Page 111 of Between Imminent Fates

“She’s indisposed.”

“Take me to her,” Derikles insisted. His patience was already dissolving, the need to see his mate trumping his civility. If Celeste was in danger, there was no place he wouldn’t go.

“He has every right to see her, Zeke,” Nero added.

Zeke’s attention swung over to the other sovereign. “You’ve sided with Derikles instead of me? Perhaps we should re-examine our vows, Osé. It seems you’ve forgotten where your loyalty lies.”

“I’m here as an impartial party,” came Nero’s calm words. “Derikles makes a compelling case. Hear him out.”

A tick worked in Zeke’s jaw, but when he refocused on Derikles, his sneer was gone. “State your case—and quickly. I don’t tolerate threats to my clan.”

“Celeste was in pain before she fell unconscious less than twenty minutes ago,” Derikles said. “I’ve come to ensure her wellbeing.”

“And how could you possibly know that?”

“Because she’s my mate,” Derikles hissed.

At the revelation, the lieutenants surrounding them jerked in surprise. One by one, their blades lowered, and they shifted their attention to Zeke. Their sovereign frowned, bewildered, but Derikles didn’t care.

“You’ll take me to her now.”

“When did this happen?”

Unwilling to expand on the groundwork of their budding relationship, Derikles stated the facts. “Our bond is unfinalized. If you don’t take me to her—right now—I’ll take it as an act of war.”

Zeke’s expression grew stormy before he dipped his head in agreement. “We were attempting to split the networks. Celeste volunteered, and she’s no longer connected to my clan. She remains linked to Nina, and the psychic imbalance pulled her under.”

“Take me to her.”

None of them spoke as Derikles trailed the other sovereign to a home near the center of his clan. Kaien opened the door, letting Derikles and Jaeda in as the rest of them remained outside.

“I separated her from my clan,” Zeke said, his voice full of apology, “but Nina’s net didn’t let her go. I’ve tried cutting the bonds, but I’m unable to.”

“The psychic kickback caused her to lose consciousness,” Kaien explained. “She might recover with an Amp, but we can’t afford for Zeke to expend additional energy right now.”

The moment he saw Celeste, Derikles sucked in a breath. She looked merely asleep, but he could already sense the devastation that the severed bond had done on her.

Kneeling beside her, he pressed his hands to her cheeks. Funneling his strength into her through his Amp ability and their bond, he worked to right the imbalance. The shock of her trauma had slightly altered her psychic signature, but he quickly reacquired it.

Her eyes flared open.

“Derikles?”

He tugged her into his arms, needing her close to assure himself she was alright. She clutched at him. “You came for me?”

“Of course I did.” Derikles switched to telepathy.You’re everything to me, Celeste, and there is nothing I wouldn’t give to keep you safe.

I’m yours, Derikles. All of me.

Without warning, the mating bond exploded between them. Their souls unconditionally opened to each other, linking them together for eternity. Derikles held her close as she trembled, the vastness of their connection sprawling out before their psychic eyes.

Celeste was the one shining ray of light in a field of shadow, and she washis.

Belatedly, he registered the fact that Nina’s clan mark sizzled painlessly onto a previously untattooed part of his shoulder, marking him as one of hers.

Mine.

We belong to each other,she replied telepathically.

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