There was something mischievous about the way Fen pulled Tatijana into the center of the crowd that warned her he was up to something. He had both laughter and something else in his expression, something that totally melted her heart. When Fen looked at her like that-so playful and carefree, Tatijana was lost. How could she not be? The lines in his face eased. There was merriment in his eyes when he looked at her. There was peace in his heart. And love in his mind.
He had seen so many horrific things over the centuries. He had fought endless battles that had resulted in mortal wounds. She was the one who had brought light and hope and peace to him. She brought joy and laughter. Companionship and most importantly belonging. She couldn't help but fall deeper in love when he was looking at her like that.
When they reached the middle of the room, he stepped away from her and gave her an old-world, very courtly bow.
He looked the perfect gentleman and she couldn't help dropping a small curtsey back to him. His smile told her it had been the right thing to do. The cavern hushed. Even the children. From somewhere behind her, music began to play.
You caught a forest scent by fate's strange chance,
and found me-though you had not sought romance.
He sang the words to her, his voice shocking her with its perfect pitch and a sexy rasp to it that sent a chill down her spine. He held out his hand to her, continuing in song.
Still I sing; lady, may I have this dance?
Tatijana felt tears burning behind her eyes. Music grew louder, taking on a rhythmic beat. She didn't know where it came from, and she couldn't look away from Fen to see who he'd enlisted to help him make this night special for her. She placed her hand in his. He took it gently and brought her in close to him. She actually was shaking as she put her other hand on his shoulder.
Music swelled in the cavern as he began to move with his fluid grace until she felt as if she was floating. His mouth moved against her ear. "This is for you alone, my lady," he whispered. "I wrote it for you."
He began to sing again while they moved in perfect synchronization, their bodies close while her heart found and followed the rhythm of his.
I roamed the lonely centuries in the dark,
This Fenris wolf near famished for the light.
Then you appeared-a sudden brilliant spark,
My miracle who banishes my night.
Tatijana laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of floating and the way his body felt so warm and hard against hers as they moved together. His arms were strong, holding her safe in a world where she knew madness and monsters often lurked.
You, too, knew loneliness while trapped in ice.
Set free, you swore you'd not be bound again.
Then may you never feel my arms a vise!
And may you willingly enter my den!
Above their heads, stars swirled around the high ceiling of the cavern and the torches dimmed, giving the illusion that they were dancing beneath the sky itself. Tatijana held herself closer to him. The night felt magical, a wondrous surreal moment as they drifted together, their bodies close while she felt love for him rising, swamping her.
Your eyes . . . they shift in color like your hair.
They gleam like emeralds,
Fascinate with light.
You dance as though with wings upon the air.
You match our greatest warriors in fight.
Tatijana knew the words of his song to her were heartfelt. How could she not? She was in his mind, feeling what he was feeling. He made no attempt to hide his love, respect and admiration from her-or anyone else. She felt beautiful, loved and as if she was the only woman in the world.
My dragon flame, you set my heart aglow!
Above all else, these ancient words hold true . . .
My Tatijana, these words hold true:
You are my lifemate.
I belong to you.
Fen really had written the song for her. He sang it to her in front of their people, and their prince, uncaring who heard as he poured out his heart to her. She hadn't known a man, a fierce independent warrior, could make himself so vulnerable in front of others the way he was. He didn't seem to care that everyone could see how much she really meant to him. His voice, when he sang the lyrics, rang with raw honesty. His emotions were totally exposed for all of those present to see.
The music began to fade and she lifted her head, tears in her eyes as she looked up at him. She had fallen so deeply in love with him, and yet she didn't even know when her emotions had grown so intense. Out of the corner of her vision she realized other couples had been dancing as well. She hadn't even known they were there, she'd been so completely wrapped up in her magical dance with Fen.
To make her dance happen, not only had Fen written a song for her and sang it publicly, he had to have enlisted the aid of other Carpathians for the music and the show of stars on the ceiling.
"Thank you," she whispered almost shyly, slipping her arms around his neck and leaning into the shelter of his body. "I don't know what to think about you, sometimes, Fen. This was such a beautiful, amazing gift and I'll always treasure the memory of it."
