Carpathian 06 - Dark Fire

wishes? I think about it, wanting him, but then the memories come, and I don't think I could take his hands or his body on me," Syndil explained miserably. She sounded as if her heart was breaking.
    Desari stroked her hair. "A lifemate dwells in the mind as well as the heart and soul. He would see to your needs, help you overcome your fears. You must give yourself a chance at happiness, Syndil. What Savon did should not be allowed to destroy your life as well as Barack's. Remember, what happens to you, happens to him."
    "Why do they have to make it so damned hard on us?" Tempest asked. "They act as if we should be in a convent when we're not with them."
    "They have the old values, Rusti," Desari said. "After all, they were born centuries ago. And there are so few Carpathian women. You cannot really blame them for wanting to protect us."
    "I'll never fit in," Tempest said sadly. "Even if I convince Darius to convert me, I know I'll never be able to take the way he tells me what to do." Her feelings for Darius were growing at an alarming rate, winding deep into her heart and soul so that she had to see him with all his dark memories, had to see him for the man he truly was. She needed to love him and protect him in the same way he needed to love and protect her.
    Syndil and Desari exchanged a long look. "You asked Darius to convert you?" Desari asked, shocked.
    Tempest shrugged. "He won't do it. He says it's too dangerous. Is it? Does anyone know?"
    "I asked Julian," Desari said eagerly. "He said that you must have some psychic ability. Otherwise, as a human, you could not be Darius's lifemate. And believe me, Rusti, it is rather obvious you are his true lifemate. I have never seen my brother like this."
    "I don't have any psychic ability," Tempest protested, looking confused. "I really don't."
    "Of course you do," Syndil said. "You communicate with animals."
    "Oh, that." Tempest shrugged. "That's not anything special."
    "It is what enables you to understand Darius's predatory nature," Desari explained, excited. "The conversion would work. I just know it would."

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    "And if it didn't?" Tempest prompted.
    Desari chewed her lower lip nervously, her gaze sliding away from Tempest's. "You could become a deranged vampiress and would have to be destroyed."
    There was a small silence. "A deranged vampiress," Tempest said sarcastically. "No wonder Darius doesn't want to chance it." She leaned over to meet Desari's eyes. "What else are you keeping from me?"
    Desari glanced at Syndil, who nodded. "Julian says the conversion process is very painful."
    Tempest shoved at the hair spilling around her face "Oh, yeah, I'm into pain. Did you know all this when you first brought up the subject? You did mean for me to think about it, didn't you?"
    Desari looked guilty. "I am sorry, Rusti. It is just that I love my brother, and I can see the strain in him a ready. He would never shirk his duties. Even though his strength is lessening, he will continue to fight those who threaten us. I was thinking of him, not of you. I ask your forgiveness."
    "Darius was furious with both of us," Syndil admitted "He did not raise his voice-he does not have to-but he fairly shook with rage."
    Tempest paced the length of the room. "What kind of pain?"
    A flood of remorse slid over Desari. As much as she wanted her brother to live, he would be furious at this conversation, at Syndil and Desari for using Tempest feelings for Darius to persuade her.
    "You cannot be serious." Desari jumped up and caught her shoulders. "It was wrong of me to suggest such thing. It is against Darius's wishes. He has told me he has made the decision to age and die with you, that he has no regrets. I must accept his will, although it is difficult."
    Syndil nodded. "Darius says the woman should not have to risk her very life for a man." She looked down at her fingers, remembering Darius's chastisement. "He said it was bad enough that he taken away your choice your old lifestyle, and he would never willingly risk you life." There was pain in her eyes when she raised them to Tempest's. "We should not have continued to discus this."
    "But then, it really isn't his risk or his decision, is it Tempest asked softly. "I have as much right to worry over his health and well-being."
    "It is the male's duty to see to his lifemate's health and happiness," Desari pointed out. "He can do no other."
    "My happiness,"