Page 126 of Between Imminent Fates

Key

The darkness never wavered.

It seemed to obscure every square inch of psychic real estate in her mind. The shadows limited her vision and rendered her inner eye nearly blind. Though the pitch was formless and immovable, there was a building glow on the horizon.

Key reached toward the only light she’d seen breach her mind.

The mating bond that’d formed between her and Jax had never ghosted. As soon as Jax had opened himself to her, their bond had clicked into place. It was the only thing she’d never seen coming and the only thing she’d never dared hope for: Jax was her mate.

Their connection swelled. On the other end, she could feel Jax’s shock, his yearning, and a love that had never wavered. He was close enough that she could almost reach out and touch him, but she was still trapped in the endless night.

Key’s desire to surface through the fog made her desperate to seek the one tethered to the other end. Tolivefor him.

Every ounce of her weakened psychic strength coiled beneath her to lift her toward the light. With one final push, Key was able to open her eyes.

Gasping at the shock of returning to the physical plane, she gulped air. She was surrounded by the scent of leather and spice, arms cinched around her as her mate held her.

“Jax,” she whispered in a voice hoarse and dry. “Jax.”

Desperation to cling to him was swallowed by her need to apologize. A shudder ran through his body. Too weak to do anything but let him hold her, she nestled her face into his warmth. He held her close, and she breathed through the relief that poured through their mating bond.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

When Jax finally retreated, he gently cradled her face as his hazel eyes searched hers. “How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

Only capable of nodding, she offered him a soft smile before his lips were on hers. Into his kiss, he poured his hope, his relief, and his passion. She whimpered, low and throaty, as their bond lit up between them. Feeling his emotions as keenly as she felt hers was something she knew she would always treasure.

Slowly, as if remembering how to use her body, she reached up and linked her arms around his neck. Jax needed to know how sorry she was—and just how much she’d missed him. To have woken at all after the battle was a gift, and Key would never take it for granted.

“I left you and I didn’t even tell you why,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. Where I went—”

“I know, Key,” he gently brushed her hair from her eyes. “I know how much was riding on you. You saved us.Allof us. We won, baby. All because of you. There’s nothing to forgive.”

Overwhelmed by her emotions, she sobbed in his arms. The relief of knowing the battle had turned out in their favor, and the Jax didn’t hate her for leaving him, was almost more than she could bear.

It was only when a throat cleared at the door that they gingerly broke apart. Nero’s customary smirk was the first thing that greeted her after Jax’s claim.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Kiyonne.”

Something twisted inside her as she looked at her sovereign. “I’m sorry, Nero.”

He only shook his head. “Didn’t you hear Prince Charming over there? You havenothingto be sorry for.”

Cheeks flaming, she dashed at her tears—but nothing could’ve made her stop. In moments, Luna was there and bustling about, ordering Key to lie still as she checked her vitals.

Every move the healer made showed Key that Luna’s sanity was barely holding on. Jerky and sniffling, Key reached out and gripped the other woman’s wrist. The moment she’d stopped her, the healer’s face crumpled.

Clutching at her, Luna whispered, “You left us, Key. How could you ever believe we’d be okay with that?”

“It was the only way.”

“Fortunately, your mate here didn’t take your coma too seriously.” Nero grinned at Jax. “Glad he could pull you out when we couldn’t.”

A pit formed in her stomach. She hadn’t been the only one who’d given everything for their win. Unsure she wanted the answer, she asked, “Isaiah and Nina? Are they awake?”

“Isaiah is awake; Nina is not,” Nero replied. “We’re hopeful, especially now that you’ve surfaced.”

“How long?”

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