Rowan opened the door. My father stood on the steps, his eyes swirling with magic. I kissed Dad on the cheek and waited for Rowan.
“I’ll be close by if things go sideways,” Dad said. “Hold on to me and don’t let go until we’ve arrived.”
A moment later, we were traveling through space and time.
Chapter
Thirty-One
ROWAN
Ihated bringing her to this viper den, but it was hard to miss the stunning figure Evie cut as she sailed through the lobby doors wearing my mark. Cernunnos stood beside me as we watched, but as I made to follow, he spoke.
“A moment.”
I waited, annoyed he was keeping me from her. The other Lords offered deference to Cernunnos, and I did as well, but I was decidedly less meek than the others while in his presence. My mother, as the god well knew, could give him a run for his money, and she would be less than pleased if Cernunnos acted against me.
Evie and I hadn’t had much of a chance to talk about what my heritage could mean for the future, but we would. Soon.
“You haven’t finalized the bond.”
“I won’t until she’s ready. If she ever is.” Not that I had much choice the second time when the bond had snapped into place far more firmly than the first time. To think of the possibility of Evie never accepting the bond between us caused unfathomable pain, but I would never force her to do something she wasn’t ready for. I was not Caelan and would never be him. She was stilltoo heartsore to fully understand the ramifications of what such a thing meant to both of us.
“She claimed your land, though.”
“With my blessing.” I stared after Evie, still stalking through the lobby. “Her magic is a wonder.”
“There is far more at play here than a simple spell. I suspect the gods are at their games again. Evie is still coming into her power and will need someone strong by her side.”
“She has someone.” I grew tired of these political machinations long ago. If I could shed the trappings of the Lordship, I would have, but if I wasn’t in power, someone worse would take my place and lead my people into ruin.
“Even if she never gives you what you most desire?”
My fists clenched at my sides. “You know nothing about me. Having Evie in my life has been an honor, and every moment I spend with her is one I will cherish. The man you’re looking for is Caelan. Speak to him if you’re looking for the man who sought to use her for what she could give him.”
Cernunnos chuckled. “Be wary of the other Lord in there. Caelan has been in a rage since Evie left him.”
I stared at him. He was not telling me anything I didn’t already know. So why was he delaying me? What did he really want?
Seeing my suspicion, Cernunnos sighed. “I love my daughter and only wish to see her happy. But there are duties she must fulfill. Ensure you do not get in the way.”
I’d never thought of striking a god until that moment. How dare he assume I would ever stand in Evie’s way? Cernunnos, seeming to realize my current state of mind, disappeared in a gust of wind.
“Asshole,” I muttered. Getting my mental state back to a normal state took a moment, but once I’d collected myself, I smoothed down my sweater and followed Evie inside.
She sat at a table in the hotel lobby, a pink drink sitting before her. “I ordered you an Old Fashioned. Hope that’s okay.”
“A fortifying drink is always in order before facing the firing squad.”
Her laugh warmed my heart. The server dropped off the drink and hurried away without a word. This hotel was well used to odd things occurring when we all convened and had gotten good at ignoring everything, especially when we tipped well.
“This sucks,” Evie said quietly.
I picked up my drink and took a sip. Top-shelf whiskey and a hint of cherry. Evie smiled. “I guessed. Hope I got it right.”
“It’s perfect.” And it was. Even if she’d gotten it wrong, she’d thought of me and that would always be enough.
“Have you ever thought of disbanding the Lords?” She’d dropped her voice almost to a whisper.
