“Sing and persuade her to stay with us,” Brie says before she closes her eyes. I can barely feel Gabriela’s life force. We need a miracle, because I don’t know what else to do to help her. I know Bjarni can feel it too, and my heart is breaking for the anguish he’s going through. Nova starts to sing. One of her hands is on Brielle’s back, the other on Gabriela’s. Moving back, I let them take over.
I see perspiration bead on Brielle’s forehead, and her complexion pales. What the hell is she doing that is draining her like that? I keep a close eye on her, and each minute that passes, my worry rises. I feel Gabriela’s energy stabilize, but Brie is looking as pale as a sheet. Looking over at Nova, I see that her eyes are also closed, and even though she’s still singing and sounds like a nightingale, her complexion is also pale. That’s enough. Whatever she’s doing has to stop.
Moving behind her, I place my arms around her waist and pull her back, breaking the connection between her and the other women. “Enough,” I whisper against her ear as I feel her body slump against me. “Brie!” I call, but she doesn’t respond.
Placing my arm behind her knee and the other on her back, I lift her against my chest. What the fuck did she do? I can feel my heart racing in fear at her stillness. “Look at me, beauty,” I say against her cheek as I hold her tight against me. “Come on, Brie, open your eyes for me.” But her eyes stay closed and her breathing shallow. Her energy levels are dangerously low. I suspect she used her energy and Nova’s to replenish Gabriela’s.
Nova continues to sing, her eyes closed as she calms and persuades Gabriela to hang on. Knowing that for now, Gabriela is out of danger, I sit with Brie on my lap and hurriedly tear at my wrist. When she’s better, I’m going to have a serious talk with her about her doing this to herself. How dare she hurt herself this way.
Placing my wrist over her lips, I encourage her to drink. At first, she doesn’t take my blood, but with encouragement, she slowly starts to swallow. After a few minutes, I see the colour start to seep back into her cheeks, and my heart calms. I lower my head and kiss her forehead as I pull my wrist away, knowing that she will be fine. She just needs to rest. Standing, I move towards the only other empty bed and lay her down before I make my way towards the babies.
When I reach them, I notice that Brie has placed them together in the same incubator, making me smile when I notice how she placed the babies’ hands together. My woman is wiser than I thought. I hadn’t thought about what a shock it would be for the babies to be separated as soon as they were born, but now that she has placed them together, I understand the connection she’s trying to maintain with them.
It’s already a shock for them to be separated from their mom. As soon as Gabriela is better, I will place the incubator close to her for her to be able to talk to them. Moving towards Gabriela, I check her pulse, her breathing, and her heartbeat. Everything seems to have stabilized. Whatever magic Nova and Brielle did worked.
Bjarni’s head is still against Gabriela’s, and his voice is still droning on softly. “Hey, Brother,” I call quietly, waiting for him to look at me. After a minute, he finally looks up, his eyes tormented. “She’s going to be fine. Why don’t you go say hi to your kids? They also need you now.” I see his eyes widen, but I can see his reluctance to leave Gabriela. After a minute, he nods, turns back to her, and kisses her on the forehead before he moves away towards the babies.
I see his face when he first looks at the two. There is shock that is quickly replaced by awe. “My sons,” he whispers. Only then do I remember that I didn’t tell him that one is a girl. Walking up to him, I tap him on the back and point at the girl.
“That one there isn’t a boy,” I reveal, and hear him take in a deep breath.
“Are you saying that my baby girl gave me a boy and a girl?” His voice is gruff with emotion, his eyes glassy as he places his hand over the glass of the incubator.
“That is exactly what I’m saying.” At my answer, a smile spreads across his face. Then suddenly, the smile is gone.
“Fuck,” he growls. “A girl. I’m going to have to kill some fuckers.” At his words, I throw back my head and laugh, also hearing the brothers outside the infirmary laugh. “Not fucking funny.” I see the scowl on his face as he looks at his twins. I place my arm around his shoulders and squeeze.
