Chapter Ten
“Cass!”
Loretta’s voice wafted across the compound, shaking the Vârcolac out of her thoughts as she headed towards the lab. It was early morning and most of the pack was still asleep; it was surprising to see her aunt up and around, especially since she was infamous for not being a morning person. Immediately, Cassia’s thoughts turned to Pietro. Was something wrong?
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, honey. It’s just hard to get some time alone without Andrei being underfoot or you being buried nose-deep in a microscope. I wanted to have a private word with you about Pietro.”
The older woman’s gaze was intent, watching every nuance that crossed her face. There wasn’t much that slipped past Loretta Simpson, and that was what made her such a good beta. Still, Cassia wasn’t about to give anything away if she could avoid it. If Loretta knew, then she would tell Andrei; and that, of course, meant her father would find out and she wasn’t quite ready for that. “I’m working as hard as I can on the antidote. So far, we’re still missing the vital element that makes it so toxic to vampires.” The narrowed eyes and raised eyebrow she got in response to her words wasn’t very comforting.
“You know that’s not what I want to discuss, Cass.”
“Loretta…” The beta may have been a few inches shorter than her, but she was a number of years older, and held a higher rank in the pack hierarchy. The fact that she was mated to her uncle made it near impossible to refuse the woman; she was used to ferretting out answers when she posed a question. Cassia knew she wasn’t going to be able to avoid the conversation, no matter how hard she tried.
“He talks about you,” the other woman said in a quiet tone, her shrewd eyes merciless. “He never talks about anyone outside of those he’s known for years, and yet after only two meetings, your name has cropped up a few times. He’s connected with you and I find that very significant, Cassia.”
“I’m working on the antidote. That’s important to Pietro, so it stands to reason he may mention me.”
There was a long pause and then Loretta let out a deep sigh. “Come with me.” She headed into the trees, leaving the Vârcolac no option but to follow her.
There was no point in procrastinating, so Cassia did as was expected, wishing she could avoid the impending conversation. She found her aunt in a small clearing that was far enough away from the compound to offer some privacy, but not within hearing range of the boundary protection detail that still circled pack lands.
“Cass, I know what it’s like to be attracted to someone you think may not cause a favourable response from those you love.” It was the Vârcolac’s turn to raise an eyebrow and Loretta smiled. “Okay, in my case I may have been putting that a bit mildly. The essence is the same though, honey. Both your mother and I had hurdles to overcome when we found our mates. I know you’ve heard the stories a hundred times, so I can understand why you don’t want to talk about whatever this thing is between you and Pietro.”
There was such sincerity in Loretta’s voice, her eyes full of such understanding, that Cassia felt ashamed of her hesitancy. Everything her aunt said rang true. Deep down inside, she knew that both Loretta and her mother would understand and support her decision unconditionally, but her wolf’s indecisiveness was confusing the hell out of her. When she was with Pietro, the animal claimed him. When they were apart, it ignored him as if he didn’t exist. She couldn’t work out what was going on and she couldn’t claim him publicly until she knew for certain.
“I appreciate your concern, Loretta, I really do; but at the moment, there is nothing to discuss. If the situation were to change, I realise I have you and Mom I can turn to for advice. I know I have your love and support. Frankly, I’m happy that Pietro is starting to make more connections. He needs that to help him heal. I’m not so sure I am his saviour, though, not in the way you hope.”
Loretta frowned, as she appeared to weigh up what wasn’t being said. For a moment, it seemed she would press further and then she changed tactics. “We’ve been trying to convince Pietro to leave the house and get some exercise. Up until now, he has resisted all of our efforts. Perhaps, in your medical capacity, you could persuade him?”
Cassia almost laughed at the blatant redirect. Her aunt surely must have known she could see right through her thinly veiled attempt at subterfuge. The idea of spending some time in the forest alone with Pietro was very appealing to her wolf that was suddenly very attentive to the conversation. She considered it for a moment and then smiled. “Perhaps I could.”
Her job apparently done, Loretta beamed a smile back at her and gave her a quick hug. “Remember we’re here for you, honey. Anytime you need us. We’ve had years of dealing with the Romanov twins. We can help diffuse any hot tempers if required.”
“I know.” Cassia hugged her aunt tightly. There had always been a close bond between the two families and that would never change. Most likely, that was down to the close sibling link between the Romanov twins. She was lucky to have such an amazing extended family, even if she did wish Elina was more inclined to join in with some of their family gatherings. Although she was part of that extended family, she had always gravitated towards Liam’s side as opposed to the Alexanders.
