Skyler extracted herself from Lucian's arms and leaned into Dimitri, deliberately, he was certain. She kept her smile as she wrapped on arm around Dimitri's waist. He felt the slight trembling in her body.
"I asked Dimitri to claim me before I rescued him. I was afraid if I wasn't successful, he would die. I would have chosen to follow him and I would have been terrified without our souls being bound together." She looked her father in the eye when she told him.
Gabriel began to shake his head as she spoke.
Lucian put a hand on his shoulder. "It is done, brother. There is nothing to be done for it now. She's taken the matter out of all of our hands."
"He could have refused her." There was a warning in Gabriel's tone.
"Would you refuse your lifemate?" Lucian asked softly. "She was right to do as she did. Dimitri was in trouble and she went to him. She's his true lifemate, there's no denying it."
"There was every chance I wouldn't get to him in time," Skyler said. She reached out a hand to her father. "I can't live without him. You know what that's like. If something happened to Francesca . . ."
Gabriel shook his head again. "Don't say it. Don't think it."
"Daddy," Skyler said, for the first time sounding like a lost child. "I had no choice. You have to see that and understand."
Dimitri stirred, every protective instinct rising fast. His heart actually ached for her. Skyler needed reassurance from Gabriel. She had done the right thing. All of them knew it, but her father didn't want to concede that she was old enough to make her own decisions. He didn't want to let the child go and acknowledge that she was a woman.
Dimitri gathered her closer into his arms, sheltering her body against his. Going openly against Gabriel ran the danger of putting Skyler in the position of defending her father. Still . . . he wasn't about to allow anyone, even her father, to make her feel so terrible and guilty. Skyler had chosen to save her lifemate. She had been mortally wounded in the process and had undergone the conversion. She desperately needed her father to understand.
"No one else could find him," Fen said before Dimitri could speak. "Not even me. Whatever they have together is something very special."
It took a great deal of discipline for Dimitri to stand there silently and allow others to plead their case to Gabriel. He respected the legendary warrior, but he wasn't afraid of him, and he didn't feel he owed him an explanation. More, he wanted to lash out and tell the man to see Skyler for who she was, not the frightened child Gabriel had taken in, loved and nurtured.
The walls around them suddenly shimmered, nearly folding in themselves. The ground shivered under their feet and above them, the ceiling seemed to fall and then recoil back into place.
"We don't have much time," Tatijana said. "We have to leave tonight--soon."
Don't leave your daughter hurting when you know she did the right thing, Lucian advised his brother. You should be proud of her. She did what no other could do.
She's my baby. Our baby. Francesca's and mine. Our first. You know what her life was like. There was true pain in Gabriel's voice. First I give Francesca the news that she lives, and I promised to bring her home, and now I must tell her she's gone for all time. We had so little time with her. I feel cheated.
You feel fear for her. You cannot control her world or keep her out of harm's way. That's your fear, Gabriel. Every father must face it. Look at Dimitri. Really see him. You haven't even looked at him. What he went through--for her. To stay alive for her. What other man would suffer such a thing?
For the first time, Gabriel allowed himself to look at his son-in-law. His kin. Dimitri's forehead and neck had the links of chains burned into his skin, nearly to the bone. He could see one layer that had been wrapped around the forehead and three loops around his neck.
His entire body bears these marks. Tatijana and Fen told me that inside his body, every organ and bone was burned as well. He was starved for over two weeks--hung on meat hooks and swung from a tree. He stayed alive--for her. She would have followed him and he knew it, Lucian persisted. This is an ancient hunter of exceptional skill. All know his reputation. Now you see not only his strength and determination, but his love for your daughter forever burned into his body for all to see.
Gabriel brushed his hand over his face. He shook his head. He knew he was being unreasonable. Skyler was in good hands. Dimitri obviously loved her, it was there on his face. He might not be ready for Skyler to grow up, but somewhere along the line she'd done so, maturing into her own woman, gaining confidence and making her own decisions. He couldn't fault her for that. He knew, as a parent, it was the very thing he wanted for her.
