To his credit, the first signs of nervousness showed in Ethan’s frame. His fingers tapped against his thigh. “Err. We believe Evie would be more suited to Rowan. Perhaps even Ben.”
One of Cernunnos’ eyebrows flicked up. “Interesting. Why Rowan?”
“Their powers are similar, and they seem to like each other.”
Amusement flashed over my father’s face, there and gone in a heartbeat. “And Ben?”
“He obviously wants her, and he owes her a boon.”
My father focused on me. “A boon from a Lord is no small thing. What great achievement or feat did you perform to win his approval?”
The way he said it made it sound like I was a Victorian lady who’d shown her ankle in a bar. “It wasn’t much, and I don’t need a boon. I just want to go home.”
“She saved my life,” Ben said.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment.
“And what was so wrong you couldn’t save yourself?”
The edges of Ben’s eyes tightened. “I was overwhelmed and taken hostage. After a serious injury that almost resulted in my death, Caelan and two of my wolves came for me. Evie managed to heal me before I succumbed to my injuries.”
“Evie. Is this true?”
I nodded. “The Lord had lost an arm. Blood loss from the injury was significant.”
My father looked at Ben. “She regrew your missing limb. Impressive.”
The other Lords weren’t aware of the circumstances in which we’d found him. Everyone trained their eyes on me, and a couple of their gazes flickered with interest.
Again, being a thing of interest for a Shifter Lord was never a good thing.
“Would he have regrown the limb on his own?” Cernunnos asked.
More than likely he already knew the answer, but he waited for one of the Lords to answer. To my surprise, Thorvin stepped up.
“Maybe,” the reticent Lord spoke. “It depends on the injury, the weapon used to cause it, and how long ago the injury took place. Even a fresh injury is no guarantee. Others who have more minor injuries might not always grow a limb back. We don’t know the parameters of why or why not, but we throw everything we have at an amputation and hope for the best.”
“It sounds like you owe Evie more than a small boon,” the pot stirrer said.
That was Cernunnos. Him and his big ol’ giant stirring spoon.
“I’ve already offered my Keep to her,” Ben said.
“Did you now?” Cernunnos’ voice was flat. “You wish for her to be your mate?”
“I do.”
“And what do you think, Evie?” My father was having a blast.
“A few months ago, we couldn’t stand each other. Today, he almost died. I think it’s…pheromones or something. He had a near death experience and he’s imprinting on me like a…duckling.”
Caelan snorted. Rowan choked and coughed lightly into his hand.
“A duck,” Ben said flatly. “You’re comparing an offer of marriage from a Lord to an imprinting duck?”
I shrugged. “You didn’t even like me a few months ago. I can’t help but think this was caused by something, other than just my presence. We’ve been around each other many times and never have you acted like this.” I rolled my eyes. “Swear to the gods, there must be something in the air.”
Ben opened his mouth, then shut it. “Can’t a man just want to marry you, Evie? Does there have to be some big reason behind it?”