Shaking off the unexpected thought, she filed it away for a later date when she had more time to consider it and smiled again at her aunt. “Let’s wait to see if there is anything that needs dealing with first.” It was the closest she was going to come to admitting there might be a possibility of some kind of relationship with Pietro. For the moment, she was only willing to share her true feelings with Dara, until she knew for sure what was going on with her wolf.
It appeared to be enough for Loretta and they chatted about family matters as they headed back to the compound. Cassia said goodbye and turned towards the community hall instead of the lab, as was her original intention. There were a few pack members around beginning the daily task of preparing breakfast, but it was the tall brunette setting tables that she headed towards.
“Don’t you ever sleep?”
Liliana Romanov looked up with a wide smile. It lit up her face, turning her beauty into something quite breath taking. “Mac doesn’t know the meaning of the word,” her cousin laughed, delight dancing in her eyes.
“And you don’t look like you have any complaints,” Cassia laughed back, giving her a quick hug. “How are you feeling?”
“Is that the would-be healer or my cousin asking?”
Cassia laughed louder. “Probably a bit of both.”
Lily scooped up some more silverware and headed to the next table. “I feel great now the sickness is over with. That was a bit of a nightmare, but a small price to pay.” Chocolate brown eyes turned to her cousin. “It’s a bit frightening, knowing that in only a few months I’m going to be a mother; I won’t deny that—but I can’t wait either. Does that make me sound silly?
“It makes perfect sense, Lily, and I know you’re going to be an amazing mom. Mac, well, he’s going to be one freaking nightmare of an overprotective father.”
Her cousin rolled her eyes but her smile was beatific. “Oh, I know, but I’ll find ways to counter that somehow.” She finished setting the table and then turned to peruse Cassia intently. “So, what can I do for you? I presume you didn’t come in here just to ask how impending motherhood was affecting me?”
“You know me too well,” Cassia admitted with another grin. “I was looking for a breakfast basket.” The speculative glance Lily gave her made her want to groan, but she managed to keep her features neutral.
“Oh? Is there a special occasion?”
“None that I want to share right now,” she countered, her gentle tone alleviating any possible sting from her words. Cassia was grateful that her cousin was so understanding; always treading lightly when it was clear she was a bit reluctant to share.
Although brimming with curiosity, Lily headed over to the main cooking area and began to make up a thermos of tea, placing it with two mugs into a wicker picnic basket. She added in a sampling of croissants and pastries, and took care to include all the necessary condiments, serving utensils, and some napkins. There was enough food for two, and Cassia didn’t bother to correct the assumption that she wouldn’t be alone to enjoy the picnic breakfast.
“Thanks, Lily.” Cassia knew her cousin would know that she was equally thanking her for her discretion.
“You’re welcome, Cass. You know I’m here if you need to talk about anything.”
A brief smile flashed across her face as Cassia took the basket and gave Lily another hug. “You’re a great cousin, and an even better friend,” she whispered as she turned and headed out of the community hall.
Her gaze immediately turned to the house that currently contained the subject of her chaotic thoughts. Predictably, her pulse began to speed up, and she had to take a few deep breaths to contain it. Pietro would be able to hear her accelerated heartbeat, and she didn’t want him to question why she was so nervous.
The curtains were open to Pietro’s room, and her breath caught as she realized he was standing behind the glass looking down at her. Their eyes locked for a moment, and then she walked slowly past the house and set the basket down beside the tree that led to his window. He made her wait for an entire half hour, but eventually the window opened and she heard him slip down the tree.
“I told you to make an appointment the next time you wanted to see me.”
It wasn’t a promising start, but Cassia wasn’t about to let his gruffness chase her away. “I waited thirty minutes, so I consider that making one.”
He greeted her words with silence, so she turned to catch a glimpse of his expression. God, his eyes seemed to bore right into her with their intensity and it took all her self-control to keep her pulse steady. “I’ve decided to have my breakfast alongside the lake this morning. Seeing as it is technically outside of the compound’s boundaries, I shall require an escort.”
He growled low, as a trace of emotion crept across his face before his features smoothed out. “Ask one of the wolves.”
“Most of them are asleep and those that aren’t have tasks to perform. I’m hungry.” Not giving him a chance to respond, Cassia headed into the trees with her basket in hand. It took him a fraction of a second to make up his mind, and then he fell into step beside her. She had known he would. Although he knew she didn’t really need his protection, it was a moot point; he was a protector through and through, and therefore would always need to ensure her safety.
Appealing to his baser side had been a risk, but one she judged worth the risk. It could have reinforced his sense of failure over what had happened in Europe but Cassia had counted on him having an inner strength that he wasn’t currently capable of recognising. His easy capitulation pleased her wolf too, who appeared happy to have him by their side.
