Title:

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 (OC), Amelyn Stormcloud and Dominic Dragonseeker, and Iris Airan and Lojos.

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.

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

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.

Status: Continuous (Incomplete)

Category: A collection of one-shots.

Spoilers: Up to and including Dark Slayer (The most recent novel in Feehan's Dark Series). This is the sequel to Dark Moments and I recommend that you read that first.

Created on: August 8, 2010

Word Count: 2,377 (Total: 16,389)

"Talk" – regular talking

Talk- Inner thoughts

"Talk"- Speaking telepathically

A/N: Thanks to all my readers and reviewers! It's because of you guys that I keep writing! Enjoy!

Chapter 7

It's Always Been You

The clouds drifted across the sky at a fast pace. The late afternoon sun was only hidden for a brief minute before the rays broke through and shined down upon the land. Her glistening skin warmed considerably and Ashelia knew it had nothing to do with training. There was a shift in the wind and Ashelia was forced to focus back on the matter at hand. While there was no warning from the elements or her opponent, years spent as a solider had honed her instincts and she knew just when to move. Diving out of the way she avoided her opponent's psychic net and sifted into her other form. Their dance continued on.

It had been almost three weeks since Tia had been rescued. The master vampire that had been hunting her had been destroyed, but only the Stars knew what information the creature had passed on. Since then the compound became a flurry of activity and everyone was on edge expecting some kind of assault.

Even though there were roughly one hundred and fifty Kylierions and their allies present, all working together to complete their objectives it was not enough. Everyone, including Team Alpha was being run into the ground to complete their duties. For months the teams had been running double and now sometimes they had triple shifts. Lasting all day and well into the night, causing them to only get two hours of sleep.

Since the assignment still did not exist, yet, their options were frustratingly limited. They couldn't ask for help and they couldn't afford to be vulnerable at this time. No one could know except those absolutely necessary about the Empire's latest project. If so, an attack and sabotage would close down the operation before the command center would be self-sufficient.

There wasn't an opportunity for relief and it was becoming more frequent for soldiers to collapse and be taken off of the active duty roster, causing their numbers to dwindle even more, leaving the rest to shoulder on extra responsibilities.

Technically today was Team Alpha's day off, but in reality it was a day for them to recuperate so they could be re-assigned to the active roster. Ashelia had collapsed days early from exhaustion while trying to heal one of the tracking teams that had been brutally attacked by vampires. Only now had she been allowed to return to light duty and in order to make the best of her time she was practicing her sifting abilities with the help of Iris.

With hard work and guidance from her tutors the Princess had overcome the dangers of sifting and was able to disperse into her other form now. Ever since she had been deployed on that SAR her training had increased. The bonds she had exclusively with the elements had deepened sculpting her into even more of a dangerous weapon. Her abilities had only been tested in mock battles and simulations, but everyone was confident that she would have her knew fighting style finished soon.

Currently, Ashelia was working on her speed. Trying to sift from one for to the next; avoiding detection, injury and capture, as Iris tossed different barriers at varying strengths at her. Since the training wasn't overly dangerous and Ashelia had to show an improvement before the week was out the heiress' were practicing by the De La Cruz Manor without being under supervision from her tutors.

The group was far enough away from the majority of the corrals and the workers and Ashe was the only one in the middle of the open space. Jaeden was propped up against a tree out of the way and busy writing up a mission report that was long overdue. Occasionally he would raise his head to check on his teammates before resuming his work. Tia was absent, undergoing rehabilitation, while Amelyn was resting in ground.

The De La Cruz home was by definition a mansion, capable of housing dozens of people including staff and entertaining even more. There were numerous outside sitting areas on the ground floor sheltered from the elements and the sun. Presently, one of them housed the remaining squad members. Iris was leaning against a marble pillar concentrating on her task with her fingers absently brushing against the mark on her neck. Behind her was Lojos. The Carpathian male was resting on a lounge chair, awake, but moving sluggishly.

