Page 53 of Shift of Morals
Caelan’s eyes lit up. “Amazing.”
Gianna’s jaw dropped. “This is…beautiful,” she grudgingly admitted. “But not what we’re looking for.”
As I expected. “Very well. The first one is more to your specifications?”
Gianna nodded. “Though the shade must match the rest of the room.”
Blood red. Right. “I can change the color, though I’ll need the hex code so I can make sure I get the shade correct.”
Her head incline was regal. “Simone will get it to you.”
“Then we’re agreed,” I said, just as the servers brought a round of meat and delicate cheeses.
“No,” Caelan said, dashing my hopes for an early exit, “we are not.”
Gianna froze. “Evie’s ideas are too modern, Caelan. Our wedding must smack of tradition.” A wheedling note in her voice made me grit my teeth.
“Must it?” He shook his head.
“Of course,” Gianna snapped. “The Lords have a long history of sticking with traditional values within their kingdoms?—”
“Joy Springs is not a kingdom. My reign is built on adapting to the current times. Perhaps that means our wedding must adopt, too.”
Rowan glanced at Caelan, an odd look on his face.
“Rowan,” Gianna demanded. “What is your opinion?”
The poor Lord looked like he’d swallowed an onion. “The Council does not attend these meetings to offer an opinion, only to ensure things are moving on schedule.”
I stifled my grin. That was the perfect Lordly response from Rowan.
Gianna’s eyes narrowed, almost like she knew Rowan was bullshitting her.
Which he definitely was. I’d never seen a Lord not offer an opinion, even when they weren’t asked.
Strange magic rose in the room, the smell of it a frigid winter’s wind, sharp and biting. Gianna’s magic. Interesting. I’d never scented or been around a swan shifter before.
Though if I hadn’t known what she was, I would have guessed bird of prey. The woman looked like she could swallow someone whole.
The vines on my dress shifted restlessly as I struggled to control my Floromancy, the rising Chimera magic in my bloodflaring with it. It took a long moment, but I managed to get settled, keeping my breathing at a steady inhale and exhale.
My eyes met Gianna’s across the table, and I read the warning in them. Get in my way, and they’ll never find your body.
You can try it, I responded with my own eyes.But you might not like what happens if you do.
Gianna’s mouth tightened.
Caelan interrupted our silent staring contest. “There’s one more thing.”
What now? Another automaton built to the size of a small car?
Rowan straightened and watched me. My brow furrowed.
“Whenever a Shifter Lord is set to marry, the old magic responds. A bonding ceremony is necessary to ensure our union is blessed.”
A bonding ceremony? What the hell was that? I tried to stay in tune with current wedding trends and laws, but after Hazel’s visit and now this, I realized I wasn’t doing a great job at keeping up.
Gianna’s perfect complexion went white. “Caelan.”
