Page 45 of Claim Me

I hope it doesn’t come to that, for both her sake and mine.

My wings unfurl as I down the contents of my drink, my need to begin this journey itching at my feathers. There’ll be no sleeping for me tonight, perhaps not for the foreseeable future. But it’ll be worth it if I can prove Fallon’s intentions are genuine.

“I’ll start in Ireland,” I tell Kaspian.

“I’ll let Kieran know to expect your presence,” he replies.

My lips curl. “If I do my job right, he won’t even know I’m there.” Sneaking through borders into other House territories has been a penchant of mine since the boundary lines were initially created. “I’ll be in touch.”

I set the glass down on the bar and head for the balcony.

“Thank you, Nolan,” Kaspian murmurs at my back, causing me to pause and arch a brow.

That’s new, I think, not looking at him. Rather than point it out, I reply, “Don’t thank me until the job is done, Kas.”

Then I open the doors and take off into the night.

But rather than head straight for the ocean, I veer toward Fallon’s rooms and perch on her balcony railing.

Her doors and her curtains are closed, leaving me to stare at the dark fabric hiding mymatefrom my view.

I’ll see you soon, little flame,I think at her.Be good for Kas and the others while I’m gone…

CHAPTERELEVEN

BANE

I sneakinto Fallon’s room in phantom form to find Nox lying on the couch, his gaze on the ceiling.

Drifting past him, I go searching for our mate, only for his soft words to hold me back. “She fell asleep.”

The tiny lump beneath the covers of her bed confirms his statement, causing me to go corporeal beside the couch. “Did she eat anything?”

He shakes his head. “Not since breakfast.”

“Hmm.” That was hours ago. “She needs to eat.” I head into her kitchen to prepare a few things that can be easily devoured when she wakes up.

Nox eventually joins me and eyes the deli meat with interest. Rather than wait for him to ask, I make him a sandwich similar to Fallon’s and hand it to him before putting one together for myself.

I leave Fallon’s on a plate and set it in the fridge, then join Nox at the table.

We eat in silence, our gazes flicking over to the bedroom every few seconds. I’m not sure if it’s a result of a protective instinct or the desire to see Fallon move, but I can’t seem to stop looking at her.

My mate.

My future.

My Fallon.

Kaspian and Nolan may not trust this development, but I do. It makes too much sense for me to deny it. “She was meant to be ours,” I whisper.

The words were for me more than for Nox, but my best friend nods in immediate agreement. “I know.”

“Kaspian and Nolan don’t feel the same way.”

Nox considers that for a moment. “Kaspian’s old and set in his ways. He also just became King of Gold and Garnet. He probably sees this as a complication more than a gift, especially since it’s Fallon. She won’t kneel for him the way other women do, which means he’ll actually have to work for her affection.”

My lips curl at the prospect. “That’ll be fun to watch.”