I crossed my arms over my chest. “Spill it,” I growled.
His innocent look did not fool me for one second. As much as I liked Cernunnos, I was not the kind of woman who had the wool pulled over her eyes.
The god sighed. “Fine. I suspect there’s something in his blood that’s not full shifter.”
“And you want me to be the guinea pig?” I couldn’t help the stab of hurt I felt.
“No.” He shook his head. “I really do think we should find another source. My curiosity comes second.”
I turned off the stove and pushed the pan of cooked beef to the back. “I’ll find another source on my own,” I said quietly. “Until then, this conversation is over.”
Cernunnos stepped forward, but I took a step back. “No. It’s fine,” I said, pasting a smile on my face when we both knew I didn’t feel like smiling. “Everything is done, so let’s get you some food packed, and you can be on your way.”
Cernunnos’s face fell. “I know you don’t like eating alone.”
“Sometimes I can be alone even when I’m in the room with someone.”
There was nothing to say after that. I packed him a dozen tacos in a container I wouldn’t mind losing and sent him on his way.
After that, I sat on the couch for a long time and stared out the window, my mind blank and my body numb.
Chapter
Three
Iventured outside an hour or so later, tugging my cardigan closer as I walked the outskirts of Rowan’s main Keep area. The voices of other shifters deep in conversation filtered in and out of my conscience. Evie’s laughter made me smile, especially when I knew Rowan was the one to cause it.
I would have been welcomed if I’d gone over there and socialized, but Evie would know something was wrong, and I didn’t feel like talking about this.
Cernunnos wasn’t just a boyfriend. He was Evie’s father, and it was already weird enough. I wouldn’t burden her with my relationship issues. So I stayed in the shadows of the trees for a while before stepping inside the forest edging his property.
The smell of pine and flowers and green things was all around me, the land boosted by Evie’s power. Things that should never have grown here did just fine. Anywhere a Floromancer went, life followed.
Thanks to all the wolves and animals on the land, paths had already been carved through the woods. I wasn’t afraid of exploring Rowan’s land. Natural predators abounded, but I was just as much of a predator as anything that might find me. I could take care of myself.
Had I done myself a disservice by not moving from Rowan’s land earlier? Evie and I didn’t want to be apart, but was I too close to everything? Would things be different if I’d struck out on my own? I could still live inside Emberwood, but not be so entwined with Rowan’s shifters, the Lords, and even Cernunnos.
Hot tears pricked the backs of my eyes. I felt used tonight, something I prided myself on avoiding. While Cernunnos hadn’t directly manipulated me into action, he tried, and that made me feel like shit.
He was good for me, but I’d forgotten who he was. The gods were manipulative, and he might be the worst of all. He’d done us great favors, and he loved Evie, but gods played the long game, taking the tiniest of actions in the present to affect the future, sometimes thousands of years later.
What had he seen or what did he know to do this to me?
I should have known better. Once again, when people showed you who they were, you had to believe them.
Otherwise, you could be me, wandering in the woods late at night, trying not to cry over what a fool you’d been.
I stopped at a massive tree wrapped with glowing pink flowers. The scent was similar to jasmine but mixed with a deep, intoxicating fragrance. I bent close and inhaled, making a mental note to ask Evie what these were.
After snapping a quick pic with my phone, I brushed my fingers over the glowing petals and moved on.
The moon lit up the ground, but it wasn’t full yet. I rarely went out on the full moon.
Rowan’s shifters, as great and friendly as they all were, got rowdy during the full moon, and you never knew when you’d stumble on a couple getting handsy or worse. I’d seen far more of Rowan’s people than I ever wanted to on full moon nights and now tracked the moon phases on my calendar so I wouldn’t venture out and need an eyeball cleanse afterward.
Silvery light sent spidery fingers of shadow stretching over the trees and flora. Living things slithered on the ground, larger things crept quietly, the occasional crack of a branch letting me know curious creatures were following me.
I tucked my frigid fingers into my pockets, wishing I’d brought some gloves. I’d spent so long having no issue with fluctuating temperatures no matter how hot or cold, I kept forgetting my body couldn’t handle them now.
