She found herself dizzy and disoriented. At once, Ferro pressed her head to his chest and she blindly drank from him. Strength poured into her, along with the very essence of her lifemate. He filled every one of her senses. She became aware, after a few minutes, that he was completely supporting her, his arms hiding her from several others in the room. Someone, and she vaguely realized it was Sandu, was giving Ferro blood. Benedek was there, along with a couple of others she didn’t really recognize.
Once she was back up to strength, Tariq strode in with two little girls on either hip. His lifemate, Charlotte, was with him. Lourdes was her niece and now adopted daughter. Bella was Amelia’s little sister. All of the siblings had been adopted by Tariq and Charlotte. The little girls were four. They were beautiful and looked remarkably alike.
They have faint scorching on their brains, Tariq greeted. He sank into one of the chairs opposite Elisabeta and Ferro.
Charlotte sat in the chair beside him and took Lourdes from him to hold on her lap. Charlotte had very curly, thick auburn hair and was on the smaller side, with generous curves. The moment she had secured Lourdes, Tariq waved his hand and both little girls, who had been squirming to get down, immediately froze.
“I don’t believe they were exposed to this infection very long,” Tariq said grimly. “It is strange that neither Charlotte nor Genevieve have it when I did and the children all do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Gary assured.
With both Tariq and Charlotte looking so anxious and staring at her, Elisabeta felt the familiar recoiling, the need to bury her face and retreat from all those around her. Immediately, Ferro shielded her. “Elisabeta will be very gentle with the girls.”
She took that as her cue to follow the healer into Lourdes first. It was Charlotte who led them, not Tariq. She wasn’t surprised. Had she been the child’s mother, she would have insisted she be there as well. Charlotte didn’t know her at all and had no reason to trust her.
The red streaks were so faint on the developing brain that they were actually more pink than red. It gave Elisabeta, Ferro and Gary the chance to study the faint layers and how they lay over the frontal lobe. The burn hadn’t settled into the brain itself yet, nor had it covered it. Elisabeta was able to simply blow the easiest of breezes to remove it. She did the same with Bella’s. It took no real effort, as both girls had the same faint streaking.
“Do you have any idea what is causing this?” Tariq asked Elisabeta directly, rocking Bella gently. It was clear he expected an answer.
Elisabeta’s stomach churned. She pushed her hand tight against the gathering knots and pressed closer to Ferro.
“The three of us were just discussing that,” Ferro said, coming to her rescue. “We don’t know. Send in Mary and Donald Walton. Andor found very few burns on them. Less so on Mary than Donald. We will lose the night if we don’t hurry, and Elisabeta will grow too tired. She still has Liv and Danny to heal after the Waltons.”
Charlotte rose. “Thank you, Elisabeta, we’re in your debt. I hope to get to know you better when you have had the time to adjust to being with your lifemate. I know that is important. And now the entire compound is counting on you. This must be so difficult for you. I just want to say how much we all appreciate you.”
11
Hand in hand we are strong;
Sing with me, it’s to you I belong.
Ferro called to Elisabeta with the rain first. Their song. The drops played through the rich soil, reaching to tease her body, to wake her gently. It had been a very long night and she had been so exhausted after tending to Liv, the older couple and lastly Danny, who had very violent burns, that even after Ferro had given her blood along with Andor and Dragomir, he had to carry her to the healing soil beneath their home and place her in it. She had been pale. Ethereal-looking. Entirely unaware of her surroundings.
Ferro vowed this rising was going to be very different for his lifemate. It was going to be about the two of them. He would give her as many wonderful experiences as possible without the continual interruptions from those living within the fortress Tariq and the others had formed. He needed time with his lifemate, just as Charlotte had suggested. It was important to form those close bonds outside the merging of their minds.
The one good thing coming out of the continual need the Carpathian community had of her was that Elisabeta was growing more confident, understanding that her gift was unique and of great value. He wanted her to have the same confidence in herself with him. He had always thought there was an equal balance of power between Carpathian couples no matter how dominant the male might be simply because it was the male’s duty to always see to his lifemate’s happiness. It was impossible to set up a dictatorship if his partner wasn’t happy.
Come to me, minan piŋe sarnanak. Rise and come to me. You have no need of clothes. Practice opening the soil above you and freshening your body and hair.
He gave her the command and waited, his body already anticipating her and what lessons they would learn this rising. What they would practice from the rising before. He had risen before her and gone hunting for blood. He had closed the earth over her so that she would have the experience of opening the soil for herself. On his return, he had deliberately woven strong safeguards around the property to keep everyone out, including other Carpathians, in the hopes that he could have his lifemate to himself.
Intertwined with notes of their song and in the drops of the rain, he threaded the deep passion he felt for her. Elisabeta. His world. His center. He needed her to realize how much she meant to him. How much he wanted her, both physically and emotionally. If she knew, she would have all the confidence in the world.
