Title: Dark Times

Author: Ageless Light

Beta-ed by: Nobody right now! But I'd like one! Please PM me if you are interested.

Characters/Pairing: Zacarias De La Cruz and Ashelia Sole, Amelyn Stormcloud and Dominic Dragonseeker, and Iris Airan and Lojos Jaegar.

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Summary: The mission to Romania was just the starting point. Now that they have found each other, their stories were just beginning. The next installment to Dark Moments featuring our leading couples!

Rating: T (Contains content suitable for teens and older)

Status: Continuous (Incomplete)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark Series Universe or any of Christine Feehan's characters. I do own the OC's though. I went to babynames. com for my character names though. A nice reviewer PMed me and told me that the book the original concept of the Ways came from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. I however, have altered their purpose, make-up, and description to fit my fic. They are very different since I haven't even read the story, but if you like epic fantasy books; I encourage you to check them out.

Spoilers: Up to and including Dark Slayer and parts of Dark Peril (The most recent novel in Feehan's Dark Series). This is the sequel to Dark Moments and I recommend that you read that first. You can access it through my profile

Created on: July 24, 2010. Edited December 21, 2010

Word Count: 1,726 (Total: 7,760)

"Talk" – regular talking

Talk- Inner thoughts

"Talk"- Speaking telepathically

A/N: Installments, for lack of a better work, of Dark Times will be chronological, so you can think of this as a loosely structured story. It is in fact going somewhere but since I will be focusing on the different couples it may take a while. Just to be warned the length of these "chapters" will vary. Some will be as long as the chapters for Dark Moments and others will be as short as a drabble.

Chapter Three

Understanding

Thunder and lightning crackled in the sky and rain poured down upon the Amazon rainforest. Even deep underground the sounds of nature could be heard. Since it was three in the morning the majority of the Kylierion territory was quiet. Only a few essential personnel were awake wandering around or those that were unfortunate to be catching up on paperwork. The calm that would settle over the command center and subsequent territory was at unusual but needed times. It wasn't a respite or anything but just a lull so that many could recover their strength and continue their assigned tasks once the sun rose.

Regardless of when the calm would come and engulf the territory there were always those that were exempt from such peace. The main tower and the medical ward were examples of such exemptions. Quiet may reign over the departments at times but the staff was always working.

Both departments were run by very capable Kylierions and were able to turn the chaos into some semblance of order. At first glance one probably wouldn't be able to see the difference between disorder and stability but it was there. After all both departments were high energy places with numerous people coming and going at all hours. And their directors were efficient.

That was why it was so odd to see the flutter of activity that always encompassed the medical ward to suddenly stop. As a collective everything and everyone froze watching, waiting, for the dark cloud to pass by. Thunder rumbled again and many wondered if it was nature or caused by the dangerous male that stalked their hallways.

The approaching slap of bare feet against the earthen hallways was the only thing heard apart from the occasional sounds from the machines. Abruptly at a four way intersection the imposing male met another.

"Zacarias." Her voice was like lead.

"Iris." The blonde heiress did not scare him and his face was as if carved from granite. He didn't have time for this.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Her tone incredulous, and with a wave of her hand she gestured for everyone to carry on. Nurses, medics, and patients obeyed but it was easy to tell they were trying to overhear. Before the angry Carpathian could answer another voice spoke.

"I would advise you to choose your words wisely when addressing my lifemate." Lojos Jaegar appeared just as quickly behind his destined female and leveled his gaze at the eldest of the De La Cruz brothers. Lojos had the typical features of the Carpathians but if one looked closely they would notice that his eyes were a deep, dark blue. almost the color of midnight. As the middle brother he was often the mediator between his siblings and was well known as a warrior to his race. If anyone disrespected his lifemate he was more than capable of handing out a punishment.

Iris was thankful for his assistance even knowing how much of a difference it made for another Carpathian male to be there. Zacarias liked and even respected her, but it would have made things so much harder if she had to make him see reason alone. The swelling of emotion that Iris felt from Lojos at discovering how pleased he was to have him by her side, for the moment, almost distracted her.

"This is a medical ward. You can be possessive, overbearing, and throw a temper tantrum all you want but not in Ashe's hospital. She could forgive you for your obnoxious behavior and for whatever you are about to do, but if you continue to disrupt those under her care, she will eat you alive. Think about it before you do something stupid. Not that I care about you or anything, I just hate picking up the pieces when you hurt her." With that Iris grabbed Lojo's forearm and walked past him, her bare feet making small slaps on the ground while she grinded her teeth together in irritation.

(Scene Change- 0400 hours)

"Multiple fractures, at least three shattered bones, mild trauma to the spine and bruising of internal organs. Inflammation, fluid in the lungs, broken ribs, and-" Ashe continued to mutter on about her newest patient detailing physical damage done by her captors but also covering her newest patient's malnutrition and the status of the fetus.

