Page 103 of Between Imminent Fates

“Nina’s eyes are no longer white, Celeste! She’s definitely getting better!”

She returned his hug burying her face in his chest.

“I’ve already reached out to Nero, and he said the same thing about Key.” Infectious joy spread across his features. “They could wake up, Celeste. They could all wake up!”

Kaien and Zeke eagerly shared the news, and the clan that’d become subdued finally began to awaken. With the positive strides Nina was making, happiness caught like wildfire.

Celeste only wanted to see one person. She sent the man a mental ping and waited on the edge of her seat for his response. Ten minutes passed, then thirty. A couple of hours.

Nothing.

It was afternoon when he finally reached out, making the obligatory mental ping before sending her a telepathic hello.I’m sorry, Celeste.

Hearing the tired apology in his voice instantly made her concerned.Are you okay?

Nothing to worry about.What did you need?

Celeste hesitated. Torn between giving the man his peace and sharing the good news, she bit her lip. On one hand, she could disclose the nature of Nina’s improvement over telepathy, but then she wouldn’t get the benefit of seeing him in person and clarify her bizarre behavior.

I need to explain.

What about?

Derikles’ mental voice seemed distant and fuzzy. Suddenly, concern flooded her. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed as though every word he spoke to her was awash with pain. Across the telepathic connection, his psychic signature fluctuated.

Without asking his permission, she teleported to him.

Celeste held her breath when she manifested in the brightly lit room where Derikles was lying down on a sofa. Both of his palms were pressed against his temples, and those dashing features were turned down in a grimace.

Sensing her sudden presence, green eyes flashed open. “Celeste?”

“Are you okay?” Mirroring his earlier question, she hesitantly took a step forward and gingerly reached her hand out to him.

“Fine.”

This close, she could feel the waves of pain that radiated from him, and just as quickly, she knew what was wrong. “Headache?”

Derikles nodded once, then immediately looked like he regretted it. “Jaeda said Isaiah got them frequently when he first became sovereign, but I don’t want to bother her again.”

Looking behind her, she strode toward the open windows and immediately pulled the drapes. After a minute, everything was blissfully dark, and he groaned in relief.

Then, she simply said, “Stay.”

Derikles abided.

Walking over to his kitchen, she rummaged through his cabinets until she found her prize, and teleported honey and ginger in to sweeten the drink. Looking at the mug in her hands, she boiled the tea with a single thought. Being a Hydro came with its perks.

Making as little noise as possible, she went back to where Derikles was attempting to rest and crouched beside him. “I made you tea with ginger. Are you up to drinking it?”

“Tea is glorified bathwater.”

Even as he said it, Derikles pushed himself up to sitting. Squinting, he eyed the steaming mug with distaste.

“You’re not getting coffee. The only thing you have in your kitchen is the ‘hard’ stuff and that’ll just make you jumpy.”

“But … coffee.”

Even as his half-closed eyes attempted to give her a sad, puppy-dog look, she shook her head. “But nothing. Bottoms up.”

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