Chapter 40

40

“ D o you think he’s here?” Jinx asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

“Oh, he’s here,” Sabre replied, scanning the surroundings with a sharp, deliberate gaze.

“I don’t like how open this is,” Jinx muttered, shifting her weight from foot to foot, her unease growing.

“He won’t go for the longshot,” Sabre said confidently. “He wants to be up close and personal when he kills all of us.”

“That makes me feel so much better,” Jinx shot back, her sarcasm failing to mask her fear.

“This was your idea,” Sabre reminded her. “And it’s a good one. I’m damn proud of you. You’d make a decent assassin.”

Gage nudged Jinx from his position beside her. “High praise.”

Jinx grinned even as Sabre scowled at the akuji. “It is. If only you weren’t destined to be Queen of Purgatory …”

Jinx felt herself blush, and she ducked her head. She may be ready to admit her love for Mikhail and share that love in the form of a mate bond. But being a queen was going to take a lot longer to get used to. In fact, the very thought of it had her anxiety rushing back, and she pressed down on her heart to stop its rampant pounding.

Mikhail’s head snapped up from where he was talking with Brax and some royal guards. He rubbed his chest, pinning Jinx with his green gaze. “ Are you okay? ” he mouthed across the space separating them.

“Shit,” Jinx muttered, mustering a smile for her man. She focused on calming herself and gave Mikhail a thumbs up. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”

Eric looked between Jinx and Mikhail. “The heartbeat thing? Wait until emotions cross the mate bond.” He leant in close. “I hear the side effects can be rather pleasurable. ”

Jinx bit her lip, her eyes drifting to her new mate once more. He was dressed formally in a sharp suit with a crisp white shirt and patterned silk tie. The formal attire hugged his torso and accentuated his broad shoulders, making him appear even more regal. And dreamy, she added silently. The fabric of the overlaying robe was a deep navy blue with intricate gold embroidery, giving it a luxurious and royal look.

She cleared her throat, admitting, “I’ve heard that, too.” As Eric snickered, she continued, “I’m worried about him. I’m worried about all of you, too. But I’m extra anxious about Mikhail. I’m not sure I like it.”

“That’s the problem with loving someone. It’s terrifying,” Sabre revealed, her gaze locked onto Brax. “I used to be so strong and independent. I only had to worry about myself. Now…”

“Now you have a family,” Jinx said softly. “And that’s a different kind of strength.”

Sabre grabbed her roughly, hugging her with aggressive affection. “You are so fucking right. You’re on a roll.”

Jinx squeezed her friend back. “Being right is one thing. But I wish I had your confidence.”

“You do,” Sabre replied, pulling back. “You overcame the intrusive voices in your head to claim your mate. That’s confidence right there. And power. There’s nothing wrong with a little fear. Remember, fear is just a sign that you have something worth fighting for.”

Before Jinx could respond, Mikhail, Brax, and Draven walked over. Mikhail immediately pulled her into his arms, and she snuggled in. The crowd in the courtyard below couldn’t see them, not that she really cared. But the announcement of their mating wouldn’t happen until their plan had been executed successfully—or unsuccessfully.

“Is everyone ready?” Sabre asked briskly.

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” Brax responded, looking commanding in his Horde uniform.

“Jinx?” Mikhail inquired.

Time was short, and the stakes were high, yet he asked if she was still on board with the plan. She had no doubt he would cancel the whole thing if she told him to. He truly valued her opinion. It made her feel warm, loved, and, above all, respected. She met his eyes. “Let’s do this.”

Mikhail captured her lips, his arms enveloping her as he dipped her backwards in a dramatic sweep. Time seemed to freeze around them, the world fading into a blur of colours and sensations. When he finally pulled back, her breath came in short gasps, and she was a little giddy.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Jinx cupped his cheek. “I believe you. I love you, too. Now, go and lure your psychotic brother to his doom.”

Mikhail flashed her a toothy grin that managed to be both diabolical and sexy before striding to the royal balcony.

“He’s hot,” Eric proclaimed, his eyes glued to Mikhail as he effortlessly silenced the bustling crowd with just a glance and a wave of his hand.

“Yes, he is. And he’s all mine,” Jinx said with wonder.

Her friends had taken the news of their mating three days ago well, offering congratulations and inappropriate ribald remarks in equal measure. She had braced herself for some pushback, especially given the whirlwind nature of her relationship with Mikhail—from no to maybe to yes within weeks. But she was relieved to find all of them supportive. They had been equally helpful and sympathetic when it came to Carrick. Draven had indeed drawn the short straw and tidied up the bloody mess, telling her he got in a few solid kicks to the body. She’d hugged him so hard for that.

She watched Mikhail touch her mating bite subtly, making sure his collar and robe concealed it from the eyes of the people. She reached up, her fingers dipping into the grooves left by Mikhail’s lower teeth. As far as shifter mating marks went, it was unconventional. But Jinx loved them. She also loved their mating. The pleasure was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was raw and primal, and with each swallow of Mikhail's blood, she’d felt a deeper connection to him. And now they were bound until one or both of their hearts stopped beating. “I still can't believe it," she said to herself. “It’s like something out of a novel.”

As Sabre and Draven moved to flank Mikhail and Brax, Gage wrapped an arm around her in the shadows. “Sometimes life is stranger than fiction."

Eric scoffed. “You can say that again.” His expression turned serious before he spoke again. “As long as you're happy, Jinx. That's all we care about.”

Jinx nodded, touched by his sincerity. “I am. Happier than I've ever been.”

Still, the future loomed uncertain, and she couldn't help but worry about what it might hold.