Page 58 of Power Shift
“And now?”
“I believe he’s remarried and has children.”
Soren studied me. “How old are those children?”
I stilled as the dates clicked together in my head like the last puzzle piece, and a low curse tore from my throat. “Thatsonofabitch.”
He held up a hand. “Infidelity can leave anyone heartsore for the rest of their lives, but a spouse having children with their affair partner can break someone.” His face softened. “Especially if Evie wants children.”
I was such an asshole. This wasn’t everything. Evie’s secrets were deep and held tightly, but this was yet another hit to her psyche.
“When did you become such a good person?” I groused.
Soren laughed. “I promise I’m no such thing. You see this on the inside, and I’m looking from the outside. I am not emotionally tied to your Floromancer. Not like you or Rowan.”
My attention was a jagged thing. “Rowan?”
He grinned. “Murder lurks in your eyes, Caelan. Tone down the glow, please. Rowan has no designs on Evie that I can see, only a deep-seated need to protect her.” Soren frowned. “From us, no doubt.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “When did we become such insufferable jerks?”
“She likes Rowan best,” I growled.
Soren rose and set his glass down. “Because he’s not insufferable. Perhaps we should try it.”
“Good luck trying that with the vampire,” I said.
“Moira has no idea of the charm offensive coming her way,” Soren said with a wink. He paused at the door. “Even I can see your Floromancer has a tender heart. She might possess a spine of steel, but it doesn’t mean she is not vulnerable. If you wish to win her, you must first understand her. That is the way to her heart. Gain her trust, Caelan. The rest will follow.”
I thought I had it, but apparently the gods were laughing at me for my blind assumption.
Soren slipped out, leaving me in a silent study, staring at the wall as I mulled over his words.
Gain her trust. The rest will follow.
Chapter
Eighteen
Iawoke the next morning to a new shadow over my bedroom windows. Frowning, I reached out with my magic and probed the shadow, only to realize they were roses.
I had no roses on that side of the house. Confused, I rolled out of bed and opened the window.
A heady scent teased me as I peeked out, gawking at the insane growth of a pink double rose. “What the hell?” I whispered.
Careful not to shut any part of the plant in the window, I shut and locked it, then went to the kitchen to turn the coffee pot on. Thinking was hard without caffeine.
Once I was dressed and had a travel mug of coffee ready, I headed outside to track the errant growth.
As I came around the corner, I sucked in a breath. The entire side of the house was covered in blooms. The sight was stunning. Gorgeous multi-petaled roses grew up the siding and curled onto the roof, stems dripping with multiple flowers.
I touched the side of the house to check on the stability. While flowers and vines growing on a house can look beautiful, the weight can damage a dwelling quickly.
But the wood sighed with contentment. For now, it was happy, but where had the new growth come from? The only roses I had were by the green house. Carrying my coffee, I headed over only to stop in my tracks. Plants and vines poured from the greenhouse windows, the glass scattered all over the ground.
“Shit.”
I held up a hand to open the door, only to see my palm flickering in and out of existence. What was happening to me? Willing my hand to stay in human form, I entered the greenhouse, almost surprised I had a clear path to walk through.
