***Revised Chapter

Literary universe not mine!!!

His mind reached for hers even before he parted the earth, before any conscious thought could stop him. Dimitri could feel her just drifting into sleep, her mind a turbulent cyclone of thoughts – confusion about her Dragonseeker lineage, her place in the Carpathian world, her feelings about him. Skylar. How she could sleep with all those thought was beyond him. Then he felt it, the peace that stole through her as she clutched on to a well –loved object to her breasts. As he felt that same peace flow through him he knew with certainty that he would make it through this night.

He rose as always, rejuvenated from the soil. This rejuvenation was like no other, since he had, at last, the opportunity to rest in the soil of his homeland for the first time in centuries. Soon he would have to depart, back to the self-imposed exile that he had changed into a meaningful life. Only now it would be different. For the first time he would see his chosen home in color. For the first time he would be able to feel what it meant to care for his wolves, his foundation, his home. He had done it out of duty for centuries when he felt nothing. How would his life be different now? Would he be able to endure the agony of loneliness while he waited for his lifemate to become adult enough to be his? Would he be able to hold on until she was ready to come to him of her own free will? He tried to still his mind and leave behind the disturbing questions for which he had no answer. For now, all he could do was run as the wolf and join the other hunters in safeguarding their homeland from the vampire.

***

Skylar arose in the early morning, before the first pink streaks of dawn stole across the sky. With her wolf still clutched in her arms, she crossed to the French doors to stare out at the abundance of stars on the moonless night. Then she felt it – a terrible driving need to open the doors and step out onto the balcony. It was almost a compulsion. Hugging her wolf closer to her chest, she eased open the doors and slipped out into the cool night air. She felt the night wrap around her, enveloping her in cool, dark wonder. In the welcoming darkness she felt almost normal. Here no one could see her scars; no one could see her incertitude in every aspect of her life. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply the night scents. And then she smelled him. Her eyes opened and there he was; a mere shadow in front of her, so large he blocked out the stars. She inhaled sharply, startled, but not really surprised. He always knew where she was, always knew when she needed him; just as she felt the acute pain of his suffering, the raw intensity of his new emotions.

"I am sorry to come upon you so suddenly lyubof maya. I did not intend to frighten you." Dimitri bowed to her formally, though his fingers itched to touch her.

"It's alright Dimitri, you didn't frighten me. I sort of knew that you would come."

"Yes, well," he cleared his throat, searching for the right words. "I had to see you tonight. I leave for Russia at the next rising."

At once she felt twin jolts of relief and utter sadness. She could not begin to resolve the war that went on in her between the two conflicting emotions. How could she live without him? How could she accept him?

"Do not dwell on these things that cause you pain, my love. There is no need to resolve anything this night. You will go to France and I will go to Russia. I know you have much to work out in your life right now and I would not impede you in your search for yourself. I would give you the gift of coming to me of your own free will." The words sounded hoarse and scratchy to him. His throat felt constricted. He bowed and turned to go.

"Wait!" She cried holding out one of her hands while the other white-knuckled the wolf crooked in her elbow. She felt his piercing gaze turn back on her in full force and the words in her mind caught in her throat. Tears threatened to spill from her lovely eyes. He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear in a familiar gesture. It was then that he noticed the wolf she held and a wry smile came to his face.

"You have my friend, I see." He said with pleasure.

"My wolf?" She held it up inquisitively. "Gabriel brought him to me when I was still in the hospital, still so inside my mind that I had no hope of ever living in the light again. He brought me immediate peace and stilled the dreams that plagued me. I did not realize, I mean, I should have put it together that this wolf is from your foundation."

Her cheeks tinged with pink and she glanced away from him. Somehow, she did not want him to leave, but she did not know what she wanted from him. He felt her confusion and stayed perfectly still, waiting for her to make the next move. It was exquisite torture for a man used to taking charge, but he had sworn to give her the reigns and by every shred of honor in him, he would do it.

"Um, will you be alright?"

"I will. I have more hope than many. You are perfect Skylar and when you realize it, you will know where to find me. I cannot promise not to check in on you – I would never last without touching your mind when I feel the monster close in me – but I will wait until you chose me. I will have faith that you will realize that your soul will flourish with mine because I am your other half, the part of your soul that is missing. I will not falter because I know that you will not falter."

"You put too much faith in me," Skylar said in a small voice, her head bowed.

"I do not, lyubof maya, you have so much to work out, but make no mistake, your spirit is pure steel. The day you realize that is the day that you will come to the wild."

Skylar. His voice whispered in her mind. I know I swore I would not, but I must as you for one thing, one promise to take with me, to hold me to you in the years I wait for your acceptance.

What? What can I give you? Her heart beat painfully her chest, but no matter what her apprehension, she knew she would say yes.

One kiss. He held his breath, waiting for her response. He saw the fear and desire spark in her eyes, each warring for dominance. After long moments she took a step forward and he felt the air release from his lungs, still, he did not move. He didn't dare move for fear that she would retreat from him.

The first touch of her hand on his cheek nearly undid him. Only his superior will power kept him rooted to the spot as he felt her fingers curl around his neck. Though tremors ran up her arm, her grip was firm and sure, pulling him down to her. The first touch of her lips was explosive. The both rolled back slightly, as if they had received an electric shock, then came together again. Dimitri gripped her hips and hauled her into the warm heat of his body. Skylar threw both arms around his neck, the wolf flying carelessly to the ground. They were both going up in flames, oblivious to anything beyond the intensity swamping them. Dimitri's hands smoothed out over her back, pulling her even closer – as if he could absorb her through his pores. Skylar could not control her hands as they tunneled into his wealth of hair, cradling his head to prevent his escape. He parted her lips and swallowed her gasp as his tongue snaked into her mouth. Never in her life had she felt anything as consuming as the heat he generated in her. Tentatively she slid her tongue against his, unable to control her reaction to him.

They lost track of time as they stood there, gripping on to each other as if they would each drown without the touch of the other. Summoning every ounce of control he possessed Dimitri lifted his lips from hers, though he could not bring himself to release her body. Instead he rested his forehead against hers and concentrated on bringing both of their breathing and pulses under control. Dimitri could feel her shaking in his arms, but she continued to cling to him, her eyes closed. When he felt her body still and her senses returned he reluctantly loosened his hold on her and allowed her body to slide down the hot length of his.

Though it caused him intense pain, he stepped away from her. As he bowed stiffly, he saw the wolf at her feet and bent to retrieve it. When he looked at her she stood, both arms at her sides, her expression stunned, as though in a trance. He folded the wolf into her embrace then allowed himself one last touch, running his hands up her arms to the delicate skin of her face. He held her there, drinking in the sight of her one last time, as though he could carry the memory of her like a photograph in his mind. Since he could think of nothing to say and he could not take her in his arms again, he turned and jumped from the balcony, shapeshifting to the owl almost instantly.

Skylar stood there, unable to move until the first streaks of morning began to illuminate the sky behind the majestic mountains. As feeling returned to her body she lifted her hand to her face and was surprised when her fingers came away wet. How had she not felt the tears streaming down her face when she felt that her heart had been wrenched out of her chest? Unable to assimilate all of the feelings tearing through her body, Skylar returned to her bed, gripping her wolf tightly to her chest. She laid there, eyes open but unseeing, her mind focused on her lifemate locked deep in the ground.