“No!” Her heart slammed painfully in her chest. “Don’t control my mind. Don’t make me a puppet.” She knew he was powerful enough to do so, and it terrified her.
Two fingers caught her chin firmly and tipped it up so her gaze was captured by his silver one. “There is no danger of such an atrocity. I am no vampire. I am Carpathian, and you are my lifemate. I will protect you with my life. I will always see to your happiness.”
She took a deep breath for control, then let it escape slowly. “We are not lifemates. I did not choose.” She held on to that fact, her only hope.
“We can discuss this at a more opportune time.”
She nodded warily. “I’ll meet you tomorrow then.”
His silent laughter filled her mind. Low. Amused. Frustratingly male. “You will come with me now.” His voice lowered an octave, became warm honey, compelling, hypnotic, so mesmerizing it was impossible to fight.
Savannah dropped her forehead against the muscles of his chest. Tears were burning in her eyes and throat. “I’m afraid of you, Gregori,” she admitted painfully. “I can’t live the life of a Carpathian. I’m like my mother. I’m too independent, and I need my own life.”
“I know of your fears, ma petite. I know your every thought. The bond between us is strong enough to cross oceans. We can deal with your fears together.”
“I can’t do this. I won’t!” Savannah ducked under his arm, blurred her image, and put on a burst of blinding speed.
But no matter which way she twisted or turned, no matter how fast she ran or dodged, Gregori was with her every step of the way. When she finally wore herself out and stopped, she was at the far end of the stadium, tears streaming unchecked down her face. Gregori was beside her, solid, warm, invincible, as if he truly knew her every thought, her every move before she made it.
His arm curved around her waist, lifting her completely from her feet and locking her to him. “By allowing you your freedom, I expose you to the danger of renegades like Roberto.” For a moment he dropped his head to bury his face in the thick mass of her silky hair. Then, with no warning, he launched himself into the air, a huge bird of prey with enormous strength, Savannah’s small body pressed tightly to him.
She closed her eyes and allowed grief for Peter to consume her, to drive out all awareness of the creature streaking across the sky with her, taking her to his lair. Her fists curled around the thick, steel-like muscles. The wind carried the sound of her sobs up to the stars. Her tears glittered like jewels in the night.
Gregori could feel her pain as if it was his own. Her tears moved him when nothing else could. His mind reached out to the chaos of hers, finding overwhelming grief and a terrible fear of him. Deliberately he surrounded her with warmth and comfort. It brushed her mind, soothing her nerves.
Savannah opened her eyes to find herself out of the city, up in the mountains. Gregori set her gently on the steps of a huge, rambling house. He reached past her to open the door, then stepped back courteously to allow her entry.
Savannah felt small and lost, knowing that if she set one foot in his lair, she would be placing her life in his hands. Her eyes flashed blue-white fire, as if they had caught a star and trapped it forever in their depths. Tilting her chin defiantly, she stepped backward until the porch railing brought her up short. “I refuse to enter your home.”
His laugh came then, low, amused, and maddenly male. “Your body and mine chose for us. There is no other man for you, Savannah. Not now, not ever. I can feel your emotions when men, human or Carpathian, touch you. You are repulsed; you cannot bear their touch.” His voice dropped lower still, a black-magic caress that seemed to send heat spreading through her like molten lava. “It is not so with my touch, ma petite. We both know that. Do not deny it, or I will be forced to prove my words.”