Rayne’s ears rang as her heart rate plummeted to forty-five beats per minute. Thinking of nothing else, she went to Nox’s side and took his hand. Her other hand brushed his hair from the blood seeping out of his teeth. Her voice croaked as she said, “Nox, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand.”

Distantly, Rayne was aware of Xelan standing over her. The rivers of tears on her cheeks scolded with every gentle touch for the man Xelan had laid out. She even leaned down and whispered in Nox’s ear, “Come back to me.”

Dressed in very un-imperial clothes, old jeans and a white tee, Xelan’s combat boots thudded on the wood floor as he turned away. Rayne looked up to find him gripping fistfuls of his hair. He looked better than when she’d visited him last week in his dreams, but Rayne found it difficult to swallow the obvious exasperation rolling off Xelan in waves. It slumped his shoulders and aged his midnight eyes when he faced her once more.

Never judgment.

Xelan kept the promise he’d made to Rayne—wow, seven years ago now—and withheld any censure toward her. Instead—Elden, the look in his stare bordered on disappointment, and Rayne couldn’t bear that.

Without moving another muscle, Nox squeezed Rayne’s hand, but stayed down. Diffusion. That’s what this situation needed, and Elden only knew what Xelan would do if Nox got up right now.

“Your imperial majesty.” They all turned to look at Korac. The General slapped his knees before standing and walking around the living space to face Xelan. From behind his mask, Korac said, “What happened to, ‘We aspire to surpass those who came before us’?”

Sagan stiffened beside Tameka, recognizing the reference both Rayne and Tameka frowned at.

Xelan’s jaw popped, and he tilted his head in incredulity. “Don’t do this.”

Sagan said, “‘Let’s not repeat the sins of the previous wardens and their masters.’” They recited what were obviously Xelan’s lines from a previous conversation.

Further aggravated by the reminder of his hypocrisy, Xelan argued, “Your husband was there when Nox killed me. Ask him if he thinks I overreacted or diminished myself.”

But Korac was unrestrained. He put his face in Xelan’s and finished it. “‘No abuse. Ever.’”

Rayne expected Xelan to order Korac to stand down or back off. Instead, the Co-Emperor searched his General’s eyes before he sighed with disdain for himself. He patted Korac on the shoulder and walked a few steps away with his hands on his hips, head hung in shame and anguish, and Rayne hated every second of it.

“It still went better than I’d expected.” Korac waited for Xelan to face him before adding, “At least you didn’t kill him.”

Beside Sagan on the couch, Tameka said, “That’s enough, General.”

Korac straightened at the order and nodded, coming to stand over Rayne. He looked less concerned than she felt, especially as Nox opened one eye and peered up at him. Korac exhaled his relief.

Sagan stood and headed for the kitchen area. “I’ll just get something to clean all the blood off the walls and floors. And some ice.” She shot one admonishing look at Xelan as she left the area.

Xelan called after, “Planet Breaker, I’ll need you to bring Kyle and Andrew here. I want them to investigate every corner of Nox’s psyche until I’m satisfied he isn’t working with Celindria and planning to kill all of us—”

The distressed sound which tore from Rayne’s throat was involuntary. And she was ready to argue until…

“Okay.” Tameka stood, clapped, and went to Xelan’s side. Rayne couldn’t make out everything which passed between them. The only thing she overheard was the suggestion for Xelan to go for a stroll in the forest and get some fresh air. “Can you do that for me, Wingmaster?” For some reason, Tameka slipped down her pants a little off her hip and flashed him some skin.

Stolen story; please report.

Whatever was there, it lit Xelan’s eyes. He kissed her before following her orders and heading out. In the doorway, framed by the forest’s glow, Xelan turned and gave Rayne a complicated look. It was filled with love, concern, and something which crushed her.

Dread.

With him gone, Korac nudged Nox with his boot and held out a hand. “Let’s get you up, your majesty.”

Sagan came around the corner with ice as Nox stirred. With a groan, he sat up. Despite the blood on his face, Nox searched Rayne’s eyes and asked, “Are you all right?”

The answer was obviously ‘No.’ But Rayne said, “It’ll be better once I’ve talked to him—Thank you.” She took the ice from Sagan and pressed it against the swelling on Nox’s face. His nacre was as supped up as hers, but Xelan was an extraordinary fighter, leaving a few bruises behind.

