Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

I do not mind them putting their hands on me or searching me. You would never tolerate such a thing, nor would I be able to allow them to touch you without respect. If you go, there will be a fight. If I go, there is a chance we can get to the prince with our evidence and help them.―
    â€œThey do not deserve help.― She snapped the words at him, enunciating each one.
    He folded his arms across his chest as she took up pacing again, her hands in tight fists at her sides. He said nothing, merely watched her through half-closed eyes.
    She stopped in front of him, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her heart there behind the tears swimming in her eyes. There was nothing more disarming than a warrior woman looking vulnerable and weeping. He lifted his hand to her face in wonder. “Don’t cry for me, Ivory. I have always lived with my choices. I have to see that Lara is safe. And I cannot let babies die if we have a way to save them, and neither would you.―
    â€œIf they harm one hair on your head—just one —there will be a war such as they have never seen.―
    His hands framed her face. He knew it only embarrassed her when he told her he loved her, because she had a difficult time answering him back. And it would probably be worse if he told she moved him as no one and nothing else ever had or would.
    So he kissed her.
    Razvan poured everything he felt for her into his kiss. Infinite love. Complete acceptance. Pride. Joy. Lust. Everything he was, he gave to her. She answered him, sinking into the heat of his mouth, giving herself up to that world of pure sensation mixed with love. She could live there, in his arms, their mouths fused together forever, her body sinking into his, her arms around his neck. Her home. Her shelter. Her everything.
    When he reluctantly left the haven of her mouth, he rested his forehead against hers, drawing in a deep, shuddering breath.
    â€œIf this goes wrong, hän ku vigyáz sielamet —keeper of my soul—know I will wait for you in the next life. Xavier must be destroyed. Before all else, he must be destroyed. Look at me and tell me you will come to me with your soul shining brightly.―
    â€œYou ask too much.―
    â€œI do not, Ivory. I ask you to endure as you have endured for so many centuries, your eye fixed on the task given to you. We have had this time. A stolen moment of happiness. What they do—or do not do—matters little to us.― He placed his hand over her heart, felt it beat into his palm. “We have a great purpose and we must see it through to the end.―
    The sob in her throat threatened to choke her as she swallowed it back down. “You terrify me with your calm acceptance, Razvan.―
    â€œI do not control others, Ivory, only myself. I do what I must, no matter the cost.―
    â€œI will hate them with all of my heart if they harm you.―
    â€œYou are my light, Ivory. I need you to be that light. I count on that light.―
    â€œYou ask more from me than you would from yourself. You would slay them all if they touched me.―
    â€œYes.― His thumb traced her fine bone structure.
    â€œYou are the miracle, Ivory, not me.―
    His fingers curled around the nape of her neck and he pulled her to him and simply held her in his arms until the stiffness and tension drained from her body and she lay against him, pliant and soft. Their hearts beat the same rhythm. In tune. His soul moved against hers. She felt the brush of his lips in her hair and then he put her away from him.
    â€œGive me your documents and the soil samples. I will let you know if we are clear. If not, I will see you on the other side.―
    Reluctantly she handed them to him, ignoring that her hands were shaking. Razvan held out his arms and shrugged off the wolves, then knelt to bury his fingers in their fur, holding their heads and touching their faces as he rubbed their ears and necks before standing. When he turned away from her she caught his hand.
    â€œRazvan.―
    He took a breath and turned back to her. “Beloved?―
    â€œYou are my miracle.―
    He smiled at her and walked away, carrying her words with him. It didn’t take courage to walk into the lion’s den.
    Whatever fate waited was nothing in comparison to what he had suffered at Xavier’s hands. They would not torture him.
    Without Ivory