“Don’t worry, you are going to be a great father,” I say. “And besides, she will have ten uncles to look after her too.” At my words, his muscles start to relax, and then he smiles.
“They are so tiny,” he murmurs. “Are they okay?”
“They will have to stay in there for a while, but with care, they will soon be out,” I promise.
“Bjarni,” Gabriela calls quietly; if it wasn’t for our great hearing, we wouldn’t hear her. Bjarni is at her side in a second.
“I’m here, baby girl,” he says as he strokes her hair. Her eyes are closed, but she turns her head towards his voice.
“The babies?” she murmurs.
“Our babies are perfect. You were so courageous. We have a boy and a girl,” he says as he lowers his face and rubs his cheek against hers. “Thank you,” he whispers, and I see a smile lift Gabriela’s lips as she lets sleep take her.
Looking over at the windows of the infirmary, I notice that everyone is still there with big smiles on their faces. Draco and Wulf look relieved as they walk out of the infirmary. We were all worried there for a little while, but my woman and Nova performed a miracle.
Walking over to where Brie is lying, I stroke her face, feeling contentment surround me. “Beauty,” I call, trying to awaken her, but she doesn’t wake. “What did you do to yourself?” I murmur as I move her over slightly and then lie down, cradling her against my chest. Ceric comes in and takes Nova in his arms. I see him kiss her forehead before he’s lifting her in his arms and walking out.
I hear the others start to leave. Looking over, I see that Bjarni has moved the chair towards the bed and is now sitting with his head on the bed and his arm around Gabriela just under her breasts. Turning my head to the other side, I see Cassius leaning back in his chair, his eyes closed as if he’s sleeping, but I can tell he’s still awake by the tenseness in his muscles.
Closing my eyes, I breathe in my woman’s fragrance until it lulls me to sleep. A couple hours later, I come awake with a start when I feel Brielle move next to me. Tightening my arms, I open my eyes to see her trying to move away so she can get up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask, startling her.
“Sorry, I was trying not to wake you up,” she murmurs quietly as not to disturb the others. “I really need some water.”
“I’ll get it for you. Stay here,” I say. Lowering my head, I kiss her forehead before I make my way towards the kitchen. Walking in, I see Draco standing against the counter with his leg crossed at the ankles and his head lowered. At my arrival, his head lifts, and I can see the tiredness in his face.
“All okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, Brie wanted water,” I state as I move towards the fridge. Opening the door, I take out two water bottles. “What’s up?” I ask, sensing that something is bothering him.
“Celmund found one of the women on the list of computers we extracted from when we attacked the Keres.” At his tone, I can tell that I’m not going to like this.
“So where is she?” I ask.
“She’s in our infirmary,” he answers.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“The woman we think is Cassius’s mate is his mate,” he grunts. “Her name is Scarlett.”
“Well, we already suspected that she was his mate. I don’t see a problem. At least now he will know her name,” I say
“The problem is that I’m going to have to tell him that Merdor had her for three months. They noted down every form of torture they did on her,” he says angrily. “I have never lied to any of you. If he asks to see her file, I will have to let him see it.” Standing up straight, he starts to pace.
“You know how close he is to turning. I don’t want to tip the scale and have him throw everything away in his fury for revenge,” he says.
“He found his mate. He won’t turn.” I’ve seen how he sits next to her and talks quietly, trying to bring her back. There is no way he will give that up.
“What if she doesn’t wake up?” Draco asks with a raised eyebrow as he looks at me.
“I believe she will. There is no reason she hasn’t woken up yet,” I reveal. “I think that if Cassius continues to talk to her, soon, she will awaken. She listens to him; I’ve seen the change in her body when he’s around.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, because today we came too close to losing Bjarni. I do not want to go through that again,” he grumbles. Draco isn’t one to show his emotions, so for him to say what he just did, I know that what Bjarni went through today touched him deeply.
“You and me both. If it weren’t for Brie and Nova, I can tell you now that she wouldn’t have made it. I don’t know what Brie did, but whatever it was saved her,” I say.
