But they kept on, refusing to heed my warnings, and finally I had enough. I rose and slammed my hands on the dining table. Silverware jerked into the air and rattled, and a glass carafe of salad dressing tipped onto its side, spilling creamy Caesar from the spout.
“Shut up!” I screamed.
All the Lords blinked owlishly at me, but they stopped talking.
“I’ve told you multiple times that I am not a pawn in whatever shitty game you keep trying to play with me. I’m not achess piece to be moved to an advantageous spot at your whims. I’m not in love with Ben or Rowan?—”
“Time will tell,” Rowan sang.
I almost laughed. Instead, I shot him a withering glare. “My home is in Joy Springs. My life is there. And the man I’ve chosen is there, too. I don’t give a shit if you like it. I don’t care if you think Caelan is gaining too much power. I don’t even care if we have a mating bond. That’s something Caelan and I will discuss later. Away from you ignorant fuckers. All I wanted was some food and some coffee?—”
I turned my withering glare to Ben. “Which I have not had yet. What does a girl gotta do to get a good cup of coffee, especially after she saved your ass from almost certain death?”
A few sucked in gasps.
“Yes, you assholes, I healed your precious Lord, who has promptly thanked me by turning into a pompous pig and still hasn’t given me any coffee.” I slashed a hand through the air.
“But beside that point is my autonomy. If I wanted to, I could take all of you out and not bat an eye.”
Ethan scoffed. “I hardly think?—”
“She had you strung up by your feet screaming like a little bitch,” Rowan drawled. “The woman has a point.”
Thorvin ducked his head to hide a smile.
Ben’s brow furrowed. “Evie, there’s no need for you to decide now?—”
“There’s nothing to decide!” I screeched, and I hated it because it made me sound hysterical. “I will not marry any of you unless I want to! And If there’s ever a day that Caelan and I sunder, I can assure you, I’d rather give myself a lobotomy than ever get involved with another Lord.”
Rowan grinned.
A crack of thunder sounded in the room. Every Lord snapped to his feet, eyes and head on a swivel, searching for the unseenthreat. I closed my eyes and stifled a groan. Of all the times to make an appearance…
The Fae King appeared in a flash of emerald light, in complete regalia. My father, Cernunnos, stood seven feet tall, eyes burning with magic, wearing a crown of antlers so high they came close to scraping the ceiling. Bioluminescent moss hung from the tines, and mushrooms clung to his body. He wore the face I didn’t often see, one of ancient cruelty and malice. Fae power soaked the room as Cernunnos’ glowing eyes took the measure of each one of the Lords.
If they were not very careful, someone might die tonight.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Caelan was the first to overcome his surprise. He dipped his head in a greeting.
“Welcome, Cernunnos, King of the Fae.”
“Well met, Caelan.”
Ethan’s eyebrows inched up on his forehead like bushy caterpillars.
Rowan was slack-jawed as he stared at my father, his eyes scanning Cernunnos, taking in everything that he was. He was the second to acknowledge him.
“Cernunnos.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Welcome.”
“Lord of the Land,” Cernunnos said. “Well met.”
Thorvin’s mouth gaped like a fish. “Cernunnos,” he breathed. “There are so many questions I want to ask you.”
Soren shot him a sharp look, but my father smiled. He had a soft spot for scholars. “Perhaps another time,” he said to Thorvin. “I will offer some of my time for something in exchange. We will barter later.”