“Do you consider me to be foolish, Cassia?”
“Hardly, Pietro,” she laughed, the melodic tone carefree and light-hearted. “You are very much like my father and my uncle Andrei, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It just makes it a bit easier for me to know how to get the desired reaction from you. Trust me, it certainly isn’t indicative of your level of intelligence; you came with me because you wanted to, not because I manipulated you into it.”
They walked in companionable silence for a while, Pietro appearing to be deep in thought. Cassia wondered what was running through his head. She could see his alert gaze sweeping the area. She knew he was listening to all the sounds around them as keenly as she was. What she didn’t know was what was going through that complicated mind of his.
“Was it Loretta or Andrei?”
His question was so unexpected that she nearly jumped out of her skin when he broke the silence. There was no need to ask what he meant. “Loretta. She’s concerned about your seclusion within the house. It isn’t healthy, Pietro, and you know it too; otherwise you wouldn’t have indulged me with your company.”
Again, he chose not to reply and the silence lengthened until they reached the lake. Cassia had taken one of the less frequently used trails, knowing that the lake was a favourite haunt of quite a few of the Vârcolac when they had something on their mind. She didn’t want choose a location where one of her friends might show up uninvited.
The stone pathway she’d chosen led them to a flattened outcropping that suspended over the water’s edge. The rocky ledge could seat four people rather comfortably and was one of her favourite places to relax. The large willow trees that were scattered around the bank’s edge were so old that their sinewy limbs rose nearly eighty feet into the air. Their magnificent foliage created a peaceful canopy over the stony shelf. In the pale morning light, the play of shadows over the different textures, and the sound of the slight breeze rustling the leaves made it feel as if she were stepping into paradise.
“Beautiful,” Pietro murmured. She glanced to the side to see him staring at her and not the breath-taking surroundings. Her heart fluttered and she felt her cheeks begin to redden and quickly looked away again to hide her reaction. It would be embarrassing if he thought she presumed he meant her, when it was really the surrounding area he was admiring.
*****
Pietro’s lips twitched up into the barest of smiles as he turned his gaze from the woman at his side to the panorama before him. It really was a beautiful spot, but the word that had just been dragged from his lips had nothing to do with the landscape and everything to do with Cassia Romanov.
He had known instantly that he would climb down that stupid tree to be with her. The moment he realised that she was intent on waiting for him, it had simply been a matter of when he would finally give in to her compelling allure, as opposed to if. She had been on his mind since her last visit, when their hands had touched for that split second and every nerve ending in his body had come alive.
He had tried to work out what it was about her that penetrated the emotional barriers he’d constructed so carefully over the years. He’d known many beautiful women in his life and yet none of them had even remotely caught his interest the way Alexei’s daughter had. She was cloaked in an aura of serenity; an understated intelligence draped in graceful elegance that made his soul feel as if he had been cleansed with a soothing balm. Although he typically chose to avoid others, being with Cassia didn’t stir that need for solitude. She was, quite simply, refreshing; he found himself craving her company, if only to alleviate some of his more negative emotions.
Cassia set the picnic basket off to the side, and sighed heavily as she realised she had forgotten to bring a blanket.
“Here…” Pietro unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it from his body in one sinuous movement without a second thought.
It was only after seeing Cassia’s mouth drop open and her blue eyes flash with intense emotion that he realised what he had done. He noted the flecks of amber that danced around the edges of her irises, and knew that her wolf was close to the surface. Pietro stiffened as he felt her eyes settle on his body and waited to see them fill with disgust as her haunting gaze traced the scar that ran down his collarbone, and then slowly drifted to the scars that framed his left nipple.
The repulsion never materialised though her wolf remained alert, its silent presence apparent, as she moved around behind him. He knew what she seeing having viewed his own back in the mirror. He stood rigid as he felt the heat of her gaze travel over the three diagonal scars down his right shoulder blade, an uncontrolled flinch rippling across his skin as tentative fingertips lightly caressed the wounds. Her fingers moved to his lower back where the horizontal scar slashed across in a jagged line, her touch soft and gentle.
She murmured something so quiet he had to strain to hear it, and her words made his heart bang painfully in his chest. “Beautiful imperfections.”
For a moment longer she remained behind him, and then she accepted the shirt still clutched in his hand and spread it out on the rock face before retrieving the picnic basket. “Thank you, Pietro.”
Even though her words were as restrained as her touch had been, there was a wealth of emotion in them. He knew she wasn’t just thanking him for the loan of his shirt, but for the trust he had inexplicably given her by allowing her to witness his greatest shame.
