eyes are burning, the next thing I know your skin will burst into flames.»
A reluctant smile tugged at Vikirnoff's mouth. It felt like flames were already dancing over his skin, but she was right. He was weak, needed blood and healing soil. It was only the fact that he was an ancient, well experienced with grave injuries that allowed him to stay on his feet. His strength couldn't last forever and she would have need of him in coming battles.
«Go, Vikirnoff, I mean it.»
«I will see you safe first. Remove the safeguards and enter your room.»
She couldn't think straight, her blood so hot and her body tight and uncomfortable, begging for release. She took a breath and forced her scattered mind to work again. If she concentrated on the safeguards and not on the fact that he was going away, she would be all right again.
The room was just as they'd left it. She flung her pack into a corner and sat down in the small chair just in front of the television set. She'd paid extra for the television set and it was covered with the same colorful tapestries as the walls and bed, so much so that she could barely see the screen. «I'll be fine. You can see no one is in here or has been here.»
«It will not be easy. Being separated from a lifemate is extremely difficult. I, of course, have not experienced it, but am told grief is overwhelming because our minds need to touch. I will be asleep and you will not have access to me.»
«Don't flatter yourself, Vik.» She crossed her arms over her churning stomach and managed a smile. «I've been without you for a century or two, I think I can manage.»
«The doubt will creep in, Natalya. You will think I am dead. Emotionally you have already been through a storm. It will be difficult not to give into wild grief.»
Her eyebrow shot up. «Grief? Not just grief but wild grief? I think I'll manage just fine. The sun is climbing and you're wasting time. Just go now before…» Her voice trailed off. She wanted him to go.
«Do not try to access the past by touching the ceremonial knife, Natalya,» Vikirnoff cautioned.
«I do have a perfectly good mind and I've been able to use it all this time by my little old self,» she answered. «You're stalling.»
«Give me your word.»
She was beginning to feel desperate. «I give you my word, but you tell me the first line again.»
His eyebrow shot up. «The first line?»
«Of the binding spell. I want you to say it again in your language.» Her chin shot up. «You aren't the only linguist. I can speak several languages and I'm very good at figuring things out.»
«So you are still determined to undo what I wrought.»
«Yes.» She didn't know how true that was anymore, but damn him to hell, he was leaving her and she was already acting out of character, a whiny baby ready to cry for him. She'd tried to seduce him into staying and she'd pleaded with him. She had no shame and that just wasn't okay with her.
His eyes went diamond hard again. «Te avio palafertiilam.»
«That one isn't so difficult. When languages regress words are often dropped. There would be no 'are'. Literally it would be, «you wedded wife-my».» She looked at him triumphantly. «You literally married me, bonded with me, tied us together in the way of your people.»
«That is so.»
«I'm ready for the next line, unless you're afraid I can undo it,» she challenged.
He suddenly leaned forward, one hand on cither side of her head, effectively caging her in. «It would not matter to me. You are my lifemate, ainaak enyem, forever mine, and that is all there is to it. I do not give up what is mine. If trying to find a way to undo the ritual words occupies your mind and allows you to get through the hours of these next few risings without me, please feel free to work to your heart's content.» He kissed her. Hard. Deep. A fierce claim meant to shake her up, to brand her his, and it did.
Natalya couldn't stop her response, opening her mouth to him, feeding on him, devouring him with the same edgy hunger. Vikirnoff broke the kiss and lifted his head, his gaze holding hers captive. «You are mine. Your body doesn't lie, Natalya.»
«Oh, go away.» She pushed at him. «I belong to myself. I don't care what you say…» Her voice trailed off as her gaze lifted to his. «Next few risings? What does that mean? You won't come back tonight?» Fear was the first emotion followed closely by anger. She shoved at him again. «You did this thing to me. You made me dependent on you, but I refuse, absolutely refuse, to waste one moment of my time grieving when you're walking out on me. You shouldn't have tied us together if you were going to do this. Get the hell out of here, Vikirnoff, and don't you worry. I'm not going to look back. Not at all.» Was she prodding him again? Challenging him? She couldn't think straight with her mind in such chaos.
«I can take you with me, Natalya. We have exchanged blood on two occasions. It would be my pleasure to do so again.» There was seduction in his voice. A threat. A warning.
She studied his face. He was riding the edge of his control. There was too much feeling, too many emotions crowding in and they were feeding each other, back and forth. Natalya took a deep breath and drew back from the edge of the precipice she had nearly rushed over. «I'm sorry, Vikirnoff. I'm very shaken. Thank you for all you've done for me. I'm not acting like it, but I really appreciate it.»
He pressed his lips to her forehead. «Entolam kuulua, avio palafertiilam,» he whispered. «Good luck, kislany,» he added deliberately with a small grin.