“Oh, good. You’re conscious.” They turned toward Tameka, who came to stand over them with her hands on her hips. She asked, “What the hell were you two thinking? Springing this on Xelan like that?”

Nox said, “It’s a delicate situation—”

“No.” Tameka cut him off, holding up a finger. “You don’t speak to me. I’m talking to these three.” She gestured between Rayne, Korac, and Sagan. “I am angry. So many people I love kept me out of the loop, and I’m extra pissed that it comes across as you kept us in the dark so you could… be with him, Rayne.”

Her first instinct was to duck her eyes and hide the flush of shame. But Rayne was an adult, and she’d made an adult decision. Staring into Tameka’s eyes, Rayne moved closer to Nox and placed their handholding in plain view. Her voice shook a little as she said, “I’m sorry I hurt you, and I understand how this looks. But while it’s not the case I’d planned all this, I am happy Nox and I are together.”

Tameka’s eyes flashed Atramentous green, and she looked away. “Shit.” When she looked back, her eyes were filled with conflicted tears. “You need to talk to Xelan. Alone. We’ll clean up in here and get the boys for screening.” With a hard look at Nox, Tameka said, “I don’t know what they’ll find in this man’s head, but I hope for your sake it makes for a good argument.”

Rayne stood and crushed Tameka to her, and the embrace felt like home. “Thank you.” She glanced back at the Icarus she loved.

Nox waved her on. “Go to him. I won’t let them take me away until you return.”

Although he meant it as a reassurance, it twisted Rayne’s heart. She glimpsed Tameka’s measuring gaze, but Rayne could only muster enough strength for the conversation with Xelan. No sidebars. Sagan took Rayne’s place at Nox’s side with a pitying look for her best friend.

Korac muttered, “Good luck,” as Rayne walked out into the woods, seeking Xelan.

Rayne knew from the smell of leather-bound books and the best hugs that Xelan wasn’t far. In fact, he was only one tree away. She opened her wings and flew up to him, sitting on a branch with his legs hanging off the side. Xelan kept his eyes on something in the distance as Rayne sat beside him, matching his position.

Because he’d allowed her presence, she felt a rush of relief. Things weren’t so bad off after all—

“You two are the Eternal Bind.”

Rayne winced. How had Xelan come to this dreaded conclusion so quickly?

With easy to see and slow movements, he took her hand from her side and held it. Voice hoarse with emotion, Xelan said, “Please don’t feel as though you need to wince or flinch from me. As I’m sure you’ve assumed, I’m not mad or disappointed. Not with you, anyway.”

“Xelan, please.” Rayne faced him while he kept his eyes straight ahead. “Since I resurrected Nox—not Elden, it was my decision—Nox moves almost as fast as me. He could’ve blocked, dodged—hell—countered your swing, but he took it. Nox let you hit him.”

When Xelan finally looked at her, pride shone in his eyes. “You’ve grown up so much. I’ve never heard you sound so mature.”

Under the light of his trademark warmth, Rayne tried to smile for him while saying, “It’s because I’ve lived seven million years in the span of two. It made me appreciate you more.”

Xelan looked down at their hands as he said, “I won’t insult you by saying your feelings for him or his manipulations have blinded you.” He cleared his throat to admit, “I believe what you see in him is real—”

Rayne perked up, ready to agree—

“—But I have obligations to the people Nox murdered. Billions of people, Rayne, including myself.”

Rayne hated the hard edge to her voice as she asked, “But not Korac? Or Razor? Why is it different for them?”

Xelan turned his face to the canopy as if praying for patience or strength. “Because I never looked up to them. Because they were never the center of my universe—My shield and savior. They were never my brother.”

Tears threatened Rayne again, clogging her throat. She hung her head, unable to argue.

With a crooked finger under her chin, Xelan raised Rayne’s gaze to his. He said, “Trillions are at risk. They might simply vanish because of your proximity to each other. And…” A tear rolled down his cheek while he collected himself to say, “You told me you couldn’t love Nox because I couldn’t forgive him.”

Rayne lied, “I don’t have to love Nox to be with him.”

Xelan saw through it and shook his head. “I know that to be true of most people, but I don’t believe it of you.”

It was Rayne’s turn to stare into the branches, ready to plead. Instead, she asked, “Can’t you see he’s not the monster you knew?”

“He doesn’t deserve you, Rayne.” Matter of fact. This was the truth for Xelan.

“Well, at least there’s something we can agree on.”

Nox.