Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

Sandu felt a tremor slide through Adalasia’s body. She shared his mind, and he hadn’t excluded her from the contact. He had included Dominic. Instinctively, he knew the Dragonseeker would not want Jasmine to be privy to their conversation.

Does this mean something to you?

Dominic barely inclined his head. His gaze flicked to Solange. Like Dominic, her expression gave nothing away, but Sandu had the feeling she wanted to gather her cousin very close and hold her.

Unfortunately, yes. There are men who have sought Jasmine for some time. She, like Solange, carries royal Jaguar blood. Jasmine was raped by these men some time ago. Sandrine is . . .

He stopped and glanced at Jubal. The human male was paying close attention to them. Too close. It wasn’t possible for him to be on the same pathway. No one but the brethren shared that particular communication route, but although his expression hadn’t changed, there was a well of rage rising in the human. It threatened to fill the room. Just when Sandu was certain Jasmine would feel it, Jubal took a deep breath and let out his air in a long sigh.

Mine. Sandrine is mine. My daughter. Jubal made the claim.

So much for their path of communication being private. Dominic didn’t look at all surprised. Neither did Solange. Sandu and Nicu exchanged a long look—two battle-scarred warriors uneasy when they discovered something unexplained. Nicu politely closed the wound on Dominic’s wrist and moved into a better position to defend Adalasia— and kill Jubal.

Dominic ignored Jubal’s declaration, but Solange shot him a look, one that was softer than Sandu had seen her give any male other than Dominic. It was brief, barely there, but she clearly approved of his claiming.

We have always feared these men might return. We knew they had left the country, but before they left, they had declared they would return for Jasmine. Dominic shrugged. It is time we ensure they are out of her life permanently. They do not get to terrorize her or Sandrine.

Sandu flashed a small, humorless smile. In that moment, he was all predator. I suppose it is meant to be that we arrived to be of some assistance to you, Dragonseeker. A small payment for all the times you have aided one of us.

Jasmine turned to Solange. “They’ve come for me, haven’t they?” Her voice shook, but she didn’t cry. “I put all of you in danger by coming here.” Her chin went up. “I’m going to leave Sandrine with you, Solange. She’ll be so much safer. I can lead them away. They’ll follow me. You know they will. I’m fast, and without my daughter, I have a good chance—”

“Over my dead body,” Jubal said. “You can forget your plan, Jasmine. Is that what all that practice shifting and running around in the trees has been about?”

Sandu wasn’t the best at relationships. In fact, he was really new at the entire relationship thing, but he cleared his throat, hoping to signal Jubal that his tone and his demands weren’t the best way to get across his point. It was too late.

Jasmine’s emerald cat eyes blazed at Jubal. “I don’t think you have any right to tell me what to do, Jubal Sanders.”

“Think that all you want, Jasmine. I’ve had all I’m going to take of this crap. I’ve given you enough space, but this is sheer lunacy, and it isn’t going to happen just so you can prove some sort of feminine-warrior, Jaguar-royalty-in-your-blood crap.”

“It’s called taking responsibility, Jubal,” Jasmine snapped. “What do you mean you’ve given me enough space? What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

Solange threw her hands into the air. “Jasmine. Don’t ask him that. He’s going to tell you. You’re going to get angry. He’s going to haul you off and kiss you, or something equally outrageous and pathetic, and we’re all going to be waiting around until you two figure it out.”

“He is not,” Jasmine denied.

“Yes, he is,” Jubal corrected. “I’ve been waiting for years for you.

Years. You aren’t going to risk your life when there are six Carpathian ancients, Solange and another Carpathian woman, plus me, ready to take these fools down. No one can possibly mother Sandrine the way you can. You aren’t expendable.”

“Waiting for me for years?” Jasmine echoed, ignoring the rest.

He sighed. “You’re the only one who doesn’t know. I’ve given up on the idea of asking you to marry me. I already talked to Sandrine and Solange. They agree it’s a great idea. I asked Dominic for your hand. He said yes. We’re doing it. Why do you think we’re here? Juliette and Riordan will be here next rising, and we’re getting married.”

“But . . .” Jasmine looked a little helplessly at Solange, although Sandu could see she was excited. Her breathing had gone a little ragged, and the pupils of her eyes were dilated. “What about your sisters?” She wasn’t protesting the idea of being railroaded into marriage at all.