For a moment Corinne could only stare at him, dazzled by his raw power. She was reluctant for the healer to touch her, to learn the truth. Like Dayan, Gregori seemed to believe he could somehow do what all the doctors had failed to do.
Desari gestured again and a second man came forward. He looked very much like Gregori, only with black eyes that seemed to suit his dark good looks. “My brother Darius, now your brother. He will assist Gregori in this attempt.”
Darius bowed, a courtly gesture, then raised Corinne’s limp fingers to his mouth. “Welcome to our family, little sister. We wish your permission to attempt to heal you.”
Dayan brought Corinne’s small hand to his mouth. “Please, honey. I know this is strange to you, but for me, please try whatever they ask of you. Shea and Jacques have not yet arrived, and we must delay the birth until we have Shea here. Without her, the chances of saving the baby are much less.”
Corinne looked up at Dayan and was instantly lost in the black abyss of his eyes. He looked so vulnerable; his feelings for her were stark and unprotected, written in every line of his face. Dayan leaned closer. “I need you to do this, Corinne. Please trust me, baby; this one time, do this for me.” His words were whispered intimately to her, his need so great it brought tears to her eyes.
Corinne nodded and allowed Gregori to take her left hand. How could she ever refuse Dayan anything when he looked at her like that? Her right hand remained firmly in Dayan’s. She didn’t want to be alone with her failing body and strangers with slashing eyes and far too much power.
Gregori closed his eyes and sent himself seeking outside his own body and into the mortal lying so frail before him. Her human heart was nearly useless. It was Dayan who supplied the power to keep Corinne going. Gregori moved on to examine the baby. The child was female. Aware. Too small to be born yet. Gregori reassured Corinne and moved quickly out again.
‘There is little time. Without Dayan aiding her she would have died, and the child with her. Darius, the child is female and a strong psychic. We cannot afford to lose either of them.’ Gregori spoke to his brother, but he used the common mental path every Carpathian used so all those present would understand the dire need. ‘I will work on the woman, as it is imperative she live for both of them. You take care of the child.’
I have only done such a thing with Desari when she was an infant, never a babe in the womb.’ Darius moved up beside Gregori and glanced once at Dayan. ‘I will do what needs to be done.’
‘She will need your blood, Dayan, and she must not fight the transfer. She does not have any strength to waste so make sure she accepts it willingly. Darius will monitor the baby to determine whether her body can accept your blood. You cannot convert your lifemate while the child resides in her. The child would not live through such a difficult transformation. At this time, neither would Corinne.’ Gregori was in complete command, his voice confident as he gave instructions.
Dayan half lifted Corinne so he could sit on the slab, cradling her on his lap. He bent his head toward hers, enclosing them in a private world. “What I offer you is life, Corinne. For both of us.” His breath stirred the thick mass of hair tumbling over her shoulders. She felt his lips traveling over her bare skin, his teeth scraping gently back and forth over her irregular pulse. He murmured something soft in his strange language.
Corinne felt herself slipping further and further into her dream world. With Dayan’s arms around her and his body so close to hers, she felt safe and protected. And then white lightning streaked through her, something between pleasure and pain. She lay passively in the crystal world of dreams and music. The flickering flames cast reflections on the wall from the pools of water, reflections that danced and mesmerized, tiny flames of orange and gold.