Nicolae was meticulous in his work, fast and efficient but steady as he repaired the damage to her arteries and muscles and tissue. He paid attention to the smallest detail, ferreting out every drop of the vampire’s poison. It wasn’t an easy task. Her tainted blood made his job especially difficult because of the damage it had already done to the inside of her body, damage that tormented her continually.
Twice Nicolae thought something moved in her bloodstream, something microscopic, a shadow darting away from his healing energy, but when he went back to inspect, he could find no more of the bacteria.
He came to himself swaying slightly, his face pale from concentration and from expending so much energy. Pale with the knowledge of what she endured on a nightly basis. His eyes met Vikirnoff’s. “I do not know how she has survived,” he said softly.
Vikirnoff held out his wrist to his brother. “We are Carpathian. We endure. She is Carpathian and has honor and instincts as old as time. It matters little that a vampire converted her. He could not have done so successfully if she were not of the light. You think with your heart, Nicolae.”
“And it is breaking.” Nicolae bent his head to his brother’s offering, drinking deeply to replenish his strength, to be able to pass the gift on to his lifemate.
Vikirnoff shook his head. “One of you must be whole. She searches for a way to you. Do not make the mistake of failing her because your compassion is too great.”
Nicolae allowed the rush of ancient blood to fill his being. What could one say to Vikirnoff? His words were a double-edged sword. Painful but logical. Full of wisdom. As long as Nicolae could remember, Vikirnoff had spoken so. When he had carefully closed the wound on his brother’s wrist, using his healing saliva, he gathered Destiny to him.
Cradling her on his lap, he opened his shirt and pressed her mouth to his skin. You will take what is freely offered, that we both may live, he commanded her, using the strength of an ancient, of a lifemate. And she obeyed. Her lips nuzzled him. Gently. Almost sensuously. He closed his eyes as a white-hot pain sent lightning whipping through his bloodstream, tightened every muscle in his body. Instinctively he held her closer, his arms protective.
Nicolae glanced up at his brother. “How do we remove the taint of the vampire? In all your years, have you ever encountered this problem?”
Vikirnoff shook his head slowly. “Destiny is not vampire, so there must be a way. I can only think to dilute the blood as you are doing. She has lost more than she can afford. We will both give her ancient blood and call to the healers. Perhaps the soil of our homeland would be of help.”
Nicolae rested his brow gently against Destiny’s. “She is a fighter, Vikirnoff. If anyone can beat this, she is the one.”
“You do not object to my giving her blood?” The question was put mildly.
Nicolae shrugged his powerful shoulders as he looked down at the face of the woman he loved. “I will give her all I can; you will have to replace my blood as you have done so many times. It is one and the same. She has a need, and we can do no other than to meet it.” His fingers flexed in Destiny’s hair, crushed the silken strands in his fist. He wanted to take her away from this place, back to his homeland, where the healers and the soil would have a chance to work their magic on her.
You have always been my magic. I have no need of others. Her voice came out of nowhere, brushed at the walls of his mind like gentle butterfly wings. His gut clenched in reaction. His heart rolled over in his chest.
It is about time you admitted it.
Well, don’t get a big head or anything. I still think you’re annoying.
That sounded so much more like his Destiny that he breathed a sigh of relief. He felt the sweep of her tongue, closing the pinpricks on his chest. You have not taken nearly enough to replace the blood you lost, Destiny.