“I do not deserve to look at you, fledgling. I lost complete control of my temper, and I hurt you with my heat.”
“I’m fine. Sure, the burns did hurt,” I admitted, and he stilled. “You’re right about needing to control your temper, and wewillwork on that together. But Rowan, don’t go offering your life to anybody. Your life is yours and yours alone.”
“There is no honor in what I did to you.”
I let out a frustrated cry and grabbed two handfuls of snow before shoving it into his face, forcing him back, but he closed his eyes. Damien’s deep chuckle hit my ears as I watched as the snow evaporated from Rowan’s face. “Look at me.”
“No.”
“Look at me,” I repeated.
“I can’t.”
“What honor is there in hiding from me?” I bent forward and brushed my nose against his, but he still wouldn’t open his eyes.
“You don’t understand.”
Thorn crouched down next to us. “I will not take your life because while what you did was stupid, it was uncontrollable. You don’t think we weren’t angry at the information that was presented to us? We were. Damien’s shadows went rampant in his demon form. Same with Rhett. His pheromones were pouring out, but nobody noticed. Alister’s fangs dropped. My entire arm got coated in thick ice. Lachlan let out a growl I’d never heard him make before. Even Kian had purple lightning sparking at his fingertips. So, do not tell me that we do not understand. You just have a more powerful gift than us. One that causes serious damage.”
Rowan’s eyes popped open as he stared over at Thorn. Understanding flashed through his gaze. “I didn’t realize.”
“No, you didn’t. Because you were too focused on you.” Thorn stood back up, offering me his hand.
I took it and got to my feet before offering my hand to Rowan. “We understand why it happened. And while you did make a mistake, itwasa mistake. Please get up.”
He reached out and his hand engulfed mine as he got up. “I caused so much trouble.”
“You did.” I nodded and stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He hesitated before wrapping his arms back around my waist and breathed me in deeply. “Fledgling, my greatest fear has come to light.”
“I know, Rowan, I know.” A sob wretched from his throat.
We held each other like that for a long while, and I could feel the stray hairs on the back of my neck stand as though we were being watched. But at that point, I didn’t care. Damien and Thorn were with us, and Rowan and I needed that moment to let our guards down.
FORTY-ONE
Wren
“I’mreallygladwedecided to hang out today. Just us,” I murmured, scooting to the edge of the salon chair in the waiting area.
Trixie booked us all a session with the beauty salon in the marketplace, insisting we needed to have ‘girl time’. I loved the chimes that hung around the room with a constant flow of wind magic blowing through, making a beautiful melody.
“Well, it’s not really just us when your shadow demon mate is stalking us from the shadows.” Callie forced a nervous giggle, but her shoulders shook. “How are you not creeped out at that?”
Damien’s lips hit just beneath my ear, and I shivered. “Ah, I’m never freaked out by Damien. It’s comforting knowing that he’s watching me.”
Trixie snorted. “With how innocent and naïve you were at the beginning of our time at Fate Hollow, I’m not all that surprised.”
“You think so?”
“I remember your first reaction to that man.” She flashed me a knowing look.
I covered my face with my hands. “With everything going on, all of my mates wanted to accompany me, but I managed to talk them down to one. Since Damien could let us have our girl time without interrupting, we decided for him to tag along.”
“Of course it would be the psychotic one.” Trixie laughed, and a shadow tendril slipped out and messed up her hair. She glared into the shadows. “Damien, stop it.”
I laughed. Trixie and Damien had a mutual understanding, but I didn’t think they’d ever actually be friends if it wasn’t for me.
