Chapter 28

Mikhail watched the twins and their lifemate fly away. The Prince sighed and absently rubbed his temples with his fingers as his head was beginning to ache. The situation was not good. Many males on the verge of turning would believe the twins somehow cheated to survive. Worse, both were quite young while other ancients had waited an eternity for a lifemate. The fact that two fledglings managed to claim one female together would not be tolerated by some of them.

Falcon approached first with a look of concern on his face. "As an ancient, I have never heard of something like this happening before. It cannot be natural."

Dominic of the DragonSeeker clan agreed. "There is something they are still not telling us. We have much more to learn about the Falkland twins."

"And what more is there to learn?" asked Lucian. "These are fledglings which have not even lived very long compared to others in our world."

"They lost emotions at a very early age," pointed out Mikhail.

Julian grimaced. "I'm taking back my investments for good reason, Mikhail. They cannot be trusted. And besides, most of us own countless businesses. It's not like we can't fend for ourselves when it comes to growing our assets."

Gregori tilted his had at Julian. "We may be able to manage on our own wealth, but none of us have the abilities of those twins."

"You're taking their side?" Julian was incredulous.

"I did not say I was taking their side. But even I cannot deny their superior ability in growing the wealth of our people. I have studied their methods and investments. The business world is not just about numbers, its reading and predicting what will happen. Pierce and Samuel have a talent like no other when it comes to creating strategies to protect and grow our assets."

"Well, their no match for those of us who are superior hunters," grumbled Julian. He self-consciously glanced at the SongMaker, suddenly aware his words could be taken as an insult. Armando was not considered to be a hunter as he was meant for a different purpose. And chances were, the SongMaker could easily lecture him on the fact that all Carpathians had different gifts which were just as important to the survival of their people. Julian braced himself for a rightful scolding, but Armando remained strangely silent.

Lucian shook his head. "I can't see how they would be able to hide something evil from us that caused this condition."

"But something must have happened," protested Dominic. "Armando pointed out the female had a trace of DragonSeeker blood. It's impossible for this not to be the cause of something or someone else."

Mikhail gave him a look of exasperation. "You're saying that your bloodline is in danger of being dishonored due to these circumstances? I think that's a little far fetched."

"Is it? We have two males using a female for their needs. It turns my stomach."

Jacques leaned against a nearby wall. "I cannot imagine sharing my lifemate with another male." He grinned at Mikhail. "No offense, but you'd find out just how much I've grown in my power if you even attempted such a thing."

Mikhail smiled, grateful that his brother's personality was returning. Over the last few months, both had spent a lot of time in mind healing sessions with Armando. It was a slow process, but the results were worth it. Jacques had even regained enough of his past memory to the point where he did not have to rely on Shea. In the past, there were times where Jacques had trouble keeping himself sane if his emotions got the best of him. But today, he was beginning to emerge as a different male that was strong and capable, maybe even to be a successor to Mikhail someday.

The Prince nodded. "Likewise, Jacques. Which does bring up the question as to how each twin can even tolerate the situation."

"Maybe they don't tolerate it," suggested Nicholas De La Cruz who joined in on the conversation. When those in the room looked at him, he straightened. "Well, think about it. Pierce said the first night he was here that he gave himself every logical explanation as to how it couldn't be possible. While I don't like the situation, we haven't even thought of what they might be going through. Maybe each time one of them even touches Carissa, the other feels jealousy and rage while knowing there is no other solution. So therefore, they have no choice but to endure the situation."

"I couldn't stand it," said Darius in a low voice. "I'd face the dawn first before I let this happen."

"But if they are connected by sharing one soul, seeking the dawn would cause her death as well."

Vikirnoff crossed his arms over his chest. "Which is why they should have never said the words."

"They didn't just say the words," hissed Julian, "they completed the full ritual!"

Lucian, a twin himself, agreed. "If they knew they had this condition, they should have come to us as soon as they discovered what was happening."

For the first time, Armando spoke. "Perhaps this 'condition', as you call it, is simply natural for them," he said softly.

They all looked at him. "Excuse me?" asked Dominic.

The SongMaker gave them a weary look. "What you perceive as a condition caused by an external force, may in fact simply be how they were meant to be."

"You can't be serious," said Julian.

"Are you trying to state this was just something they were born with?" asked Lucian.

"Indeed," answered Armando. He looked at the Prince. "I sense no evil in them, Mikhail. Why couldn't it be something biological with how we are each created?"

