Page 48 of Martyr

It didn’t take a genius to realize Lake was backing him into yet another corner, all under the guise of giving him a choice. When the choices were damned if he did, damned if he didn’t, there was no real freedom involved.

Nix could either agree to putting on a show in front of Juri—something he wasn’t interested at all in doing—to keep his place as their sacrifice, or he could refuse and effectively give that title up. If he went with the latter, then he’d also be kissing any modicum of freedom for his future self goodbye.

“What if West hadn’t explained any of this to me,” Nix accused. “Were you just going to let me decide blindly?”

“I admit I could have gone about the claiming mark differently,” Lake drawled, “but that doesn’t mean I’ve changedovernight. Don’t expect me to have, Songbird. I’ll only disappoint you, and…I don’t want to do that.”

“This whole conversation is disappointing.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Sorry, but it wouldn’t change anything.

Nix hung his head. “Paint me a picture of whatyourimagined future looks like for us if I refuse.”

“I’m not Yejun.”

“Lake.”

“All right. How do you see it? Don’t—” he held up a hand, “—say away from me. If I’m going to play along, you have to as well.”

“Fine.” Nix took a moment to think about it, his conversation with West still rattling around in his mind. Maybe this could work in his favor after all. It was rare to find Lake even remotely apologetic over anything. He could take advantage of this opportunity. But in order to do that, he’d have to be willing to concede a few things himself. “I want my own life.”

“And what does that entail?”

“I want to work. I always planned on getting a job straight out of school.”

“All right,” Lake didn’t hesitate to respond.

“And I want my own place.”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“I don’t want to live in the palace.” Where they’d be eyes everywhere and a million people to report back to Lake? No, thanks. It’d been less than a month, and already Lake had moved him into his home and placed a physical claim on his body. How much more controlling would he be if they lived in the palace and he had a full staff he could use against Nix?

“Think about what you’re suggesting,” Lake said. “You want me to allow you to live separately. Do you envision yourself as a mistress in this scenario?”

He scowled.

“I didn’t think so,” Lake continued. “You don’t want me,” he took a step forward, advancing when Nix instinctually retreated, “but you don’t want me to have anyone else either, is that it?”

“I…” Hadn’t really thought that far ahead. Nix’s back came against the wooden railing of the porch, blocking his way, and he threw his hands up, pushing against Lake’s chest when he caged him in. The warmth from the Imperial’s body and the feel of his exhales fanning against his cheeks had Nix’s heart rate kicking up a beat.

“You’re blushing,” Lake whispered.

“I’m not.” He forced himself to focus.

“Is it my turn now?” At Nix’s frown, he chuckled. “We haven’t discussed what I expect from you now that our dynamic has shifted. I was trying to give you space, but your friend Juri and my friend West have bulldozed right through that plan. Let me paint that picture you wanted. It starts,” he tipped Nix’s chin up so that their eyes met, “with you accepting your fate. I have you, Songbird, and I won’t give you up. As for the rest, it can be negotiated as long as you’re willing to bring something worthy to the table.”

It seemed Lake had the same thoughts as Nix earlier when he’d decided to try his luck. That wasn’t a bad thing though. If they were already on the same page, all the better.

“What are the benefits of me being a member of the club?” Nix found himself asking. If he was going to do this, Lake was right. It was far past time he took this seriously. Running? Running was never going to happen.

It hurt his ego and momentarily left him melancholy to have to come face to face with that truth, but it didn’t change anything. The Emperor owned this planet, and pretty soon, Lake would be the Emperor. Even if Nix wanted to flee to another partof the galaxy, it would be easy enough for Lake to add his name to the No Fly list and prevent him from doing so.

He was trapped?

Okay.

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