"I wanted you to know how I feel about you, Tatijana. You need to know how truly extraordinary you really are. You love to dance and I thought this would be a good way to let you know how much you mean to me."
"This was perfect, Fen. Just perfect. I'll never forget it."
Fen brushed his mouth gently over hers. She was more radiant than ever. For him that was enough. He had wanted to give her something special. He had poured his heart and soul into his music for her. He had no idea what the future would bring for them. His life was one of battles and secrecy. Every moment that he could, he wanted to give her laughter and joy.
"Fen." Gregori came up behind them. "Thank you for that. Savannah has wanted to dance for some time. We haven't had a lot of celebrations and this has been fun for her."
"Is she leaving already?" Tatijana asked, swinging around to see Savannah holding Anya in her arms. Destiny held Anastashia. Neither of the little girls looked happy.
"We've invited Zev and the others to join us," Gregori explained, "but we thought it best if the children went home. It's late for them to be out."
Fen knew Gregori was protecting the children, using the guise of lateness. It was still fairly early for Carpathians. All of the youngsters had to be used to staying up nights, even Sara and Falcon's human children. There was no danger from Zev and his pack. If anything, everyone would be that much safer with them around. Still, he couldn't blame Gregori. There were only a handful of Carpathian children. If he was in Gregori's shoes, responsible for their safety, he would have spirited them away from strangers as well.
"I'm so glad I had the chance to see them," Tatijana said. "They bring us hope."
Fen slipped his arm around her waist as they waved good-bye to the children. Several of the unlifemated males escorted them as they left. Gregori went to work changing the entrance of the cavern so the Lycans could easily slip inside and yet would never find the entrance again when it was changed back to the natural formation.
"The children have plenty of protection." Fen made it a statement. He was uneasy with the rogue pack so close and two Sange rau in the neighborhood. Surely by now, after all the discussions and the casualties the pack had inflicted on the Carpathians, Mikhail and Gregori were taking the threat as very real.
Gregori nodded. "We've enlisted the aid of our ancestors as well. This night no harm will come to these children."
Fen frowned. The temperature in the labyrinth of sacred caves was far too much for a human child. "What of Falcon's children?"
Gregori suddenly smiled and it transformed his face completely. He looked younger and more relaxed. "A word of advice, Fen. With your soft heart you'd better never have daughters."
Fen scowled at him. "I don't have a soft heart."
"You'd be a complete pushover."
Mikhail had quietly come up behind him. "He says that kind of thing to all of us to make himself look better. Everyone knows his twins rule his life." His laughter was very genuine. He nudged Gregori. "Poor man. Brought down by babies."
Gregori gave Mikhail his deepest, forbidding scowl. "I'm very firm with those girls. They know better than to mess with me."
Fen couldn't help but join in Mikhail's laughter. Clearly Gregori didn't care if he was firm with his daughters or not, they were everything to him.
"Gregori even told my adorable granddaughters to call him Isanta out of sheer desperation." Mikhail continued to give Gregori a hard time.
"Master of the house," Fen translated. "And did they?"
"It might have worked," Gregori said, "if Savannah hadn't laughed hysterically every time they called me master."
Tatijana's laughter joined the men's. "I'm sorry, Gregori. What a blow. Your little girls are adorable, and quite frankly, I'd probably give them anything they wanted and Fen would be even worse. Don't deny it, Fen, you would."
Fen had to admit she was right. "Your daughters are just too beautiful, Gregori, with their sassy attitudes and their adventurous streaks. I'd be lost."
Gregori smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if finally giving up. "Her mother doesn't know it, but Anya has already tried shapeshifting. I caught her two risings ago. Took a hundred years off my life. Forbidding her isn't going to work. And what she does, Anastashia does. I'm going to have to start working with them. I promised Anya I would, but only if she promised not to try on her own."
"Savannah is going to kill you." Mikhail made it a statement.
"I know. I haven't figured out how to tell her. There isn't any stopping Anya," Gregori said, running a hand through his hair in the first sign of agitation Fen had ever seen him make.
"She's a miniature you," Mikhail pointed out. "You were just like that as a boy."
"I can't believe I started this early. She's barely two," Gregori said.
"I was your friend, you maniac," Mikhail told him. "We got in so much trouble together, and you were always the instigator. Even at two."
