Page 77 of Power Shift
Twenty-Four
It took a good twenty minutes and another glass of wine for me to stop having an internal freak out. Caelan sat by me the entire time telling me stories of growing up in another Pack. Ash, Moira, and Tess crowded around as he spoke.
I didn’t tell anyone about my realization. They were smart enough to figure it out on their own eventually.
“I’m ready,” I said.
Moira shook her head. “This can wait. Your property is a safe place for one more night.”
“No.” I stood, shrugging off my cardigan. “We should do it now. The news is a shock, but what hasn’t been these last few months?”
Caelan rose beside me. For once, I found his presence comforting, soothing in a way I hadn’t before. But I wondered if he’d ramp up his efforts to pursue me now that he knew I wasn’t an ordinary Floromancer.
I’d never be one again.
Something else nagged at me. If I was the fae king’s daughter, how much more could I stretch my powers? What else could I do?
On the other hand, how much power was too much power?
And what would my mother do once she discovered I knew the truth?
“We can’t tell Cliona,” I said quietly.
“We don’t tell your mother shit,” Moira said. “Never have. Never will.”
Four pairs of eyes turned to the Shifter Lord.
He put his hand to his mouth and mimed a zipper motion.
“Caelan.” I took a step forward. “You don’t know my mother. If she finds out what I am…” My voice trailed off before it broke.
Caelan’s expression sobered. He laid a hand against his heart. “She will not find out from me. I swear it.”
“Evie can kick your ass now,” Ash said softly.
A crack of laughter escaped Moira. “Huh. I guess I hadn’t thought of all the cool shit she should be able to do now.”
My eyes twitched. “Can we please do this spell so I can sink into a coma?”
Ash searched my face. “Are you sure? Everyone’s emotions need to be calm and collected when the spell begins.”
“I’m a professional.” Unless Caelan pissed me off, then I was a crazy person. But tonight, he was being awfully agreeable, and wasn’t that suspicious? “Start the spell, Ash.”
Ash picked up the lighter and began.
A dryad’s power is unexplainable. I felt like Mother Earth wrapped me in a loving cocoon. The room was surrounded by warmth and the scent of green things. All the day’s stress fell away as Ash’s power swirled around us.
Caelan sucked in a sharp breath before releasing it in a slow shudder.
I couldn’t help myself. “Good stuff, isn’t it?”
Moira snickered.
“I’ve never felt a dryad’s power,” Caelan said in a hushed voice. “It’s like yours but softer in a way.”
“Evie’s power is soft, too,” Moira said quietly. “If she likes you.”
Ash sighed. “Can everyone please stop talking?”
