Hey guys, It's been a while so first of all I apologise for the delay on my updates it's been driving me insane not being able to write at all. I also apologise that I only had time to post a short chapter which some of you commented on. Anyway I'm hoping I have time to update more. Enjoy the chapter!
Dimitri couldn't speak, couldn't move. The beast in him too close to allow civility, his teeth had lengthened like rapiers, he was certain his eyes were glowing a fury-fuelled red. She couldn't die, there would be no redemption for him on that road, he would demand blood, he knew that but what he didn't know was whether he would stop at the monster who took his light from him, with the blood of her killer in his veins who else would have to face his wrath? It couldn't happen, he could not even afford to entertain the idea Skyler might ...
It's not going to happen.
I know, baby, I swear to you nothing will ever take you from me.
I believe you. That couldn't have been love in her voice. The soft, breathy note in her voice had not been there the night before, had it?
Dahlia cleared her throat, she could see the connection the two of them shared, it seemed as if they were waltzing in a great hall completely alone, so totally oblivious to anyone but each other. It was silly really, she had just told them that Skyler was going to die the next night and there they were staring at each other like they were seeing stars for the first time.
'So what are we going to do?' she snapped impatiently.
'We?' Dimitri choked
'Yes we, I came here to stop this at the cost of my pack, my family; I am not going to sit back and do nothing while the last link to my genome, to my mother is murdered.' She lifted her chin, hoping to God he wouldn't see the trembling in her lips, hands, knees, well pretty much all over.
'Dimitri,' Skyler said softly 'I'm going to call for Gabriel, maybe he can help.'
Gabriel? I need you.
The reply was swift, a deadly growl only a threatened father could master. What has he done to you now?
Nothing Gabriel, he's been wonderful through all of this. There's a master vampire near, it's thought that he will kill me tomorrow night. Dimitri cant hunt him alone. How close are you? Automatically Skyler felt terrible, she was asking the two men that meant most to her to hunt the most despicable, vile creature for her. They could be killed. For her. It wasn't fair.
We will make our way back sweetheart. We are not far, it will only take us until sunrise. Why are you so sure he will succeed in killing you? Although the words were soft, Skyler could hear the iron in his voice, the threadbare beast that he had always worked so hard to keep her from seeing was now roaring to protect his child.
We saw it. She said simply.
'They're on their way,'
'OK, Dahlia how do you suppose we can change this vision of yours?' Dimitri asked
'Well, did you recognise the area she was um... found in?' Start with the basics, that was what she had been taught since childhood, the simplest road made for a successful journey.
'Yes, it looked like the Western most point of this forest, it gives way to a mountain range outside of my territory.'
'So where she was found was not on this compound?' Dahlia asked, he had to be certain, absolutely certain.
'No, it was about fifteen miles outside of the reserve, why?'
'Because it may mean that all that is needed to save your life, Skyler is to stay in this house until the vampire is dead, maybe even for Dimitri to stay here until the thing moves on.' Dahlia really did hope this was all that was needed.
'That's all?' Skyler asked, was that really all there was to it? Was there really no reason for this sick, shaky feeling in the pit of her stomach. She glanced at Dimitri, he looked so strong, muscles clung to his back and hugged his arms, his shoulders looked capable of burdening the world and they gave way to a lean waist and legs so long she couldn't help but wonder how they would feel entwined with hers as he held her in those magnificent arms.
'It could be, you know the butterfly effect, the simplest action has the most profound consequence.'
'Excuse me' Skyler murmured and quickly left the living room.
Skyler sat in the basement, she knew it was adjacent to Dimitri's sleeping chamber, the chamber where she had held him in her arms after Gabriel's attack, silently learning his mind, memories. The torment and isolation he had suffered for centuries and then, when he had finally found his salvation the one person who could take away the rage and sorrow from his heart and mind she had rejected him, made him wait for three wretched years until she could summon the courage to face him alone. But it didn't even stop there, oh no, her childish whining had nearly killed him, she had nearly killed him when she'd lost control and to top it all off like the proverbial rotten cherry, she now was sending him to face a vampire and the total outcome could result in him turning vampire himself.
'How can I live with myself?' she asked quietly to herself. She toyed with the small pendent that hung around her neck, holding it to her heart as she remembered the first time they met. The fear and uncertainty that clung so insistently to her mind as she fought a future she had no right to judge. Now she couldn't remember why she feared him so much, yes he was a ferocious warrior with violence sewn to his very soul, he treated those around him with coldness and ambivalence, coiling himself like he was ever ready to strike out; but with her he was so gentle, patient and understanding. He looked at her and she felt her reaching towards him, desperate to keep his beautiful eyes locked on her.
'Skyler?' Dimitri's velvet voice echoed from the steps leading to the rest of the house.
She brushed at her cheeks, surprised to feel the tears rolling down her face, 'I'm here' She watched as he descended the stairs, his face a mask of love and concern.
'Baby, don't cry, nothing is going to happen to you, I swear it on my life.'
