Page 21 of Claim Me

Which is why it took me so damn long to sentence the bastard. Killing a fated mate destroys the other half of his soul, which, in this case, will be Fallon’s spirit.

From what I can tell, she doesn’t deserve that. Alas, there isn’t a choice. He has to die. Hence the reason I need to go up and speak with her, to explain the decision, and more or less apologize for what’s about to happen to her.

“Unfortunately, I have other items on my agenda today,” I tell Cara. “But maybe Khaos will stay for a sparring round.” I glance at the hybrid shifter, aware of his unique animalistic heritage. “Don’t let the dainty-little-fae act fool you. She has deadly aim.” Not as good as mine, but that was my claim to fame back in my mercenary days.

Khaos sizes up the tall female fae in front of him, his nose twitching as he scents her aura. “She’s powerful.”

“I am,” she confirms, taking his measure as well. “But your size and speed would make for an interesting challenge. Can your flight home wait a few hours?”

“It can.”

Her expression brightens. “Excellent.” She looks at Larus. “You can be our referee.”

Larus rolls his silver-blue eyes. He’s a few inches taller than Cara, and slightly more muscular, but his powerful aura rivals hers. “If I knew you were craving pain today, I would have given you something else for breakfast this morning, darling.”

Cara starts pulling her blonde hair back into a ponytail, her irises gleaming with excitement. “Don’t worry, love. You can lick my wounds later.” She refocuses on Khaos. “Follow me if you dare,Duke.” She tosses his official title out there like a taunt, which causes the hybrid shifter to grin.

“I think I’m going to enjoy this,fae,” he says, following her out the door.

Larus gives me a look on his way out. “If he kicks her ass, I’m skipping tonight’s meeting.”

“I think it’ll be a fair fight,” I tell him. “Just don’t let them use any weapons.”

“His teethareweapons,” Larus grumbles.

“True. But you’re the referee. Set the rules.” It’s what he’s best at—establishing diplomatic parameters and forming agreements. “Have fun.”

With a subtle glare, he turns to follow his troublesome mate, leaving me alone in the council room. I purposely remained behind, wanting to thank Khaos personally for attending, and also to take his measure. We’ve met a few times in passing, but I’m more familiar with his grandfather, Talino. Not just because of our old friendship, but because of his position.

I typically only deal with my sovereigns. They hire their own dukes within their territories and manage them as they want, only reporting major findings or issues up my way.

But Talino is a little different. He’s given his three grandsons more authority than the average duke, marking them as important figureheads within their region.

I suspect Talino wants to retire soon, which would explain him eagerly sending his eldest grandson to today’s meeting. Sure, having a mate in heat is a good reason to stay home, but I’m guessing there’s a little more to it than that.

It’s an item I’ll have to follow up on later.

After I deal with the witch in my guest suite.

My shoulders fall as I consider how to approach her, uncertain of what I can even do to improve the situation.

She wants her freedom, which I can’t grant. Not when I know how powerful she is and how unstable she’s likely about to become.

Keeping her under house arrest is the best I’ve been able to do thus far. I can’t trust her to leave, especially not now.

Fuck, when all the chaos happened last year, we all assumed it was her causing the problems because we thought Klas was dead. We presumed she was reacting to her mate’s death by losing control of her powers.

Except the bastard wasn’t dead at all. He was using her instead.

And now I have to execute him.

Thus likely causing Fallon to truly become unstable… and essentially bringing us full circle to the events of last year.

Because chances are she’s going to lose her shit, which will end in her powers fracturing.

Powers I don’t know how to control,I think as I head down the hallway toward the stairs.

I’ve spent the last year trying to determine the full range of her abilities, but to no avail. She possesses unique magic that I’ve never seen before, and none of the witches in our territory seem familiar with it.