“You don’t know a whole lot about us Vârcolac, do you?” she asked as she laid out her food and poured two mugs of tea from the thermos.
He sat beside her, leaving enough distance between them that they didn’t touch, but still close enough to feel her body heat. “I’ve been away a long time, Cassia.” He kept his gaze frozen ahead, staring into the trees as he accepted a mug of tea.
“Each of us has magical talents deep within. It’s what allows us to generate clothes when we shift back from our animal form. I probably could have conjured up a blanket so there would have been no need for you to remove your shirt. I still could…”
Cassia was offering him a tactful opportunity to cover his scars without losing face if having them on display made him uncomfortable. That simple kindness was so thoughtful that he felt tears threaten his eyes, but he held them back by sheer strength of will. Her soothing touch against his skin had been unexpected and he found he didn’t mind the scars so much in her presence.
“It will do me good to have sunlight and fresh air against my skin. It will help with my healing.”
They lapsed back into silence as Cassia ate a pastry, her eyes closing with enjoyment as she savoured the sweetness in her mouth. Pietro watched her, fascinated, his eyes riveted to her lips as she slowly chewed her food. His body stirred and he stiffened in shock. Sexual hunger suddenly overwhelmed him, as did the burning need to taste blood! One moment he was fine and in the next, he was overcome with dual gnawing pains flooding his body.
He simply couldn’t be hungry so soon after having a full transfusion of blood, which even included Ancient blood from Demetri! It should have been weeks before he needed to feed, and yet, he was suddenly ravenous. Vicious hunger clawed at him as if it had been over a month since he’d last eaten, and he was stunned by the ferocity of his need. What the fuck was wrong with him? Was this some kind of residual side effect from the poisoning?
Pietro rose in an abrupt movement, panic setting in as his need escalated. He had to get back to the compound, had to find out if any of the vampires there had a private stock of blood he could use. He had to get away from Cassia right now, before he did the unforgivable…
*****
“What is it, Pietro?” Cassia was startled by his sudden move, her heart kicking up a beat. Everything had been going so well until this moment, and she has no idea what had changed. He’d allowed her to look at him and touch him, and he’d appeared so comfortable in her presence that the long silences had been companionable ones. What the hell had gone wrong?
Her eyes met his own as she stood, and she gasped in shock. The black iris remained unchanged, but his hazel eye was glowing deep scarlet—a sign that a vampire was close to going rogue from lack of food. The man before her was fighting to keep his beast leashed; he needed to indulge, and he needed to do so immediately. She didn’t even consider her actions, as she stepped towards the large male and bared the left side of her neck.
“Feed, Pietro.”
“No!” Hard fingers dug into her shoulders, trying to push her away, but she was stronger than him and could hold her ground.
“You won’t harm me; I’m part vampire too, remember. I’m immune to both your toxin and the poison you ingested. You need to eat now, Pietro! Please take what I offer freely.”
“Cassia, I can’t…not from you.” The words were ground out, longing and disgust evident in his voice. The urgency in his body and hands were reaching fever pitch; he was alternating between attempting to push her away and trying to pull her closer.
“There is no one else here you trust enough, Pietro, no one that could withstand your toxin. Let me do this for you. Let me help sustain you until you’re healed enough to take care of yourself.” Never in her entire life had Cassia wanted anything the way she wanted to feel his fangs break her skin. She wanted, no, needed to know that it was her life essence which nourished this wounded warrior—who, even now—was so proud that he was trying to remain her protector, to fulfil the role he’d been assigned.
Her wolf wanted it too, clawing at her insides until it created a physical ache. It howled and snapped, snarling as it tried to assert dominance and force the male to do as he was told. “Please, Pietro.”
Cassia cried out as his fangs sliced through the fragile skin of her neck, sinking deep inside her. Pietro pulled deeply as if he was ravenous, his strong suckling sending a frisson of molten lava flooding straight through her body to pool between her thighs. Her breasts swelled painfully, her nipples hardening and aching for his touch. Her arousal was instant—and unmistakable, eliciting a deep rumble from the vampire as he swallowed down her blood, his large hand moving to cup one of her breasts.
“Pietro!” Cassia moaned out his name as she pressed against his hand, trying to mould her body to his intense heat and strength. He pushed his hand up under her shirt and as his fingers enveloped her bare breast, he squeezed it firmly. “Dear God…”
Long fingers tugged at her hard peak, deftly rolling and pinching the nipple as he growled and drank more of her essence, his touch becoming bolder the deeper he drank. A kaleidoscope of colours danced in front of Cassia’s eyes as she rubbed against his thigh, frantic to feel some relief from the deep hunger that was assaulting her body. Pietro accommodated her, thrusting his thigh roughly against her apex, pressing his hand tightly against her lower back to help her ride out her passion.
