Page 106 of Claim Me

Forever and always.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

KASPIAN

My eyesnarrow at the meek blonde on the bed.

This has to be an act. Some sort of ploy to avoid judgment.

Because this isn’t the Fallon I’ve come to know. This is some submissive form of her that I’ve never seen before. And I am not pleased with the development at all. Primarily because it makes me feel uneasy, and I don’t appreciate that sensation at all.

Not when I know I’m in the right here.

She lied and withheld important information. Information that fucks with not just my life but also the lives of those around me.

A forced mating spell.

One that clearly has my phantoms enthralled because they’re staring atmewith accusations in their eyes. Like I’ve done something wrong here, not Fallon. All because she’s cowering on the bed, waiting for my instructions.

“Just tell me how to break it, Your Majesty.”

Her words play through my head. Primarily the last two. It’s the first time she’s ever addressed me in a formal way without a hint of sarcasm.

And now she won’t even look at me.

Her head is bowed toward her knees, her entire demeanor closed off and frightened, like she’s anticipating the worst from me.

She’s been abused by authority all her life,I think, recalling everything Ayla and Nolan said.Is she expecting that same abuse now?From me?

My heart pangs uncomfortably in my chest, that thought stabbing through me with the sharpness of a well-aimed dagger.

Her comments about Klas come filtering back through my head. She called itforced, a word Bane used purposely as well, but mainly to say he doesn’t feelforcedto be with her at all. Even Nox said it feels natural to him.

I study her for a long moment, trying to decipher how this bond actually makes me feel.Beyondmy anger—which isn’t bond related so much as betrayal related. I don’t appreciate lies, especially when they directly impact me.

And in this case, her lies very much apply to me.

Especially where the mating bond is concerned.

Yet the notion of rejecting her bothers me. Which doesn’t make sense. Ayla said rejection wouldn’t work to counter the spell. She also said sex wouldn’t solidify it, either.

So Bane and Nox having fucked Fallon shouldn’t matter. Yet they both clearly feel fate-bonded to her.Because of the spell, or something else?I wonder, my gaze narrowing even more.What if…?

I frown, not wanting to finish that thought.

However, it whispers through my mind unbidden.What if this is the real thing?

The very idea of hurting Fallon in any way bothers me. Observing her now, I have this intrinsic need to fix this and find the fiery female hidden beneath her broken stature.

This isn’t my Fallon. She’s stronger than this. And yet, I’ve severely upset her.

I can see it in the way she won’t meet my eyes.

It could be guilt. But somehow, I know it’s more.

Is that the spell? Or is it something else entirely?

From what Ayla said, the dark magic creates a link that allows the males of the Outcast Coven to access power through their arranged mates. An obedience spell is often cast on top of it to ensure the female can’t fight the connection.