Page 68 of Upon Shattered Bonds

Zeke knew then, with utmost certainty, that Nina’s rejection had been founded on the premise of his protection. And that when she’d claimed that she couldn’t love him, she’d omitted that fact that she already did.

Through the blood, through the pain, through the heartbreak of their situation, they’d found each other. When his lips met hers, the feeling of rightness eclipsed all else.

His passion was returned in kind, Nina’s mouth slanting against his with tender affection. A shiver of pleasure rioted through him, beating back on the frustration that coiled in his gut. She worshipped his lips, her fingers tangling in his mane while he pulled her waist against his body.

Nina straddled him in the next instant, her chest flush with his as their kiss turned fiery. Fueled with hard-won passion, they dueled against the inevitable march of time, the impending sense of doom that seemed to choke the air around them.

Overcome, Zeke retreated from her lips, all at once weary from the assault and the barrage of passion that’d stormed through their bond.

Gently, Nina’s palms gingerly grasped his cheeks, setting his head against her chest while she stroked her hand over his hair. “I’m okay, Zeke. We’re okay.”

But they both knew it was a lie.

Before convening about the latest threat on Nina’s life, Zeke telepathically paged Tzuriel, wanting him to be party to the upcoming conversation. Though he would’ve preferred his second to remain in Ontario, it’d be easier to relay the information to everyone all at once.

Minutes later, they’d gathered around the firepit, needing to be away from the gore that marred the terrace.

Zeke’s cousin had teleported to Lexington only seconds before and now stood among them. He held out his arm in a warrior’s greeting, grasping forearms with Nina while dawning a genuine smile.

“Nina. It’s been too long.”

“It is good to see you, Tzuriel.” Appreciating the gesture, Nina dipped her chin in acknowledgement. “Though I regret the circumstances.”

“You and me both,” he remarked ruefully. “Glad to see the latest attempt was unsuccessful.”

Kaien sneered over his shoulder at the body that’d left bloodstains on the terrace. “Thanks in large part to Zeke. At least we know who Traka is affiliated with.”

“During the assault on my territory,” Zeke began, “five Raeths came into my lands without permission. My lieutenants and I dispatched them, and before I dropped the Blunt effect, I scanned for any additional psychic signatures. During the scan, I experienced a void of life, something I’d remembered sensing before. I investigated it, but it never altered or changed shape, and I assumed it was a ley line acting up near the equinox.”

His mouth tightened to form a tight white line before he grunted. “I was wrong. The void I felt was Traka, under what I now know what his Blunting ability. Seeing their chance, they launched the psychic assault.”

“We already knew that the Zayan and Grant clans were involved in the first,” Tzuriel added. “If we use the same logic, Traka’s clan could be included in that.”

Fury was a tangible aura that pulsed off Kaien. “What purpose would Zayan, Grant, and Mottro have against us? And to what end? It seems only Nina’s life was ever at stake.”

“Rhonnen was from Demetrios’ clan, and Liam, from Perith’s clan,” Nina recalled. “If we take that at face value, that’s five clans who’ve partnered against us.”

“Could they threaten the Quint Treaty?” Tzuriel asked.

Zeke pursed his lips and searched the ground before answering. “If they destabilized both the Blaedes and Danada? Potentially.” He nodded thoughtfully, then looked indignant. “But there is still the question of why. Why would they want the status quo to change now?”

“And what changed four days ago to kick off the process?” Nina added.

Silence fell over the group; the underlying tension hovering over them provided no answers. Zeke’s gaze went to the darkening sky, the sun rapidly setting behind overcast clouds.

Soon, it’d be nightfall, and with it, the ability to challenge Nina once more. Locking eyes with her, she clearly was thinking about the same thing. A thread of resignation was shared over their bond.

Had Nina been anything but a sovereign, Zeke would’ve already whisked her away from here and into whatever safety he could’ve found. She would never have had to worry over assassination attempts or challengers seeking her title. He’d have snatched her up to some hidey-hole until everything had blown over—and he could assure her safety.

But Nina wasn’t ever going to be truly safe.

As sovereign, she existed to protect and serve those in her clan. And occasionally, the sanctity of that role would be challenged. If she proved strong enough, her position would be secure. If not, she’d lose the title to someone more worthy.

Except in this case. In this case, consecutive challengers had been assigned to exhaust her. Assassins had been dispatched to end her life by dishonest and unethical means. Much to his disdain, there was no way Zeke could guarantee her safety.

The psychic fire Zeke had expelled less than a day ago had not yet been replenished, leaving him with an energy drought similar to what Kaien had experienced in the wake of Nina’s initial attack. Neither of them were operating with a full tank.

And it was about to get worse.

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