Caelan tucked his hands into his pockets and nodded. We walked in silence for a while.
“I'm sorry things turned out the way they did.”
I glanced at him. Sorry wasn't the right word for me. “Was it worth it?” I asked quietly.
Caelan's soft snort made me smile. “I burned my life down, lost most of my people, and alienated the only woman I've ever loved.” His eyes crinkled at the edges, and I saw a flash of the old Caelan.
He looked away, his expression sobering. “No. If I could go back and do everything different—if I could be better, say the right things, I would.”
He smiled. “But if I went back and did everything right, I would punish you, wouldn't I? I'd keep you from Rowan.”
Back then, I had no idea Rowan was my mate or that he'd be so important to me in such a short amount of time. He was my friend, and that was all. Knowing what I knew now, the thought of being without him made my chest hurt. Caelan was right, but wrong at the same time. If he'd done everything different, we would still be together.
“None of it matters. We're here now, and all we can do is live in the now.”
Any answer I gave him would hurt him. And we weren't here for answers.
“It's hard to live in the now when I'm trapped in stasis.”
“For now. In a minute, I think your life will get very interesting soon.”
Caelan chuckled. “And yet, you won't be here to participate in any shenanigans.”
“I'm sure Moira will take up the slack.”
We shared a grin, and something eased in my chest. The still empty space where the tree once stood came into view. But this time instead of grief, I felt a new beginning opening up inside me.
Caelan and I might never be friends, but our shared history ensured we understood each other. And even though he hadsome reasons to hate me, I felt confident Caelan and I would be okay eventually. At least enough for him to successfully work with Rowan again.
“I'll need you to sit beside me,” I said as I settled myself into the bare spot where the trunk once stood. Caelan nodded and settled beside me, the deep wildness of his scent teasing my nose.
“I hate to ask this, but I'm going to need you to bare your chest.”
Caelan blinked. “Excuse me?”
I snorted. “I need to remove the poison from the spear, and I need to do that at the same time I free your land.”
“So you need bare skin.”
I rolled my eyes at his suggestive tone. “I need bare skin.”
His face creased in a wide grin. “Oh how I wish Rowan were close enough to witness this.”
“Don't be an ass,” I huffed. “Take off your shirt.”
Caelan's eyes twinkled. “Oh the things you say to me, flower girl.”
I wiggled my fingers in a come-on motion. “Don't make it weird.”
“But you make it so easy.” He wore a t-shirt today and slipped it over his head, tossing it to the ground beside him.
I averted my gaze. Caelan, like all the Lords, was a beautiful man, but it didn't feel right to ogle him anymore. I was a red-blooded woman, sort of, and I'd be blind not to appreciate his gods given assets, but the desire I once had for him was gone.
He still cut a stunning figure, though.
“Closer.” I reached my hand out.
Caelan obliged, scooting closer until my palm rested against the place where I speared him.