Vikirnoff grew irritated. "And why would these twins be created in such a way?" When the SongMaker gave him a thoughtful look, Vikirnoff clenched his jaw. "No, don't even say it…"

"Evolution?" hissed Julian. "Is that what you're thinking?"

"And why not?" challenged Armando. "When the twins were born, our species barely contained a handful of bound lifemates. What if it was simply a survival tactic once the mother's body knew it was creating twins? Their survival rate for both would be higher if they shared a soul which led to only one lifemate."

"I can't believe you are even saying such a thing!" exclaimed Vikirnoff.

Julian narrowed his eyes at Armando. "I have the greatest respect for you as a teacher to our people. And yet I can't help the thought which comes to my mind."

The SongMaker's expression turned dark. "I know what you are thinking, so say it."

"Freak," Julian said in a harsh voice. "What you say is evolution may also be a freak of nature."

"And don't forget that twins sharing one soul also creates twice the risk when it comes to death," added Vikirnoff. "Your theory doesn't work."

Armando gave him a faint smile. "And since when do you understand all the facets of evolution? Perhaps you can educate us on the natural selection that has been going on in this world for thousands of years?"

Vikirnoff frowned. "But creating twice the risk for death? How does that make any sense?"

The SongMaker's eyes glittered at him. "What of humans? Why did they evolve to what they are today? Most have limited body strength compared to their primate ancestors. Doesn't that make them more likely to be killed by others in this world who have by far more physical strength? There are a number of animals which could easily make a meal out of them."

"Now you're comparing us with humans?" asked Julian. "We are immortal. If anything, we are by far more evolved."

"And we will keep evolving Julian. Just as the rest of nature evolves in this world, we are no different. Humans evolved to have the intelligence to outwit the stronger beasts. They can create powerful weapons to defend themselves. The point is that we do not always know the reasons for what traits are selected, even when it appears at first to cause more risk."

Razaven, who had been listening intently, furrowed his brow. "And do we call a soul a trait? It is not the same as biology."

"We are a different species all together," replied Armando patiently. "We are driven to find only one mate that is one with our soul. So yes, I would respectfully argue that in our world, how our souls are constructed, can be considered a trait in our creation."

"If that were the case, why even have half a soul that must match up with only one mate?" grumbled an unattached male from the back of the room.

Armando looked at him with sympathy. "Because as immortals, we must still naturally control our population. It is a delicate balance."

"Which means some of us are meant to die, while others find their lifemates," said Viktor in a hard voice.

Armando would not deny it. "Indeed. Which is why honor is also strongly engrained within us. It is another trait that continues to carry us forward, even if we have lost all emotion and hope." He looked back at Julian. "And while I would not use the description 'freak of nature', it is still a possibility this is just a rare occurrence, as naturally sometimes happens in any species. One must consider a number of reasons as to why they were created to share one lifemate."

As hard as it was to hear the SongMaker's reasoning, Mikhail conceded it made sense. If anything, his thoughts had to be considered as a possibility as to why the twins shared a soul. Unfortunately, those thoughts also made many in the room grow more tense.

Dominic continued to frown. "Is there anything that can be done to cure their condition?"

"How does one cure sharing a soul?" asked Raven who had been listening the whole time. "I don't see any how there can be any solution."

"So, now what? We're going to just let them share one female?" asked Vikirnoff.

Mikhail tried to be patient. "You cannot simply forbid lifemates from being together."

"You saw Carissa's reaction," added Raven.

"But this is wrong," protested Julian.

"It's sick," said another male from somewhere in the back of the room.

For the first time, Gabriel, twin to Lucian approached. Standing next to his brother, he looked at Mikhail. "Even I must admit, this is too hard to accept among our males. Despite what the SongMaker says, many will still think this union was somehow manipulated."

Gregori agreed. "There are many of our males on the verge of turning, some of which are not even here because the idea of two men sharing a female was inconceivable. But those same males could later be tempted by the Falkland twins union. They may encourage a dangerous threat to our females."

Armando narrowed his eyes. "You are suggesting this situation will give males on the verge of darkness a reason to force themselves onto our lifemates?"

"Of course," answered Gregori. "Some will be looking for any reason to attack and take them. The Falkland twins only bolster the rumor that Mikhail can somehow manipulate certain unions. They have been a talented resource for our wealth. Vampires could easily say Mikhail made this happen to protect his own favorites."

The SongMaker shook his head. "If such a thing were to happen, it would be a pitiful excuse. You are blaming the twins for something they cannot control."

"We have to think of every possibility when it comes to anticipating danger to our females."

"Amazing," murmured Armando, "and here I thought you were the greatest of hunters, able to protect the women from all threats which could possibly exist."

