Jagged shadows crept along the elegant wood paneling of the mansion's extensive library, throwing its usual air of peaceful warmth into one of dark menace. Distantly a grandfather clock chimed the late hour, the low baritone gong echoing pleasantly in the otherwise silent room, a silence that shattered under the loud crack of the solid wooden doors bursting open. A slim figure darted in to rifle through the bookshelves lining the walls in increasing desperation, sending whole rows of books crashing carelessly to the floor.
"Did you find it?" Dropping the hastily packed leather cases by the door Serg strode to the wide windows and peered through the heavy brocade curtains, breath hissing out at how large the mob had grown. It appeared as if the whole village had come out and judging by the dull thumps now reverberating through the house the front door would not hold much longer. Already the smell of acrid smoke was overtaking the room, lending a background note of panic to the already strained atmosphere.
Barely able to see through her tears Dixie shook her head, "not yet." Sending another row tumbling off the shelf her hands never faltered in their task, "we can't leave it for those heathens to find."
With one last look outside Serg joined the search, kneading his wife's tense back briefly. "We only have a few minutes before the front door breaks, after that we need to go or run the risk of being captured. And even you my darling can't fight off that many people."
Not sparing the time for a verbal response Dixie nodded her understanding and redoubled her efforts, rewarded when her searching fingers brushed up against soft leather. Crying out in delight she pulled out the thin book and clutched it close, "I've got it."
"Thank god, now let's go," snatching up their suitcases Serg hustled his wife from the room, exchanging a worried look at the ominous crackle of flames that could clearly be heard once in the hall. "We're going to have to make a run for it. Whatever happens, don't stop." Gathering up the layers of her dress Dixie took a deep breath of her mate's comforting scent and nodded.
It was a frantic dash to reach the back of the house, staying just ahead of the fire that was swiftly consuming their home. Bursting into the kitchen, miraculously as yet untouched Serg tugged open the hidden latch set in an intricate pattern on the floor. Dropping the cases down into the darkness he held his hand out to his wife, frowning as she stood frozen in the doorway. "Dixie, honey we have to go."
"This is our home Serg," looking around the cozy kitchen Dixie angrily swiped at the tears flowing down her face, heart clenching in pain as memory after memory flickered through her mind, "we had our Bonding Celebration out in the gardens. My brother and his mate got married here. How can we just leave without fighting for it?" Sucking in a gasping breath she clung desperately to her husband's strong shoulders.
Cupping his wife's face Serg wiped away her tears, wanting nothing more than to erase the anguish in her beautiful brown eyes he forced himself to stay firm, "the whole town is breaking into our home honey, they've already set it on fire. They know what you are. There is no way we can stay and survive." Pressing their foreheads together he risked stealing another moment to simply hold her, voice rough, "home is more than this brick and stone sweetheart. It's you and me. Forever."
Stifling a sob Dixie closed her eyes and burned the bitter sweetness of this moment into her memory. Pulling away she fixed her gaze on the hole and jumped without hesitation, hearing her husband follow moments later. The hatch had barely closed when the thump of hard boots thundered overhead, pottery shattering amidst rough curses when their searchers found nothing. Curling her fingers through her husband's she smiled tremulously when he placed a warm kiss on her palm before carefully leading the way down the long, twisting tunnel.
Tears drying on her face she walled away her rage and sorrow, concentrating solely on the reassuring warmth of her mate's hand and the need to reach safety. The dark passageway smelled unpleasantly of damp and rotting wood, each and every blasted root seemingly purposely placed just to trip them. In the stale pitch black Serg's hand tightened on hers and if it hadn't been for the advantage her nature afforded it would have taken far too long to find the right path.
Dawn was breaking in a glorious blaze of pink and orange when they finally staggered out of the tunnel. Dropping to his knees Serg tipped his face to the sky and breathed deeply, shaking off the dizzying effects of the stagnant air. Heartbeat gradually slowing to a more reasonable pace he looked up at his wife standing strong and beautiful in the soft morning light.
The sight gave him the energy to climb to his feet and determinedly putting all thoughts of their burning home behind him he reached for a handkerchief and wiped a smudge of dirt off his wife's cheek. Meeting her anguished expression he tugged her into his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, "I love you Dixie Louise Carter." Closing his eyes as muffled sobs escaped he simply held her tighter, "it's going to be okay darling. We'll head to the coast and take a ship to America. It'll be a wonderful adventure. Perhaps your brother could help us find a new home and you'll finally have time to spoil little Ethan."
With a crooked smile Dixie breathed through her tears and lifted her chin, "something to look forward to then." Finding courage in her mate's strength she brushed her tears away and curled her hand around Serg's arm. Resolutely turning her back as their home of seventy years burned to the ground she allowed Serg to lead her away.
Attempting to stay ahead of their attackers they pushed on through the heat of the day to reach the next town just before nightfall. Already there were whispers about a fire and they didn't dare stay and rest, stopping just long enough to purchase a horse and carriage along with a small supply of food before pushing on to the coast. Days of rough travel slowly turned into a week until finally the invigorating scent of sea air reached them. The bustling coastal town was a delightful change from the country-side they'd left behind and their quaint waterfront hotel afforded them a much-needed respite until the ship they'd booked passage on was set to depart.
Looking up at the impressive bulk of the ocean liner, the dockyard a busy mass of workers and fellow travelers Serg raised his wife's hand to his mouth, nipping gently he coaxed a smile from his still tired wife, "ready darling?" Smoothing back a lock of hair at her uncertain nod he jauntily offered his arm, "it's time to meet our future."
The month-long journey filled with fresh sea air and the calming rhythm of the ocean gave them the chance to start putting the destruction of their home behind them. Long slow nights were spent dancing under the starry sky, bringing them closer in an already unshakeable bond and almost before they were ready the slow peaceful trip was over, their ship docking in New York to the noise of a large city.
Deciding his wife deserved some pampering Serg booked a room at the most expensive hotel in the city, where they ended up not surfacing for anything other than food for one glorious weekend. With nothing rushing them and no fear of discovery they took a few months to explore the amazing variety of land America had to offer. However, it wasn't until they reached the valley her brother had chosen to live that Dixie fell in love, knowing without a doubt she'd finally found her new home.