She was mindless, nothing but a bundle of sensations. She wasn’t even aware that Pietro had stopped feeding, that his lips were moving downwards as he bent his head to her breast and sucked her taut peak into his mouth. Cassia exploded instantly, crying out her release as she climaxed harder than she could ever remember before. Her body danced with pleasure, each nerve ending alive as her vampire continued to suckle at her breast, continued to use his jean clad thigh to bring her release.
It was over much too soon, her body trembling from the intensity of her climax. Pietro’s strong arms were only thing keeping her on her feet as she came down slowly from her high. Slowly, reason began to exert itself, and the enormity of what had just happened started to seep in. Cassia couldn’t look at him. She was too embarrassed by her wanton reaction to his bite and didn’t want to see the expression on his face. He refused to be deterred, though, placing a finger beneath her chin to tilt her face up.
“First time with a vampire?” There was no condemnation in his eyes; in fact, they sparkled with what looked like pained amusement.
She nodded because her mouth refused to cooperate and form the words she wanted to say.
“That’s why I was so reluctant, Cassia. Not because I didn’t appreciate your generous offer, but because I didn’t think you were aware of the consequences. A vampire bite brings such euphoria that the female often comes just from the bite itself. If my hunger hadn’t descended so rapidly, I would have warned you in advance. I’m sorry, Niña. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. I should ask your forgiveness for placing you in this awkward position.”
His words offered a small level of comfort. It was nice to know that she hadn’t reverted back into a sex-starved teenager, unable to control her baser instincts. There was also a tenderness to his expression that astounded her, because it was the first glimpse of his softer side. The woman was drawn to that part of his personality, as was the wolf, which was ready to roll over and have its tummy tickled. What had he just called her? Niña? She would have to look that up because she had no idea of its significance.
“I’ll discuss feeding options with Andrei when I get back to the compound. I won’t impose on you again.”
Everything within her rebelled at the idea and she couldn’t have cleared her expression if she’d tried. “My offer is still open to you, Pietro. I haven’t retracted it.” He was frowning before she’d even finished talking.
“Are you trying to get me killed? Have you any concept of what Alexei would do to me if he knew I’d laid hands on his daughter? This isn’t a game, Cassia. Your father is one of my oldest friends. You are his little girl and always will be, no matter how grown up you are.”
Cassia smiled at his choice of words, a surge of happiness bubbling up inside. He hadn’t said an outright ‘no’ to her and didn’t appear to realise that. Oh, he was concerned about how her father would react if he found out, but there was no scent of fear as he’d spoken. There was a hint of defiance in his eyes that belied what he’d said, and she took courage from that, stepping back into his embrace.
“Leave my father to me, Pietro. If Andrei can let go of Lily so she can be with Mac, then my father can adapt to whomever I choose to be with. I’m no novice in matters of the heart. He is well aware of that fact, and so far he’s managed not to kill off any of my previous lovers. I enjoyed what happened today. I want to experience it again.”
Her vampire drew in a deep breath, and she could see the fire in his eyes as he leaned down until their foreheads touched. “This is not a wise move, Niña. There may only be heartache to come from this. I can offer you this moment, but that is all it would be: a moment. I have nothing else to give.”
It was more than Cassia could have hoped for so early into her seduction of her vampire. “All I’m offering is to replenish your strength when you need it, Pietro. In return, I will know a pleasure I have never experienced before and I will have access to you to aid me in finding the antidote to the poison. This benefits us both, doesn’t it?”
His intent gaze bored into her for a long moment and then his hand cupped the nape of her neck as he sealed their bargain with a kiss so gentle that she barely felt him graze her lips. “I hope we both know what we’re getting ourselves into.”
*****
“Where are we going?” Caleb shot a quizzical glance at his mate as she veered away from their mansion and continued to the rear of the property. His blood was heated and his thoughts consumed by matters of a more carnal nature than continuing their discussions from the pond. They’d been apart far too long. He wanted to be with her, to reconnect with her on the sweet intimate level they so readily shared.
“I told you I had things I needed to do before I could come home. As it turned out they were closer to home than I imagined.” Stopping, she grinned at him before turning to stare at some trees.
Caleb’s jaw dropped as he watched the trees vanished after a series of whispered words and Rhianna stepped up to the rock face and incanted once more. The doorway retracted before he’d managed to close his mouth and suddenly they were walking into a room, or portion of one, that he had seen so recently in his dreams. “How?”
