“Get out.”
Declan took a step forward. “Rowan, I?—”
“GET. OUT.” The full force of Lord power boomed through the kitchen.
Declan winced and turned on his heel, unable to resist the command. The door slammed shut leaving me in bereft silence.
“GODSDAMMIT,” I roared, swiping my hand across the table. Ceramic shattered, the metal candle holders slamming into the opposite wall, damaging the sheetrock. The tablecloth lay half on, half off the table, dripping with spilled maple syrup and half melted chocolate.
I needed to go to her. The mating bond tugged at me, Evie’s grief roaring through our link.
She’d heard everything.
I started toward the door, only for it to open.
Garrett stepped inside, a telltale hint of gold ringing his irises.
“Don’t,” he said, holding a hand up.
I stopped in my tracks. “What did you say to me?” My words were low and deadly, and completely out of character for me, but Evie’s grief compelled me to go to her, to comfort her.
How much more would she have to give before the world finally gave back to her?
I’d known Garrett for years in his capacity as Caelan’s Second. He was a good man, quietly violent when necessary, but loyal and intelligent.
“You are in no shape to see her right now.”
“You are standing in the way of a Lord!”
Garrett’s eyes were calm and steady. “Not my Lord.”
Thick claws slid from my fingertips. “Get out of my way.” My voice was an almost indecipherable snarl.
Garrett didn’t move an inch. The bastard crossed his arms over his chest and stared, still not angry. “My loyalty is to your mate, Rowan. Not you. Not right now. I am oathsworn to her and feel her grief. She is not angry at you, only the situation. Give her some time. She will seek you out.”
My anger drained. I sank into an unbroken chair and let out a heavy sigh. “Fuck,” I muttered. “Apologies, Garrett.”
He leaned against the wall, arms still crossed. “No worries. I can’t say I know what a mating bond feels like, but I imagine the urge to comfort one when they’re hurt is close to overwhelming.”
I closed my eyes for a moment. “Understatement.”
When I opened them, I took in the surrounding carnage and shook my head. “You said your loyalty wasn’t to me. Not right now.”
Garrett nodded.
“What do you mean by that?”
Garrett poured himself a cup of coffee and rummaged through the cabinets for a second mug. Mine lay broken in several pieces on the ground.
He set a cup in front of me and pulled a chair over to sit. “Simone and I felt the new bond, but it does not compel us.” A rueful smile. “Her oath is open-ended. Evie is not one who wishes to control anyone. I’ve cautioned her against giving us so much leeway, but she refuses to adjust her wording.”
I hadn’t heard this story. “Mind sharing the oath?”
Garrett rolled his eyes. “Protect the people I love, or some such romantic nonsense.”
I winced. “Far too lenient and open to interpretation.”
Garrett’s eyes lit. “Yes! Simone wanted to strangle her.”
