30. Nikolai

30

NIKOLAI

S he’s still breathing. That’s good right?

“Jessa?” I whisper. My voice is hoarse because I haven’t stopped talking in hours. I want her to know I’m here, just in case. I will be with her through it all. “You are doing amazing, ómorfi. ”

Her skin has paled, her features sharpened. Her heart rate has finally slowed. I think the Change is nearly over. At least I’m hoping. I don’t know how much longer I can take.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to her forehead and push her hair back. And then she stirs.

I freeze, watching her carefully as her eyelids flutter. It seems like her body isn’t ready, but Jessa is fighting it hard. A gasp nearly escapes me when her eyes fly open and bright hazel ones meet mine.

“Jessa,” I breathe. And then I break.

I pull her into my arms, kissing her deeply, holding her to me. “Oh, thank the First! You’re awake.”

She chuckles, though the sound is hoarse, and I settle her in my lap, unwilling for her to go too far. “Yes, I made it.” She pushes my shoulder. “What happened to you had ‘no doubt I’d survive.’”

I smirk. “I can still worry over my mate.” I caress her face tenderly. “How do you feel?”

“Sore. How long was I out?”

I can’t stop touching her as I stroke down her back. “Nearly a day.”

Her smile droops, and she looks at me with pinched brows. “But I have to tell you something. It’s something I should have before, but we got so caught up in the mating and the Change–”

“What is it?” I ask as she shakes her head at herself.

“As I was going through the Change, my memories played before me. And I realized I never told you what I learned that night with the dark elves.”

I blink, realizing she’s right. I was so grateful she survived, I forgot about the whole reasons she went.

“The Council didn’t take it seriously, but the dark elves are planning an attack. They are close to the wildspont portal and they know some of the base's locations. I’m not sure which, but they will attack in two days’ time.”

I stare at Jessa, stunned into silence as the gravity of her words washes over me. Did the Council really foolishly dismiss Jessa's intel? And now the rest of us are in danger because of it.

"You're certain the dark elves spoke of striking the bases?" I ask urgently.

Jessa nods, her expression grave. "I'm positive. They were clear in their plans to assault soon."

I crush her slender frame against me in a fierce embrace, emotion threatening to choke me. "Thank the goddess you survived the Change to warn us, my love. You very well may have saved countless lives with this knowledge."

Jessa clings to me, still weak from her agonizing transformation. When I finally pull back, determination steels my voice and courses through my veins.

"We must alert the others immediately. All bases will need to begin preparing defenses and rallying forces. The dark elves will strike swiftly and brutally once they move."

I caress Jessa's pale cheek, pride and urgency warring within me. My newly turned mate endured such torment only to rise and forewarn us of a coming disaster. But there is no time for sentiment now. Action must be taken at once before it's too late and the dark elves come to drive us below ground again.

At least there is one blessing.

I turn to Jessa. "Raziel and Soren are likely still here. They wanted to properly celebrate your successful Change once you awoke." I pull her from the bed, testing her new legs. "We must find them at once before they depart."

“Let’s go.”

We dress as fast as we can, practically stumbling out the door in our haste. Jessa and I hurry through the corridors, our steps echoing urgently. Luckily, no one is inside to block our way.

But when we emerge into the moonlit courtyard, we are met by raucous cheers from the crowd gathered there. They whoop and holler at the sight of their newest vrakken sister, alive and transformed.

After a human is Changing, it is supposed to be a massive celebration. But as much as I want to rejoice in Jessa joining the coven, there are other matters that must be handled.

Still, others stop us as we try to make our way through. Like Alina, who embraces Jessa tightly, grinning wide. "Thank the First! I was so worried, but you made it through the Change."

Jessa returns the fierce hug, patting Alina's back gently. "I'm alright, don't worry."

Over Alina's shoulder, Jessa's eyes meet mine, filled with urgency. There is no time for prolonged celebration now, as much as Alina wishes to rejoice in her friend's success.

Alina pulls back, grasping Jessa's shoulders as she takes her in. "Congratulations! A mated vrakken now! Can you believe it?”

Jessa smiles though it doesn't reach her eyes. "I can’t, Alina. But Nikolai and I have urgent business with the Elders..."

Alina's brow furrows. "What business? Tonight is for celebrating you!"

I step forward, resting a hand on Alina's shoulder. "Please forgive us, but a matter of great importance has arisen. We must speak with Raziel and Soren immediately."

Alina glances between us, taking in my grim tone and Jessa's tired but determined expression. Slowly, she nods and steps back.

"Of course, I understand. Go to them." She tries for an encouraging smile. "We can celebrate later, once this business is settled."

We attempt to gracefully accept the congratulations and well wishes as we push deeper into the sea of bodies. Their praise washes over me unheard as I crane my neck, desperately scanning roving eyes and flared wings for any sign of Raziel or Soren.

There – on the far edge of the courtyard! Raziel's enormous jet black wings stand out even in the crowd. Soren's icy scowl keeps everyone away from them.

Together Jessa and I shove through the press, heedless now of social graces. Lives hang perilously in the balance with each passing second.

Their smiles of greeting fade as we approach, taking in my grim expression and Jessa’s weary paleness. Before they can speak, I rush out in a tumble of words, “We must talk now. It's a matter of our people's very survival."

Raziel's gaze sharpens, alarm creasing his brow. Beside him, Soren stands taller, caution written across his face.

"Shall we go somewhere more secluded?" Raziel asks, gesturing toward the hall where we met once before.

I nod and the four of us take off in that direction. Jessa's small hand finds mine again as we follow close on their heels.

I squeeze her hand, and she looks up at me. For a moment, all I can think of is her. I have finally found my mate, my love, and if these dark elf bastards want to come after us, then let them come.

I’ll gladly rip them apart for trying to threaten what is mine.