Ferro felt her then, that first moment when she awakened, hearing the raindrops beating in a rhythm with his heart. He scanned her carefully and noted immediately that she was different this rising, more anticipating than fearful, although trepidation was still there. In spite of all the energy she had expended ridding so many of the mysterious burns, she seemed healthier, most likely due to ancient blood given to her freely in large amounts.
I want to be selfish this rising, sívamet. I have safeguarded our home from the rest of the world. It will be just the two of us. He poured seduction into her mind.
Immediately, there was a reaction, both in her body and mind, but there was also a very strong hesitation. Fear. He had hoped they had dispensed with that emotion between the two of them, but he was making new demands of her each rising. She wanted to please him, to meet his every expectation, and even looked forward to his “lessons,” but she was terrified of letting him down, especially when it came to anything physical between them. Elisabeta had a talent for soothing everyone around her. He had to be the one person who could soothe her.
I have a surprise for you, piŋe sarnanak. He used a coaxing tone. Still sensual. He wanted her to feel the sexual pull between lifemates. Anticipation. But no pressure. Once you have fed, we will go together into the forest. It is so beautiful there, and I have made certain no one is around, nor can they disturb us. I have a long cape for you to wear while you practice your walking to get there.
He would have to forgo seeing her feminine form, but she would feel too vulnerable naked. He wanted to build her confidence, not make her feel helpless. Once there, we will practice shifting into any form you wish. If it pleases you, you can truly become a little songbird and fly. You do not have to go high into the sky, but go from branch to branch, if seeing through the eyes of a bird is still too difficult.
Her heart rate accelerated as she opened the earth above her. He was extremely proud of how smoothly she was able to move the dirt. He doubted she even noticed because she was concentrating on floating out of the soil and freshening her body at the same time. He noted that she paid particular attention to her hair. That required even more concentration. He had been coming up out of the soil clean and fully clothed for so long the
action was automatic, but Elisabeta hadn’t been allowed to do the simplest task for herself.
Ferro noted that she had no problem floating, or removing the fine particles of soil from her body, but was extremely frustrated with freshening and braiding her hair. He was tempted to help her, especially as she tried several times without success. Still, she had achieved two of the three tasks easily, and he didn’t want to take those accomplishments from her. She didn’t look to him for aid so he stayed quietly merged with her, aching to do her hair but knowing she needed to feel as if she could be independent when she wanted to be. He found that watching her struggle was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done—and he’d fought countless battles with master vampires.
Feminine triumph burst through his mind when she managed the thick braid on her own. Elisabeta’s joy was worth the agony of stepping back and witnessing her battle for so small a victory, and yet it wasn’t small. For Elisabeta, it was an enormous accomplishment. He let his pride in her swamp both of them.
My amazing lifemate. Believe me, I wake each rising knowing what a miracle I have been given. Come to me, sívamet.
This was another hard chore, and he had struggled with whether or not to push her out of her comfort zone so quickly on these smaller tasks. Every Carpathian child was taught as a toddler to open the soil, float, clean and clothe themselves, as well as get from one place to the other easily. He knew Elisabeta felt inferior to others because she didn’t know how to do the things she regarded as simple—things she knew children could do. The knowledge that a child could do more than she could made her feel ashamed. He detested that. She was a brilliant woman and just needed a little time to catch up.
How do I find you?
Fear swamped her, but she didn’t falter or refuse. He felt her determination. The woman could bring him to his knees.
Do you feel me close? We share a mind merge yet you do not seek my knowledge. Reach for my location. I will shield you from the battles that would distress you, Elisabeta. I know a woman as compassionate as you would have difficulties viewing the things I have seen and done over the centuries. Unlike the vampire, I do not wish to expose you. He was cruel and enjoyed watching you suffer. I do not. Trust me. Share my mind the way I share yours.
He knew he was asking for a huge leap of faith. He was centuries old and Elisabeta had already heard the rumors of Ferro from the Malinov brothers, the relentless Carpathian hunter feared even by other Carpathians for his renowned skills. He felt her hesitation, heard her pulse jump and then begin to race. His woman had serious trust issues and yet she still wrapped herself in him.
He simply waited, giving her the choice, knowing that more than anything else this was difficult for her. Elisabeta preferred Ferro to make the choice for her. She wanted him to command her to look into his mind rather than leave it up to her.
Ferro. Her voice shook. Is this what you desire of me?
He was silent, turning over and over in his mind the various reactions to her trembling query. He wanted her to start making her own choices for her sake and know they were her own.
Minan piŋe sarnanak, only you can decide whether you feel you are able to trust me enough to shield you. If you cannot, I will not be angry or disappointed in you. We will simply try it another day. You have only to look into my mind, see where I am and come to me, or call to me and I will come to you. There is no wrong decision. He kept his tone as gentle as possible, giving her the sensation of his palm stroking caresses down the back of her head to soothe her.
Elisabeta paced back and forth on the grounds beneath the house, wrapping her arms around herself, unaware she was walking better and better. On the uneven ground she didn’t stumble. Already, when she wasn’t thinking about it, she automatically cushioned the soles of her feet so she didn’t hurt herself on the rocks. He would point these things out to her later, just not now when she was desperately trying to force herself to make a choice.
