Page 64 of Between Imminent Fates

“Have you checked on Remmus at all?”

Zeke nodded. “He’s sleeping, but still low on reserves. I’ve been funneling energy into him since yesterday.”

“Thank you.” Her fingers found his. “I’m glad he’s okay. He had me worried.”

“You and me both.”

Since Zeke had discovered the truth of Remmus’ past, he had nothing but pride in the man for overcoming the realities of his upbringing—and of his parents.

“What do you think about what Key said yesterday?”

“About your decision?” Nina’s kissable lips pouted in thought. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what to make of it.”

“Only time will tell.”

As the clock struck eight and their children began the telltale protests about going to bed, Nina sprung to her feet and flipped on some music. Beginning withSweet Child o’ Mineand progressing toJailhouse Rockand the classicSweet Home Alabama, his mate beckoned their children up and onto the dance floor.

All three of them swayed and danced to the beat, their smiles contagious. The noise, however, brought with it their fair share of observers.

With the battle being less than twenty-four hours away, Key had forbidden any Raeth from teleporting, so every couple who would fight tomorrow was there for the night. While the men mostly stayed to the sidelines, the women were far keener to join in.

Blair and Toni were the first to let loose, followed swiftly by Zia and Lucy. Rukia threw her hands up and brought Isaak to the dance floor, and Remmus dragged Ava in moments later. Pretty soon, almost everyone in the house was laughing and dancing, swaying to the music.

Zeke beamed ear to ear.

As the party wound down and he gathered his now-sleepy children in his arms, he heard Drake ask Nina a question he couldn’t stew over too long. “How can you be so carefree, knowing what we face tomorrow?”

“Have a little faith, Drake,” Nina encouraged. “I’ve no doubt in my mind that we’ll win.”

As they put their children to bed, Zeke sensed the building of melancholy in his mate’s soul. She read them not the obligatory two, but five sleepy time books, snuggling with each of them and peppering their faces with kisses until they giggled at her to stop. Then, she softly sang each of them their own personalized lullaby, as many times as they wanted to hear it. By the time Nina switched off the light in their room, her eyes were misty.

Sniffling, she wrapped herself around Zeke’s waist as he closed the door to the twins’ room. He held her, gently sifting his fingers through her wavy brunette hair, and letting her unwind from a day that’d clearly taken its toll.

“We’re going to be okay, Nina.”

“I know,” she sniffled. “I know we will.”

His lips found hers, and the kiss unfolded like a choreographed dance. His fingers threaded through her hair, drawing her to him, as she cupped his cheek and asked for more. Nina was his drug and his paradise; everything he’d ever yearned for tied together in the beautiful woman that was his mate.

He turned molten for her, his psychic senses unraveling as she claimed him with every fiber of her being. The raw undercurrent of her strength only made him hungry for more.

When she retreated from his lips, she whispered, “I have something for you, Zeke. Come with me.”

Curious, he followed her to the living room where several couples still lingered, her fingers linked with his. When Nina picked up her guitar from behind the couch, he held his breath. Now that they were mated, Zeke heard her voice often, but never got over the simple magnificence of it.

As she began to sing, the purity of her voice drew an audience. Save the children, tucked in their beds, no one stayed away. With every song, she offered her voice to those who’d listen. She sung for what seemed like hours, gifting them all something that could never be taken away.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Key

Twilight had fallen. Thefollowing day, Key would either see her plan come together or fail in spectacular order. It was the goal she’d worked centuries for, and it was finally coming to a head.

Little could be done now to sway the course of events. Key had finished her preparations. As the humans would say, she had dotted her i’s and crossed her t’s. If she had any energy left, it’d disappeared the moment she teleported to Jax’s doorstep.

He heard her before she ever knocked. After one hesitant tap on the heavy metal door, he opened with a grin that was as happy as it was surprised. “Key. You’re here!”

While she’d forbidden the Raeths from teleporting, she made no such rule for herself. She had to see Jax—to know he was safe. “Can I come in?”

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