Page 9 of Upon Shattered Bonds

Not more than five feet from her, a man had concealed his presence behind the impressive wall of his Raeth gifts.

Zeke.

Dark hair was carelessly tossed back to reveal a face that seemed sculpted by the gods. Taller than most immortal men, Zeke was an intimidating sight to behold. Built like the predator he was, strength clung to his skin, and it was underscored by the searing jade eyes that locked on hers with an uncomfortable intensity.

Unbidden, Nina’s canines lengthened, the hum of her blood taking on a violent rhythm. Her freshly manicured nails clawed outward while she consciously beat back a hiss of greeting.

"Why are you here—in my home of all places—uninvited?”

“I’m not uninvited.”

Carefully schooling her surprise, she brought up her chin. “You would have me believe you were invited without my consent? Without my knowledge?”

“Your brother and I spoke yesterday.” A faint glimmer narrowed his eye. “I assumed you’d been informed.”

Nina was mute in her shock. Of all people, Kaien had invited Zeke to his wedding, her estranged would-be mate, without even a note of warning. Perhaps their conversation following the rabid wolves had prompted him to take action, even when she’d been against it.

The unfairness of it—and the presumptuous nature of her twin’s request—was a bitter pill to swallow. She hadn’t explicitly stated that Zeke should be excluded, but Nina would’ve thought her brother would understand her preferences. Especially before allowing such a convoluted part of her life to stain this perfect night.

“I did attempt to discuss it with you.”

“When?” Disbelief colored her tones. “When did you attempt to discuss it with me?”

A flicker of amusement entered his gaze. “Five minutes ago.”

Nina paused. He had attempted to speak with her about her brother’s wedding—and she had very quickly shut him down. All she could do now was to snap her mouth closed and growl internally. While she would’ve loved to lash out at the man before her, she couldn’t very well toss him out now. He’d been personally invited by the groom himself, after all.

A groom who chose to dig his own grave on his wedding day.

Instead, Nina drew in a long, deep breath to calm herself—and regretted it immediately. Subtle hints of sandalwood spiced the air, his scent making her inner predator hungry for more.

A nearly debilitating urge to savor it churned in her gut. For a moment, she desired nothing more than to close the distance between them, curl against his chest, and see if he smelled even more delectable up close. Nothing and no one could ever measure up to the beckoning call of a fated mate. As she watched, his pupils dilated, dropping to study her mouth before he swayed ever so slightly toward her.

It’d been a long time since they’d been alone together, precisely because she never felt like testing her resolve. The bond continued to ghost between them, tying her to a man she was biologically preconditioned to love.

Now she inclined her chin to level with his, subtly inviting his lips to claim hers, mind hazing with clouded thoughts. Nina could feel the cord of their faint mating link pulsing with new life.

No.

The sensation yanked her back to her senses. Scowling, she retreated a step away from him and sent him a withering glare. “Stay out of my way, Ezekiel.”

Without a second look, she walked away from the silent sovereign to make her way indoors. Every step felt the pressure lighten and her head began to clear. By the time she returned to Blair’s ready room, she once more felt stable.

Indigo blue war paint shadowed Blair’s eyes, magnifying the brilliant sapphire of her irises. The pristine band of color spanned over the bridge of her nose, framing her eyes, and ribboning backwards in a catlike flick toward her temples. Positively glowing, her best friend radiated joy.

Nina had never seen a lovelier bride.

“Are you ready?”

Blair chuckled. “You better believe it.”

Nina linked arms with Blair. “Drake has taken his duties of ‘giving you away’ very seriously. He’s waiting in the hall to claim you.”

Blair didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, is that the noxious presence I sensed?”

“I heard that.” Drake’s muffled voice bore the telling sound of a smile. “Are you ready yet?”

At Blair’s nod, Nina opened the door to reveal her second fledgling, in a dashing tuxedo. “I leave her in your capable hands.”

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