Rhianna laughed, tossing her curls over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “That’s what I said when Gard revealed it. This is what he worked on when he first arrived and we were away so much. He transported Anakatrine’s books here so that we’d have easy access when we were ready to go through them.”
“It looks just like the images from my dream.” Caleb’s voice was hushed as he walked over to the closest bookcase and ran his fingertips over the books. He had no idea he was unconsciously echoing the other male’s gesture and that was the reason for the fond smile on his mate’s face as she watched him.
“Have you looked through them?”
Rhianna shook her head. “Gard showed it to me, but I didn’t want to tackle them without you. I know the Queen selected each one for a reason. I was afraid I would miss something important if I reviewed them on my own.”
Caleb saw a flash of uncertainty on her face and stifled down a curse. Before the incident up at the Praetorian compound, his Annie had been full of confidence. She had never doubted herself; it was clear that she now did. He should have let Demetri kick the shit out of him. His beautiful mate’s uncertain expression weighed heavily on his heart. Had he irrevocably harmed her self-belief?
“You wouldn’t miss a thing, love. Don’t ever second guess yourself, especially not because I was an ass. You’ve guided us this far. After what happened up at the Praetorian compound…well that just proves how much faith everyone has in you. I may have been blind for a little while, but my eyes are fully open now and I have that same faith in you. It will never waver again.”
The doubt cleared a little and she smiled at him, that beautiful smile that always managed to make his heart flutter. He would find some way to make this up to her, if it was the last thing he ever did.
“I don’t know where to start,” she admitted, turning away to run her gaze over the books. “There are so many of them. How do we know which ones to choose, which ones are the most important?”
“How about starting at the beginning?”
Her quizzical glance made him grin as he crossed to her side and took her in his arms. Staying away from her now that she was home was quite impossible. He couldn’t stop touching her, breathing in her fragrant scent. He wanted her with an ache that was so fierce it was a physical pain, but he wanted her to come to him, to feel comfortable about allowing him back into her arms.
“Callain pointed out something that I hadn’t considered. I’ve been repressing him for so long he’s never had the opportunity to be with his mate.”
Rhianna’s eyes widened and her expression turned sad. “Oh, Caleb, that must be so awful for him. It didn’t cross my mind either; Anakatrine never once mentioned anything about it. Being apart from you these past few days has been an unbearable. What must it be like for them, both knowing the other half of their soul is so close, and yet never being able to speak to each other?”
He hugged her tightly, running a hand down her back as he brushed his cheek against her curls. “I’ve been busy trying to amend all of my mistakes and short comings. I want to fix this one too, Annie… I need to fix this. I made Callain a promise and who better to know which book to look at first than the people who were there at the time?”
His mate smiled at him, a smile so beatific that he had to kiss her; he had to taste the sweetness of lips too long denied him. It was hard to maintain control, to just sip from her mouth when he wanted to plunder it and ravish her until she was breathless from her cries of pleasure. When he raised his head, lavender eyes glowed with a love so bright he knew he would never lose sight of what was truly important in his life ever again.
“Let’s not keep them apart any longer, Caleb. They’ve crossed millennia to be together yet spent the last quarter century apart. They deserve this time.”
Although the idea had been his, he would have agreed to anything to see that expression on his Annie’s face again; the one so full of love and compassion it was the open reflection of just who she was. Moving to one of the chairs, he sat down, gathering her onto his lap and cradling her close. “See you soon, love.”
There was a hint of trepidation in his voice, but he fought it down. He’d seen Annie cede control to Anakatrine before. She did it effortlessly and always came back to him. “I’m keeping my word, Callain. You can have your time with Ana. Just help me give my Annie what she needs. Help us find the way forward.”
“Thank you, Caleb. You have nothing to fear from me.”
Caleb remained silent as he closed his eyes and strove not to fight the other presence as it rose up within, gaining in strength with each passing second. He felt the exact moment their auras were equal and then the feelings ebbed, as if he were falling asleep, sinking down into that moment of sweet oblivion.
“Ana…?”
“Callain.”
Opening his eyes, Callain stared down at the face that belonged to another woman. His heart was beating a tattoo in his chest as golden brown eyes connected with lavender. The soul glancing back at him was one he instantly recognised, and he had to swallow hard to fight down the tears that threatened to come.
“Ana.” He whispered her name again, a trembling hand coming to her cheek to frame it in the softest of caresses. “My Ana.”
