Dad’s eyebrows lifted. “Could have fooled me. You and Rowan have unfinished business.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Go away. Bring her home by tomorrow.”
“I’ll bring her home when she’s better and not a minute beforehand.”
“Don’t make me come get her.” A thought occurred to me, but I held my tongue. I’d only prove his point if I asked him the question. Mom would be here for lunch. I’d ask her instead.
He dropped a kiss on top of my head. “I want you to be successful, Evangeline. But I also want you to experience healthy love. You’re right about me choosing someone to spend my life with, but I do not have the freedom you do.”
“I’m queen now. Aren’t you free as a bird?”
Dad chuckled. “Not quite.” Magic prickled my skin. “I’ll try to do better,” he promised as he and Moira disappeared in a shower of emerald and gold sparkles.
Rowan walked over. “I’m surprised he took her.”
“Me too.” I glanced up at the handsome Lord. My traitorous heart skipped a beat. He smelled wild, the scent of the PNW made flesh. His hair was mussed and a faint five o’clock shadow traced his jaw. His hazel eyes always looked greener when we were outside, and those eyes pinned me where I stood.
“Everything okay?” he asked when I didn’t drop my gaze.
“Just wondering how you don’t have women beating down the Keep doors ’cuz you’re so pretty.”
My words took him by surprise. He blinked, then burst out laughing.
“Dad says every good queen needs a king, but the same goes for him. You’ve never thought about taking someone as your Lady?”
The amusement in his eyes didn’t fade as I expected. “Being Lady is not an easy job. Haven’t you noticed all the other Lords are single?”
I had. “Isn’t that because they’re all assholes and players, though?”
His laugh skims over my skin, bright and wicked. “Partially,” he admits. “Except for your Ben.”
“Ben doesn’t like it when my crazy comes out. We never would have worked. He’ll end up finding a nurturer, someone content to be led. Most people are followers, you know?”
He nodded. “It’s not always easier to be a follower. Being such takes great faith in another person.”
“I’ve never been a great follower,” I admitted. “Not a great leader, either. I do it sometimes because I have to, but I’d rather be left alone.”
“Yes,” Rowan said, pulling me in for a one-armed hug. “Our own female Ron Swanson over here.”
I gasped. “You like Parks and Rec, too?”
He laid a hand over his heart. “Best show ever.”
“It’s my comfort show. There’s not a lot of time to watch television these days, but when I do have time, it’s my favorite to watch. There’s something so comforting about low stakes shenanigans and a close found family like they have.”
Rowan watched me for a moment before tugging me toward the western side of his Keep. “Come. I’d like you to meet some people.”
Chapter
Twenty-Three
ROWAN
Ihad Evie for only forty-eight more hours, sixteen of those soon lost to sleep. We stood inside one of the multiple dormitories hosting the shifters who didn’t want to live outside the Keep.
Hope, my Omega, blinked in surprise when she spotted me standing inside the Great Room with Evie. At my request, she’d kept her distance, but since Evie had questioned why she hadn’t yet met my people, I thought it might be time to introduce her to a few of my closest friends.
“Evie, this is my Omega, Hope.”