"Don't believe him," Gregori said. "He's never followed anyone in his life. Especially when any advice given was for his own good."
The deep affection and easy friendship Gregori and Mikhail had for one another was very clear. Fen believed Gregori. Mikhail definitely was born to lead. He listened to those around him, but in the end, he made his own decisions. He'd most likely been that way since birth, and his son probably was a great deal like him. Little Anya would have just as difficult a time trying to protect young Alexandru as her father had with Mikhail.
"The children are tucked away for the night," Jacques announced. "Shea's going to join us for a short time." His voice lightened when he uttered his lifemate's name. "We've got to get the food right. Fen, that's your department. You know more about the Lycans than any of us."
"You're going to serve food?" Food certainly wasn't the forte of Carpathians.
"We want them to feel as at home with us as possible," Mikhail said. "The more they see us as they are, the better chance we have of their council coming here for a summit meeting. I also want to start the process of subtly changing their view of a Guardian versus the Sange rau."
Fen nodded. He could see how Mikhail's plan was a good one. The elite hunters, especially Zev, had the ear of the council. If they could be persuaded, they would be advocates for an alliance with the Carpathians.
"I'll handle the food," he agreed. "Everyone here has to view me as a Lycan. That's how Zev knows me. If he suspects any different, there will be trouble." He pulled on thin, almost invisible gloves.
Mikhail raised his eyebrow.
Fen shrugged. "No Lycan ever goes anywhere without his gloves or his silver. Zev's weapons are amazing, but most just have stakes. Silver can't touch their skin either, so they have to protect themselves. They'll be wearing their gloves, or they'll have them, and they'll definitely notice if I don't."
"I didn't think about that aspect of what they do," Gregori said. "During an intense battle they have to occasionally touch it."
"Silver burns like nothing you've ever felt," Fen said. "Every elite has scars from it, but that's one of the hazards of fighting the rogue packs. They accept it just as every Carpathian hunter accepts he's going to get torn up fighting the undead."
"I covet Zev's weapons," Jacques admitted with a grin. "Totally cool."
Mikhail groaned. "My brother has become very modern with his language."
"I was always very modern," Jacques said. "You're a dinosaur, but we're working on dragging you into this century."
"Go recheck the entrance with Gregori so everything is ready for the Lycans to come inside," Mikhail ordered. "And when your lifemate arrives, send her my way. I'm going to tell her tales of you as a boy."
"Big threat." Jacques shrugged his shoulders at his brother. "You've already done that." Laughing, he followed Gregori toward the main entrance to the cave.
The large cavern took on another look entirely. All playthings for children were gone. The stars were left in place as if their celebration was out in the open, but the torches were changed to soft lighting. On one side, Fen set up tables with food and drink. Tables and chairs were strewn around the area. Soft music played and a few of the couples danced under the scattered stars.
The chamber took on the atmosphere of a long ago ballroom, elegant and warm. Destiny and her lifemate, Nicolae, had returned from escorting the children and he spun her around the dance floor. Destiny laughed like a child herself, clearly enjoying the simple pleasure. Vikirnoff and Natalya danced alongside them, laughing with them and trying to outdo each other's intricate dance steps.
Looking around the room, Fen realized most of the single hunters weren't present, at least not openly. He allowed himself to use his Guardian senses, scanning the chamber. Of course. He should have known how Gregori thought by now. Mikhail and Raven were present and they were inviting strangers into their midst. In spite of all the Carpathian hunters present, Gregori would have an ace or two in the hole-in this case four of them.
Tomas, Lojos, Mataias and Andre were concealed somewhere in the chamber. Each guarded a key position. He knew them all well, those ancients, and they were dangerous predators. The elites had amazing skills, but Gregori knew how they fought now. He was very fast at learning and he wouldn't get caught unawares again. He was prepared for any act of treachery.
Zev came through the door first, which didn't surprise Fen at all. Zev was so much like Gregori they could have been brothers. Neither would probably ever admit it, but they thought alike.
Mikhail immediately crossed the chamber to greet him, Gregori and Jacques on either side of him. Fen moved just as quickly to join the greeting party. As a Lycan, it would be expected. Zev was of the highest rank, above any of the packs and would never be ignored by any Lycan once he had revealed himself as an elite scout.