Ferro found it agony to feel her mounting terror. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself from taking the decision from her hands. He felt like he was torturing her rather than helping her. He was feeling his way with her, trying to guide her without pushing her too fast, but perhaps he was guilty of the very thing he had warned her female friends against doing. It was just that she was so confident when she came to the aid of those in need. Just as she was cushioning her feet automatically while she paced because she wasn’t giving it thought, while she was using her gift to help others, she made decisions and gave her opinion with conviction.
Then suddenly, before Ferro had made up his mind, he felt that first tentative touch, a seeking. She was so timid, her fear filling him, and then she found the images of his location, of him quietly waiting for her. He knew the moment she felt his overwhelming pride in her and his feelings that had fast gone from affection to love and passion intertwined so strong and tight, the feeling would only keep growing for her.
He felt her gasp. She went still. At first afraid to trust what she saw. The emotions he felt for her. He couldn’t blame her. Sergey had tricked her repeatedly over the centuries. The vampire enjoyed playing elaborate, cruel jokes on her. Ferro felt her move in his mind, daring to search further. Looking for truth. Needing to believe but terrified to do so. He held himself equally as still as she had, silently willing her to take the next step, but aware she might not quite get there this rising. She had already come so far. His Elisabeta, so courageous.
She found his location. She merely had to cross the ground that led out from under the house where he waited to give her blood. The building was situated so that one entire length of the house had views of the thick groves of trees. A pathway led through gardens of flowers straight into the cooler forest. Already, his lifemate had taken so many new steps that he was grateful he had thought to change his ideas of what they would share this rising. His body wasn’t as happy with him, but for him, everything he did was about Elisabeta and her needs.
I am coming to you? She tried to pour confidence into her voice, but it still came out a question, as if she feared she had made the wrong choice.
Ferro wrapped her in love. You are so brave, minan piŋe sarnanak. I do not know a single Carpathian hunter more courageous than you.
He watched over her as she walked slowly, hesitantly, bolstered by his confidence in her as well as his admiration. He kept her attention on him, not on what she was doing.
I have explored the forest, and although it is much different than what we are used to, it is beautiful. I believe you will find it a place of serenity, as I have. I did not have as much time to investigate as I would have liked, but now I am glad. That gives us places to find together. It will be an adventure. I do know there are streams and mini waterfalls.
His breath caught in his lungs, stayed trapped there as she came physically into his sight. She was tall, like the women of his people, but because of his stature, he still dwarfed her in size. She was still on the thinner side but beginning to fill out nicely, losing the starved look he detested so much. Her skin glowed now. Her bone structure was beautiful. She had faint white scars from Sergey’s careless treatment of her. Scars were very rare on Carpathians unless wounds had been mortal. The master vampire had a lot to answer for—far too much for Ferro to dwell on when his beloved woman was coming to him of her own free will.
You are the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth. He meant it. To him, she was and always would be.
Her dark eyes met his a little shyly. Her smile was slow in coming, but when it did, her face lit up and then her eyes. It was as if the moon had risen in all her beauty, glowing bright for those on earth, shining down, spilling her silvery beams everywhere. Ferro held out his hand to her as she neared him.
She placed her hand in his without hesitation and his heart stuttered. More and more she was giving him her trust. A priceless gift, one he would forever treasure and guard
carefully.
“Hän sívamak. My beloved. You must know how fast you have learned to do so many things. I will confess”—he bent to brush a kiss along her high cheekbone and down to the corner of her mouth—“that I will miss fixing your hair for you. It is a task I greatly enjoyed doing.”
Although he knew it was self-indulgent of him, he couldn’t stop his hands from drifting gently from her throat to the curve of her breast.
“I like you fixing my hair,” she conceded shyly. “It was . . . difficult.”
“And yet you were so persistent and accomplished the task. I found that very sexy.” His palm slipped to the back of her head and urged her face into his chest.
Her tongue stroked a caress over his skin, tasting him. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. Already she was sensual in her every touch on his body. Her hand skimmed down his chest over his abdomen, lingering on the muscles there, feeling the way they came alive for her, rippling under her palm. She sank her teeth into him and he threw back his head, letting the bite of ecstasy carry him away.
You said I am to practice the things you teach me each rising, is that not correct?
He could barely think straight with her mouth on him. Who knew the simple act of feeding could be so sensual?
Yes, he managed to get out. If you so desire.
In the ritual binding words, it says that my body is in your keeping and your body is in mine.
He heard that loud and clear. He became very aware of her palm, hot now, very low on his belly. His entire being centered there. Yes. My body is yours.
Her hand slipped lower to find the hard, thick girth of him. She smeared the leaking drops of his essence over the broad head and then down his shaft, fisting him in the way he had shown her the rising before. When her fingers tightened around him, pumping in a slow, lazy slide, and her lips and teeth moved, drinking from him, he felt the burn of flames along his spine and the roiling in his belly settle deep in his groin.
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