He stepped up to the couple and clasped Dimitri's forearms, Skyler in between them. "Welcome, son. And thank you for saving her life. Few could have accomplished such a thing. Her spirit was so far from us, neither her mother nor I could find her."
Gabriel looked down at his daughter. "You made us very proud, Skyler. No one would ever have conceived that you, Paul and Josef could accomplish what all of us failed to do. Mikhail sent out search parties, but no one was able to find a hint of the trail."
Skyler circled his waist with her arms and laid her head on her father's chest, the tension slowly draining away. "I'm grateful you understand that I had to find him."
Gabriel kissed the top of her head. "I do." He glanced over his shoulder at the silent couple standing behind him. "I think there are others who wish to greet you and make certain you're alive and safe. They've gone hunting this morning and can provide both of you with blood."
Behind him, Skyler's birth father Razvan stood tall and straight. He'd been the most hated man besides his grandfather Xavier, before it came out that he was imprisoned as well and Xavier had used his body to commit unspeakable crimes. He was her father, yet he didn't know her. Razvan's blood, both Dragonseeker and mage, ran in her veins.
Skyler had inherited her concentrated power from this man. The woman beside him was Ivory, his lifemate, keeper of wolves. She stood beside Razvan, close to him, yet able to move easily and quickly should there be need to fight. Her wolves traveled like tattoos on her body, watching her back, and now half the pack guarded Razvan as well.
The two were considered skilled, dangerous fighters. They rarely were around other Carpathians, but hunted vampires relentlessly.
Skyler's hands tightened around Dimitri's. She'd always pushed aside this part of her life, unwilling to face it, subconsciously viewing Razvan as a participant in the evil Xavier had done. She'd been sold to a man, both her mother and she, by the high mage. That man had sold her to others for money.
"You don't have to," Dimitri said.
"No." She lifted her chin. "I do."
14
"It is best if we sit." Dimitri took charge. Skyler was swaying with weariness. He needed to sit as well. Both needed blood. "But Skyler wishes to greet her birth father."
Gabriel and Lucian stepped away to give Razvan and Ivory privacy, such as could be had in the close quarters of the transparent shelter.
Razvan crouched down in front of his daughter where Dimitri had helped her to sit in the grass. Ivory placed her hand firmly on his shoulder in support of whatever might happen.
"I was afraid the world had lost you," Razvan greeted.
"You came," Skyler said. "Even though we have barely talked, you still came."
"You are my daughter. I may not have had the pleasure of raising you, but you will always be my flesh and blood. No one will ever harm you and escape our punishment. We would hunt them to the ends of the earth."
Dimitri smiled up at Ivory in greeting. "Skyler has Razvan's fierce nature. She was quite willing to take on all the Lycans after seeing what they did to me."
The tension drained from Ivory's body and she smiled back at him. "We've come bearing a gift for you, for both of you, if you would accept it."
"Just coming is gift enough," Skyler said. She pushed back a few strands of hair that had escaped the thick braid.
Her hand trembled.
"You need to feed," Razvan said. "Both of you."
"I'm not certain I can do it by myself yet," Skyler admitted, looking back at Dimitri.
"There's no need," Ivory said. "Razvan can aid you, and I'll give Dimitri blood. Later, the others can as well. At the moment, the De La Cruz brothers are hunting. They should be back very soon."
At Dimitri's alarmed look she smiled. "Discreetly. They said they'd be discreet." She extended her wrist toward Dimitri. "I offer freely."
Razvan didn't hesitate. He waved his hand toward Skyler to calm her, to distance her from what would take place. It would allow her to take his blood without real knowledge so she could take what she needed to survive. She had plenty of time to get used to taking her own food, but for now, to expedite her healing, it would be better to just allow her to feed without distress.