Mikhail shook Zev's hand. Out of respect, Zev had removed his gloves, something Fen knew elites rarely did. Some slept with them on their hands, especially during a hunt. A rogue pack could attack at any time.
"Thank you for coming," Mikhail greeted. "More, again, thank you for coming to our aid when the rogue pack attacked. We would have suffered far more causalities and perhaps even losses."
Zev gave him an easy smile. Fen noted that smile never reached his eyes. Zev had the eyes of a man who had lived long and saw far too many horrific things.
"Thank you for inviting us. My pack needed a break. They've been traveling and fighting battles with rogues for weeks now. We knew something big was happening, but we had no idea the trail would lead us here."
He turned as the others entered. "This is Daciana."
Mikhail bowed over her hand. "Welcome and thank you. Destiny tells me you were very instrumental in protecting our children. There are no words for how grateful we are."
Daciana smiled at him. "It's what we do. And Destiny certainly did her fair share of fighting."
"I hope you enjoy yourself," Mikhail added.
Zev continued with the introductions to his pack. "These four are Convel, Gunnolf, Makoce and Arnou."
The four Lycans were extremely polite as Mikhail greeted them, but held themselves stiffly as if they weren't certain what they were getting into.
The last elite hunter limped a little as he came up to be introduced. Zev touched his shoulder briefly. "This is Lykaon."
Lykaon bowed slightly toward the prince but looked at Gregori. "I would not have survived without your aid or Shea's. I thank you."
"It was the least I could do after what you did for us," Gregori said.
Mikhail graciously thanked each of the Lycan hunters for their help. Vikirnoff and Natalya along with Destiny and Nicolae immediately came over. Destiny had fought with the Lycans and she introduced her lifemate, his brother and Natalya as she led the other pack members over to the tables of food and drink.
Fen knew immediately that Mikhail had planned for just that move. The pack respected Destiny's abilities and would relate to her and her family. Out of the corner of his eye he could see other Carpathian couples going up and introducing themselves to the pack members and engaging them in conversation.
Mikhail inclined his head toward Fen. "I believe you two know one another."
"We've certainly fought a few battles together now," Zev said, holding out his hand to Fen.
Fen was glad he'd thought to put his gloves on. Zev accepted him as Lycan but found his relationship with the Carpathians suspect.
"I see you've come prepared," Zev acknowledged.
"Always. With two of the Sange rau in the area, running such a large pack, I figure no one is safe," Fen said, opening the subject up immediately.
"I agree," Zev said. "It doesn't make sense that they're staying here when they know the hunters have arrived and there are so many Carpathians to fight them off."
Mikhail chose to inch toward a corner where the five of them could talk privately. Tatijana discreetly slipped off to talk with the pack members and Natalya's family. Zev walked with them to the small alcove where there were comfortable chairs. Once Mikhail sat, they all did, even Gregori, although Fen noticed that the way he'd positioned his chair, he could get in front of Mikhail instantly.
Fen didn't tell him it wasn't needed. No one in the room was faster than he was, and he would defend Mikhail, but he'd bet, Zev was every bit as quick as Gregori.
"One of the Sange rau is Bardolf, who had been a Lycan I thought long dead," Fen explained. "The other had been a Carpathian named Abel, an ancient hunter who turned vampire some centuries ago."
"We believe that they built a large pack with the intention of sacrificing them in order to distract the hunters while one of the leaders comes in to assassinate Mikhail," Gregori said.
Zev frowned, bringing the fingers of his hands together in a steeple. "They're intelligent enough to come up with such a plan, but what would they gain?"
"If I'm killed, it very well could end our species," Mikhail admitted. "My son is far too young to take over and we've been at a crisis point for centuries, barely holding on as a species."
Zev nodded. "The Sange rau decimated our ranks centuries ago. We had to completely restructure to build and we're still fragile."
"I believe it's time for our two species to become close allies. Whatever the problem that occurred between us certainly doesn't exist anymore," Mikhail said, leaning forward. "We could learn so much from one another, and I believe we can be of mutual aid to one another."
"The problem is what happens when, if by some chance, the blood between your species and mine mix. The Sange rau is what happens," Zev pointed out.
