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Chapter Thirty-Five

Niko stood frozen as he watched the snow leopard who was his mate launch itself into the fray against his prime’s tiger form.

Three times her size, the tiger circled the harried feline who’d attempted to take him down only seconds before. Roman had sidestepped the attack easily. Tail twitching with something close to amusement, the tiger chuffed, a soft sound that attempted to curtail the angst of the other.

It didn’t work. The snow leopard bared razor sharp teeth, a warning and a threat to the bigger cat.

Jade skirted the edges of the living room before launching herself at Roman once more.

Though he gracefully twisted out of the way, the leopard’s claws made contact with his flank.

Having drawn first blood, the snow leopard strutted victoriously over the carpeted ground, while the larger cat rumbled in warning.

Niko knew this wasn’t a game, and it wasn’t for Roman’s benefit.

Jade needed an outlet. Following the dissolution of her legion bonds and the buildup of pressure against her inner predator, she needed to expel the tension in a way that was both safe and beneficial.

Roman’s solution happened to fit the bill.

It still stung that the prime had telepathed Niko seconds before he commanded Jade’s shift.

The message had been, in no uncertain terms, that he was to remain calm while Roman played with his mate.

Claws and teeth were deadly, and though Roman had promised he wouldn’t hurt Jade, his mate had sworn no such thing.

The snow leopard was out for blood, but clearly outgunned. While the tiger danced around her, the smaller cat recognized that defeat was near, and went for the throat.

Roman had seen the Hail Mary coming a mile away. With an inborn swiftness, he’d twisted midair above her and pinned Jade to the floor, his jaws around her throat.

A tremor, mirrored in the pinned feline, coursed through Niko’s body. Outweighing her by five hundred pounds, the Second Legion prime had easily defeated her.

One swift movement and she’d be gone.

Then Roman surprised them both. Shifting seamlessly to his human form, his hand remained on Jade’s neck while he spoke, but the contact was delicate, gentle.

“Your leopard has always known Julian was the enemy, Jade. Shoving her impulses—and her protection of you—aside has caused a rift between the two halves of your soul.” Slow, measured words of a man who understood the trails Jade had faced.

“While you’ll have to work at repairing the gap, it’s not impossible. ”

Roman gently ran his hands through her coat, a soothing caress, and the snow leopard stilled beneath his touch. Though Niko yearned to go to his mate, there was no fear in her now, and when the prime continued speaking, Niko’s shoulders relaxed.

“Our match here was necessary to establish dominance, Jade, but everything hereafter is to establish trust. I am your friend and ally, not your enemy.”

His hand loosened from her neck, and the snow leopard gingerly twisted to remain flat on her belly, looking at Roman while he continued speaking, “You need to understand, Jade, I am not the type of prime to kick you when you’re down.

I won’t take until it can no longer be given.

I don’t expect you to roll over. When you’re concerned about something, bring it to me.

When you’re struggling, I will help you share the load.

When you’re in trouble, I will willingly bleed for you.

“Your prime—your former prime—did not give you a good view of this relationship. Julian was siphoning energy from you; it’s clear from the ghosting scars on your magical signature.

Good primes do not steal energy from their charges.

We do not coerce our people to do our bidding.

We do not take from them for our own selfish gain. ”

Rolling his shoulders as if to ward off the very thought, Roman straightened from where he’d crouched next to her, stepping away and offering her a hand up as she shifted back to her human form.

Gently, he pulled her to her feet, his solemnity mirrored on her features. “Julian is an insult against every prime in our nation, and one we will take steps to eliminate in the future. If you have any misgivings in that regard, tell me now.”

“I have no reservations, Roman.”

A measure of relief settled on Roman’s features. “Do you understand what I’ve told you?”

Jade nodded. Unable to keep himself from her, Niko rushed to her side, standing beside her as Roman continued his line of questioning.

“Does your leopard feel more content?”

“Very much so.”

“Good.” A lopsided smile aimed at Niko flashed on his features before he sobered. “Then, Jade Lascaux, I’ve three questions for you, and I need to hear your truthful answer.”

With a dip of her chin, Jade waited.

The prime spoke with the authority he held by merit: “Will you pledge loyalty to the Second Legion, and under no circumstances commit treason against us?”

“I hereby pledge.”

“Will you pledge to protect the Second Legion and her people, never undermining our safety as a whole?”

“I hereby pledge.”

“Will you take a blood oath to serve the Second Legion prime, until such time as your life is over or you choose to be separated from that prime?”

“I volunteer my blood in tribute to the Second Legion and her prime.” Devout, Jade repeated the same sentiments, ready when Roman manifested a ceremonial dagger into his palm.

Ornate and intricate, the white dagger was unique to the Second Legion, a manifestation of the legion’s inhabitants and her prime. It bore intricate black and red accents along the hilt, as unique and varied as her people.

In a choreographed move as old as time itself, the prime pressed the blade into the flesh of his palm, blood welling below the shining blade.

Roman passed the ceremonial dagger to Jade, and she repeated the movements on her own palm. When both of them gripped their hands together, the blood bond slid into place, a wave of magical energy that tied them together and fastened Jade to her new legion.

A shudder of relief trembled through Jade’s shoulders, and Niko willingly wrapped her in his arms. “Welcome home, dove.”