“I scored a hot, powerful wife and a mate all in one.”
“And the fae crown,” Caelan mused. “And more territory than any other Lord has managed to attain during their reign.”
“I'd walk away from everything this second if Evie demanded it.”
Caelan scoffed. “You always were such a goodie two shoes.”
The other Lord was spoiling for a fight. He wouldn't get it from me. “Power doesn't do anything for me except complicate my life. And now that I have Evie, she is far more important to me than anything I can acquire.”
Caelan watched me for a long moment. “You truly love her.”
“She's my mate.”
His nostrils flared. “That doesn't always mean love.”
Empathy burned inside me, even as I wanted to squash it down. Caelan had a lot to learn about love, about sacrifice and selflessness. “When you are blessed with a mate, you will feel something unlike anything you've ever known. If what I have with Evie isn't love, then love doesn't exist. What I feel for her is worth all the pain and all the heartache. All I can hope is you experience this feeling one day.”
Caelan's eyes dragged back to Evie. “I did.”
I shook my head. “No, Caelan. You loved her. In your own way. But a mate…”
There was no way to explain this to him. How could I tell him I'd tear out my own heart and hand it to her if she asked? “One day,” I said again. “My only advice to you?” I smiled and let a little of my wife's shared magic out in my eyes. “Don't fuck it up this time.”
Chapter
Fifteen
We left Seymour with Caelan. I had him in my arms ready to transport home, but his traps started to droop, and he kept looking Caelan's way. I finally gave up and walked him back, depositing him into Caelan's outstretched arms.
“I don't know how long he'll live or how much more he will evolve.” The flytrap happily waved his traps at me, as if saying he didn't care even a little.
Caelan nestled Seymour in his arms. “Can I—” His gaze flicked to Rowan.
My mate nodded.
Caelan's jaw tightened. “Can I call if something goes wrong? Or if I have questions?”
This was so weird. A few months ago, Caelan wouldn't have hesitated. Had something happened when I stepped away from them? Had Rowan said something to him?
I cleared my throat. “Yes. Of course. You already know his diet and his preferred snacks. Seymour will let you know when he needs his pot changed.”
“He's still venomous?”
Rowan winced. “Definitely. I think his venom is more potent than before, so make sure to properly introduce him to new people. He's still reactive.”
Caelan nodded. “You ready to go, Seymour?”
The flytrap waved his traps in the air and trilled. “Alright. I still have some of those good snacks.”
Without a goodbye or a thank you, Caelan turned to go.
“I'll call you tomorrow,” the Lord said as he walked away.
“Thank you!” Rowan called.
Caelan held up his middle finger and kept walking.
I sank against Rowan's side.
