Dark Lycan (Carpathian)

He will be saved if possible.

Tatijana whispered the words into his mind as her teeth sank deep into his chest. The flood of need was so strong, the hunger for her almost out of control. He closed his eyes and breathed, as his rich blood filled her veins and rushed through her body to every wounded organ, helping to accelerate the healing process.

He’d fed hundreds of Carpathians wounded in battle. He’d given his blood to a trusted Lycan friend who fought with him over and over to defeat a common enemy. He’d taken blood from men, women and his own kind, both Lycan and Carpathian. Never had there been a sexual component until now. He breathed in and out. Listened to his heart beating hard in his chest. Heard the roaring sound of thunder in his ears. Felt his cock grow, lengthen and harden with a never before felt desperate urgency.

He was alive for the first time in his life that he could remember. Fully alive. The claiming words, imprinted upon him long before his birth, pounded through his mind. He heard those ritual binding words, that fateful chanting that would forever bind them, but he refused to speak them to her. He would never make such a decision for her, not until he knew for certain she wouldn’t be at risk if she became what he was. Even this small exchange was a little frightening for him. There was no knowing how much blood it took before the recipient became as he was.

With one last sensual sweep of her tongue, Tatijana opened her eyes again and smiled at him. “This one would be honored to become as you are. Stop worrying so much.” Her expression changed, going solemn as she sat up. “Let’s save your brother. I would never want to lose my sister.”

“She doesn’t want to lose you. When we’re finished here, you must go to her and reassure her that you still live.” Fen couldn’t help himself. “I’m going to kiss you again. If you need a reason this time, it won’t sound reasonable, but I can’t help myself.”

“Well, then, certainly you must.”

He closed the gap between their mouths, half lifting her in his arms and bending his head to hers. Her lips were warm and soft. He stroked his tongue across that small seam and she opened her mouth in invitation. His heart nearly exploded in his chest as he sank into her. He poured himself into her like liquid gold.

Her mouth was warm honey. Dazzling diamonds. A sky filled with brilliant sapphires and just sheer paradise. It made no sense at all—he wasn’t a poetic man—but the world around him exploded in an amazing array of the most beautiful natural caves he’d ever seen with their gem-studded walls glittering behind his eyes. How could she do that? So simple it seemed. All she had to do was open her mouth and let him kiss her.

He reluctantly raised his head, shaking it, a little bemused. If her eyes were anything to go by, she was feeling the same. He hadn’t shared her mind because he was already so hungry for her, the ritual words pounding at him, that he feared he wouldn’t stop—and his duty was to his brother. Kissing once was perfectly fine, but he needed long, endless nights with Tatijana to do her justice.

Her hand crept into his as she sat up all the way. “We can save him, Fen. Together.”

He nodded, and they floated just above where they had rested and once again peeled back the earth to reveal Dimitri. He lay as still as death. His skin was almost pure white. He looked already long gone from their world. Fen felt his heart plummet, knowing, for the first time in his life, he’d put off the inevitable.

“He has a lifemate, Fen,” Tatijana reminded. “There is always hope. What cannot be done for one’s self, can often be done for one’s lifemate, no matter how extraordinary it seems.”

“Or miraculous?” He could barely get the words out, a lump in his throat threatening to choke him.

“Especially miraculous. Isn’t simply finding one’s lifemate a true miracle?” Tatijana smiled at him. “At least that is how Lara explained it to me, and she would know. She is my nephew’s daughter and is very wise. Call to his lifemate.”

“She is young. Far away. Another country it felt. A great distance.”

“And yet she came when needed. Gain entrance to his mind and follow the path back to her. She will answer your summons. She has to be strong if she can bridge the distance you speak of.” Tatijana knelt on one side of Dimitri’s body and waited.

Fen slowly sank to his knees on the other side. Placing both hands on his hips he reached for the strong telepathic connection he’d had with Dimitri since Dimitri’s birth.