Skyler knew the moment Razvan's mind reached for hers and tried to take control. She'd always known when Josef or her parents had done so. She knew she needed to allow him to do so, to give her consent. Before, she never would have trusted someone mage born, not after what had happened to her, but this man had held out against impossible odds and he hadn't turned vampire or succumbed to the terrible temptation of power his grandfather had dangled in front of him. He had endured endless torture and had accepted the hatred of everyone who knew him with stoic resolve.
He was much like her beloved Dimitri. He didn't ask for understanding or plead his case. He simply accepted and walked away if shunned, but he would fight fiercely for those he loved. He was loyal and courageous and he could always be counted on.
She looked at the man who was her birth father for the first time through accepting eyes. She let go and allowed him entry into her mind. His touch was gentle, and it was over in an instant--she blinked and found herself stronger.
Dimitri had already politely closed the small wound on Ivory's wrist, giving her a slight bow from the waist, although they were seated in the grass.
"Thank you both," Dimitri said. "Your blood will aid in our healing."
Razvan smiled at the couple. "We did bring you a present of sorts, a gift to celebrate your becoming lifemates. We knew the moment we became aware Skyler still lived," he added by way of explanation. "Although, of course, it is a responsibility and therefore must be your choice to refuse or accept with no ill will on our part."
Dimitri and Skyler exchanged a long glance. Skyler's heart began to pound with excitement. Ivory and Razvan were considered eccentrics among the Carpathian people. More than anything, they loved wolves and ran with their own pack--not wholly animal and certainly not Lycan. These were wolves Ivory had accidently turned Carpathian. Such a thing was forbidden of course, but she'd taken responsibility for them and kept them in line.
Dimitri had spent centuries protecting wolves in the wild, advocating for them and providing land for them to hunt and live without fear of humans killing them. He had done so in the beginning to provide a sanctuary for his brother when he was injured in battle, but over the years, he'd purchased lands in various countries to provide safe preserves.
Ivory and Razvan would know how hard Dimitri fought for the wolves in the wild and they would know of all her studies, gearing her to aid him in his chosen fight. She held her breath, her eyes shining, she was sure, with her excitement. She just knew.
"We brought wolf pups. They were born nearly two years ago and are not from our pack. Our wolf pack found them, the adults had been torn apart, leaving the pups to starve. They were weak and we . . ." Ivory broke off and looked to Razvan for help.
"We saved them the only way we could. Our pack rarely asks for anything and we couldn't refuse them. The vampire mistook the pack for ours. We'd been hunting him for some time," Ivory continued. "I--we--felt responsible. We inadvertently led the vampire right to them. He wiped out the pack and slashed, but didn't kill the pups, leaving them as bait for us."
"I take it his plan didn't work out in his favor," Dimitri said, his voice going grim.
"No, he was brought to justice," Razvan assured. "And we acquired four more pups. A female and three males. We thought, under the circumstances, they would be best placed with you. As much as they're a part of our family now, we realized we couldn't allow our pack to get that large."
Skyler gripped Dimitri's hand. She was actually trembling with her excitement, hardly able to contain it.
"We thought the two of you would be perfect to care for them," Ivory confided. She rubbed her hand over her thigh restlessly.
Razvan reached over and placed his hand over Ivory's, stilling that small movement, comforting her. She was offering them part of her family, pups she'd raised, and loved.
Skyler could see the faint patchwork scars running through Ivory's skin. She was beautiful in spite of all those scars, radiant, knowing she had Razvan's unconditional love. Skyler looked at Dimitri, at the chain links burned into his skin. She would take away the blackness, and even out the pitting over time, but his scars would be there, his badges of courage, just as Ivory's were.
And she would love him. Nothing could ever change what she felt for Dimitri. The intense emotion for him would only grow with time--if that were possible.
"They're trained to adhere to our skin and watch our backs," Ivory explained. "They'll do the same for you. They just look like large, intricate human tattoos if anyone sees them."
"You have to allow them to hunt for food, but control what they choose to eat. And you absolutely have to be in control at all times," Razvan explained. "You can't allow them to run over you or you'll end up having to destroy them as you would a vampire."
