Page 99 of Shift of Morals
“The Council has concerns about your power levels. They want you to sign a contract with them?—”
“What?” I blurted. “I’ve never had any trouble until your Shifter Lord came into my life!”
Her look was quelling. “Or,” she continued, “you marry a Lord of their choosing.”
The air went out of me. I gaped at her. “Excuse me?” I wheezed. “They want me to marry one ofthem? That’s ludicrous.” The thought of marrying any of them set my teeth on edge. We lived in America, for crying out loud!
She lifted a delicate shoulder. “Not in terms of strategy. If you marry one of the Lords, you’ll fall under Council rules. They’ll be able to bring your power to heel.”
“The hell they will,” I grumbled. But I wondered why they wouldn’t have forced Caelan on me if they wanted to bring me to heel.
Simone saw the question on my face. “Caelan is the most powerful Lord in the country, even if no one on the Council wants to admit it. They’re afraid of what might happen if you and he get together.”
“Got it. Not only do they not want me to ally with Caelan, they want me out of his territory, too.” Damn. I thought it was bad getting picked last for group sports in school, but this was way worse.
Simone nodded. “And I suspect they don’t know the half of your power, do they?”
That wasn’t something I’d divulge to anyone but the three people in my shop. I gave her a tight smile that made her laugh.
“How long do I have before they try to strong arm me?”
Simone’s mouth tightened with sympathy. “They’re leaning more toward forcing a marriage than a contract.”
I closed my eyes. “To whom?”
“Rowan has offered.”
My eyes flew open. “Rowan…”
Something flickered in Simone’s eyes. “A good choice, though Ethan has his moments, too.”
“I’d consider Rowan a friend as much as I’d consider any Lord one,” I admitted. “But I refuse to be forced into a marriage I don’t want. We are not living in the Dark Ages.”
“We are living in the time where the Council holds power over the entire country,” Simone murmured. “What will you do if they revoke your stay here? You won’t be allowed to move to any of the other states.”
“What a bunch of bastards,” I hissed. “Maybe Europe could use a good Floromancer and her team. It’s been a while since we’ve had an overseas adventure.”
“You’d run into the same problem soon enough. Maybe right away if word of your shenanigans has made its way over there.”
“I’m going to stop refilling your wine glass if you don’t stop being so negative.”
Simone snatched the bottle. “Try and die.”
My eyes narrowed. “Did you sneak out of the Keep?”
A guilty look stole over her face. “Gianna is everywhere these days. I’ve been trying to sneak out for weeks. But tomorrow’s the wedding and she has tons of things left to do.” Her smile held a slight touch of evil.
“Hypothetically, how do you think I could stop the wedding? Not that I want to.” Lies. “But, if you think Gianna is so bad, maybe it’s the right path?”
Simone shrugged. “Do what you do so well?”
I gave her a flat look. “And what’s that?”
“Sow chaos and calamity?”
“Ha.” I poured myself a glass of wine. “That will only temporarily delay the inevitable.”
“A delay is a delay,” Simone sang.
