Page 15 of Claim Me

“See that you do,” he tells her as the camera pans back to show his softening features. That tender look only lasts for a moment before his serious face returns, his gaze once again taking on that regal flair.

The camera pans out to show the room of sovereigns, all of them seated at a round table with Kaspian, demonstrating how he shares power with each of his territory leaders. He doesn’t do thrones; neither did Vesperus. They both believe in collaborating rather than dictating.

“I also want to thank the other sovereigns for your continued assistance in offering new homes to our families who are relocating, and for welcoming them into your lands in true Gold and Garnet fashion. Your assistance and cooperation have been noted and are much appreciated.”

Several nods ripple around the table as each of the various territory leaders under the Gold and Garnet umbrella accepts Kaspian’s words.

“Now, on to more unpleasant matters—we need to discuss the fate of Mercenary Klas. He’s been charged by the council with high treason against the House of Gold and Garnet, our former king, and the residents of Reykjavik. Many members lost their homes in his initial attack, and several nearly lost their lives thanks to his deadly sleeping spell.”

A soft sound comes from the woman beside me, causing me to glance down at a very awake Fallon. Her intense green eyes are on the screen. I don’t ask if she’s okay, mostly because I’ve learned she doesn’t like that question.

Instead, I murmur, “Good morning, firefly.” It’s a nickname I gave her a few months ago—a play on her fiery energy.

She swallows. “Yes. Morning. Good. Just in time to hear what’s to become of my future.”

CHAPTERTHREE

FALLON

This isthe eleventh time I’ve woken up with Nox in my room.

When it first happened, I screamed and tried to hit him with a bespelled fireball. He ducked, causing the flame to hit the curtains framing the balcony behind him, and that… didn’t end well.

Fortunately, I also knew a spell that could reduce the damage, but the curtains were unsalvageable.

Nox helped me replace them without much comment, apologizing instead for scaring me after myepisode—that’s what he and Bane call my nightmares.

I suppose they’re not wrong.

Sometimes theepisodeshappen when I’m awake, too. I see something that triggers a memory, and suddenly I lose time. Then I usually wake up in a precarious position with one of them nearby in the room.

A consequence of having an abusivefated matefor the last four years, I guess.

Bane has asked me more than once if I want to talk to someone. The answer is always “No.” But Nox never pries, choosing instead to offer me comfort where he can without suffocating me with questions or concerns.

Such as now.

I woke up a few minutes ago to find myself snuggled in bed beside him, his focus on his screen and not on me. Rather than react, I studied him for a beat, admiring his square jaw and the dusting of brown hairs there.

He hasn’t shaved today,was my first thought.

Followed by,How did I end up in bed?

Which led to,And why am I naked?

Then the memories of Issy’s words and her agony speared through me, nearly rendering me unconscious again.

Until I heard Kaspian’s voice.

“Members and families of Gold and Garnet, welcome, and thank you for lending me your ears this morning.”

Coldness seeped through my veins, making me mute while I listened to him speak, his English accent familiar after months of enduring his interrogations.

It wasn’t until he mentionedMercenary Klasand hisdeadly sleeping spellthat I reacted outwardly, my frustration escaping my mouth in a soft snort.

“Do you mean your fated mate?” Nox asks, replying to my comment about it being a not-so-good morning since I’m going to hear about my fate.

“Yes,” I lie. Then I think better of it and say, “Actually, no. I mean my fate, since it’s directly tied to his.” Or, at least, that’s how I translate my sister’s words.