She feigned outrage. «I know you didn't just call me a little girl.» There was a lump in her throat, but she forced her gaze to meet his. She could watch him go and never look back if she had to. She was no little girl, but a grown woman with a mind and heart and will of her own. «Go ahead and mock me. You won't be smirking when I find the spell to unbind us.»
«Weave your strongest safeguards, Natalya. No matter what, I will come back. I want you to remember that. I will come back to you.»
He straightened and she caught the slight wince. There was fresh blood leaking onto his shirt. Ashamed that she was holding him there, Natalya waved him away. «Go. I'm going to sleep for two days. That should give you plenty of time to heal, Superman.» It sounded impossible, but small cuts on her own body could heal nearly instantly and Vikirnoff was full Carpathian.
Vikirnoff pulled open the balcony door. The early morning sun was climbing fast. Light spilled over him and into the room. «Do not forget the safeguards, Natalya.»
«I won't.»
He took a step into the burning sun, hesitated and turned back. He hated leaving her. It hurt. A bone-wrenching, gut-churning pain that persisted in spite of the fact that he knew he would find a way to make her safe. She wasn't the only one to deal with separation. He had been alone too many centuries and the idea of being apart from her, unable to protect her, or hold her when she was so upset, bothered him more than he cared to admit. She had crawled under his skin and was entwined around his heart in spite of the fact that she was bold and flip and knew little of respect.
He still didn't know if he approved of her. She didn't act anything like the woman he had envisioned for himself or at all for that matter. When he'd thought about women, they were all gentle and peaceful and sweet. He turned back to her. She looked small and vulnerable, nothing like the little tigress out on the battlefield. Her knees were drawn up and she rested her chin on them, arms drawn tightly around her legs. She looked utterly alone. His heart stuttered. Swearing, he turned back to her, closing the doors firmly. «We are going to need the heavy tapestry.»
«What are you doing?» She kept her gaze fixed on his face. She could look at his face forever. There were lines that shouldn't have been there, but it was a strong face, beautifully
male, sculpted with clean, firm edges. Her heart was doing crazy little somersaults at his words.
«Staying. I am staying.»
Natalya took a deep breath, let it out and crossed the distance between them, taking his hand. «No, you're not. It's enough that you want to stay for me.»
«Not for you, Natalya,» he said. «For me.»
«Where will you be? Tell me where. Show me where and I won't worry.»
His palm cupped the back of her head, brought her to him for a long, searing kiss. Her mouth scorched his, every bit as hungry, her body melting into his, fitting to his form, so that he slid his hands down her back to her bottom and lifted, pressing her pulsing core tight against his heavy erection. He felt desperate, not wanting to let her go. They were both too raw with the emotions they'd relived through the past, with the newness of feeling emotion. He didn't just want to bury his body deep inside hers and stay there, he wanted to hold her forever.
Just stay merged. Inhale her, share her skin as well as her body. It was a fierce, intense desire that shook him to the core of his being.
She loved his mouth, his taste, his smell, everything about him, especially the way he kissed her, as if he could devour her and it still wouldn't be enough. She could have kissed him forever, but the sun was climbing and he was feeling it. In a short time it would be too late, they would have no choices left to them. Maybe that was what he was banking on, but Natalya wasn't willing to allow him to sacrifice his strength and energy. She pulled away from him.
«Go. Show me where you plan to rest and go. It's best for both of us and you know it is. I'll double my safeguards and wait for you.» She knew it was necessary to reassure him and she looked him in the eye, opened her mind to him so he could see she meant it.
He showed the cave with mineral rich soil that he remembered from his childhood. It had been a favorite place, although quite remote. Sharing the coordinates was easy enough with their mind merge. He caught her face in his hands, leaned his head onto hers. «Do not let anything happen to you.»
«You just look out for yourself and remember the Troll King. He's freaky. I'll be really, really mad at you if you get one more scratch on you.» She stroked his cheek. Her hand was trembling so she put it behind her back. «Please go, Vikirnoff. For me, take off now.» Because if he didn't, she was going to cry and then he'd stay and she'd feel guilty and angry with herself. «Please. For me.»
Vikirnoff turned abruptly and launched himself into the air, shifting into the form of a bird, uncaring that it ripped his wounds and droplets of blood dripped from the sky.
Mikhail. I have need of you. He sent the call. Imperative. Demanding.
I am here.
I go to ground to heal.
I felt the wounds. I will send aid to your lifemate. The brother and sister of Traian's lifemate are here. I will send them and they will make certain she survives the separation. Let her know to expect them.
Vikirnoff sent Natalya the information. Immediately he received the impression of a snarl. I do not need a baby-sitter.
Nevertheless. Vikirnoff broke the connection between them, unwilling to argue with her. It served no purpose when he intended to send her help regardless of her posturing. He didn't want her to be alone. Natalya had the mistaken idea that the ritual words were a binding spell. Both Carpathians and the wizards, those schooled in the power of the elements, were used to using what others deemed magick, but the ritual binding words were so much more elemental. Imprinted on a male Carpathian before birth, the binding ritual ensured the continuation of their species.
