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Chapter Seventeen

Niko’s lead faltered as Jade stiffened in his arms, both of them recognizing the depth of the change that’d just occurred. Neither was able to speak through the shock of it.

Their minds had shifted together, two disparate pieces uniting in a broken labyrinth.

The change would be impossible to see or feel for anyone but them, but it had altered their entire world.

A barrier—aptly called the mating bubble—connected them together with a magic older than time, both fundamental and natural.

In Sagani culture, a bite was used to finalize a mating bond. Their souls would merge and tie them together for eternity. Fated mates were cherished, and though they had essentially died out in the recent centuries, Jade had seen enough of them to know how deep that connection could be.

Those that’d been blessed by the fates with a naturally occurring bond were able to better resist magical corrosion, and both partners could essentially learn the powers of their mate.

Forged matehoods, with a manufactured bond, would stabilize magic in much the same way, but couldn’t share magical abilities.

Niko attempted to keep them dancing to the beat and forestall any suspicion. His heart thumped as he attempted to recenter himself. Jade’s emotions, a muted sensation through their bond, whispered at him.

His own emotions were a twisted mess. Joy that he’d found his mate. Despair that they were of two different legions. Fear that she’d reject him. Determination that he free Jade from Julian’s clutches. Something was wrong with her—and he had a sinking feeling that her prime was behind it.

Despite the trials that were undoubtedly ahead, he was filled with new hope. Hope that they’d overcome the situation into which they’d been thrust and hope for a future that allowed them to be together.

Everything made sense now knowing that Jade was his mate. Since the moment he’d met her, their explosive chemistry had surprised him—as had his willingness to keep returning even when she iced him out. Fate had a way of bringing mates together.

Fated mates had largely fallen into myth since the queen had been murdered. For four hundred years, legions had been kept apart, their communication banned. Niko knew of very few couples who’d found each other in the years since.

Most Sagani had found the second half of their souls in other legions, and Niko and Jade hadn’t been the exception. By segregating themselves, the primes had unintentionally eliminated mating bonds.

As the song ended, Niko and Jade stepped away from one another to lock eyes, the heaviness lingering between them so tangible it jaded the air.

“May I have a word with you outside, dove?”

She could only nod.

The coolness of the night welcomed them as they stepped on the terrace, and shut the sounds of the party behind them. Niko turned to face her and drew her into his embrace.

So much was left unsaid between them, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, but he resisted the need to think about the next step. For the moment, he centered himself on the fact that she was here with him—his one and only mate.

While a mating bond could be created between two souls through an artificial process, it would never exist with the same depth and intimacy as one bound by fate.

Those who were close to becoming rogue often formed a bond to become more stabilized.

The pair would psychically move together in the labyrinth, open their shields, and finalize the bond through a bite.

For Niko and Jade to reject each other, they would have to cut through their mating bubble and purposefully shift away in the labyrinth. They could create another bond, but it would be a poor substitute.

While the initial connection was one of fate, the second was one of choice. It ensured no one would be linked together without due process, and nothing would be forced. Fate would lead them to one another, but in the end, the choice was ultimately their own.

When Jade stiffened in his arms, he pulled back. “What is it?”

“Niko, our bond is outlawed,” she whispered, eyes glassy. “We could be put to death for this.”

Instantly, his resolve hardened, the impending threat of his mate’s death making him snarl. “Then we hide it. We hide it until we can figure out a way around that law.”

“How would we even do that? I’m part of Julian’s legion.” Devastation was a potent waver in her voice. “If we finalized the bond, there’s no way he wouldn’t sense it.”

Jade’s shiver had nothing to do with the cold, and suddenly, Niko couldn’t see to anything but his mate’s care. The honesty he owed her had gone from important to vital, and there was no better time.

“If you would, take us back to your apartment, Jade,” he said. “I owe you an explanation, and it needs to be somewhere no one can overhear.”