All the tests were done and treatment plans were implemented. Heaving a sigh Ashe pushed herself out of the chair and handed the case file to her second in command. Together they started walking with Noelani listening attentively while the Pure Healer issued orders.

"I want you watching her for signs of miscarriage." Her tone was professional but it was easy to spot the empathy underneath.

"Milady if anyone can save the fetus it will be you. Please do not fret over it. I'm sure it will work out." Nodding absently Ashe continued on even though she drank in those words as if she was dying of dehydration.

"Was a cot brought in for Gabrielle?" One of their female jaguar guides had become quite attached to their newest rescue and rarely left the patient's bedside. Ashe wasn't surprised since the shifter was the one to notice the injured female was pregnant thus ensuring a rescue.

Seeing the confirmation in the older woman's face she barreled on. "I also want you to look at Cloude's iron count. Tell the youngest Zephyr that I am pleased with her work but I'm worried about burn out. So I want her to take the next few days off and have someone else do the team check-ups when they come in. Maybe have Vega do it. She wants to test for her next level and this would be good experience for her." Ashe stopped as she felt her energy reached out. As soon as she looked down the hall she saw Zacarias rounding the corner heading her way with a scowl that looked like it was permanently etched onto his face.

"That will be all for the moment. I will see you at the staff meeting during lunch tomorrow." The dismissal was clear and with only a curious glance at the couple, noting the enraged expression on the male, Noelani headed off to complete her tasks not commenting on how much she disapproved of their relationship.

Ashe opened her mouth but no words came out. She was stuck trying to simply greet him and pretend ignorant of his ire or of trying to find some excuse and apologize. If Zacarias noticed her indecision he wasn't showing it. When he neared her he didn't slow down and crashed his lips upon hers and embracing her.

Regardless of how many times they have exchange heated passionate kisses, just like this one, she doesn't think she will forever get used to how it makes her feel. Their kiss like all others was filled with love but it was so intense it was overflowing with emotions. Desperation, worry, and anger countless other emotions describing their bond and current mental state urged them on. If she had not been so distracted she would have been mortified at how unprofessional she was behaving.

It would be minutes later until they could separate and just stand there in the hallway clinging to each other while their pulses' raced. It was a reunion of sorts considering they had been apart for almost 19 hours. The longest time they had been separated since they made the decision to be together in Romania. The lifemate bond pulled at the strings on their soul and their heart's clenched. Ashe's head was tucked under Zacarias' chin while his arms encompassed her, planting her firmly against him. The moment was beautiful and confusingly overwhelming. After swallowing the uncomfortable knot in her throat she spoke breaking the silence.

"Are you mad?" the tone was tentative. In response Zacarias just snorted letting her know his thoughts on the subject.

"I'm not apologizing for everything but I want you to know that I'm sorry I was being stubborn and trying to hide it from you. I should have been honest with you." Her wording told him how she believed she was still right to put herself in danger and he wasn't surprised.

Though it still cut him deep because he had drove her to act with such deceit. His brother's had warned him, as had his friend's but he never realized how much he would have to change his way of thinking once he met her. It was his job and his honor to protect her, but she didn't want him to. It was the same argument. And it could not continue. Looking down at her he realized that he must attend to his female.

"Come, päläfertiil." Without waiting for a response he whisked her away and took them to her office. Once they arrived he herded her towards the small sofa she had against the wall and gently arranged his wilting little female on the couch so her legs were draped cross his lap.

To him, who notices every detail, she seemed beyond drained. As a medic he knew that she was one of the few to be able to correctly guess what befell the pregnant jaguar. It was hard to separate yourself at times especially with everything else that was weighing on her. This is not the time to have such a discussion but it cannot be put off any longer.

"While I am upset at you lying to me, it is understandable. I see that I have been most obstinate and I have led you to such actions. I recognize that being a com-med is a large part of who you are and I do not want you to change. You are military trained and recently I have been able to see exactly what you are capable of first hand. I would like to always be there, and will try to be, but if I am not then I will not stand in your way. As long as you don't take unnecessary risks and act reckless. "

To say she had been shocked was an understatement. Amethyst eyes widened and took in the almost defeatist attitude that hung upon him. With a squeal she dragged her legs to the floor and launched herself into his arms all in one motion.

(Scene Change)

A lone sandy colored wolf ticked his ears forward when he heard the shriek but relaxed once familiar laughter danced in his ears. With one last glance at his Princess' closed door he rose off his paws. Shaking his coat out of habit the large shifter trotted down the passageway towards his mistress now content.

Thanks for reading! Please review and leave your thoughts/comments and advice!

Until the next chapter,

~Ageless Light