He found himself smiling, deep within the form of the bird. If it helped her get through their hours of separation to work on undoing the binding between them, then he would put aside his hurt feelings and be happy there was something to aid her.
Mikhail, there are many vampires in this area. I believe they seek to destroy you. You must be very careful.
We have been under siege for some time. Mikhail answered. Traian was attacked by a master vampire. He did not recognize him, but it was without doubt an ancient and well versed in all the powers. Traian had no choice but to leave us. The vampire drank his blood and connected them. Traian feared he could be used to spy against his own people. He has gone with his lifemate to meet the rest of her family.
Who is left to protect you? Vikirnoff stifled the alarm shooting through him. Maxim had seemed utterly confident in his ability to destroy the prince of the Carpathians. He had said Mikhail was without protection. Where was everyone? Their people were few and scattered over a wide range, but surely the prince was well guarded.
Falcon lives close and Manolito has returned from South America. You are here as well. In any case, I am capable of protecting myself.
Vikirnoff was silent, mulling it over as he winged his way toward the old cave. I think there is a well-orchestrated plot against you. How is it all of the hunters are gone?
My brother and Gregori have been in the States. Byron is in Italy and I believe Tienn and Eric are traveling with their lifemates. Gregori and Jacques are on their way back, but
they travel slowly as Shea is pregnant. Gabriel is not too far. Should there be need, they will come with all speed.
Vikirnoff didn't like it. There was need. Great need right now. Forgive me, but perhaps you are being too complacent. I was in the States with Rafael and we encountered Maxim's brother. It took both of us to kill him and Rafael nearly died doing so. They have grown powerful, Mikhail, and they are developing strange weapons against us. The vampires are banding together and they mean to assassinate you. Maxim told me it was their goal. If they have sufficient ranks here, we may be in trouble. You said Falcon was wounded. You are wounded as am I. We do not know the full extent of the army they have in place against us. You are used to battling fledgling vampires and those of lesser skills. You have never faced an ancient of great power. With some of our most experienced hunters such as Traian or Falcon injured, perhaps we need to reassess what is going on.
Vikirnoff was never much of a talker. He preferred action and it hadn't been his intention to get into a confrontation with his prince before actually meeting him, but twice now they had disagreed on a course of action. The prince was necessary to sustain their species. It was possible his daughter, Savannah, carried the necessary gene to ensure the survival of their entire species, but Vikirnoff wasn't willing to gamble with the prince's life to find out.
Heavy vines and a pile of rocks covered the entrance to the cave he sought. The area looked as if it hadn't been disturbed for several hundred years. The opening was very slender, hidden behind mere cracks in the boulder. Vikirnoff and his brother, Nicolae, had discovered the entrance as children. Magma, deep below the surface, heated the narrow tunnel and the caverns and springs. The double chambers were rich in minerals and the brothers had often carried the soil home to aid the healers.
Thank you for this information, Vikirnoff. I will take it under consideration. Do not worry about your lifemate. My friends will protect her.
Vikirnoff didn't snort his derision. It would have been rude when talking to royalty, but in truth, no one was going to protect his lifemate. If there was any protecting going on, Natalya would be the one doing it, he didn't care how distraught she might be over the separation. On that thought, came pride. Respect. Natalya might not be the woman he'd dreamt of, or fantasized about, but she was extraordinary and reliable. Utterly, absolutely reliable.
Deep within a chamber he opened the healing earth. His body was tired and he desperately needed to feed, but he had waited too long and the sun had climbed too high. Floating down into the warmth of the rich soil, he allowed the soothing properties to wash over him. Are you all right? He reached for her because he had to touch her. To know that she was alive and well.
Yes. What about you? You sound exhausted. Why haven't you gone to ground?
I was having a discussion with the prince.
There was a small silence. You were ordering him around, weren't you?
Why would you think that?
I just know you. Diplomacy and tact aren't exactly your strong suits.
The dirt began to fill in around and over him as he laughed softly, the sound echoing through her mind.
Chapter 11
�
�I love the way you laugh, Razvan, but it isn't going to get you the spell. You were supposed to study.»
«I did study.» Razvan grinned at her, his hair falling into his eyes the way it always did.
Natalya knew he believed all the girls thought he looked intriguing that way. She thought he looked like he needed a haircut, but she refrained from saying so.
«Just not spells. You know I think they're archaic. What's the point? No one believes in magick and I don't have the affinity for it that you do. Besides, you always tell me in the end, so stop stalling.»
Natalya put her hands on her hips. Of course she was going to tell him. She always did, but she wasn't going to give it up that easy. «What do you have for me in return?»
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