“When I’m here, so much less.”
I couldn’t imagine having as much power as Vexxion. He could do so much even while the king’s spell muted his magic.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was your father?” I asked.
“Would you have asked me to claim you if you knew?”
Absolutely not. “Why did you decide to claim me?”
“Once I met you, I couldn’t let anyone but me put a collar around your throat. I couldn’t let anyone hurt you.”
“You hurt me with one lie after another.”
“I lied to protect you.” Lashing out, he gripped my arms. “Don’t you see?”
I flung myself away from him. “Lies hurt even if they’re done with good intentions.”
His sigh showed his agreement. “Ask the rest of your questions. I’ll answer them.”
“Will you give me the truth or feed me another set of lies?”
6
VEXXION
Iwas talking with Tempest. She was listening. Yes, she still had her guards in place, and her walls were so high, I’d never be able to scale them. But I wouldn’t stop trying to reach the top. I’d never give up on her, on us.
No matter what, I would shield and cherish this woman until I took my final breath. Love swelled like a tide in my veins so raw and pure that it devoured all else. She was a profound melody resonating through my very core. Her presence alone shaped my dreams for something better.
She didn’t know the turmoil stabbing through my chest, the fear that she might slip through my desperate grasp like shadows at dusk. My love for her blazed with such intensity that the mere thought of her rejection left me a cold, trembling wreck.
“I can’t work with someone who’s lying to me,” she said. Somuch pain in her voice. That told me I hadn’t killed her love—not yet.
“I’ll share all I can with you,” I said.
“All you can.”
“Yes.” I splayed my arms wide. “I ask you again to trust me.”
“Fuck trust.” Her head tilted, and she watched my face. “Why does everyone fear you?”
I hated admitting this. “I told you I’m his controller.”
“Yes, youcontrolthings. What things are we talking about?”
Everything he didn’t handle himself, and so much of it had left a stain on my soul I’d never wash away. “I’ve awakened almost every collared Nullen to their magic.”
She pinched her eyes shut, and her voice came out deadened. “To make it easier for him to gain access to the power they never knew they had.” Her eyes flashed open, pinning me in place and reminding me of how strong she was, how determined. “How many of us are there in faerie?”
“Too many to count.”
“How many of those collared and awakened has the king drained?”
“I’ve intervened whenever I could.”
“How did you do that?” she barked. “Did you tell the king he couldn’t touch them? I saw how that worked in the throne room when he said he’d take me. I see how that worked with Reyla and Brodine.” Her voice broke. “My friends. He’s hurt so many Nullens who could’ve lived full lives. Who could’ve been happy and aware of the world around them.”
“I’m sorry.”
