Page 77 of His Eternal Claim

“Then prove it.”

He can’t. We both know that. Because maybe he is telling the truth. Or maybe he is lying again. And I can no longer tell the difference.

I bring a trembling hand to my temple as a sharp pain pulses behind my eyes. For the briefest moment, the room tilts. The shadows near the fireplace shift.

I blink until they’re gone.

He’s on me in another second. His large, calloused hands cup my face. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I mutter, slapping his hands away.

The specks of black cover his pupils. “It wasn’t nothing.”

“Since when do you care?”

I know how cruel my words are. But I am drowning, and I want him to drown with me.

“I never stopped caring.”

I smile at him. “If you cared, my Father would still be alive.”

He doesn’t deny it or try to defend himself. The anger is exhausting. The grief is exhausting. Everything hurts.

My Father is dead. My future is gone.

The man I loved is standing in front of me, looking like he’s suffering too, and I hate that some pathetic part of me still notices.

I hate it.

“Where is my Mother?” I ask, not letting him know how desperate I am. I know men like him feed on desperation; they love when the prey they want to capture shows anxiousness. It’s fun for them.

“Safe.”

I lift my head. “Take me to her.”

“No.”

The refusal is immediate. I expect it. “So, now you’re going to keep me here against my will? First, you tried to rape me and now I’m your slave?”

“No.”

My pulse kicks. “Then take me to my Mother.”

“Not yet.”

A hysterical laugh escapes me. “Not yet?”

I stare at him as if he’s gone mad. “You’re keeping me from her?”

“You don’t understand the situation.”

“Then explain it!”

“I can’t.”

“Please.” The word slips out before I can stop it. I can’t lose my Mother too. She’s all I have left now.

“Please, Zagreus. If you ever loved me, or cared for me, let me see her.” I take a shaky breath. “I just want to see her.”