Page 26 of Claim Me

I shiver, the mental image of his ire a dark memory in my mind.

Everything started to change in that moment. Klas was no longer content with waiting for a promotion or trying to work his way up the mercenary ladder to get closer to the House King. He decided to manufacture his own plan.

With me at the center of it.

My power.

I have no idea what the patriarchs thought of Klas’s deviation, but I imagine they weren’t pleased. Whatever goal he set out to accomplish in Gold and Garnet territory failed because of his brash decisions. And now we are both paying the price of his impatience.

“You’ve been hiding things from me since we met,” Kaspian says, reminding me of his presence. “Which is why I can’t believe you when you say you’re not a threat, Fallon. I’ve experienced your magic. I know what you can do. But there’s something you’re not saying. And that makes me distrust you.”

There are a lot of things I’m not saying,I think. “I don’t owe you my secrets, Your Highness.”

“Perhaps not. But if you want my trust, then I need your truths.”

“Why?” I ask him. “Because my mate’s a monster? Because he chose to subdue me with a spell and use my powers to attack your House?” I cant my head to the side. “Have you ever considered that my ‘secrets’ are irrelevant to your assessment of me and my power?”

They absolutely are not irrelevant, particularly the part about my origin and what little I know about Klas’s true purpose for being in Gold and Garnet territory. But the heart of my secrets—the ones involving Issy—have nothing to do with Kaspian.

However, I can’t reveal what I know about the patriarchs and Klas without also mentioning Issy.

Hence the reason I say nothing at all.

Kaspian sighs and shakes his head. “The execution is in three days. If you decide you need something before that happens, let Nox or Bane know, and I’ll see what I can do.” He pushes to his feet, his expression grim. “I’m sorry that I can’t do more for you, Fallon. But you’ve made it clear you don’t want me as an ally.”

“No,” I say as he starts toward the door. “I’ve made it clear that I won’t trust blindly.”

He pauses, his shoulders going rigid. “I’ve given you every reason to trust me.”

“By what? By not throwing me in the dungeon with Klas?” I ask him. “By keeping me locked up in a fancy room beside yours?”

He faces me again. “Would you prefer the former?”

“You won’t put me down there with him because you’re afraid he’ll be able to tap into my powers again, so don’t waste your breath on that threat.”

“It wasn’t a threat, Fallon. It was a question.” The words are spoken through his clenched jaw. “I’ve made you comfortable in my home, in my own fucking quarters. I’ve treated you respectfully. I’ve ensured you have everything you need. What more can I give you to inspire trust?”

“My freedom?” I offer, aware that this conversation is just going to go in a vicious circle like it always does.

He scoffs at that. “Trust works both ways. I can’t let you go until I cantrustyour motives and actions.”

“And I can’t trust you when I’m being treated like a glorified prisoner. So I guess we’re at a draw.Again.” I’ve tried giving him small truths, just to pacify him and get him off my back. But nothing I share with him seems to be enough.

Fucking master vampire.Kaspian’s too old and experienced to believe my half-truths.

His age and knowledge are also why he doesn’t trust me. My powers are ones he’s never seen before, and that both intrigues and unnerves him.

So he won’t let me go until he’s peeled away all my layers.

And I won’t let him learn too much.

Issy is mine to protect. I’ll never betray her. Not even for my own freedom.

Kaspian rubs a hand over his stubbled jaw, the dark hairs resembling a shadow across his chiseled features. “Let Nox or Bane know if you need anything. They’ll contact me if you decide to see reason.”

I say nothing as he leaves.

Because there’s nothing left to say.