Page 42 of The Vampire Court

He raises a brow.

“You didn’t do this out of the goodness of your own heart. I think you want something Alaric had.”

He shrugs, not in the least bit offended. “It might have started out that way back in Windbury. We’ve always had a rivalry. Elizabeth would give him everything, and he would want none of it. The rest would get nothing.” Cassius pauses, light gray eyes searching my face. “I defended you because I find you fascinating, and you wouldn’t make it to the reclaiming alive if I’d let anyone else watch over you. Like it or not, I am your best chance at survival.”

“I still don’t trust you,” I say after a long moment.

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

A yawn rips free. Cassius pats the space between us, and I scoot down and lower myself. As soon as my head hits the pillow, he begins running his fingers through my damp hair, working out the tangles. It’s annoyingly soothing.

“I hate that. Stop it.”

He laughs but otherwise ignores me.

I roll to my side and wriggle as close to the wall as possible. “You can leave me alone now.”

“Come now, little bird. We will be spending a lot of time together from now on.”

For some reason, his words remind me of Alaric. Pressure builds behind my eyes as hot tears work their way up. “I don’t want to be your friend.”

I have questions, but I’m too tired to remember half of them.

“I will compel you to sleep now,” he says as he begins to braid my hair.

“I am capable of falling asleep without your help. I just need you to leave me alone.”

He chuckles. “It’s so I can heal you.”

I press my hands into the floor, lifting myself up to scowl.

“Sleep,” he says.

His power slides over me. I push against the compulsion, trying to resist… and failing. A dull throb pounds in my head and my legs as a heavy weight settles over my mind.

My arms give out, and I fall, face first into the pillow.

Chapter Sixteen

Alaric

Once the lastof the court has taken their leave, I push my chair back and rise. Elizabeth remains seated, leaning back with her long legs crossed. She says nothing as I stride from the room, but I feel the weight of her stare, following me, even after I’ve turned down the corridor.

My blood boils in my veins. Cassius finally has control over Clara, something I’ve suspected he’s wanted since the day he first laid eyes on her. If he can’t be Elizabeth’s crown prince, then he’ll settle for taking whatever he can from me. Still as childish and petty as ever.

I just hope Clara can see through his disguise to his true intentions. I was ready to give her the final mark to stop the absurd trial and have everything settled. Thanks to Elise, that is no longer possible.

Picking up my pace, I speed the rest of the way to my rooms, hoping Clara is still packing her things and waiting.

Near silent footsteps approach from behind. I stop, my hand hovering over the doorknob.

“I wanted to talk to you,” Elise says after several long seconds.

I don’t turn. “You have said more than enough today. I have no interest in hearing anything else from you.”

She circles me, blocking the door. I strain to hear movement from within, but there’s nothing.

“I don’t want there to be any hard feelings between us,” she says.