Immortal Wolf - By Bonnie Vanak Page 0,83

to soothe her fears, but she trembled in his arms.

“How can you do this? It’s too much to ask of you,” she told him.

Illiterate in the ways of the Old Language, he couldn’t read the book. The knowledge was denied to him because he was of an inferior lineage. Raphael didn’t know what followed the sentence Emily read. If there were instructions or specific directions on how to shed her blood, he was ignorant of them.

All he had was gut instinct and his heart to guide him. He drew in a deep breath, hoping it was enough, and turned her around to face him. Using their telepathic link, Raphael poured all his love, all his trust and belief in her.

Emily, I know now why Aibelle said what she did. Texts and traditions didn’t hold the answers. You do. I saw you with my heart’s eye, and I know now. He touched her red-gold hair, his hand straying to her face, cupping her chin.

Your eyes shift color depending upon your mood. They turn brown when you’re angry, gray when you are sad, and—a faint smile touched his mouth—various shades of purple when you are aroused. Your hair is a rich, vibrant color, like autumn leaves touched by sunlight. You’re fertile only in the spring. Four drops of your blood, representing the four seasons, restore life to the dying. No other Draicon has this ability. Everything about you is unique, special. Different.

“I don’t want to be different. I never did. I only wanted to be ordinary, and belong,” she cried out. “What good is it to be apart from everyone else, and be alone?” His heart broke at her next words. “Wasn’t I ever good enough to be loved for who I am?”

“You are. I love you and I always will. Those who once loved you, and abandoned you because you are special, let their fears and their resentments crowd out their ability to love you for who you are. They turned to embrace evil because they couldn’t bear someone being more powerful than they were, as you are. It’s the essence of why Draicon turn Morph. Their fears and their quest for power leads them to embrace evil. Yet some Draicon are called to walk alone and be different. I was. And you are as well.” He caressed her skin, savoring the silky touch of her. “You will never be anything other than special because of who birthed you.”

As she stared blankly, he forged ahead, knowing she must believe in him for this to all work. “Your mother, Aibelle. The goddess. You’re her daughter. And because you are, you are immortal, as I am.”

Emily’s lips parted as her huge green eyes went wide with shock. “Which is why when I do what I am called to do, sink my blade into your heart, you will not die,” he continued. “This is the sacrifice Aibelle told me that you and I must make to save our people. I don’t know what will happen, but we have to believe it’s for the best.”

Immortal. Aibelle was her mother. And she could not die.

Emily, who had trusted few, who had been taught to be wary of growing close with anyone, now must trust Raphael with her very life. Trust that he was right.

Raphael was different. His strength, courage and mixed blood set him apart. He had lived alone, as she had, had walked the solitary path, as she had.

His was a choice. He made the choice to become Kallan. She had no choice in what she was given.

And now he asked her to step out in complete faith and trust.

It was too much to absorb. She wanted to dance away, retreat and think over what he’d said. They had no time.

In the pale moonlight, he watched her. Keeping a little distant, but his expression filled with love and concern.

“What you ask of me, it’s very difficult,” she managed. “What if I’m not? What if it’s all not as you think?”

“You have to trust me, chere. Trust in my love for you and what we’re both called to do.” A heavy sigh fled his deep chest. “It’s like when I stepped off the mountain into the mist. It was damn scary, and all my instincts protested. But I took the leap.”

“A leap of faith. Just as I am supposed to do with you.”

If he were wrong, she’d die. If he were right, and something wonderful did happen, then they had a means for defeating the most