Fen began to hear a sound, much like the cavernous boom of a drum below them, around them, surrounding them. He recognized the rhythm as that of a heartbeat. Each single beat vibrated through Dimitri's body, his every organ, sinew and bone. Because all four were connected, each of them felt that strong pulsation. Each beat seemed to send pain crashing through his body, but Dimitri didn't fight.
Mother Earth has accepted you, beloved, as her son. You are now a part of her. You are hearing her heart beating through your body, making you one with her, one with all nature. We are bound together now, the four of us.
With every ounce of energy he possessed, Dimitri reached toward his lifemate. The two spirits brushed against one another and Dimitri's light spread and grew brighter.
It is enough, I think, beloved. I cannot stay. Be strong for me. Skyler's voice was already fading, her strength draining fast.
Dimitri stirred, lashes once more lifting, almost in a panic that he hadn't seen her. Fen closed the wound on his wrist and watched the momentary heat in his brother's eyes fade when he realized Skyler was present only in spirit.
Rest, beloved. I must go. Josef is with me. He'll keep me safe. You live, Dimitri. Stay alive. Just live for me.
The moment the soil stopped churning, Skyler was gone abruptly. She'd given everything she had and must have passed out there in the library so far away from them. Fen could only hope that her friend Josef knew what he was doing.
"Sleep my brother," he whispered to Dimitri and smoothed his hand over his brother's forehead. There was raw love in the gesture and he was grateful only his lifemate witnessed his vulnerability.
"We've done what we can here, my lady." He offered his hand to her. "We must safeguard his resting spot, revive ourselves, reassure your sister and then, I suppose, we must go see a prince."
Chapter 7
Mikhail Dubrinsky's home was so well-crafted and the safeguards so strong, that even with Carpathian eyes Fen found it difficult to see at first. Deep in the forest, higher up toward the cliffs, the house was both mountain and wood. The air shimmered around the home, a veil not so easily pierced. Abruptly that veil dropped away, and Gregori strode toward them.
Tatijana's fingers brushed his and he caught her hand without looking down at her. Jacques Dubrinsky jumped out of the uppermost branches of the trees and landed easily on his feet. On their left, Falcon Amiras did the same, essentially creating a funnel-a polite chute-but one all the same.
"Welcome, Fenris Dalka," Gregori said formally. His silver eyes slashed over them both, taking in far more than either would have wished. "You are much later than anticipated, but I see why. Dimitri?"
"He is alive," Fen said.
He didn't know these people. He had never sworn loyalty to this prince, nor would he until he knew the heart and soul of Mikhail Dubrinsky. He certainly wouldn't trust any of them with the life of his brother without knowing the truth.
"How many weapons do you carry on you?"
"Enough to take down a rogue pack," Fen answered vaguely, his eyes steady on Gregori's. He never once turned away. If necessary, Tatijana could fend off the two men flanking them, but he would have to defeat the prince's second if this was a trap.
"That is not really an answer," Gregori pointed out mildly, a slight edge creeping into all that charm.
"In truth, I do not know. When an elite hunting pack is in the area during a full moon, I am always fully armed if I am not beneath the ground." Fen accompanied his answer with a casual shrug. If they wanted him to speak with the prince, it was going to be on his terms. He was exhausted, still not fully healed and was risking his life just to come there. If they wanted him to leave, he'd be more than happy to oblige.
Tatijana's soft laughter slipped into his mind. I think wolf man has a chip on his shoulder. I will have to remember that when you're tired, you're a little bit grumpy.
They invited me. But his mood was slipping away with her teasing. It was impossible to keep a Lycan's foul temper around her, even if he wanted to. He sent her a small glimmer of a smile and when her eyes met his, his heart reacted with a hard bang. You do get to me, woman.
She looked smug. And pleased. Her eyes took on a sparkle. I know.
Gregori led the way to the large wraparound porch, shaded by a roof held by strong stone columns. The moment he set foot on the exquisite wooden planking, the heavy door opened, and Mikhail filled that entrance.
There was no mistaking the prince of the Carpathian people. His power was raw, yet controlled. The energy burned in and through him, barely contained. Fen had often met his own prince, and yet never had that raw power been so strong in him. Mikhail looked princely with his wide, straight shoulders, tall physique and eyes that held the weight of their world in them. He had seen battle on many occasions. He had seen the decline of his people and had turned them around to grow anew.
"Fenris Dalka," Gregori provided. "And his lifemate, Tatijana Dragonseeker."
The prince's gaze moved to Tatijana. For the first time Fen felt her tremble. It was slight, but it was there. She was just a little nervous to face her prince after she had struck out on her own. Maybe feeling a little guilty even, that she had tried to escape Gregori's care.
"I see that. You both are welcome. Please enter of your own free will." He stepped back to allow them both the decision to enter his home.
The house was suspiciously quiet. He was given entrance, but Mikhail's lifemate, Raven, and their son were conspicuously somewhere safe. He didn't blame the prince or Gregori. He expected nothing less of them. He was, after all, completely unknown to them and he was bringing a battle right to their doorsteps.
"Thank you." He stepped across the threshold and knew instantly the house itself was tied in some way to the prince and his powers. With one hand he swept Tatijana behind him, his hand staying there in warning to her as he advanced.
He felt the weight of stone and wood. The walls breathed in and out. The curtains fluttered, drawing his eye. They twisted. He felt the urge to put out his arms and spin in a slow circle, allowing the house to see his cache of weapons. He held firm against that slow continuous push and stood, feet slightly apart, upright, arms loosely at his sides.