It was a little past three in the afternoon, and it spoke of how much progress he had made with his lifemate to be able to be above ground, awake, and outside at such a time. Though if one looked closely at the couple they could tell of the tension between them and that they were at opposite ends of the sitting area with Iris ignoring the male. The other members didn't comment on the "one step forward and two steps back" style of relationship they had. Ashe wasn't sure how many blood exchanges they had and it wasn't her business unless Iris became sick, so she didn't ask.

(Scene Change)

In another part of the manor was Zacarias De la Cruz. The balcony doors to his room were open and he had a clear view of his lifemate while he sorted through his room. Though he had an actual room Zacarias had spent little time in it even before he found his lifemate. As the leader of his family and the ruling Carpathian of South America he had many responsibilities. There were few reasons that required him to step into his room. As the centuries progressed he spent more time in the soil, or in animal form.

Even in his younger years it would be days before he would venture in his room only to leave soon after acquiring whatever it was that he came in to get. As the beast within grew, it became harder for him to face his room knowing how empty it truly was. There were few personal items out for view and it hurt him to walk into the room knowing it was only his room. His large bedroom reflected his state of being before meeting his Ashelia. An echo of the emptiness and longing that rested in his heart.

Though he had returned to his home months ago he had been busy with his new role and being a mated Carpathian. With his lifemate's important mission and presence within the separated Kylierion community in South America they rarely stayed at the Manor. They usually only returned when he came to see his family or when he forced her to rest.

The work they were doing was important but now that a few major aspects of the situation were taken care of; namely the almost self-sufficient compound and the fact that Ashe could sift safely, hopefully they could focus on themselves more often in the coming months. Knowing that his lifemate was alright, because he was forever in tune with her, he returned his attention to what was in front of him.

Half a dozen boxes were spread around him and he was rifling through them. This was a big project one that he had been unable to get to with the recent changes in his life. Strewn haphazardly around him hundreds of charcoal drawings covered the indigo storm colored carpet. Though no one but him knew it, the contents of the scattered boxes were all of women's facial features.

Eyes. Lips. Nose. Hair. And hands.

A shriek of laughter drew his attention back to the scene below his balcony as he watched his lifemate grab her sides as she doubled over. Through their private link he knew she was unharmed and was laughing at her own expense due to a recent move she executed wrong. Eyes as dark as black ice watched her skip towards the wolf on her team and without any warning lightly smack the brown-haired shifter upside the head in response to a wisecrack comment he made. Watching the exchange and the carefree nature his lifemate expressed today filled his heart and a smile tugged at his lips.

Methodically, his eyes traced her features, sweeping down her frame. He already knew her image and he could never forget it, but he could not help but to further imprint her on his brain. Absently his fingers caressed one of the drawings in front of him. Unbidden bittersweet memories swelled inside of him and he lost himself in the past for a moment.

As the eldest De La Cruz son, Zacarias had the most memories of their mother. Though she had passed centuries ago, he remembered her beauty, gentleness, and caring nature. Zacarias not only loved but respected his mother. She had been a very wise woman and he remembered everything she had ever told him. One of the most important conversations they had was only months before his parent's death and looking at his artwork allowed him to dwell on the fond memories.

His mother often spoke of the darkness within their family and how different the De La Cruz men were even from their own people. Like all mothers she worried about her children and their future. To preserve their sanity, their souls, and to prolong their lives, she wisely told her sons to pick up a hobby or follow an interest. De La Cruz males were fierce warriors capable of great destruction and objected to engaging in something so frivolous, until she explained it her reasoning.

She encouraged her sons to spend some of their time doing something productive as she called it. Hoping they would create something rather than just destroy. The brothers all saw the wisdom in her words and eventually they picked up a craft that helped create balance in their life.

Zacarias was the only one to have taken up drawing centuries ago and had become attached to it ever since. He had created thousands of drawings. Most were of the Amazon landscape but some were of his brothers and others under his care, like the Chevaz family.

