Page 42 of Shift of Heart (Shifter Lords #1)

Chapter

Thirty-Six

W e made it through dinner with no drama, though I felt Halvar’s icy pale gaze on my skin the entire evening.

Once the last dish was over, several lower-level shifters came in to move the structure and flowers, and everyone was instructed to attend Caelan and the other Lords in his garden.

The moon hung full and heavy in the sky, casting precious silver light across the blooming flowers.

A night garden. I breathed in the heady scent of tobacco flowers and moonflowers, also catching the surprising scent of Mirabilis.

Most people didn’t plant those because they were invasive, so I was curious if Caelan’s were cultivated or growing wild.

Once this was over, I planned to go find them to check.

I’d primed every seed and cutting in the dress, spelling them to act in a certain way when I commanded them. Destroying the dress would be regrettable, but if it saved my life, it was worth it.

A massive bonfire crackled cheerfully outside the garden gates, surrounded by stone seats. Caelan’s Pack gathered behind those seats and stood there, an anticipatory gleam in their eyes. Ben was nowhere to be found.

This was the first time I’d been around shifters during the full moon. The threat of violence laced the air, and the shifters’ magic gleamed in their eyes and over their skin. They obviously couldn’t wait to shed their human forms and run, and now that we were outside, it was much more obvious.

Caelan stood before the fire as the rest of the guests assembled. When the noise died down, he began to speak.

“Thank you for attending tonight’s festivities. As a gesture of peace and cooperation, each Lord is delighted to present a monetary donation to our town’s fund to be split equally between each downtown business.”

Cue polite applause.

“Tonight, we have a special guest, one of the newer members in town, though she’s been here for a while.

I’ve been remiss in welcoming her and wanted to take a moment to introduce her to everyone because I know she hasn’t met all of you yet.

” He turned to me. “Please welcome Evie Quinn, owner of Little Shop of Florals, and a talented Floromancer.”

More polite applause. I wished I was in my pajamas.

Moira and Ash gently nudged me. I waved politely and stepped up beside Caelan. His heat and tightly leashed magic pulsed against me. My nerves were shot. I didn’t want to perform like a circus elephant, and if I could punch Caelan in the kidney and get away with it, I would.

“Evie will offer a brief demonstration of her unique magic this evening as she sets up our centerpiece for tonight’s full moon run.” He gestured, and I stepped up to the wooden structure.

“Do you have two shifters who might assist me?”

Caelan nodded and gestured for two of his shifters. “Do what she asks,” he commanded. Both shifters nodded.

“Please step up on either side of the structure.” I gave them a tight smile. “All I need you to do is anchor the container so it doesn’t tip.”

“Easy enough,” one of the shifters murmured. They crouched and gripped the sides.

Caelan stepped up beside me, dipped his head, and whispered in my ear. “Be on guard.”

I didn’t respond. Caelan stepped away and walked over to stand by the other Lords.

Anticipation hummed in the air. Hundreds of pairs of eyes rested on my back. My skin itched, and a single trickle of sweat rolled down my back. The bonfire crackled, heat searing my front.

I closed my eyes and called my magic.

The first flower rose from the basket as delighted gasps sounded from the audience.

I picked up four more flowers and a garland of thorned greens, wrapping the vine around the bottom of the structure, weaving it up the wood.

Flowers danced in the air, an easy command keeping them moving while I focused on the first layer.

When the initial layer was finished, I wove the white roses through, then picked up pink peonies, baby’s breath, purple clematis, moonflowers, and red roses.

I wove morning glory vines through, coaxing their sleepy blooms to open for me for just a little while, then honeysuckle and jasmine, sending each flower dancing through the air before I wove it into the display.

Someone struck up music, and gentle classic tunes melded with the crackling fire. To amuse myself, I changed the cadence of the dancing flowers, now keeping them in time to the music’s beat, much to the delight of the audience.

While I loved my magic and I loved communing with the natural world, I didn’t like this.

Performing wasn’t me. Nature answered to no one.

I kept a faint amused smile on my lips, but inside I was steaming, pissed off at what the Lords were making me do.

This proved nothing. I was giving them what they wanted, not what I was.

Until everything changed.

Sweat poured down my face, dripping down my back in a steady trickle. It felt too hot. I was close, but not close enough to feel like I was standing in the inferno.

A quick glance revealed the fire was burning too hot, the bottom of it glowing a faint blue.

Since everyone’s eyes were on me, no one noticed.

I glanced back and caught Halvar staring.

Not at the flowers or the display, but directly at me, a faint, cruel smile over his lips.

The crackling fire sent an orange flame glowing in his iris, but then his smile widened, and that same strange crimson sheen rolled over his eyes.

He flicked his fingers toward the fire, a dart of blood red magic shooting from the tips. Fire shot up through the air, far higher than normal. The base rumbled, magical pressure building toward a massive explosion that if allowed to go off would kill us all.

“Caelan,” I croaked.

The Lord stepped up.

“Something’s wrong,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with barely kept in check power.

His eyes narrowed. “What is it? Your magic?”

“The fire,” I breathed. If I told Caelan what I suspected, I would give myself away, and Halvar knew it.

“Should we evacuate?”

My gaze went to the still grinning Halvar. He sent another dart of magic out, but not at the fire.

Right at me.

Terrible memories rose when that familiar magic struck. Pain and claws and terror and grief. I closed my eyes against that pain, Halvar’s terrible laughter echoing in my ears.

“Evie.” Caelan touched my back.

“Get back,” I croaked. “I’m dangerous.”

“What’s wrong?” His voice was low and urgent.

“Get back,” I pleaded.

Caelan stepped away. I looked back at Moira and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Her eyes went wide.

Magic exploded from my body.