Page 12 of Surrendered to Mate

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "What do I get in exchange?"

"Don't get smart with me," I snap, ignoring the way his deep voice heats up my body in all the wrong — fuck, okay, all the right — ways. "Answer the question."

"My name is Cassius," he says, shifting against his bonds. "And I was merely passing through. Is that a crime?"

I narrow my eyes. "With those wings? I doubt you were 'just passing through.' What are you?"

Cassius chuckles, the sound rich and warm. "Now that would be telling, wouldn't it?"

I clench my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. Why won't he just answer a simple question? And why does his stupid, handsome face have to be so distracting?

"Fine," I huff. "What about that tablet I saw you holding? What's so special about it?"

His expression shifts, becoming guarded. "I'm afraid I can't discuss that."

"Can't or won't?" I challenge, leaning in closer.

For a moment, his eyes flicker to my lips, and I feel a rush of heat. I jerk back, cursing myself for the momentary weakness.

"Both," he replies smoothly, that infuriating smirk back in place.

I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. "Do you always dodge questions, or am I just special?"

Cassius laughs, the sound echoing off the cave walls. "Oh, you're definitely special."

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my heart skips a beat. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Are you sure about that?" he asks, his voice dropping to a low purr.

I turn away, hoping he can't see the blush creeping up my cheeks. "Positive," I mutter, hating how unconvincing I sound.

Deciding that I need to take this a different way, I grab a water skin and a strip of dried dripir meat, approaching Cassius cautiously. "Look, you must be thirsty. Just take a sip, alright?"

He eyes the water, then meets my gaze with a smirk. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid water isn't quite what I'm thirsting for at the moment."

I roll my eyes, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. "Cute. But seriously, you need to drink something."

"I assure you, I'm perfectly fine," Cassius says, his voice smooth as silk. "Though I must say, your concern is touching."

"It's not a concern," I snap. "I just don't want you dying on me before I get answers." I give him a look. "And you were the one that said you were dying."

He chuckles, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Is that the only reason you're keeping me alive? I'm wounded."

I thrust the meat towards him. "Eat. You look like shit."

"Such a charmer," Cassius drawls. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I have a rather... specific diet."

My eyes narrow. "What, are you too good for dripir meat?"

"On the contrary," he says, his gaze roaming over me in a way that makes my skin tingle. "I simply prefer my meals a bit more... fresh."

I step back, suspicion gnawing at me. "Why won't you eat or drink anything? What are you hiding?"

Cassius tilts his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Perhaps I'm simply enjoying our little chat too much to be distracted by food."

"You're impossible," I groan, tossing the water skin aside.

"And you're captivating," he counters smoothly. "Tell me, do you always treat your prisoners so... attentively?"

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