For a long moment they sat perfectly still, the beat of their hearts in perfect rhythm. The crackle of flames from the fire pit was the only other sound in the cave as they drank each other in, luxuriating in their first moment of reconnection after so many years. Then his Queen moved slowly, sitting up straight, her eyes never leaving his as she echoed his gesture. His heart thudded wildly as Anakatrine stroked the side of his face in a caress he knew so well but hadn’t experience for millennia.
“So many long years have slipped by, my beloved; I didn’t know if I would ever see this moment. I must confess a bit of doubt had crept into my mind that the magic I was counting on that day would even work.
The spells were ancient, even in comparison to us. I had to believe it would work, though a small part of me feared it wouldn’t.”
“You’ve learned a little humility since we last talked?” His tone was full of teasing; his smile so wide he thought his cheeks would crack from the strain.
His teasing softened her expression as he watched her lips tilt into a mischievous grin. “Very droll,” she laughed, as she leaned forward to rest her forehead against his, savouring the moment. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, Callain. I wanted to but…”
Strong hands tightened on her upper arms, halting her words. “Don’t you ever apologise for doing what had to be done, Anakatrine. Not now. Not ever.” His hands softened and he framed her face once more, staring deeply into her eyes. “Events played out as they were destined. I know it and so does Gard. Our time together is far too precious to waste on useless recriminations, my love. This solitary moment to be with you again, to hear your sweet voice, to look in to those beautiful lavender eyes is worth every single sacrifice we’ve had to endure.”
He wanted to kiss her, to love her as they’d loved so passionately in the past...but they were ethereal now, spirits within other vessels. It felt wrong to desecrate Caleb’s trust, even as every part of his soul yearned to spend one more physical moment with his mate. “I’ve missed you, Ana, so very much.”
“As have I you, my beautiful warrior.” Anakatrine smiled, a shadow of sadness clouded her sparkling eyes. “You have been so very patient, Callain. Thank you for allowing Caleb enough time to find some balance to overcome his trust issues. I know it hasn’t been easy. He is rather fierce in his thinking, isn’t he?”
Her mate snorted and rolled his eyes. “He’s frustrating and pig-headed…but his love for our people is unparalleled.” He reached to pull her close and growled when she slipped agilely from his lap, turning in a circle as she surveyed the echo of her library.
“Sounds like someone else I know. He needed time, my love, and you gave him that. It would have been disastrous if you’d become impatient and pushed too early.” Her eyes were darting from book cover to book cover as she spoke, her expression changing as her thoughts drifted.
Callain’s smile was fond as he watched his mate. She had always been such an enigma. She could focus intently on one task for hours, then the next moment she would flit from subject to subject like a butterfly. All those memories began to surge up within and he found himself unable to bear being separated from her. It didn’t matter that the bodies they lived in weren’t the same as the past. The essence within was the same, and he had to hold his mate. Rising, he moved behind her, pulling his Ana back against his chest and wrapping strong arms around her slender frame.
There had been one question he’d waited twenty-five years to ask her, an answer to which he had to have before he would be content to relinquish control back to Caleb. “How many times, Ana?” In low, hushed tones, the query passed his lips; he knew there was no need to elaborate.
Her response was as quiet, her body stiffening as he commanded her full attention. “Too many, my heart,” she whispered back, sorrow clouding her tone. “The first time I saw you die was in the moment that we met. Do you remember that moment, when you marched into my audience chamber, so filthy and bedraggled? You looked as if you’d trekked through a thousand mud baths to reach me.”
His hold tightened, a hand brushing soothingly against her hip to ease her sorrow. “I do, my love. I had just encountered a dozen or more younglings that had been toying with some wolf cubs for pleasure. I was angered by their inhumanity and put them all down for their detestable actions. That didn’t sit well with some of the others in the royal guard; they thought it prudent to stop me from reporting to my Queen what I had witnessed. I would not be disabused.” He felt a loosening of her tension and rested a cheek against the top of her head.
“I saw this beautiful creature kneeling before me with a spirit shining so brightly that my eyes were nearly blinded,” Ana whispered, her voice full of love. “I knew instantly you were mine, the other half of my soul. In that very moment that I acknowledged you, I saw your death for the first time as it would take place in that tunnel beneath the home we would build together.”
Callain’s heart ached for her, ached with the knowledge that she had spent their entire existence reliving his death. It made him feel helpless as he held her. “Why didn’t you spare yourself, Ana? You didn’t have to claim me.”
She turned in his arms, her gaze full of love and sadness, with not one hint of regret. “I knew loving you would both set me free and shatter my heart into a million pieces; however, there was never an alternative. You were mine, Callain. I couldn’t give you up, not even knowing that I would watch you die a thousand times over, or knowing I would cry a river of tears each time.”
