Page 35 of Claim Me

I study her as she eats, admiring the way her cheeks pinken with pleasure, her enjoyment palpable.

Will she still be like this tomorrow?I wonder.Or will the fated bonds steal her joy?

My jaw clenches when I think of the hand she’s been dealt in life. It’s so fucking wrong. If I could kill Klas for her, I would. But I suspect Kaspian will be doing the honors.

At least I helped her exact some revenge with my blades. Watching her eviscerate Klas was an experience I’ll never forget. She took my knives and wielded them with ease, her motions efficient while she remained focused and quiet.

Goddess Nyx needed Klas’s blood for some moon ritual that I didn’t quite understand. And Fallon agreed to acquire it for her. That was when I offered up my knives, much to Nox’s shock. I typically don’t allow anyone to play with my sharp toys.

But Fallon is different.

She’s… she’s something I can’t define.

I took to her immediately, almost as though we were fated for one another. Perhaps just as friends. Because we can never be more.

“So where in California did you live? And I assume it was before magic made itself known?”

Fallon’s soft tones stir me from my thoughts to find her plate mostly empty.

Good girl,I think, pleased that she ate a full meal. She’s going to need her strength today.

“Southern California,” Nox tells her. “And yes, before the portal happened.” He frowns then and asks, “Why are we talking about California?”

“Because Bane said he misses the California sunshine,” Fallon replies. “He feelspale.”

Nox smirks. “He’s missing his surfboard and the waves more than the sun.” His blue eyes glance over at me. “And your tan is looking a little weak. Maybe you need to spend your afternoons outside.”

I roll my eyes. I may joke about my tan, but we all know it’s fine. My natural skin tone is perpetually sun-kissed despite my Scottish origin. Although, I did darken quite a bit during my surfing days.

“It’s too bad there’s so much turmoil going on near that side of the world. Otherwise, I’d try to find a way to visit,” I admit. “Because Nox is right—I do miss the waves.”

“A surfing psychologist,” Fallon muses. “Sounds about right.”

“Does it?” I ask, arching a brow. “Why’s that?”

“I’ve never actually met a surfer, but from what I understand, they’re stereotypically pretty chill. Which I imagine makes for being a good therapist.” She sets her now empty coffee mug down. “Would you like me to reward your patience by sharing my feelings about today?”

I can tell she’s teasing me by her tone, but I desperately want to reply,Yes, please do.However, I hold back and instead say, “Only if you want to, lass.”

She’s quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. “Well, I’m—”

The door opens to her rooms, causing her mouth to snap shut and her posture to stiffen as Nolan and Kaspian enter without knocking.

All her restful energy disappears between a cloud of obvious unease, her green eyes losing their soft appeal and sharpening as she takes in Kaspian’s three-piece suit and Nolan’s leather jacket.

I swallow a curse, irritated that Fallon was finally about to potentially say something real, only to be interrupted by their abrupt presence.

“Good morning, Miss Doyle,” Kaspian greets formally.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” she parrots back at him, her tone heavy with sarcasm.

Nox shakes his head, an amused smile playing over his lips. And I merely sigh.

The tension between Fallon and Kaspian can probably be felt all the way in Scotland. Every time these two go near each other, sparks fly in a dangerous pattern and heated arguments follow.

I had hoped today would be different.

Apparently not.