Corday pressed his hands to his face to keep his frustration in check. “Are you trying to inspire a revolution? You promised me you would not attack Shepherd’s men.”

Claire took his hands, pulling them down so he could look at her. She looked like death, exhausted, dark marks under her eyes. “It is not an attack on Shepherd. It’s an attack on conscience. It’s an attack on the people of Thólos.”

Why couldn’t she understand? “They will hate you…”

“I don’t care.” Claire took a step back, her temper flaring. “I told you there was nothing left for me. Don’t you get it yet? This is all I can give, so let me give it and stop being so goddamn selfish!”

He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, saying, “Survival is not selfish. Citizens who hate the bastard will simply kill you for sport. This was suicide.”

Claire’s voice was flat, steady as she affirmed the obvious. “I know.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

She licked her chapped lips. “Look at me, Corday. I’m running out of steam, I throw up everything I eat; sleep gives me no peace… I am already dying.”

“You are not dying, you are killing yourself!” the Beta shouted, clutching her shoulders as if he might shake sense into her “If you would just rest… If you would come home with me, I could take care of you.”

“No.”

“Aside from Nona, the Omegas hardly tolerate your presence here. It’s only a matter of time before you’re cast out.” Why wouldn’t she see that he could cherish her? “Why won’t you listen to reason?”

“I CHOOSE HOW TO SPEND MY LIFE! NOT YOU, NOT SHEPHERD, NOT SENATOR KANTOR, NOT THE FUCKING PEOPLE OF THÓLOS. DO YOU HEAR ME, BETA?”

He had never once seen her with such fire in her eyes. “You’re upset.”

Throwing her hands up in the air, Claire agreed, “Of course I’m fucking upset! All I want to do is scream. Knowing that all I can offer Thólos is a naked picture on a flyer makes me loathe myself. How DARE YOU reprimand the fact that at least I am trying to do something while I still can? Your precious resistance does nothing!”

“Claire.” He reached out to hold her, soothing what made her tremble and cry. “Please…”

“I can’t be what you want me to be,” she sobbed against his chest. “I can hardly be myself anymore.”

“I am sorry,” Corday whispered, his heart breaking to see her so sad. “Don’t cry. I will purr for you, and you can rest. Okay? I should not have shouted.”

His offered low vibration began, Claire weeping like a child in his arms. Her arms went around him, her broken apologies lost in the wretchedness.