Page 60 of Upon Shattered Bonds

Cursing under his breath, Zeke said, “Nevertheless, this can’t continue. They’ve accomplished nothing. They’ve killed no one. And they’re still hiding in the shadows. What they were attempting hasn’t succeeded. I have no doubt it’ll be tried again, and soon.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

When psychic fire ignited the mating bond, Nina stiffened in place, preparing herself for the onslaught of psychic energy. It shot from him to her, immense and mesmerizing, but instead of encompassing her in a deadly blitzkrieg of flame, it curled harmlessly around her, fondly dousing her in pleasant heat.

It brought with it a boon of energy so potent she could literally feel her heart repairing itself.

A whiff of fatigue chased the sensation, and immediately, she knew that Zeke’s network—his clan—had been under attack. Nina was well-schooled in the exhaustion that followed the massive expenditure of psychic energy.

No matter how much she wanted to ask, she knew Zeke would be in no shape to respond to an inquiry about his wellbeing. She briefly debated ‘pathing Tzuriel, but instantly squashed the idea. Zeke’s cousin would most likely be wrapped up in whatever he was fighting, and Nina chose to hold her tongue.

If they needed help, Nina would feel the unconscious call from Zeke’s mind. She had to trust that they had made enough progress for that.

In the hours since she originally felt the psychic fire, she’d made an effort to wrap up her affairs. For a millennium old Raeth, she’d had quite a bit of paperwork to complete and loose ends to tie up.

Kaien, scowling at her every time he walked past her office, had examined her heart and deemed it fully healed. They both knew that the miracle was in large part due to Zeke’s psychic fire—something Nina hadn’t expected nor anticipated.

It’d given her hope. Perhaps the only hope she’d dared to hold in the last four days.

The pen she’d been holding clattered against the desk. For one so against a mating, Nina would admit she openly missed Zeke’s presence. Now, with him away, she yearned for his company on a level she couldn’t comprehend. With him gone, it felt like a piece of her was missing, too.

She’d shut herself off from him when she’d realized he was in combat. As she thought about the situation on Osiris clan lands, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had been the reason his people were in danger.

By strong-arming her people out of harm’s way, Nina had assured their safety even if it meant their anger. And she was hearing enough of it: telepathic requests, phone calls, text messages. She ignored them all.

The anxiety that clung to the clan’s psychic network was nearly at impossible levels. It hazed around her clansmen’s minds like high humidity, thick and choking. Not only did it disturb her mentally, but she could feel the reverberation of their tension through her body. It hung around her neck like a hundred-pound dumbbell, yanking her off balance. With a sigh, Nina rolled her neck in a vain effort to reduce the pressure on her shoulders.

That was when Zeke finally made contact. A polite telepathic knock, then, Nina.

Though the clarity of his mental voice was as vibrant as ever, the word had held a note of fatigue she’d rarely heard from the man.

Zeke, came her instant reply. Are you okay?

Five Raeths attacked my territory, followed by a psychic attack by another three. The man was never one to waste words, a trait Nina had always appreciated.

Injuries?

None.

A pause in the communication had Nina’s pulse spiking. Steeling herself against the conversation to come, she straightened her spine. When you have a moment, Zeke, can we speak in person?

Of course. If you’ll allow me an hour, I have to ensure my territory is secure.

Be safe.

A flush of affection rushed through their bond, dualling with the reluctance that’d begun as soon as she’d asked to talk. Apprehension fluttered through her. Nina was certain Zeke could decipher her intent, but being the gentlemen he was, he’d responded with cordiality rather than suspicion.

The next hour passed slowly. With every second, her anxiety grew, hating what she was being forced to do. Her nails had scoured a line of indents into her palm by the time the other sovereign finally made his appearance.

Every cell of her body warmed at his proximity. Seeing him whole and unharmed made her shoulders loosen, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

It took everything in her not to close the distance between them and claim his lips, seek the safety of his arms, and sink into the man who’d completed.

Instead, she waited until he drew closer, and the scent of sandalwood invaded her senses. Staring up at him, she couldn’t help but appreciate his regal beauty. No man was his equal. His physical form held the magnanimous soul within, the remarkable man she’d have to hurt. Nina stiffened. Tentative fingertips caressed a line down the outside of her upper arm, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.

“Nina.”

The tenor of his voice, rich and deep, never ceased to make her blush. Hearing her name on his lips made the pacing predator beneath her skin perk up and take notice, purring in approval.

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