“Dayan” – she murmured his name drowsily – “are you human?”
Startled, he stared down at her. Corinne’s eyes were closed, and she was breathing as if she were asleep. He had covered her memories with a veil, not removing them completely because he wanted her to know the truth soon. He didn’t want it to be a complete shock to her; he couldn’t risk that kind of shock with her damaged heart. He wanted her to have the memories to draw on when she needed them, but his command should have prevented her from wondering.
He examined her thoughts as she lay there beside him. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, having a beautiful dream. She was unafraid. Dayan relaxed, a slow smile curving his mouth. She was moving closer to the truth. Closer to accepting him. ‘Sleep, honey, while I visit you in your dreams.’ And he would. He couldn’t bear to be away from her, not even while they both slept. He would be forced to seek refuge in the ground as the sun rose, yet he didn’t dare protect her with normal safeguards. If she were to attempt to leave the dwelling despite the guards, the stress could cause problems with her weak heart. As it was, he was afraid if she did go too far away from him, she would begin to feel the effects of separation from her lifemate.
Although he had not said the ritual words to her, he and Corinne were already bound in heart and mind.
He bent once more to kiss her, needing to touch her, wanting to remain with her despite the danger to himself. He knew it was impossible to stay, but it didn’t stop him from longing to be with her. ‘Sleep until I rise, Corinne. Sleep safe.’ He murmured the command softly, needing to find a way to protect her while he slept.
When he was satisfied that she had obeyed him, he lay quietly, freeing his mind, seeking his brethren. ‘Darius. Our need for a healer grows greater with each passing moment. She is much weaker this night. I do not know how much longer she can continue.’
There was a wait and then Darius was there. Strong. Reassuring. Calm as always. ‘Join with her. We will link – Julian, Desari, Tempest and I. You work, and we will supply you with as much help as possible to keep her going until we can come together.’
Dayan let his breath out slowly. He should have realized Darius would think in terms of the family strength. His family was there for Dayan, as always, standing shoulder to shoulder with him to fight for his lifemate and the child. He reached for the merge, embraced his family and let go of his physical body to once more attempt a healing. This time with help.
* * *
Chapter 8
Desari, lead singer for the Dark Troubadours, tapped out an edgy rhythm with her fingernail on the tabletop as she looked at her brother. “Dayan’s lifemate is not going to last much longer, Darius. I don’t like this situation at all. Dayan cannot claim his lifemate, nor help her while she is with child. What did Gregori say, Darius?”
Julian circled Desari’s waist with his arm, bending to brush his lifemate’s temple with a brief, reassuring kiss. “Gregori and Shea are really very good, Desari. They’ll figure out how to help Dayan. Gregori is impressive when he works, and he is your brother, of your lineage. You know how powerful that makes him. It’s too bad Gregori and Savannah didn’t make Lucian’s wedding. Running into the vampire delayed them, and now this news will cut their reunion with Lucian short.”
“I’m not certain they will reach Dayan in time. Barack and Syndil are returning from the Carpathian Mountains. That’s a long way, Julian.” Desari, clearly worried, bit at her lower lip.
Julian leaned down to brush a reassuring kiss along Desari’s temple. “They bring with them Shea and her lifemate, Jacques, brother to the Prince and a very powerful Carpathian. You are used to relying on your family in these matters, but in truth, there are many others – brethren, kin – who are moving to help us.”