He was proud of her courage and tenacity, in spite of the fact that he wanted her out of danger. He didn't want her anywhere near the Lycans. He didn't trust what the wolves might do if they discovered she was working to free him. Still . . . how could he not feel elated and overwhelmed with her love, that she had dared such dangers to come for him?
He was a Carpathian male, an ancient hunter and his first instinct—his duty—was to protect his woman. Skyler was his other half, and to know that he had put her in danger was far worse to him than the seemingly endless pain he had endured.
You must leave. I cannot have you in danger and survive this.
There was that moment of silence that made his heart stutter. Had she spent too long trying to stop the silver from poisoning his system? Was she unconscious? Even though he knew she was much closer, the distance was still difficult. She had to use so much energy to bridge the void and then twice that to heal him.
He was well aware he couldn't push that poisoned silver from his body the way she had done it. She'd been meticulous, and more, everywhere the silver had burned through him, she'd soothed the terrible burns.
You cannot survive this without me and you know it.
Relief swept through him. She was weak. He could feel her energy level was very low, but she wasn't anywhere near the state she'd been in the last time.
I am grateful that you are removing the silver from my body. Once it is done, I can escape myself. You cannot come any closer.
She made a little sound in his mind, a hmph of annoyance. You cannot unwrap the chains that bind you. If you could, my love, you would have done so weeks ago.
Dimitri was beginning to feel a little desperate. She couldn't stay. He was helpless to aid her if she got into trouble. She was correct about the chains wrapped so tightly around his body. Had it not been for the unusually strong connection between them, he could never have reached out to Skyler. He had tried reaching his brother, Fen, but to no avail.
Sadly, I'm all you've got right now, Dimitri. The three of us. Josef and Paul will do whatever is necessary to help me set you free.
He loved her friends. He'd come to know them through her, and her love of them. The two boys were brothers to her, family, but they were boys, not men, not in the sense of warriors who were experienced in battle. They had no idea what they were facing, and how in the world could they possibly protect Skyler from a pack of Lycans?
He took a deep breath to try to keep still. The burn twisting through his body set him on fire. He could barely force his body to stay under his control, instead of moving continually in an effort to ease the never-ending agony bent on destroying him. He had to admit it was a medieval torture worthy of a Machiavellian punishment.
Skyler, I love you more than life itself. He told her the stark truth in a low, compelling tone. Compulsion wouldn't work on her, but he could use his best, loving persuasive voice. My brother, Fen, will come. He is already on his way. He spoke with absolute confidence. He knew Fen would come for him. I need to know you're safe. More than anything else, I need that. Stay where you are and continue to drive the silver from my body. That will buy the time my brother needs to find me. You can reach him and know the time it will take for him to reach me.
Skyler took her time mulling that over while his heart accelerated with fear for her. She gave a little sigh. The idea is to get in and get out without anyone knowing we are here. If I call to your brother, he will have no choice but to let my father know. Gabriel will come. With him will be Lucian. Maybe others. There could be a war just when Mikhail is trying to make peace with these cretins.