"Not exactly," Mikhail countered, his tone matter-of-fact as well as carrying a hint of surprise as if he expected Zev to already know. "A lifemated Carpathian could not become the Sange rau. Only a Carpathian who chooses to give up his soul could. The Sange rau is a vampire, not a Carpathian. Should a Carpathian become mixed blood, he would be Han ku pesak kaikak, or Paznicii de toate-Guardian of all. They aren't the same. They are the ones capable of matching the Sange rau in battle."
Zev shook his head. "I've never come across such a fighter, although, to be honest, the Sange rau is so rare few hunters ever run across one even with the longevity of our lives. If what you believe is true and you are the target of these two, then perhaps there is more to it than we know. What benefit would it be for them to destroy an entire species?"
"That's the question, isn't it?" Mikhail said. "I've been turning it over and over and it has occurred to me that there is another master somewhere, one we haven't discovered. One with an agenda that might be the demise of both our species."
Zev was an intelligent man and saw the reasoning. "I can get word to the council and ask if they would be willing to meet with you."
"If they agree, I'll call in my warriors for their protection as well," Mikhail said. "Hopefully you can stick around to help us ensure their safety."
Zev nodded. "First we have to destroy this pack. We've been picking them off, but I'd like to really get an idea of their numbers. They've broken the pack in smaller units to help hide them from us."
"We can help with that," Mikhail said. "We can use the sky to see their numbers."
"That would be extremely helpful," Zev said. "This is a big area with so many places to hide, and you know it where we don't. If they aren't aware that you've seen them, and we get their locations, we can destroy them."
"I don't think," Fen contributed, "even if we destroy their enormous pack, that Bardolf and Abel will leave without another attempt at Mikhail. They want him dead."
"Then we have to come up with a battle plan," Gregori said simultaneously with Zev.
The two men looked at one another, each with a grim smile.
"I don't want to take up more of your time tonight," Mikhail said. "I'd like you to have fun and meet some of my people. We can plan our battle this next rising." He stood and once again shook Zev's hand.
"I'll get word to the council," Zev promised. He looked around the room at his scattered pack. They were definitely enjoying themselves, talking animatedly with the Carpathians surrounding them, making them the center of attention, listening to their every story. "Thank you for this, Mikhail, my pack needed a little downtime."
Mikhail gave a small old-world bow from the waist and moved away with Jacques and Gregori, leaving Fen and Zev alone.
"He's cool under fire," Zev said. "I've got to give him that. With two Sange rau after him, he's in mortal danger, and he knows it."
"We managed to fight one off, but the other got through the safeguards and went right for him. He didn't move a muscle, didn't flinch. He just watched to see how fast they were and how good they were at unraveling the safeguards set in place," Fen said. "We were lucky, but next time we'll have to be better prepared."
"Do you think there is another masterminding-" Zev broke off in midsentence, looking over Fen's shoulder.
For a moment Zev looked as if he'd been hit over the head with a club. Those eyes, so empty and cold before, lit up as if with a flame. The light transformed the hunter's entire face. His edgy, tough features softened a little, leaving him younger and more approachable.
"She's stunning. Who is she?"
Fen turned his head as a hush fell over the room. Branislava stood at the entrance. Her thick fiery red hair fell to her waist in soft waves framing her face. Her skin was pale, but seemed to glow as if a furnace burned inside her and there was no containing the scorching heat. Her eyes-Dragonseeker eyes-dazzled. Her lashes were long and feathery, shading her emerald eyes. She looked as if two gemstones had been pressed into her face and a fire had been lit behind them so the brilliance shone at all times.
She wore a vintage gown reminiscent of days gone by. The style suited her. The sleeves were long and the bodice clung to her full breasts and narrow rib cage, dropping to her small waist and then flared over her hips so that the full skirt fell to the floor.
Fen drew in a breath and looked over at Tatijana. The joy on her face and in her heart swamped him so that for a moment he experienced the overwhelming emotion with her. Tatijana rushed over to her sister and they embraced one another tightly.
"That is Branislava, Tatijana's sister. She's been . . . recovering. We didn't expect her tonight, although we'd hoped she could come."
"She's truly beautiful," Zev reiterated.