“Your woman did well. You’re a lucky man,” he says as I start to make my way towards the door. Stopping at the door, I look back at him.
“Yours is also out there, Draco, don’t give up,” I say, but he just looks at me with his penetrating stare. Draco is strong in every sense of the word, but I think he’s tired of the loneliness. Now that I’ve found Brie, I know what it’s like to finally be complete. I just hope that my brothers find their salvation soon as I found mine.
BRIELLE 20
It’s been three days since the twins were born, and I’m still drained. I know that Bion isn’t happy with me about what I did. But what should I have done, let her die? I didn’t even know if it would work, but it did, and that’s all that matters. When I called Nova, I hoped she would hold on to Gabriela with her gift while I had a chance to give her enough of my life force. It was a good thing Bion pulled me away, because I think if I had continued much longer, I might not be here today.
My body still aches as if I’ve got flu. The day before and yesterday, I slept most of the day away. I know Bion is worried about me; the past two days he spent most of the days with me except when he had to go check on the babies, Gabriela, and Cassius’s woman, but even then, he asked one of the other women to stay with me.
I stretch my body out experimentally and groan. I really need to try to get up today. I hear the water in the shower switch off. “Brie?” Bion calls.
“Yes?” I croak. Even my voice sounds as if I have the flu.
“Are you okay?” he asks as he walks out of the bathroom still tucking the towel around his hips. His muscles ripple as he approaches, a worried look on his face. His nipple rings twinkle in the light, making my mouth water. How did I get so lucky to get a man like this? Not only does he look like Adonis but he’s good to me.
“I’m fine,” I say, trying to appease his worry.
“I heard you groan.” He places a hand on my hip as I’m lying on my side, facing him, and starts to massage.
“That’s good,” I groan in pleasure as I feel my muscles relaxing. “My body is just sore.”
“You are never going to do that again,” he says angrily as he turns slightly and starts to use both hands on my lower back, moving them up as he feels the muscles relax.
“You know I had to help her.”
“Not when it affects your own health,” he snaps. “You’re not going to heal anyone else unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Sighing, I turn onto my back so I’m looking up at him. “You can’t stop me from healing, Bion.”
“I can and I will,” he says coldly. “I won’t let you into the infirmary unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“It’s not usually like this,” I say, trying to persuade him to change his mind.
“Really!” he snaps. “Because I’ve figured out how you healed Gabriela. You gave her your own energy, didn’t you?” He’s scowling at me, his muscles tense and his hands fisted as he waits for my reply. Should I tell him the truth? If I do, he might never want me to help him anymore, and that is something that I can’t let happen.
Healing people is what I was born to do; I can’t stop doing it now. “It isn’t always like that, but that is what Gabriela needed,” I reply.
“What, for you to drain yourself to the point where you could have died?” he states angrily. “Never will you do that again, no matter who it is. If I hadn’t pulled you away, you would be dead right now, wouldn’t you?”
“But nothing happened. I’m here and I’m fine.”
“That’s not the point; the point is that you placed yourself in danger. Why would you do that?”
“I had to help her. What would the babies and Bjarni do without her?” I snap, getting angry at his pig-headedness.
“What would I have done without you?” he roars, suddenly standing up and glaring at me. “Your life is not less than hers or anyone else’s. Don’t you see that?” He bends down. Placing his hands on my arms, he pulls me into a sitting position. “You are my future, the hope I had already lost. You are my very essence. If you perish, there is no more reason for me to stay. I will follow you with my next breath.” At his words, a lump forms in my throat and my eyes mist with unshed tears.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I murmur.
“But you did. When I figured out how you did it, it ripped me apart to think that you think so little of us that you would throw it away.” A tear slips out of the corner of my eye when I see the pain and anguish on his face.
Lowering my eyes, I whisper, “I’m sorry,” and even though I’m fighting not to cry, another tear slips down my cheek. I hear him groan, and then he’s sitting on the bed and pulling me against his hard chest.
