quite an accurate depiction, isn’t it?”
“My expertise lies in flowers, Gianna. Though I’m sure any decorator you hired would do their best to bring your vision to life.”
Rowan’s eyes widened.
Yes, you asshat. I can be as political as I need to be sometimes, even though I hate it.
Gianna’s eyes narrowed, assuming I was being facetious. Which I was, but none of my words explicitly said so.
“Please,” she said after a moment, “have a seat.”
Rowan came around and took the box from my hands. “You look stunning,” he murmured in my ear.
I gave him a grateful smile. Rowan winked and went back to the table, placing the box in the chair beside mine. I was by myself at the opposite end of the table, and it sort of felt like an inquisition.
“I’ve ordered refreshments and hors d’oeuvres tonight,” Gianna said. “This should be a shorter meeting than last time, I hope.”
Caelan shot her an annoyed look. “Thank you for meeting us this evening, Miss Quinn. I’m sure you have a busy schedule, so taking time away to assist us is always appreciated.”
“As Gianna said, this meeting shouldn’t take as long as the first.”
The woman’s razor-sharp gaze glided down my dress. “Your dress is stunning. My Caelan does have a type, doesn’t he?”