"Don't let her looks deceive you," Fen warned. "She's Carpathian, from a very powerful lineage, and she is a warrior born and bred."
Zev nodded his head. "She moves like water flowing over rock, so fluid and graceful," he said. "I have to meet her, Fen." He looked over his shoulder at his pack. Some were eating. A couple of the hunters were drinking, and Daciana danced with a Carpathian male. "Now, Fen," he added urgently. "I want to meet her now."
Zev wishes to meet Bronnie, Tatijana. I know she came here for you, to make certain you were all right, and she's terribly shy around so many people, but would it be okay to bring him over?
We're trying to make a good impression on the Lycans, Tatijana said, so I guess we can hardly refuse. I'll let Bronnie know you're bringing him over.
I heard, Branislava said. I'm not that fragile. Truly. She turned her head and looked over at them.
"Sure," Fen said. "Let's go before everyone swamps her. She'll be surrounded in another minute."
Zev let out his breath. "I'm not exactly suave with the ladies."
"That's just as well. Look around you. Every one of those men will be defending her if they think you're a player. This is a tight-knit group."
"I'll chance it," Zev said, once more pulling off his gloves and tucking them inside his jacket pocket. "That's a woman worth getting killed over."
Fen knew both Branislava and Tatijana heard the whispered remark. Their hearing was far too acute even with the wealth of conversations and music around them. Tatijana's sudden grin gave them away as they exchanged a quick telling look.
"Bronnie," Fen greeted.
She turned fully to face him. Fen took her into his arms, grateful that she had come for Tatijana. He hugged her close. "It's so wonderful to see you like this. You made the evening complete for Tatijana. She really wanted you with her."
"I'm happy to come," Branislava said. "I could feel her happiness, Fen."
Be careful, Bronnie. Zev is Lycan and must believe Fen is as well, Tatijana cautioned.
I may have been recouping beneath the earth, sister, but I can assure you, I have a good grasp on what these people would do to my brother-kin should they find out what he is.
Fen wanted to smile at the fierceness in Branislava's tone. She was ready for combat should anyone attack her sister's lifemate. Yet she turned to Zev with a smile that could melt entire glaciers.
"Branislava, this is my friend, Zev," Fen introduced them. "He's an elite hunter for the Lycans."
"How lovely to meet you," Bronnie said, extending her hand. "Any friend of Fen's is certainly welcome here."
Zev took her fingers in his hand and gallantly lifted them to the warmth of his mouth. Lycan sense of smell was very acute and Branislava's enticing scent was so alluring he found himself entranced by her. Nearly hypnotized. It shocked him that he could be so completely mesmerized when he had been shaped and trained from the time he was a child to be a killer.
He'd been taught a woman could be a warm body or comfort, but was of little use to his role as a hunter. His entire focus was on hunting and destroying the threats to the Lycans.
"I'm honored to meet you," he said, looking into her eyes.
Staring into those deep pools of emerald green, he felt himself falling. A man could get lost there. He knew better than to spend one more moment in her company, but he couldn't resist that sensual allure. The feel of her bare skin, even if it was her fingers, set his heart racing. Her skin was satin-soft, but so warm in the coolness of the evening it shocked him. She seemed to burn from the inside out, which only made him wonder just how hot she would burn for a man she loved.
"I am not the most elegant of dancers, but I would love to dance with you," he said.
The words came out of their own accord. Frankly, he was shocked at the invitation. He certainly hadn't come over to her with the idea of asking her to dance. He'd make a fool of himself the moment he stepped out on the dance floor, but the thought of holding her in his arms, her body close to his, was more than he could resist.
"I would love that," she answered, with an elegant nod of her head. "But I must warn you, sir, I do not dance either. I have never danced."
You don't have to do that, Fen said. You're a great ambassador for the Carpathians, but you aren't required to dance with him.
I think I will enjoy it, Branislava admitted, astonished.
She really does want to do this, Fen, Tatijana added. She seemed as surprised as her sister.
"Never?" Zev's eyebrow shot up.
What the hell was wrong with the Carpathian males? He couldn't imagine why this woman was unattached. He hadn't been able to bring himself to let go of her hand. Afraid she might change her mind, he led her to the dance floor. The moment he wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her in close to him, he knew he was lost.
