Carpathian 01 - Dark Prince

He said the words sharply in his mind because Jacques refused to release him.
    "It is not enough, my brother. Take what is freely offered with no thought but to heal." Jacques continued Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    the chant as long as he was able, signaling Eric when he was growing too weak to continue.
    Eric slashed his wrist without thought, without wincing at the gaping, painful wound, offering his wrist to Jacques, who continued to supply Mikhail with his life's blood. Eric and Byron provided the soft rhythmic words of ritual while Jacques replenished himself and Mikhail.
    The room itself seemed filled with warmth and love, smelled clean and fresh. The ritual healing signaled a new beginning. It was Eric who called a halt when he could see Mikhail's color had returned, when he could hear the steady beat of his heart and feel the blood flowing freely, safely, in his veins.
    Byron put a supporting arm around Jacques, helped him to a chair. Without a word he took Eric's place, supplying life-giving fluid to Jacques.
    Mikhail stirred, accepted the pain of his injury as part of the healing process, as part of the mechanics of living. He turned his head. His dark gaze sought and found Jacques, rested on him like a touch.
    "Is he all right?" His voice was very soft, but commanding all the same. Mikhail was authoritative no matter what the circumstances.
    Jacques looked up, pale and wan, flashed a grin, and winked. "I spend a lot of time pulling your butt out of trouble, big brother. You would think a man a good two hundred years older than me would have the sense to watch his own backside."
    Mikhail smiled tiredly. "You get pretty cocky when I am lying on my backside."
    "We have four hours till sunrise, Mikhail," Eric said gravely. "Byron and I must feed. You need to go underground. Soon the separation between you and your woman will begin to eat at you. You cannot afford to expend the energy for mind touch. You need to go to ground now before you cannot stand it."
    "I will set the safeguards and sleep a few feet above you to ensure your protection," Jacques said softly.
    He had lost his sister to the assassins; he was not about to lose his brother. He needed the soil himself.
    Even with Eric and Byron to replenish him, he knew he was still weak and needed the healing sleep.
    Mikhail lifted an eyebrow. "Five minutes in her company and you are ready to mutiny." A small, weary smile softened the hard line of his mouth.
    He closed his eyes tiredly, guilt washing over him. It would be Raven who bore the brunt of this night.
    He would be deep in the ground, far beyond pain, beyond knowledge of separation, beyond grief and the hatred for his species. Raven would be surrounded by the assassins, in danger every moment. More than that, she would have to endure the loss of their mind touch. Little one. He put a wealth of love in his summons.
    You are better ? Relief.
    I am getting there quickly. Are you in bed?
    Always the bed thing. I heard you earlier, your fear for Jacques. I know it was Jacques. You have affection in your thoughts of him. Is he okay too?
    He is tired. He gave me blood. It was draining to make the contact, to cover the distance, but he needed it desperately for both their sakes.

    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    I can hear your weariness. Sleep now. You're not to worry about me, she instructed softly. She ached for the touch of his fingers, the sight of him.
    "Mikhail, you are speaking with her," Eric thundered. "You cannot."
    Jacques waved a dismissing hand at Eric. "You should have known he would do so. Mikhail, if you wish it, one of us can send her to sleep."
    It will be uncomfortable for you. You will find it difficult to sleep, to eat. You will need to be with me. Your mind will seek mine, yet you will be unable to reach me. I do not have the strength to aid you this night in sleeping. Will you allow Eric or Byron to command you?
    Mikhail didn't like the idea. Raven found herself smiling. He had no idea how much she could read of him. He wanted her safe, wanted her asleep while he was, but he didn't like the idea of another man doing something so intimate as commanding her to sleep. I’ll be fine, Mikhail. The truth is, it's hard enough for me to accept that kind of thing from you. I could never accept it from one of them. I'll be fine, I promise.
    I love you, little one. Those are the words of your people