Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

“I’m asking to see the injuries, and I want to know just how severe they really are. Also, if you need blood.”

He indicated with a wave of his hand that she could step closer if she wanted to open his shirt and inspect his body. She tilted her chin at him. His woman. She certainly didn’t lack courage. She stepped right into him and, unexpectedly, stroked a finger along his neck, tracing the outside line of where the undead had torn a chunk out of his skin.

Her touch sent little sparks dancing through his bloodstream. He didn’t change expression, remaining stoic, but he felt what that touch did, not only to his heart and his blood but to those dangerous little wormlike vermin Abascus had managed to inject into his body. They went crazy, moving away from her light, rushing toward his heart so that he had to slow down his system to protect himself.

Those striking eyes of hers met his gaze as she slowly opened his shirt. He felt her brace before she looked down. Her breath caught. Turned ragged. She lifted anguish-filled eyes to his. She really was far too sensitive where he was concerned.

“You’re a mess, Sandu.”

“There is no need for you to be alarmed or to feel any pain.”

Sandu could hear her heartbeat beginning to accelerate. Drum harder. His own heart followed the lead of hers. He needed blood. He had lost quite a bit. The others had gone hunting, seeking to replace what they’d lost in battle. He had gone to his lifemate.

She moistened her lips, her gaze once more dropping to the signs of battle, the wounds still dripping blood in little rivulets. She placed her palm over the worst one. “How do I stop this? What do I do as your . . .” Her brows went together. She looked up at him for clarification.

“Lifemate,” he supplied, keeping his voice low and gentle.

“As your lifemate. Tell me what you need.”

He had to keep the triumph tamped down. “You’re certain, Adalasia? You don’t need to help me. I will weave the safeguards for your protection and then go to one of my brethren for healing and blood. You need more time. Doing this would be a step into our world.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“I know you don’t, Sivamet. I haven’t had time to explain it to you, and my situation is rather dire right now.” He slid his thumb over the curve of her lower lip.

“Then explain it to me after. Tell me what to do, Sandu.” There was demand in her voice. “I am your lifemate. I’m already in your world. I’m willingly stepping onto the path with you, Sandu. I’m afraid, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to run when it gets tough. You just need to communicate with me. I have to know what’s expected of me and what to do in situations like this. I find that I need to help you. I not only want to, but I have to.” She didn’t look away from him, clearly wanting him to see she spoke the truth.

“I will need to take your blood. Once I’m strong again, I can heal these wounds easily. Then I’ll hunt.”

She nodded. “Just do it, then. Don’t wait and lose more blood.” She stepped closer to him, sweeping her hair from the side of her neck, still looking up at him.

For the first time, Sandu could see trepidation creeping into her eyes. She was offering her blood freely, but the idea of the giving scared her. He didn’t wait. He swept her close to him, tight, so he could feel her body, that beautiful feminine form pressed against him. Her curves fit him perfectly, as if he was born for her—and he was.

Sivamet. My heart. He whispered the endearment into her mind as he bent his head toward her offering. Parts of his hair had escaped the leather ties holding it back and swept against her skin, making her shiver at the contact. His lips found the drumming of her pulse, frantic now, a beacon calling to him.

He kissed that rhythmic beat several times, his lips gentle, a brush of velvet, back and forth. Enticing her to calm down. To accept him. To feel something altogether different besides fear. He felt the flutters of arousal first in her mind.

Hän sívamak. He whispered beloved in her mind. Meaning it. She had come to be that to him as well. Occupying another’s mind meant learning so much about them. His lifemate was far more than he had ever anticipated.

He used his teeth gently, merely scraping over her pulse, an erotic tease, nothing more. Goose bumps rose on her skin, and a small moan escaped her. Her long feathery lashes fluttered, and he felt the answering clench of her body.