Page 43 of Trapped By Claws
"Your mother only cares about finding your sister, and you said yourself that your sister is likely dead." He waved his hand as he served himself more stew.
I had lost my appetite, so I took my bowl and dropped it in the washbasin full of cold water. I hated that he was right. "My mother can't do this alone. She's lost everything…"
"So have you. Why do you insist on defending her? She treated you horribly. You have taken care of her all these years. You have looked after her. She does not protect you. She simply weeps and mourns for the daughter lost to her years ago." He jabbed his finger at me. "You are worth more than that, woman. I have only known you for a few days, but I know that. Just because you are not my mate does not mean I cannot see just how valuable and brilliant you are. How much better you deserve."
"So you want to keep me trapped down here in a cave under the sea forever?" I set my hands on my waist, glaring at him even as my heart felt like it was splitting. No one had ever spoken to me in this way. Yelling was common enough. But he sounded like he saw me and cared.
His brow furrowed. His shoulders dropped. "Mena…"
"Don't speak ill of my family if you want to keep talking to me," I said.
He raised an eyebrow. "But you have said?—"
"I can talk about my family. You can’t."
His shoulders dropped, his voice softening. "Why would you want to go back with them, though? I will pay attention to you. You may not be my mate, but I—I—" He broke off before he could finish the thought.
My eyes widened. Had he been about to say he loved me?
My mouth went dry.
No. That wasn't possible. We hadn't known each other long enough. I had to stop being ridiculous. And even if he hadbeen about to say it—well, I wasn't a shifter fae. I still needed time.Didn't I?
A loud splash sounded outside the door to the water entry. Heavy footsteps followed. Then a loud thudding struck the door. "Enforcer Corvin, answer," a deep voice bellowed.
Tagger hopped off the stool, squeaking and bristling.
Corvin's attention snapped to me, his expression hard. "You have to hide. Now," he growled.
INTERROGATED
Ididn't know who was coming or why, but my instincts warned me it was bad.
I snatched Mama's little book off the corner of the table and dropped my glass and spoon in the washbasin with the bowl before Corvin grabbed my arm.
He dragged me to one of the large shelves, opened a sliding panel in the back, picked me up, and shoved me inside. I startled, not even realizing that the shelves had false backs. A smuggler's ship must have wrecked in these waters.
"No matter what happens, don't say a word. No matter what. Not even if they attack me. If they find out you're here, you'll never see your mother again," he hissed. Then he pulled the panel shut. A small crack allowed me to peer out.
Another pounding knock struck the door. The rune marks on it flared bright yellow. "Answer!"
Corvin raked his hand through his hair and then opened the door. "You feel the need to interrupt my rest?" He demanded, faking sleepiness in his voice.
Three fae shoved inside. The largest, a broad-shouldered warrior with glistening embellishments and epaulets over light leather, entered first. He had thick silver-green hair and dark-green eyes. His teeth were sharp, and his heavy-veined hands had claws. He strode in, the metal on his shoulders and his belt clinking with each heavy step.
My heart pounded. This man was bad news. I bit the inside of my lip as I stared through the crack.
One of the smaller fae had wings like fins folded against his back. His skin was purple and blue with sharp blue ridges along his cheeks and actual gold worked into his flesh. He shoved Corvin hard as a third fae with solid black eyes and black claws slammed the door shut.
Corvin staggered back, his expression hard. "What do you want, Lishen?" he demanded, his gaze fixed on the largest of the three.
Tagger bristled, his hackles shooting up. He trilled and chattered. Black Claws moved to kick him.
Corvin darted in front of Tagger, not deflecting the blow but taking it instead. He didn't even flinch when the fae's boot connected with his leg, but he bared his teeth at Black Claws. "Touch the otter, and I?—"
Lishen struck Corvin across the face, knocking him to the ground.
I cringed, covering my mouth.
