Chapter
One
Isat at the top of the jacaranda tree watching Caelan’s Keep. Two weeks had passed in total silence, neither of us reaching out to the other. Him because I’d accused him of terrible things. Me because I’m a coward.
I’d seen Garrett a couple of times because of Thalia. She stayed away from the store, rightfully assuming I wasn’t ready to talk to her, but she had a coffee habit she couldn’t break and frequented the Mer coffee shop.
Garrett had popped his head in once a few days ago, speared me with one of his trademark intense looks, barked out, “Stop being an idiot,” then left. His words had pissed me off at first, but I missed Caelan, and, as much as I hated to admit it, he was right.
Thus, me sitting in a tree freezing my wings off in wren form, spying on my fiancé. If I could even call him that anymore.
I’d been in this tree for at least an hour trying to talk myself into flying down and knocking on the door. But what would I say? Sorry for being an asshole? Sorry I didn’t trust you and totally flew off the handle and then doubled down?
Or, more fitting,Hello, my name is Evie, and getting involved with me is gonna be a train wreck. Still want to ride?
One of the side doors opened. I tucked my wings in and ducked closer to the branch. My wren form was tiny, and there was no wind tonight, but the Keep was full of wolves with keen senses of smell.
As soon as the man stepped outside and took a step forward, I pegged him as Caelan.
My heartbeat picked up, a rapid hum inside my breast.
He stopped on the small stoop for a long moment, shoved his hands in the pockets of his ragged jeans, and headed straight for the tree I was in.
Shit.
He stopped a few feet away from the trunk, craned his neck up, and lifted his hand, palm up.
“Come inside,” he said softly. “It’s freezing out here.”
I hesitated, wondering if I could wait him out and fly away as soon as he turned his back.
“Evie,” Caelan said again. “I know you’re there. Come inside.”
I rose and flitted down, landing in the palm of his warm hand. He tucked me against his chest and jogged back inside the Keep. I shivered against his hand and waited.
He stayed quiet as he moved through the large house, his heartbeat strong and steady. My mind spun with everything I wanted to say, but every thought tangled up inside me.
It took a few minutes before he walked inside his private quarters, the one he used most often when the Keep was empty of guests. Caelan gently set me on the bed and turned away to pull the curtains closed.
“Shift,” he demanded.
I didn’t hesitate this time. Being in my fae form allowed me to keep my clothing, which was a huge relief. The last thing I wanted was to be naked and vulnerable in front of him right now.
He leaned against the door and studied me, those stormy eyes I loved so much ringed with gold. I opened my mouth to speak, and my mind went blank. All I could do was stare at him while tears flooded my eyes.
Caelan huffed and sank beside me, pulling me onto his lap. He tucked my head under his chin and held me tight.
“I know,” he said, his voice a low rumble against my hair.
He smelled of pine and the earth, of all the things I loved. My fingers clutched his sweater so tightly my knuckles went white. He sent a rough hand through my hair, cupping the back of my head.
“I’m sorry,” I croaked.
“We can’t do this anymore.”
I went still as death, knowing I’d screwed this up, knowing if I came here, it might mean the end…I’d finally gone and screwed up the best thing I had?—
He let out a breath and pulled me closer, his breath warm against my cheek. “Evie, that’s not what I mean. Letting you go would kill me, but we can’t keep breaking apart and coming back together. It makes us weak. You have to trust in me against the forces trying to tear us apart. If you can’t do that, we won’t make it, and we shouldn’t keep breaking each other’s hearts.”
