(Author's Note)

Hi everyone! You all be glad to know that i now have a new Beta! Her name is Cereta. A special thanks to her for putting up with all of my typos and fragmented sentences.

She is even helping me update previous chapters. Review and let me know what you think!

Thanks again!

Ashley

Chapter 16

The night was beautiful and almost enchanting. The air cool with the crisp freshness of the newly fallen leaves left her new world alive. Vivid colors exploded to her gaze and she could hear the sounds of crickets serenading to their mates in the distance.

Everything around her moved in time. As if all of nature wanted to touch her and welcome her into their realm. Nicolae just watched her explore her new world outside the cave. Her expression was priceless when the plants around her greeted her.

Each Carpathian was born of the earth and sky and each individual was granted special gifts and strengths when they matured. It seemed as if his love has been blessed by nature itself. She will always need the feel of the soil in her hands and to heal the plants and trees that call to her for aid.

Small violets sprung up from the ground by her feet making her radiate. She really was lovely like this. The moon spilled over her face and filled her eyes with a fiery spirit. The light she radiated was so bright that he needed to blink twice just to keep her in focus. The long tails of her dark green blouse blew in the cool air around her figure. They beckoned him and whispered for him to imagine what could be underneath.

She glanced behind her shoulder and watched his eyes burn holes through her body. The heat of his stare was making her want him all over again. She raised both her arms over her head and drew her hands together while she swayed her hips from side to side. She freed her long hair from its bindings and let it fall seductively around her back. Nicolae could only watch as she began to dance and twirl to the beat of her own music. He had already had her twice this rising and already he could feel himself ready for her again. Hot heavy steel wrapped in velvet.

What are you trying to do to me love? The mere thought of her becoming more and more comfortable around him was enough to drive him mad. I am trying to let you explore your new surroundings and you are trying to seduce me.

A smile played on her face and she let her eye lashes drift slowly to her cheeks. "Is it working?"

A groan escaped his lips and he had no choice but to draw her into his embrace. "I wanted to show you how to use your new talents and you are making it very difficult for me to teach." She bit her bottom lip and stood on her tip toes to plant a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth.

She stepped away and stood to attention, hands firmly behind her back. "Ok I will play nice. Show me how you turned into that bird the night you saved me." Her eyes shifted and the next thing she knew she was watching his body contort into a large bird. Feathers scaled where his skin use to be and his once handsome face became the image of grace. His beak was long and his eyes held passion and wisdom. She walked to him slowly and stroked his breast bone. Never before in her life had she ever imagined that she would ever get the chance to touch an eagle.

Her gaze never left his eyes as she spoke to him. "Does it hurt when you change?"

It was uncomfortable when I first learned but with time and practice I didn't seem to notice. She touched him again; leaving a trial of fire wherever her fingers grazed.

"I don't think I can do what you just did Nicolae. I don't think I am near ready to try such things." She envied the way of Nicolae's world. She just wished she could do the things he did.

You can do the exact same things now cara…remember that you are a Carpathian now and not a human anymore. He paused and saw the doubt on her face.

Cara, think of your favorite animal and hold the image of that animal in your mind. Your body will change and become the image you see. Once you let go of the image your body will return to your natural state.

"Are you sure it will work?" She tilted her head and looked into his eyes.

Just try it…and stop doubting your lifemate! I would never put you in harms way!

She rolled her eyes in response and tried to think of her favorite animal. She grasped onto an image of her as a child shortly after her 15th birthday when Mr. Burns and his wife had taken her to the Pittsburgh City Zoo for a surprise party with some friends from her class. She remembered how the tiger and lion exhibit attracted her attention away from the giggling girls and boys from her school. One particular female mountain lion had grabbed her eye and she watched as she played with others of its kind in the open exhibit.

The image stilled in her mind and she felt her body start to stiffen. Nicolae was right. It was uncomfortable at first. Her bones began to crackle and snap to accommodate the new form of the mountain lion. Dark walnut fur covered her body and sand colored muzzle appeared on her face. The eyes were hers though. Nicolae would know those eyes anywhere. They were unique to only her. Dark hazel speckled with green gems in the depth.

He changed his appearance to match hers and he watched as she began to prance around him with joy on her face. The woman inside her danced with glee and made his heart do a funny little flip. This is so amazing! I can't believe that I can do this with you. I never knew it would ever be like this. She stopped and padded close to his much larger body. She lifted her muzzle to brush up against his. Thank you for giving this gift to me. His own chin brushed the top of her head and he began to lead her into the woods.

She took his lead and the two began to run. Dodging trees and brush while they chased a rabbit made her feel alive again. She jumped up into a rotting log and stretched her hind legs as she prepared to flee into another sprint.

Nicolae sensed a shift in the air. He brushed her mind and moved in front of her to stop her from taking off again. She tried to move around him but he blocked her and bared his canines with a growl. We are not alone love… stay behind me and try not to make a sound.