Page 45 of Upon Shattered Bonds

With her nod, he teleported them to the coordinates Nero had supplied.

They reappeared in a huge studio space moments later, and Zeke could barely withhold his surprise. He’d never known the other sovereign to be artsy, and the creativity on display was nothing short of stunning.

Before he allowed himself to admire the gallery, he aided Nina into a nearby chair. She took a breath to right herself and offered him a nod, gesturing at their surroundings.

Soft blue walls were lined with paintings and pencil drawings, and natural light poured in from enormous windows. It was a huge space, and Zeke found himself admiring the artwork on the walls. Shockingly realistic, each work was tacked to corkboards or hanging on clips. As Zeke allowed his attention to wander from canvas to canvas, he noticed one common thread: a woman.

Realization dawned.

Zeke turned his attention to Nero, who stood next to Caius, the reclusive sovereign who lived in Egypt. While Zeke had been studying their host’s masterful artwork—and what he presumed to be the other man’s missing mate—the two other sovereigns had been studying Nina.

Their expressions were dark. Zeke swallowed the impulse to bare his teeth at them for their audacity to look at his mate. Though their mating bond had sparked to life centuries ago, their recent proximity had had an impact on their connection, stirring up possessive feelings to compliment his protective tendencies. The mating urge was far more compelling than before.

He stiffened. Already, he could sense the brush of Nero’s abilities against him. It was gentle, inobtrusive, and Zeke knew there was no malice behind it.

As a Reader, the Hawaiian sovereign was able to identify and influence the emotions of others. If he had wanted to, he could coerce anyone to do his bidding by manipulating their feelings—but Zeke had never known the man to be anything but honorable. When they’d chatted at the wedding surrounded by happy people, Nero had confessed that if the emotions were violent or emphatic enough, he had difficulty blocking them out. With any luck, he’d be able to block out everything today.

Isaiah appeared only seconds later. Though his manner was typically abrasive, his mate had settled his spirit, and he didn’t immediately lash out in spite or sarcasm.

“What’s happened?” Nero asked, concern clear in his voice.

“Two days ago,” Zeke began, “a Raeth assassin shot Nina twice in the heart with a merjha.”

All three men wore similar aghast expressions, apprehension mirrored among them. While Isaiah and Caius were shocked, it was Nero who immediately replied.

“How the hell did you survive?”

Nina shook her head. “My heart stopped. For all intents and purposes, I was dead. Zeke and Kaien are the only reason I’m still here.”

Nero’s eyes were wild with fear. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve sent healers!”

“We managed.” Nina’s voice was tight, but she smiled at her friend anyway. “My brother just about ran himself ragged healing me.”

“Thank the fates he’s strong,” came Nero’s remark before his brow furrowed further. “Still, a merjha … how is your recovery?”

Nina weighed her response for a moment before speaking. “I’m getting there.”

Nero glanced back and forth between Nina and Zeke, his muscular arms folding across his broad chest. His sleeveless tunic displayed the ink that decorated his skin, the Raeth tribal patterns predating the Hawaiian culture. Clearly perturbed, his jaw ticked.

“The assassin—did you recognize him?” Isaiah had had enough of the warm concern, apparently, and wanted to get to business.

“No. Those behind the attack have been working to ensure we’re unable to identify the culprits before we can trace them back to their clan.”

“How so?”

“Teleporting away the bodies and transfiguring their features.” Nina presented the facts with a detached tone, as if she wasn’t bearing their pain. Zeke’s admiration of her grew beyond what he thought possible.

Caius cocked his head. “What of the weapon?”

Zeke’s hand came to rest lightly on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing rhythmic circles. “It’ll be destroyed as soon as we’re able. But that isn’t why we’re here. Two challengers have come against Nina in the last two days. She was able to briefly examine the second one’s mind.”

He continued to reveal more unsettling information, and he wasn’t sure he could mimic her detachment. “They—and we’re still unsure who that includes—are openly targeting Nina. They won’t stop until she’s dead. A day ago, properties on my clan lands were set ablaze, but led to no loss of life. We wanted to hear if you’ve experienced anything similar in your territories.”

Silence met the disclosure, varying expressions of disbelief on the other men’s faces. If Zeke hadn’t experienced it firsthand, he would’ve found himself in a similar state.

“Within the last few days, we’ve had several blips along our border—and one breach that was swiftly removed. It’s been enough to keep me in my territory. At least until now.” Nero frowned, aggravated, picking up the pattern.

“Distractions,” Nina said.

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