'No! Don't you dare!' she exclaimed, with everything else that had happened that was the last thing she wanted to hear. 'Please just stay safe, can't you stay here... with me'
'Honey, you know I cannot allow a vampire to stay in my territory unscathed, especially not if there is a chance you will come to harm. I cannot.'
She walked over to him, closing the unbearable distance and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her ear to the strong beat of his heart. He was alive. Alive. 'Where's Dahlia?'
'Upstairs, she's sleeping, we have to wake her when your father gets here'
'Good, so she's not going to interrupt.' she said mischievously
Her hands slid into his shirt, she traced the defined muscles of his abs, his chest, then back down to run his hands over his back and hips. Slowly she withdrew her hands to unbutton his shirt. 'Skyler' Dimitri groaned into her hair, his hands pressing her closer, bringing her hips against his hard erection. She had to know what she was getting herself into.
'I know what I'm getting myself into. Make love to me, Dimitri.'
With that, he lifted her into his arms. Bringing her mouth to his he kissed her with the ferocity which belied his love for her, his tongue sliding into her mouth and caressing her tongue. He waved a hand, the stone wall parted aside to reveal his sleeping chamber. The walls sprang to life with candles mounted into the indentions, the soft light illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls.
In the centre of the room was a large king sized bed, adorned with black silk sheets and decadent pillows it was divine, Skyler had spent a small amount of time resting on it as she had waited for him to heal, as worried as she'd been she couldn't really remember the feel of it but now as Dimitri settled her on to it she had to stifle a moan of pleasure. She looked up at him as he removed the rest of his shirt, her breathing ragged as she took in the expanse of his tanned skin, his tousled raven black hair that hung past his shoulders and obscured his face from her, except for those royal eyes, glowing with lust, the heated look in his eyes alone made her body ache and throb for him. He settled over her again his mouth descended back over hers, gentler this time; stealing her breath until she realised they no longer were separated by cotton and silk but rather skin to skin. Skyler could feel every muscle, the way the fine hairs on his chest tickled her breasts, sending a flush of moisture between her thighs, she could even feel his heart beating against her own in a passionate rhythm. Ignore it. She chanted in her mind, no way could she ignore his burning erection sizzling against her thigh, so hot she thought he was going to melt right through her leg in a sensuous puddle. She tried to move away, certain she could not take all of him into her body. Unerringly her mind purged an image of a man, a stranger on top of her, driving something awful into her body, the pain searing her in two. She wanted to scream, throw him off and crawl back in Francesca and Gabriel's grotto of solace but she could only lie there and remember, remember how a small apartment in Paris became one of the darkest pits of hell.
'Skyler, look at me.' Dimitri commanded 'do you see me?'
He shifted, moved away from her to the other side of the bed, reaching further into her mind to try to ease the terrible memories pouring through her mind. His body trembled with smothered rage. His lifemate... so wounded, he would make this right for her, show her he could be the man he deserved. He drove away the burning need to dominate her, to blanket her and show her that he was the alpha, she already knew, there was no point in milking a dead cow, so instead he rolled over and leaned against the headboard in a half-sitting position, he held out a hand to where she huddled on the bed, 'come here, baby' he crooned, dressing his lower half in flannel pyjamas to ease her mind.
Skyler stared at him with tear filled eyes, she had just ruined one of the most perfect and gentle moments with him, because she still, after all these years could not run from her past, could not escape the heritage forced upon her, that of an evil, loathsome man with thoughts of greed and malice. Now she was here with Dimitri, her hardened warrior with a granite soul who looked at her with admiration and respect, a man who for centuries had faced a burden solely, stoically. It was this Dimitri who had danced so tenderly with her frail self three years ago, who in the middle of the night had whispered her stories of mystical wolves until she fell soundly asleep, who had nearly died for a simple kiss. In her heart she knew, she knew she loved him, somewhere between the mess of these past days it had happened like a shooting star, one moment there was only the faintest glimmer and the next it had illuminated her entire world leaving her breathless. Her time was finite, tomorrow she didn't doubt that she would be dead, despite her reassurance to Dimitri she knew there was nothing that could be done, the knowledge settled like lead knives in her chest. She was going to enjoy her time with the man she didn't want to separate from, not in life or death.
Blinking back tears, Skyler climbed slowly across Dimitri's lap, snuggling tightly against his chest. His hands gently stroked her back, tracing her shoulder bones and then rib cage then travelling through the railroad of scars. She reached down to push the pyjamas down his hips. Before either could hesitate she settled herself over him, sheathing him completely. Both groaned at the sensation, Dimitri's mouth found hers as he drove upward with his hips, they moved in perfect unison, the pleasure building and building until colours exploded around their eyes, moaning and clinging to each other, not caring about tomorrow, savouring the night.
Dimitri finally fell asleep as the sun began to creep like syrup through the windows of the mansion. Skyler lay across Dimitri's muscle-laden chest, unperturbed by the lack of breath or heartbeat in his body, when he slept he seemed so much younger, so peaceful. His femininely long lashes dusted his high cheekbones, the cruelty and determination that etched his mouth softened, reminding her again of the man that had so tenderly made love to her. Running her hands once more through his soft hair she gave herself up to sleep.