There was something indescribable about transforming a blank sheet of cream colored paper with only a few strokes of a charcoal into anything he wanted. Though he had no emotions when he drew he relished in the challenge of capturing them just the same. Just like his mother had said, drawing became a lifeline to him. Just like woodworking was for Manolito and making stained glass windows was for Nicholas.

Throughout the millennia, like many males, when the darkness almost consumed him, his thoughts turned to his lifemate. With dexterous hands he drew what he imagined she would look like. Entire boxes were devoted to what her eyes or smile was like, and these drawings became a physical representation of her and of his hope.

Millennia were spent walking with humans and Carpathian alike. He was never a part of either world but he watched others all the same. And he found himself picking attributes from all of the females he observed. A captivating smile or enchanting eyes were memorized and he would experiment trying to combine the features that his lifemate would have.

Almost eight months ago though, everything changed. She had changed everything.

Now that he had found her he spent time actually drawing his lifemate instead of imagining her.

But for some reason he couldn't bring himself to get rid of the drawings. Ashelia was unaware of the boxes he had kept in the back of his closet and he was unsure how she would react. To him even though those images were not her, they represented her nonetheless. The symbolized his devotion and longing for her throughout the centuries.

It wasn't that he was hiding them or trying to avoid mentioning it, he was just unsure how to approach her about it. With everything going on he had, in all honesty, forgotten about them, focusing on his current drawings and those that had become family to him in such a short time.

His newest sketch pad carried the images of Lara, Ginny, and Paulo immortalizing them to his family. Most of the pages were of his lifemate though. It was the most recent drawings that Ashe was aware of and had often complimented him on his skill.

At rare moments when able, she would join him and watch his long, slender, and distinctly masculine fingers brushed across the pages. Watching avidly as he created or captured what was around him or within his heart.

A strong breeze entered the room, creating chaos as sheets of paper scattered around him in a small whirlwind. In an instant his lifemate's form became physical and she was by his side. Her natural scent mixed with some sweat filled his nose and he looked into her slightly red face as she panted lightly. She was tired, but obviously pleased with how the session went and he could not sense any major injuries with her. She must have sensed the change within him, and reacted to his emotions regarding his past.

He had already set aside the stack of drawings he had been going through and pulled her down onto his lap. Angling his head he moved to kiss her but he did not hold her attention. For the moment she was focused entirely on the drawings causing Zacarias to freeze and eye her critically.

Absently, her fingers shuffled the papers round as she took it all in. Through their link he could sense her confusion especially as she grabbed a hold of one of the older and frailer drawings, the ends dyed yellow from time. The drawing focused on a female's profile. Several eyes and lips dotted the edges of the paper.

Sparkling amethyst eyes turned towards him. Wanting to answer the unspoken question he opened his mouth and tried explained.

"They are all of you, ainaak enyem." His tone was soft but laced with emotions. The words were not what he intended, but his admission was true. Carefully he watched her, ready to defend him, to defend them.

Shock registered over her features and then not even a full second later it dawned on her face. "I understand." She stated and leaned in to kiss him with a small smile on her lips.

Thanks for reading! Please leave your thoughts/comments and advice in a review. Your reviews fuel my passion for writing!

Until the next chapter,

~Ageless Light

****Terms/Definitions****

ainaak enyem- forever mine

****Notes/Comments****

1. Manolito does in fact do woodworking. If you remember he made the bed he shares with MaryAnn now. Nicholas probably does not do glassblowing or make stained glass windows, but to me it kind of fit. Riordan and Rafael have the ranch thing as their hobby. While all of them love their ranch and everything it really just seems to hit home for those two. It's more central to their being, but since Nicholas is usally so cold and reserved I felt that him making stained glass windows occasionally fit for him.

2. How adorable is Zac and his passion for drawing? It was actually this scene that kicked me into high gear to start the sequel to Dark Moments. I've had this idea in my head with him shuffling through dozens of boxes since the middle of the first story.

3. Does anyone like Luiz or have any thoughts on him? Because he was orginally in this chapter, but I took him out. I'm working him into one of the upcoming chapters so if their any Luiz fans out there I hope it pleases you!