Carpathian 17 - Dark Curse

that poured over her like warm honey. Her heart contracted. He was finding his way inside her, past every barrier she\'d erected from childhood. His gentleness was so unexpected when he was such a dangerous, arrogant man. He made her feel as if she were the only important person in his life. He didn\'t care if Natalya didn\'t approve of her-she was enough for him just the way she was and his acceptance went a long way toward making her feel much more confident in herself.
    The house was built into the mountainside, so artfully arranged it was nearly impossible until one was right up on it to see it. Lara and Nicolas shifted on the rock steps leading to the cool shade of a porch, all built out of the same stone. Lara enjoyed the feel of going into a cave. The front looked like a home, with windows and a door, but made out of the mountain itself. The house itself was well lit with bright hanging lights, marble floors and gleaming polished wood everywhere.
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    Christine Feehan: Dark Curse
    \"You have decided to settle here,\" Nicolas said, looking around the warm room.
    \"Unlike you and your family,\" Vikirnoff said, \"my brother and I only spent the last few years hunting together and never in one location. Prior to that, we moved from region to region filling in where no ancient was posted. It will be nice to have a home after so long. Nicolae and Destiny are settling here as well. We will be able to help guard the prince and the women and children in the hopes of rebuilding our people.\"
    Lara was grateful for Nicolas\'s hand on the small of her back, connecting them. He was also in her mind and it steadied her to face Natalya, who did look so much like herself. If Razvan had looked like her at one time, he no longer did, but Natalya could have been her mother-or sister.
    Natalya waved her toward a deep, comfortable-looking chair. \"Please sit down. It\'s amazing to finally meet you.\"
    Nicolas took her hand as she sank into the thick cushions, his thumb sweeping over her palm in a gentle caress. Will you be all right for a few moments without me ?
    Her stomach lurched. When had she become such a coward? Was she so thrown by the scent and sight of parasites and silver eyes that she could no longer cope on her own? Maybe it had been death in those eyes and the scent of decay? Whatever childhood trauma she had dredged up refused to go away. The door had cracked open and she had to deal with it.
    She glanced up at Nicolas. He looked so calm, so in control, so at peace while she was churning with doubt.
    He had to deal with her past as well.
    We will do so together. Again he flooded her with warmth, making her feel a part of him and not so alone.
    Yes, we will. And I\'ll be fine. Don\'t worry about me.
    Nicolas bent to brush a kiss across the top of her head. Reach for me if you need me, otherwise, I will keep us separate .
    She moistened her lips. Of course he would think to pull his mind from hers to prevent her from \"seeing\" or feeling what was happening as he took blood. She nodded to indicate she understood, managing a small, reassuring smile.
    Natalya watched Nicolas leave the room with Vikirnoff. \"Is he good to you?\" she asked abruptly. \"The De La Cruz family has a certain reputation and they live by their own rules.\"
    The question startled Lara and she was uncertain how to answer. \"We\'ve only just met.\"
    Natalya nodded. \"And he bound you to him, but the ritual isn\'t complete. Do you know what happens to the man if the ritual is completed?\"
    Lara shook her head. \"I know only what my aunts told me in stories. I was a child and my memories of most of those years are vague, so I\'m guessing some of it could be inaccurate as well. I often don\'t know what is real, planted by them, or my imagination.\"
    \"It must be very confusing for you.\"
    \"Yes, but I\'m learning a lot.\"
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    Christine Feehan: Dark Curse
    \"I\'m sorry I make you uncomfortable. I\'m extremely happy to meet you, after all, you are my niece. Colby, who is a life mate to Rafael, is your half-sister. Razvan was also her father.\"
    Tension locked her muscles and stretched her nerves. Natalya had deliberately inserted the information into the conversation to see her reaction. Lara kept her face carefully blank. \"I\'ve been having a few flashbacks that may indicate that Xavier possessed Razvan\'s body in order to seduce women and get them pregnant, so he could feed on the blood of Dragonseekers.\"
    Natalya winced. \"He wanted