Page 13 of Shifting Winds
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. “And Donovan?”
I wasn’t sure what Caelan had told Rowan, so I stayed mum.
“Evie,” Rowan growled. “If the Council grills you, silence will sign your death warrant.”
I snorted. “They can try.”
The Lord sighed and dropped his head in his hands. “Why do I even try to reason with you?”
“I appreciate you trying,” I said sweetly.
“Look. Caelan already accepted responsibility. He said you had nothing to do with it.”
“Donovan was trespassing on his territory and betrayed his office by consorting with divinity in an effort to destabilize his rule.”
Rowan’s lips twitched. “How quickly you’ve caught onto politics.”
I sipped my coffee. “It’s because you lot won’t leave me alone.”
“That, my dear, is because Caelan won’t leave you alone. His fascination with you tipped his hand.”
I didn’t agree with his assessment completely. “And yet, you Lords couldn’t stay out of his business.”
Rowan’s grin was not wolfish. It was… My eyes narrowed. “You aren’t a wolf, are you?”
“A man never tells his secrets,” he said primly, eyes twinkling.
“Are any of you wolves?” I’d been around Soren, Rowan, and Caelan the most, but Caelan had never kept his animal a secret.
“I won’t spill the other Lords’ secrets, either.”
“Dammit, Rowan. What good is a Lord friend if you won’t gossip with me?”
He laughed and stood. “If it helps, Caelan has instituted strict rules about visitors, especially other Lords, coming into his territory.”
“Does that mean you can’t come see me at will anymore?” The thought of it made me sadder than I expected. I liked Rowan. A lot. While I wasn’t as close to him as Moira and the others, I felt like we would be if we kept spending time together.
He reached over and cupped my chin. “Aw, Evie. You break my heart.” Rowan shook his head. “You can come see me whenever you want. Caelan locked his territory down. Any time I want to visit, I have to jump through hoops.” He grinned.“Though I will say he’s made those hoops infinitely worse for the others.”
“Maybe I will come see you.”
“Good.” Rowan went over and unloaded the rest of the box, tucking it under his arm. “Don’t be surprised if the Council calls you as a witness after what happened with Donovan. Is there a way to undo what you did to his territory?”
I cringed. “If I knew how, I would.” As it were, his territory was calling me, its tug something I found difficult to resist. Soon, I’d have to drive up there and walk Donovan’s land, or mine, I should say, no doubt complicating Caelan’s relationship with the other Lords.
His eyes widened. “Shit. You claimed it, didn’t you?”
A pained expression crossed his face before he let out a bark of laughter. “No.” He held up a hand. “Don’t answer that.”
I pressed my lips together.
“Does Caelan know?”
All I could offer was an awkward smile.
Rowan shook his head. “I’ll say this about you. Caelan has never been on his toes this much since he stepped into this shop.”
“I was happy living in floral obscurity,” I said primly.