She fit into him perfectly, melting into his body, so that when they moved they appeared to be one body, not two. She matched his steps intuitively, as if they had been dancing forever together. Her hair was silk against his face, strands catching in the dark shadow along his jaw, tangling them together, and he found he wanted them to stay like that. He swore, even the beat of his heart matched hers.
He knew he shouldn't hold her so close, or so possessively, but he felt possessive of her. He didn't want the music to ever end. His life was one of battles, of killing, cold nights out in the open, horrendous wounds, blood and death. It wasn't holding a beautiful woman in his arms, drifting around the dance floor in a mixture of desire and pleasure.
"I thought you didn't know how to dance," he murmured against her ear. Even her little shell-like ear was beautiful. He had it bad, whatever "it" was. He wanted to sweep the hair off her neck and press featherlight kisses all over her soft skin.
"You apparently are a very good leader," she whispered. "You're so very easy to follow."
Her voice wrapped him in intimacy, making him forget for a moment that they were not alone and other couples-including Tatijana and Fen-danced on the same small dance floor. Branislava was lethal and he had no defense against her. If it was possible for a Lycan to fall for a Carpathian, he was well on his way, and it was forbidden, especially for an elite hunter.
He pulled her closer until her body imprinted on his. Hot. So hot. She burned through his clothes-his skin-every muscle in his body until she was branded in his very bones. No, deeper still. Like molten lava she flowed into him through his pores, until her brand found his heart and then his soul. Until he belonged to her. Body. Heart. Mind. And his lost soul.
The music ended and his heart nearly stopped. She smiled up at him and he had no choice but to wrap his arm around her waist and escort her from the floor, back to the corner where he'd first found her talking to her sister. The far corner. Farthest from where the Lycans held casual conversations with the Carpathians.
"Thank you, Branislava," he said. "You certainly can cast a spell."
She blinked several times and he wondered if he'd said something wrong.
He doesn't know about our mage background, Bronnie, Tatijana hastily explained. He means he finds you very attractive.
Strangely, I find him very attractive.
"I really enjoyed dancing with you," Branislava admitted. "Tatijana told me it was like floating. I could hear the music right through my body."
And his heart, matching the rhythm of mine, Tatijana, she added in wonder.
Branislava searched his face. It was a strong face. Lines etched deep, telling her he'd seen war. His eyes fascinated her. They were wolf eyes, pure and simple. They showed his piercing intelligence. There was no disguising the predator in him. When he locked onto his prey he would be merciless and unswerving. Right now, in the room with Carpathian hunters only feet away, those eyes were wholly focused on her.
She should have been frightened, but she was more intrigued. She might be shy around people-she'd never been around them before-but she would defend herself and her family with everything she was, every weapon in her arsenal.
"You're a beautiful dancer," Zev said. "I hope we get the chance to do this again soon."
"Me, too," Branislava said, meaning it.
She slipped away from him, back to her sister. At once the Carpathians seem to close ranks around her. Zev observed her for a few minutes, all too aware Fen was watching him.
"I understand now, why you have chosen to become friends with these people," Zev said with a sigh. "Tatijana and her sister are beautiful women."
"Yes they are," Fen agreed.
"You know it is forbidden. We are to avoid the Carpathian people just for this reason. We can't take the chance of falling in love with one."
Fen not only heard the reluctance in Zev's voice, but felt it as well. "Carpathian men and women don't have the luxury of falling in love until they meet their lifemate," he explained. "A Lycan might fall in love with a Carpathian, but he or she couldn't or wouldn't reciprocate. There is only one."
"I still don't understand."
"I've learned that they are literally two halves of the same whole. The soul of the male contains the darkness needed and the soul of the female the light. The ritual binding words are imprinted on the male before birth. When he finds the woman with the other half of his soul, he recognizes her, says the words and they are bound. There are no others. If one dies the other follows."
"So even if it wasn't forbidden, you're saying she's out of reach," Zev said with real regret. "She's definitely out of my league." He was afraid she'd taken his heart and soul away with her, but then one didn't need those things to kill.
"Let's get you something to drink. You're here to have fun." Fen clapped him on the shoulder and led him back to the rest of the pack and the Carpathians there.