Bound by Forever (True Immortality 3)

Niamh had put up a barrier spell around their room that stopped anyone from entering. Something like that might have drained her years ago, but every day she seemed to grow stronger in her abilities.

Now that they were outside, Kiyo was in guard mode, alert to the fact that their enemies could show at any moment.

When Niamh reached for his hand while they strolled, his first instinct was to drop it. He’d never been the hand-holding type. Yet, when Niamh sensed this and relaxed her hand to release him, Kiyo found himself gripping it tight.

She gave him an understanding smile. “It’s okay. I get it.” She tugged on his hand.

He didn’t let go. If his mate wanted to hold his hand, he’d get over himself and hold her hand. His expression seemed to translate his feelings because Niamh grinned happily.

Her happiness made it worth it.

Fionn was right.

He was mate-whipped.

Fifteen minutes later, they were only around five minutes from Yoyogi Park when Niamh suddenly jerked his hand as she halted. Her features looked strained. And he knew without her having to say the words.

“Vision?” He grabbed and pulled her against the stone wall that ran along the sidewalk. Foot traffic was quiet, but the roads weren’t. He covered her with his body, trying to hide her—

Niamh convulsed hard in his arms and he gritted his teeth as he clasped her nape to stop her head from smacking against the stone. Her eyelids fluttered rapidly and powerlessness overwhelmed him.

He hated seeing her like this.

Pain, like being smacked in the forehead with a rock, sent bright lights flashing across his eyes. Images flooded his head. Niamh. Him. Rose. Astra. Elijah. Standing stones. Four. Gardens. Tokyo. Gardens. Jade pendant. They hit him one after the other on repeat.

Then just as abruptly as they’d come, they disappeared.

Kiyo’s eyes flew open.

He and Niamh were huddled on the ground. She was tucked into his chest like a child.

“Niamh?”

She lifted her head, her eyes flying up behind him.

He followed her gaze and saw two young men staring curiously at them as they walked by.

Kiyo glared until they hurried away.

Once they were on their feet, he pulled Niamh into his arms, cuddling her tight against him as he rested his chin on her head. “You okay?”

She nodded, squeezing him. “It was the same as before. Nothing new.”

“Not quite.”

Niamh pulled away just enough to look at him. “What do you mean?”

“I know where those gardens are. And the jade pendant was new.”

Niamh frowned. “No, it wasn’t. It’s always been in them.”

Kiyo shook his head. “Not the one I saw last time.”

She considered this. “Actually, I think you’re right. But it was in the first one I ever got. What does it mean?”

“The gardens belong to the house I was renting in Osaka back in the 1800s when I was taking my revenge against my mother’s rapists. I was cursed in those gardens.” His grip on Niamh tightened unwittingly as he remembered. “The jade pendant belonged to Mizuki Nakamura. The miko who cursed me.”

Niamh pushed away from him. “Then we have to go to Osaka. Kiyo … that pendant.”

Something like panic clawed at his gut as realization struck. “It’s a talisman.”

And I’d bet my eternity that it holds your curse within. Destroy it and … She clung to him now, fear pouring from her.

“Best-case scenario, I become mortal. Worst-case scenario … I die.”

Which was exactly what Astra wanted.

A fierceness overcame Niamh with such strength, her eyes bled gold and strands of her hair lifted of its own accord. Electricity crackled around her. “That’s not going to happen,” she vowed, her voice sounding different.

“Komorebi …” He reached for her, his tone calming. “The show, while arousing, is unnecessary. We’ll find the pendant.”

Just like that, the surrounding energy flamed out and her eyes were aquamarine again. She looked at him in wonder. “What did you just call me?”

“We need to get back to the hotel. Can you do your thing when no one’s looking?”

“Answer my question first.”

“I called you Komorebi,” he answered impatiently. “Now can we go?”

Niamh stepped into his waiting arms, smiling up at him like he’d just given her the whole world. “You told me Komorebi means a beautiful forest with sunlight peeking through the leaves of the trees. And you think of it every time you ready for a run through the woods.”

“Yeah,” he muttered, feeling too much. Way too fucking much for it to be comfortable.

She slipped her arms around his neck. “Trust you, my darling, my brooding wolf, to give a woman the most romantic endearment on the planet.”

His grip on her tightened but he just grunted in acknowledgment.

Niamh leaned up to whisper across his lips. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” She pressed her mouth to his, and he felt a strange disorientation.

When he opened his eyes, they were standing in the middle of their hotel room.