Page 20 of Upon Shattered Bonds

“Zeke. I know we haven’t always been friends, but we’ve never been enemies,” Kaien started. “I understand better than anyone what you’re going through, but I need you to listen to me right now. We’re all worried about the state you’re in. I know you would do anything—give anything—to help Nina. But you’re not good to her if you lose your mind or your consciousness.” He nodded to Blair, who walked over and slowly removed the transfusion line from Zeke’s arm. “When she wakes up, she’ll need to drink. Save your blood for then.”

Zeke nodded, but his attention was on his mate. Though she was still pale, a little color had returned to her skin, and he took pride in the fact that he’d helped in some small way.

Aidan took a step forward, hovering at the end of the bed. Silently, he observed Hemin’s movements, the predator beneath his skin shining through. Turning to Zeke, he spoke his mind.

“The more people who know of Nina’s weakness, the greater the risk of a challenge once she’s awake.”

“My people won’t challenge her, wolf, and they won’t betray her situation even if they did hear of it,” Zeke said, one leader to another. “We can’t move her. A second teleport could worsen her condition. She must remain here.”

Remmus completed the thought. “Away from her people.”

Shaking his head, Kaien straightened as Celeste returned to the room. “The house is vulnerable; we’ll have to split our forces between here and clan territory. Remmus, Mere, Celeste, you’ll return to Solaris. Aidan, Blair, and I will remain here with Nina.”

Though neither of the lieutenants appeared to appreciate the order, they dipped their chins.

“I will send two of my senior soldiers to aid in holding the territory,” Zeke announced, locking eyes with Kaien. When the other man simply nodded, some of the tension leeched from his shoulders.

Regardless of the reinforcements, the sole brunt of clan protection and support ultimately fell on Nina. Even now, when she was comatose and her heart was barely beating, they wouldn’t be spared.

Raeth society had come a long way, but was still established on the rules of might. A sleeping sovereign was not a safe one. Once others learned of her vulnerability, she would undoubtedly be challenged for the sovereignty of her clan. Everyone who remained here would be caught in the crosshairs and would most likely witness her death.

Once she woke, there was nothing Zeke could do to protect her.

“Did we determine the identity of the attacker?” Drake asked.

Celeste’s jaw clenched before she spoke. “The body was remote teleported away before I could determine who it was or what clan he was associated with.”

Zeke wanted to roar in frustration.

“Remmus, work on trying to identify it through the video. If the assassin didn’t use transfiguration, we might have a shot at nailing him,” Kaien ordered.

Few Raeths could have taken Nina unaware, or move as fast as she could. But they still had to narrow the field before they could pinpoint the culprits.

“If this was a targeted attack, meant to end her life, there will inevitably be another attempt.”

Grim acceptance lined everyone’s faces. Blair, who’d maintained her composure throughout the ordeal, lost what little control she had left. A soundless sob had her mate sheltering her in his embrace.

From within Kaien’s arms, Blair said, “My bond with her … it’s ghosting. Transient.”

“Our clan bond exists in the same state,” Remmus confirmed before he looked at Zeke. “And yours?”

“Weak.”

“Will she survive?”

Meeting Drake’s defeated gaze, Zeke withheld the dark truth that tainted his thoughts. Theirs was an unenviable situation. Even if Nina did regain consciousness, word of her weakness would spread, and ultimately, her life was likely forfeit.

His gaze fell upon her passive features, the blood that still painted her skin. He longed to hold her close, but now that his reason had somewhat returned to him, he wouldn’t risk pulling her into his arms. He remained her guardian as Hemin continued to mend her heart tissue.

Remmus stepped forward, a bare inch away from where she lay. Reaching out, her lieutenant’s hand caught Nina’s, and he gently brought it to his lips. After delicately kissing the top of her hand, he softly rested it against the bed once more.

To Zeke, he pleaded, “Take care of her.”

Mere and Celeste gave similar showings of affection, the latter unable to withhold the tears that rained down her cheeks as they too said goodbye. With one final longing look toward their sovereign, the trio disappeared. With their absence, the massive room seemed far more intimate.

Kaien had taken up the post next to the IV, switching out the depleted bag for another, while Drake had an arm around Blair’s shoulders. Aidan, the only other figure in the room, hovered at the foot of the bed.

Everything about the werewolf alpha spelled agitation. His eyes roamed the room with a near frenetic anxiety, still not changed back to their normal greenish grey color. Restless, he cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck before moving over toward the window.

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