Carpathian 23 - Dark Storm

head as though he’d forgotten what he was doing. Riley’s laughter spilled
     into Dax’s mind.
    I wish I had that particular talent.
    You will , he assured. Aloud, to Jubal he added, “Let’s get them moving again. We want to make
     the river before the sun is up. If we’re being flown out of here, we’ll have to give
     the helicopter somewhere safe to land.”
    I suppose I’ll learn everything I want to know without having to go to school as well , Riley said. You’ll be making my profession obsolete.
    He brought her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss in the center of her palm. “Only
     for you,” he murmured.
    She laughed, just as he knew she would. He found he was becoming just as addicted
     to the sound of her laughter as he was to the way she looked, that soft glow and the
     curve of her mouth.
    Before we join the others, you might want to get rid of your scales. I think you look
     adorable, but Weston probably will be incredibly rude. You know how you get when people
     are rude; better just to change out of that outfit .
    Her laughter teased at his body this time, the vibration rushing through him like
     an aphrodisiac while fingers of sound stroked. He found himself laughing with her.
     Mitro had just made another try at her and Riley had shaken it off and was teasing
     him.
    You’re quite something, lifemate. He held out his hand to her.
    She sent him a quick smile and placed her hand in his. They made their way back to
     the others, Dax ensuring none of the other travelers, other than Jubal and Gary, would
     remember anything that happened. Once again, Dax lifted the professor and they started
     off for the clearing where the helicopter was to meet them.
    The flutter of wings overhead told Riley they weren’t completely out of danger. She
     was shaken at the thought that even when Mitro was long gone from the forest, he could
     still leave such successful traps behind. He was much more powerful than she had ever
     imagined. She should have known when Dax was so amazing and yet in battle after battle
     with the vampire, neither had won. Mitro had to at least be his equal.
    “Stay alert,” Dax advised Jubal and Gary. “Keep everyone in a tight formation and
     pick up the pace.”
    The travelers fell into line, Weston and Shelton grumbling as usual.
    “It’s best to stay quiet,” Dax said. “You never know what’s going to trigger a jaguar
     attack.”
    Weston swore under his breath, but both men immediately fell silent.
    Riley hid a smile. You have such a way with people.
    I am learning to be in your world.
    Smug. Arrogant. Male. Hot as hell. Why in the world did she find him so attractive?
     He made her feel as if she could do anything when she was with him.
    I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Right here in this rain forest in this terrible,
     awful, ugly situation. She made the confession as she walked along the trail, keeping her head down as if
     she was watching the narrow trail. All the while, she held herself still. You’re so beautiful, Dax. Your heart. Your soul. I don’t think I could ever find a
     better man.
    Dax poured himself into her mind, needing the closeness every bit as much as she did.
     Carpathians knew. There was no doubt for them. But humans wondered. Worried. And Riley
     was moving from her world into his—an enormously generous decision. A gift beyond
     price. How could he not treasure her?
    Dax felt his soul brush hers. You are hän ku kuulua sívamet , which means, “keeper of my heart.” And you are ainaak enyém , “forever mine.” I am fully aware of the courage it took for you to bind yourself
     to me without fully knowing what you were getting into, and I will forever be the
     keeper of your heart, Riley. I will be forever yours.
    Riley hugged his words to her as she kept moving through the dense foliage. She listened
     to the sound of water racing down the slopes and over rocks to run in narrow ribbons
     or wider streams. Water was everywhere. Drops fell from the leaves above them to add
     to the rushing rivulets. More water burst from the side of the hill in a long fall
     over boulders, a frothy stream of glittering silver. Below the waterfall, the large,
     moss-covered rocks formed a pool.
    Bright green moss covered everything near them, the rocks, the fallen tree trunks,
     even the trees standing. Riley spotted flowers springing from the green slopes and
     rocks, some in bushes almost as tall as some of the smaller trees. The splashes of