Embracing him tightly, she leaned into him, resting her head against his wide chest. “I knew many things that day, my heart, but I also knew we would have centuries together, and that I would never be complete without you. Our people would have been doomed if we hadn’t walked the path that was meant for us. I have no regrets, Callain, not a single tear I shed nor any of the choices I felt compelled to make. So many others made sacrifices; some, like us, made the ultimate one and paid with their lives. It was only right that I should weep with them and for them.”
Tears welled up in his eyes and Callain let them fall. He wasn’t ashamed to weep for his exquisite mate. If he could have held her any tighter, he would have. “We didn’t deserve you, my Ana. We were given the most beautiful gift; it was placed right in front of our faces and yet we chose to abuse it. You were our heart, ripped from the chests of our people by our selfish actions and ignorance. We were all so blind in our arrogance. Sometimes, when I am weak, I wish you’d let us fall, my love. Any race that could be so cruel never deserved a second chance.”
“Being human isn’t being weak, Callain. That was what our people had to learn and what they are still learning. Everyone deserves a second chance. Look at the beauty we now have walking among us, my heart. We are evolving into something so amazing. Without the sacrifices we made, the hybrid children would never have been able to enhance our existence.”
Callain released her, stepping back to scrutinise her expression, looking for the signs of what she was trying to tell him. “The children are flawed, Ana. They have such power and yet, despite the nurturing of their families and pack, despite everything Sarayne has done to help them, they each have their own demons to slay.”
Anakatrine gave him a poignant smile. “I know, and some have more than others. Relearning what it is to have humanity is not an easy thing, Callain. It was never going to be achieved simply by vampires mating with Weres. Yes, there was some progress made, but look at the mated vampires. They still retain too much of the old ways within their souls, despite the joy they’ve discovered through having mates and children. Look at how our people view those vampires. There is still too much distrust and hate. In addition to that, there is the common misconception that the mated vampires are tainted in some way. It’s this generation who will have the hardest road to travel, and that is why we are here in this time, to help them complete that journey. It is the children who will lead us forward, Callain, and they must be protected at all costs.”
Turning, the vampire Queen walked over to the books, and selected two from opposite ends of the bookshelves as if she knew exactly where they were the entire time. “This is what they need for now, the rest they can discover on their own.” She placed the large tomes on the closest chair, smiling as she felt her mate engulf her from behind again in his arms.
“What do you need me to do, my love?” Callain gave into the need to brush his lips against the fragile skin of her neck.
“Guide him. Don’t try to take over. Caleb will fight you every step of the way if you try, and he has much to contribute. Annie can’t complete this task without him.”
He nodded, nuzzling her neck once more before standing straight and staring into the fire. “And what of us…?”
“Some things are not meant to be known at this time, my heart.”
Callain threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing around the cave. “Yes, my Queen,” he chuckled, trying to dampen down his amusement. His beautiful mate would never change, regardless of what time period they found themselves in. It didn’t matter to him anyway; he would follow wherever she led. “I love you, Ana.” He was still smiling as he ceded control back to Caleb, hearing his sweet mate words echoing on the air.
“I love you, Callain.”
*****
Caleb was smiling and holding his mate tightly as he once more took dominance over his body. He heard the echoes of Callain and Ana as he surfaced, and knew he’d made the right decision in finally listening to the other male. If only he hadn’t been so pig-headed and done it earlier.
“I didn’t think anyone could love as strongly as I love you, Caleb,” Rhianna whispered with awe in her voice. She turned to look up at him, tears of joy shimmering in her eyes. “Did you feel it too, the beauty between them?”
He was grinning down at her, the same wonderment engulfing his soul as he leaned down and kissed her gently. “I did, Annie. It was amazing.” He was surprised to discover he retained the memories of the conversation between the vampire King and Queen. From the expression in Rhianna’s eyes, it was clear she did too. Caleb felt her break away from him as she moved towards the books on the chair.
“This is where we start, Caleb.”
He walked over to her, reading the titles over her shoulder. “Soul Searching? Masking Lavender? These are the books Anakatrine selected?” Caleb couldn’t keep the doubt from his voice. The titles appeared to be so random, he couldn’t figure out what their significance may be.
“She must have had a reason and we won’t know what that reason is until we take them home and read them. Will you take them while I secure the cave?”
Caleb picked up the books, following Rhianna from the cave and waiting for her to hide it from sight once again. He had no idea what help the books would be, but the excitement in his mate’s eyes was infectious. Something within the heavy tomes could potentially help them counter whatever the European covens had in store for them. Whatever knowledge they could glean from them had to be worth the effort.
To be continued…