Page 81 of Power Shift
This really felt like one of those shoe moments, and I wondered when the other one would drop.
That night I dreamed of running through a golden forest, a beast’s glorious howl bursting from my throat. A full moon hung white and bloated in the sky, cool wind blowing against my fur as my paws pounded against the damp earth.
I awoke with a start, my heart thumping against my chest. The smell of fresh pine and cold wind surrounded the room. Unsettled, I lay there for a long time, unable to go to sleep, my fingers playing with the warm pendant around my neck.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
CAELAN
Ijerked awake after the strangest dream I’d ever had. The scent of fresh roses and jasmine flooded my bedroom. Odd dreams weren’t out of the ordinary for me, but this one felt all too real.
My skin was sweat-soaked and cool, my legs tangled in damp sheets. A memory of feminine laughter and vines wrapping around my wrists tangled in my mind, sending my heartbeat racing.
I felt like I was going mad. Laying back against my pillow, I kicked the blankets off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My hands gripped the edge of the mattress. I stared blankly at the wall, allowing remnants of the dream to sift through my thoughts before shaking my head. Dreams rarely rattled me, but this one felt like Evie.
“Fuck,” I growled, scratching my jaw as I brushed the thought away. One odd dream did not mean the Floromancer was suddenly invading my mind.
“Get a grip,” I muttered. Shaking my head, I rose and stretched. The clock blinked to 4 a.m.
Guess my day was getting started early.
I arrived at the meeting spot three hours early, calling ahead to let Rowan know. The other Lord had chosen the local botanical gardens. No surprise there. He was the most like Evie and skilled in natural magic.
Rowan waited for me at the front, his back pressed against the stone wall, one leg hitched up. A casual wave when he saw me, and he sauntered down the steps.
“Trouble sleeping?” Rowan quipped when he got closer.
“Shut it,” I snarled.
Rowan’s soft laughter made my shoulders slump. “Come inside. They have great coffee here.”
All the Lordsgathered a couple of hours later, but my mood hadn’t improved much. When Ben walked in, I damn near bit his head off. The Healer merely laughed and slapped me on the back.
“Evie still giving you fits, Caelan?”
I sent the new Lord a dark look. Ben was one of my closest friends, but I knew in my heart, if Evie would have given anyone a chance, it’d be him. So I’d acted like a huge asshole and made him a Lord. In everyone else’s eyes, this was a huge promotion. In Ben and Evie’s it was a betrayal.
“Evie is fine,” I said, the words a harsh growl.
“I didn’t ask about her,” Ben said, giving me an amused look.
“But you wanted to.”
Ben sighed. “You got what you wanted. No need to rub it in my face.”
A bark of laughter escaped me. “I’d be in a much better mood if I got what I wanted.”
Shaking my head, I took my seat. “Let’s get this over with.”
Hours later,I had the beginning of a pounding headache, and we were no closer to agreeing on anything.
Border incursions continued despite the best efforts of all the Lords. Pockets of rogue magic continued to appear in random spots. Divine magic grew in wild areas.
Even with everything going on, all the Lords were more curious about Evie than anything else.
“You haven’t landed her yet?” Soren asked, amusement making his lips twitch.
