Carpathian 13 - Dark Destiny

are wondering what that meant," Nicolae explained to the others, "Destiny is showing me her affection and complete devotion."
    "It sounds familiar to me," Savannah laughed. "Don't worry, Destiny, he's in good hands. Gregori goes around looking intimidating and mean because in the old country the mothers scared their children by telling them stories of the dark one. He liked the image and cultivated it."
    Gregori flexed his broad shoulders, and muscles rippled impressively across his body. His expression didn't change. "It always helps when I wish to intimidate Savannah's father."
    "The Prince?" Destiny asked.
    "Why are you listening to him?" Savannah demanded. "As if my father would ever be intimidated by him.
    They're best friends, Destiny. He's teasing you."
    Destiny looked skeptical. Gregori didn't intimidate her nearly as much as Vikirnoff, but only because of Savannah. The way Gregori looked at the petite woman negated every vestige of menace in his eyes.
    Vikirnoff was without emotion, simply watching all of them with his flat, cold stare. It was only his intense loyalty to Nicolae that kept him there, that allowed him to take Destiny under his protection.
    Vikirnoff is no different from me before I found you. He must hold on until he finds his lifemate.
    Just hurry and do this, Nicolae, before you find out I'm not nearly as courageous as you think I am.
    Nicolae framed her face with his hands, ignoring the others. "Stay right here while Gregori is working on me."
    She looked into his dark, intense eyes. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Someone has to watch over you."
    He closed the scant inches between them, claiming her mouth, storming his way straight to her heart. She kissed him back hungrily, a little desperately, afraid for him. Nicolae held her close while her heart beat frantically against his.
    "Hurry, Nicolae, before I change my mind." It was a soft whispered plea.
    Gregori opened the earth, searching for a bed of deep soil. Nicolae seated himself in the lush richness, drawing Destiny down beside him, his hand firmly enveloping hers. She found herself clinging to his strength, her mind remaining firmly merged with his. Her body was trembling. There was so much riding Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    on this—their entire future.
    No, there is not, Destiny. Our future is secure together whether Gregori succeeds or not. The difference is whether we will be able to bring children into the world.
    Children? There you go again, bringing up that subject out of the blue. In all the times we were making love, you never once mentioned children.
    I thought it best not to.
    Her Nicolae. Understanding her. Going along with her teasing because he knew she joked when she was afraid.
    And then she felt him. A power like no other she'd ever experienced. Gregori. The dark one. Healer of the Carpathian people. His spirit was immensely strong, a hot white light moving through Nicolae without preamble. She felt Nicolae's insides burning hot, but not painfully so. The healer examined him thoroughly. She knew Gregori was aware of her presence, but he paid strict attention to Nicolae's body.
    Destiny had no idea of time passing. She too was studying the effects of the vampire blood on Nicolae.
    His body had the blood of the ancients and it was fighting valiantly, but she could see the damage that had already been done. She didn't make the mistake of gasping with her physical body, but she was appalled at the destruction.
    Nicolae had calmly endured it. And he meant to continue to do so should Gregori be unable to rid his body of the hideous toxins. Her respect and love for him grew to new proportions. She emerged at the same time as the healer withdrew.
    Gregori let his breath out slowly. "Nasty stuff, vampire blood."
    Savannah rubbed his neck soothingly. "It moved away from you."
    "Yes, I suspect it has some knowledge I have come, to remove it. The fear is a good thing. If it is afraid and moving from my presence, I should be able to find a way to remove it from Nicolae's body."
    "Can you help him?" Destiny asked anxiously.
    Nicolae noted immediately that she hadn't said "us." He tightened his fingers around hers. "I cannot turn vampire, Destiny," he assured her quietly. "I have you as my anchor."
    Gregori shook his head. "It is puzzling how such a minute amount of vampire blood could infect you so quickly. You have lesions everywhere; they are spreading across every