Rowan nodded solemnly. “Suggestions?”
“Taking his land, stripping his ability to ever be a caretaker again.”
Rowan saw my face. “Perhaps something a little less severe?”
“Can I kick his ass?” I muttered.
A thoughtful look crept over Rowan’s face. “Lords and shifters respond to physical violence,” he mused. “Can you promise not to kill him?” His eyes glinted.
I thought about it. “I won’t kill him,” I said after a moment.
Rowan’s chest rumbled with amusement. “That was a long pause, my darling.”
“Yes, well, he deserves to feel exactly what he’s done. I want him to feel his land’s agony…” My voice trailed off. The idea had merit. Hmm.
Rowan and I locked gazes. “Is it possible?” he murmured.
“Give me a bit.” I held up a finger. “I’ll get back to you in a minute or two.”
Rowan nodded. “I’ll go on up to the house. He knows we’re here.”
I hurried away to find a clean spot on the ground. My plan wouldn’t work without a little help.
Chapter
Nineteen
ROWAN
“She’s pissed, isn’t she?” Thorvin scrubbed a hand over his face.
I liked the scholarly Lord, though like all of us, I knew not to underestimate him. Evie, after almost getting Garrett killed when she trespassed on his land, had learned the lesson the hard way. Thorvin was a crack shot with a weapon, so good I always wondered if he had a touch of magic. Or, like me, a lot of carefully hidden magic.
Regardless, Thorvin was one of the gentler Lords, only retaliating when someone pushed him. He, like my territory, maintained peace and a good relationship with his people. He wasn’t loved like some of us, but respected. And that seemed fine with him. Thorvin was introspective and introverted, and difficult to get to know. I’d known him for years and still couldn’t figure out what made him tick.
Learning was his passion, but I always worried the Lord was letting his books get in the way of his social life, if the poor bastard even had one. We respected each other and had a good relationship, but today, based on the fury and heartbreak in my mate’s eyes, would determine whether it stayed that way.
The shifter looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. Dark bags had moved in under his eyes and made themselves at home. His hair and skin were dull, and his clothes looked like they’d been slept in multiple times over. Empathy filled me, but Evie wasn’t wrong. He’d been insanely neglectful of his territory.
“If you could feel what Evie could, you’d understand,” I said quietly.
Thorvin sighed. “Shit, Rowan, I couldn’t control this. This magic…it’s completely unfamiliar to me. I feel like I’m an intruder on my own property. This shit seems sentient, like it’s watching me and waiting.” He shook his head. “This power wants something and I don’t have a clue what that might be.”
Thorvin leaned against the side of his vehicle and studied me, sharp intellect and realization in his light brown eyes. “You mated.” A quick flash of smile. “It looks good on you.” Thorvin chuckled under his breath. “You were always good at fucking up a plan, weren’t you?”
I couldn’t help my wince.
“I assume Caelan isn’t taking things well?”
“Understatement,” I agreed. “Though he spearheaded how this came to be and is too shortsighted to see it. One day he will understand why Evie left him, and when he does, I hope he has a friend to go to.”
Thorvin eyed me. “That friend won’t be you?”
My magic spiraled. Thorvin gasped and took a step back. “Rowan. Your eyes.”
“He abused Evie until she broke.” My voice sounded not of this world, a side effect of joining with Evie and one I’d have to learn to manage. “Caelan no longer has a friend in me.”
Thorvin’s slow, thoughtful nod calmed me.