Ivory nodded solemnly. "The two of you are the only ones we considered. Would you be interested? If you are, we can share information with you now and give you the pups when you're both feeling stronger. I'll train you, Skyler, to run them."
Skyler tried not to be disappointed. She wanted her own wolf pack that moment. She had always loved the idea of Ivory's famous wolf tattoos. Dimitri? She tried not to influence him. It was their decision together, not just hers. She knew he would listen with an open mind to her reasons and she wanted to be able to do the same for him.
His laughter was soft in her mind, filling her with an odd tingling sensation, with a small rush of heat. Skyler.
That was it. Her name. She sent him a look from under her lashes, one she usually reserved for Josef. Are you mocking me?
Teasing you. Just a little. We're getting the wolf pups. How could I possibly say no to a gift like that? You would never stop arguing with me.
Discussing. I was totally prepared to be reasonable and listen to you and then show you all the reasons you were absolutely wrong if you disagreed.
Dimitri burst out laughing. "Skyler Rose has a spine of steel. Yes. Yes with thanks. There are no words to express our appreciation of such a rare gift. We both want them."
Skyler leaned toward Ivory. "Thank you for the amazing offer to train me. I certainly accept. It would be an honor to get such an experience. I've always envied you for your wolves. They're so beautiful."
"But deadly," Ivory reminded. "They hunt the vampire with us. The pups have already hunted as well. Our adults share knowledge with them and they know what to do. You'll never be able to have a home in a city or even a town, not with your pack."
The shelter around them trembled. The western corner folded over. Once again the ground shifted beneath them.
"Our fortress is destabilizing rapidly," Dimitri said. "And the De La Cruz brothers have returned."
Skyler took a deep breath. "I'm not certain I can fix it. I can try, but . . ." She trailed off. She glanced over the other Carpathians, who had formed a loose circle and were discussing how to leave without starting a war. She could feel eyes watching them and she shivered, knowing they would have to leave their temporary sanctuary and once again face the Lycans.
"We should join the others," Razvan suggested. He reached out his hand to his daughter. "I know you've
grown up with Gabriel and Francesca, and they're your parents. I would never want to take anything from them, but we do want you in our lives, Skyler."
"I love Gabriel and Francesca with all my heart," she admitted. "Without them, I wouldn't be here. They showed me what love was, what a relationship could be--should be. They also taught me that love is endless, that we have the capacity to love many people and it never takes away from those already in our lives."
She looked up at Dimitri and then made her confession in a little rush. "When Tamara was born, I have to admit, I was a little afraid I'd be pushed aside. I wasn't Carpathian and I had a lot of problems, but that never happened. Tamara enhanced all of our lives, mine as well as Gabriel and Francesca's. Becoming closer to the two of you would never take anything away from Gabriel and Francesca."
"I would like that," Razvan said.
Skyler could still feel that little space between Ivory and everyone else but Razvan. She was very protective of her lifemate, used to others shunning him. Skyler leaned over to touch Ivory's hand, wanted to connect with her. "I feared my relationship with Razvan," she admitted, "not because I thought he was a criminal or horrible, but because he was mage. I didn't want to be mage born. The idea of that scared me to death."
Ivory frowned. "Why? Not every mage is out for power like Xavier. How could you know to fear mages?"
That was a good question. Skyler found herself matching Ivory's frown. Somewhere, deep inside, was a memory that slipped away faster than she could catch it. Her heart accelerated and she tasted fear in her mouth. She'd closed the door on that memory. Even cracking it open just an inch brought a terrible panic so that she could barely breathe.
Dimitri immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her back against him. "You've embraced being mage. What could be so alarming that your body reacts with such anxiety when your mind is comfortable with the knowledge of who you are?"
"You don't have to remember," Razvan said. "Not for me."
"But Ivory's right. I spent my childhood in the human world. Granted, I was around monsters, but they were human monsters. How would I have developed a fear of mages? How would I have even heard of them? Even after Gabriel and Francesca adopted me, I was very sheltered for years. I certainly never ran across a mage."