Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

ceased to be shocked that his quiet little Syndil was consulted by every Carpathian, and the prince and Gregori often asked her counsel.
    â€œI believe so, yes. We have a connection to the earth, to the very Universe. It’s the reason we’re able to shift and call down the lightning. It’s why our bodies rejuvenate in the soil. If this couple has a deeper connection in some way, if Mother Earth claims one or both as her children, their bodies might be slightly different from ours.―
    Gregori’s frown deepened. “We’re all the earth’s children.―
    Syndil shook her head. “Not in the same way. The earth is alive. There is a heartbeat, a rhythm, a pulse. She whispers and shouts and screams. She welcomes us home each dawn as her children, but if she accepts one of us as her own, as her biological child—I know no other way to explain it—she might send them everything she has, the very richest soil she can call, every healing element. Who knows what she is capable of doing for one she considers part of her.―
    The lines on his face remained as he sat back. “Why would she single out one Carpathian?―
    Syndil, calm and serene, smiled at him, warmed him, enveloped him with her utter lack of vanity. “I would imagine the circumstances had to be extraordinary.―
    Savannah leaned closer. “Can you help her? Can you feed the soil where they are recovering, help to keep it rich to speed their recovery?―
    Gregori brought her fingertips to his mouth. He hadn’t wanted to ask Syndil. Anyone approaching that expanse of soil would be able to feel the agony radiating from the couple, and to ask a woman to share that experience was nearly more than he was capable of doing, yet if she didn’t help, it could well take years to heal such mortal wounds.
    â€œBefore you answer, Syndil―—now he looked to her lifemate,
    husband
    to
    husband,
    willing
    him
    to
    understand—“there are things you should know. The pain they suffer is unlike anything I have ever experienced in centuries of battles and healing. If you are empathic, you can’t go there without being affected. Even if you don’t touch them, just entering the area is an uncomfortable experience. I have no words to describe the suffering.―
    â€œAnd yet they live,― Barack said.
    â€œA seemingly impossible feat,― Gregori said. “Yet they continue.― His gaze moved broodingly over Syndil.
    â€œI do not ask this of you lightly. I would not want you trying to connect with them or helping me to heal them because to share their bodies right now is an agonizing task.―
    Even when he slept the sleep of Carpathians, that first moment of awakening was torture, pain flooding his body, wrenching at every organ and tearing great holes in his body, as if he shared some part of Ivory and Razvan deep beneath the ground. He knew it was a waking nightmare, but still, the dreadful dream lingered with him night after night upon awakening.
    â€œI can’t heal another human as you can, Gregori, but if the earth requires help in restoring minerals or any other particle it should need, I can and will do that. I wish I could be of more assistance, but I have only the one talent.―
    â€œAnd that one talent is much needed. Will you need help from others? I know Natalya and Lara and even young Skyler help you rejuvenate the soil where our women lie.― Again there was a small frown he couldn’t quite keep from his face.
    The idea of Skyler, such a young girl, and Lara, who was already giving more than she should, enduring the pain, didn’t set well with him. And Natalya . . . He sighed. Once she got near her brother, she would touch him whether they warned her against it or not. She was headstrong, and she had always adored her brother. If Syndil needed the other women, he would have to find a way without her to speed recovery.
    â€œI can try, Gregori,― Syndil offered. “I would like to see what the earth is doing to aid them. I may never get such a chance again.―
    â€œIt is unique,― Gregori agreed. “Thank you.―
    Syndil smiled at him and turned her attention to Savannah.
    They had become good friends over the last few weeks as Savannah fought to keep her unborn children alive. “How are you really