“Don’t cry, beauty,” he says as he strokes my hair. His warmth surrounds me, filling me with peace. I feel his lips on the top of my head as he kisses my hair. “I’m sorry I yelled at you,” he says softly. “I have something for you.” I lift my head and look up at him, seeing him looking down at me.
“You do?” I ask curiously. I have had more presents since I have been here than in my whole life. He nods, and then he lowers his head and gently kisses my lips, pulling away too soon for my liking.
“Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He stands and makes his way into our walk-in cupboard; I watch the muscles in his back ripple and tense with his movements, the towel moulded around his ass. I can feel moisture start to pull between my legs at my thoughts. I hear him rummage for a few minutes, and then he’s walking back towards me.
He lifts his hand, and a beautiful green stone the same as the one he always wears is dangling from a beautiful woven leather chain. My heart jumps in excitement, as the other women already told me about the stones and how important it is for these men. How the stones are found and forged when they are babies, one for them and one for their mate.
“You’re giving me your stone?” My voice is raspy as I ask, but I can hear the excitement too.
“Of course. You’re my mate, aren’t you?” he asks with a raised brow and a smirk as he comes to a stop next to the bed.
“Yes, yes, I am.” I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face as he sits on the bed. Stretching, he places the chain over my head, and then he lifts my hair and pulls the stone down between my breasts.
“I give you a part of my essence to protect and enhance your energy. By wearing this jade, you will always have a piece of me with you. You are now part of my blood, my soul, my very essence. I ask that you wear this always to remind you of our bond and the love I hold for you.” With those words, he takes my lips in a blistering kiss that doesn’t leave any doubt in my mind whom I belong to.
“Bion,” I murmur as he lets go of my lips and kisses my jaw and then my neck. My heart racing, I feel his lips against my skin as he continues kissing down to my shoulder. I lift my hand from his bicep and place it on his chest. Stroking his tense muscles, I feel th
e heat penetrate through my hand and warm my body. Lowering my hand slightly, I stroke my index finger over one of his nipple rings and hear him groan in pleasure, filling me with courage.
I push at his chest, and he lifts his head. His piercing green eyes look at me questioningly, but I don’t say anything as I lower my head and kiss his chest lightly before I move lower until my tongue is playing with his nipple ring. His groan of pleasure this time is deep as his hands come up and tangle in my hair. I bite his nipple slightly and feel his muscles tense. “Fuck, that’s good,” he rumbles. I move to the other nipple, worshiping it with my mouth.
I move my hand down towards his lap and feel his impressive hardness under the towel. Moving my hand over it, I feel it twitch in pleasure. Pulling at the towel, I let it fall open, letting his smooth cock rub against my hand. “Que grand,” I murmur on how big he is.
“I love it when you talk Portuguese,” Bion says. Lifting my eyes, I see his head thrown back as I take him in my hand and start to stroke. I start to kiss down his stomach and continue to stroke his hardness until my mouth is a breath away from him; I then stick my tongue out and lick around his mushroom head.
“Fuck,” he grunts, his fingers tightening in my hair as I take him into my mouth, worshiping him until he’s mindless with pleasure, thrusting into my mouth and groaning. “Beauty, you need to stop or I’m gonna blow.”
I place my hand on his balls and squeeze gently, feeling them tighten even more. I know he’s close and that he’s going to explode at any moment. I love knowing that I can bring him to this mindless frenzy. “Fuck, I’m coming,” he roars, his fist tightening in my hair. “Brie . . . Fuck.” His essence shoots down my throat, filling me with warmth to know that I’m pleasuring him. His breathing is rugged, his eyes half closed, as he stares down at me. I pull back, licking every drop clean before I sit up.
“My turn,” he states before I’m being lifted up, his hands under my arms as he lays me down on the bed and divests me of his T-shirt that I’m wearing. I squeak in surprise before he takes my lips in a possessive kiss that leaves us both desperate for more. His one hand is stroking and pinching my nipple while the other is between my legs, stroking my most sensitive bud.
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