Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

“Your lifemate?”

“Adalasia,” Sandu answered. “She is bound to me but not yet converted.”

Adalasia didn’t clench her teeth, but it took effort. He’d used the word “converted,” but she wasn’t asking in front of Lucian. He hadn’t liked Sandu carrying her inside, but she wasn’t asking about that, either. There were too many things Sandu hadn’t told her that he should have.

She smiled her best professional smile. She was extremely proficient at putting people at ease. “Thank you so much for seeing us, Lucian, at such short notice. Your home is truly lovely.”

“Thank you.” Lucian inclined his head courteously.

Sandu had moved close to her, so close he actually positioned her under his shoulder, her front to his side. One arm slid around her waist.

Benedek casually moved up to her other side. “It has been long since I saw you, Lucian.”

Petru came up on the other side of Sandu. “You look well, Lucian.”

Siv stepped around them and gripped Lucian’s arms in the old greeting of warriors. “Bur tule ekämet kuntamak—well met brother- kin.”

Lucian answered him. “Eläsz jeläbam ainaak— long may you live in the light.”

Siv stepped back. “I add my appreciation to Sandu and Adalasia’s.”

Nicu came through the door, looking as immaculate as always. “Have I missed anything important? Greetings, Lucian.”

Lucian shook his head. “Now that you’ve gotten reacquainted with the wolf pack, Nicu, and could find the time to join us, come into the library where it’s warmer. Adalasia will not have to have Sandu keep her body temperature up for her. I have a fire going.” He led them into a very large room that Adalasia could have spent months in.

The library was massive. Very comfortable-looking chairs had been set out in a semicircle in front of a large stone fireplace. The flames were already dancing, and she was immediately drawn to the warmth. On three walls were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a ladder on railings, the only way to get to the top shelves. Adalasia had always loved books. She couldn’t help herself; her gaze kept straying to the titles. So many. She could tell many were very old and in different languages. For a moment, she wished the men were gone and she could just spend the entire night right there, going through those books. She would hang off that ladder . . .

Not if you are Carpathian, Sandu pointed out. Then you can float to the top shelf.

If I was Carpathian, I’d still use the ladder because it’s completely cool and looks fun. She lifted her chin at him. Human things can be fun, Sandu. Don’t be a snob.

He laughed, that rich, mellow sound that fascinated her. Lucian’s dark eyes swept over the two of them and went back to Sandu. “I see your lifemate amuses you, Sandu.”

“She reminds me often that I need to be much humbler.”

“Ah, yes. In the early days of our relationship, I believe Jaxon did the same.” A small smile lit his eyes. He gestured toward the chairs. “Please. Adalasia, Jaxon will be here shortly. She is assisting a friend with the birth of a horse on a neighboring ranch. There was a problem, apparently. These things happen. She knows you are here and will return as soon as she can.”

Sandu frowned. “Lucian, I’m sorry. You must have been with her when you got our message. I would never have taken you away from her side had I known the two of you were busy. We could have waited another day.”

“The matter seemed urgent. Jaxon is secure at the moment, and should she have need, she has only to summon me.” He looked around the room. “No doubt, we could vanquish any foe daring enough to go after my lifemate. She’s a force to be reckoned with.”

When they were all seated and comfortable, Adalasia looked to Sandu, not knowing how much she should disclose to Lucian. She hadn’t disclosed all that much to Sandu, so she let him do the talking.

“I found Adalasia under strange circumstances. I knew I could no longer stay with Tariq. I had to make the decision to go back to the monastery or meet the dawn. I sat on a rooftop and contemplated which path to take. In doing so, Adalasia reached out to me. She connected telepathically with me.”

Lucian held up his hand and looked to her. “You heard him? His thoughts?”

The other Carpathian males stared at her as well. No shock showed on their faces, but she felt it. She didn’t like to be under the spotlight, but she nodded. “Yes, I feared for him. I could tell he didn’t think he felt emotions, but he did. Very strong emotions. The instant I connected with him, I also knew he was the one the cards had been showing me would come.”

She hesitated. He had been in the prophecy, the one handed down from mother to daughter. Her other half, the one she was waiting for. She had been so certain. He’d felt right, but now she wasn’t as certain. Sandu unexpectedly slid his thumb over the back of her hand as he pressed her palm into his thigh. She didn’t want that intimacy, but she didn’t pull away, not with all the others watching them so closely.