Gregori growled. "My protection is also foreseeing what events may happen."

"In other words, you always look for the negative and have little empathy for the ones who may be facing a challenging situation."

"I did not say that."

"You didn't have to," said Armando in a low voice. "I know you want nothing more than to send them away."

"The thought does come to mind."

The SongMaker crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Out of sight does not mean out of mind, especially to the males on the verge of turning."

"It does if Mikhail doesn't acknowledge the twins should rightfully share a lifemate."

The Prince now frowned at Gregori. Watch it.

Their union may be a threat to our women and you know it. It has to be considered.

"You do not speak for the Prince, healer," said Armando in with a growl.

"Nor do you, SongMaker."

"That's enough!" hissed Mikhail, his head now pounding from the stress of the situation. "I will continue to listen to every opinion, but it is my decision as to what to do about this situation." The Prince warily sat down, exhausted by the mental strain from the events that had unfolded so quickly.

He was constantly worried about their future and if was making the right decisions. Over the last few months, he took some comfort in the fact that the children found by the SongMaker were dong well. They were hope for the future.

But there were still not enough females when one thought about the numbers for a dying race. The unattached males would have to find it within themselves to wait until the children came of age. And then what? What of those males who found none of them were a lifemate? What of the girls who suddenly found themselves joined with overbearing males at the young age of eighteen? His thoughts finally turned to Nikolai, who used to be the leader of the children and had not adjusted to his new life. The boy was a constant challenge and Mikhail still couldn't help wonder if his nephew would have a similar fate to that of his brother Draven.

Mikhail dropped his head within his hands, the pounding in his skull continuing to grow worse. Raven sent him waves or reassurance, but it barely eased his concern. Logically, he knew the stress was compounding, making him be in a difficult state of mind.

Seeing Mikahil distressed, Gregori's anger dissolved. He was by far more than the Prince's second in command and bodyguard. He was Mikhail's friend. Without hesitation, he looked back at Armando who had also been looking at Mikhail with concern. The SongMaker's eyes met his and no words had to be spoken to understand what was needed. The two always placed their differences aside when it came to protecting Mikhail not only physically, but mentally. The constant stress Mikhail undertook as leader to all the Carpathians weighed heavily on him continuously.

Armando looked steadily into Gregori's expectant eyes. Without another word, Armando glided to one of the enormous windows and looked up at the sky. He made the dark clouds moved aside, revealing a brilliant moon which cast light down onto him. The SongMaker raised his head and softly began to sing.

The tension in the room automatically lessened as Armando's melodic voice was heard by everyone in the room. As his voice grew stronger, the notes penetrated even the most weary of the hunters in the room, easing for a moment their restless nature. The unattached males in the room felt as if they could finally breathe as a calming sensation descended upon them. Deserai came into the room and joined in, her crystal voice adding to the beauty of the song. Dayan from the Dark Troubadors joined in on his guitar and then Syndil. Antoinette appeared and began to play at Mikhail's grand piano. The combination of opera, classical, and rock music came together like no one thought it ever could be done.

Mikhail's headache grew faint, his heart felt immediately lighter. The SongMaker's gift reminded him how his people always came together, regardless of their differences. When the song finished, everyone in the room felt ready to look at their challenges in a better state of mind. Mikhail, however, bid everyone farewell, determined to think more on the situation with only a few around him. Raven smiled at him, and the Prince also wanted to spend some time alone with her as well, but definitely not to think…only to feel.

As the hunters and some of their lifemates left his home, Mikhail turned to find the SongMaker gazing at him with glittering eyes. "Thank you, Armando."

The SongMaker gave him a warm smile and bowed low. "It is good to be home to serve you, Mikhail."

The Prince clapped him on his shoulder as he straightened. "And it is good to have you home. You will need to tell me later of your journey." When Armando's eyes appeared to lose their brightness, most likely thinking of a painful memory, the Prince nodded at him. "Go home to Janelle. She needs you."

The gleam in Armando's eyes returned. "I believe it is the other way around, my Prince."

Gregori glided up to them. "Janelle must be extremely tired. You must call me if you have need."

Armando nodded. "Thank you, healer."

Mikhail didn't bother hiding his shock. "The both of you were actually cordial to each other."

"Do not get used to it," Gregori quickly replied, his arms folding across his chest again.

The SongMaker shrugged and grinned at Mikhail. "My power only lasts for so long on him, Mikhail. But I will keep trying."

The Prince chuckled as Armando transformed into a large owl. Gregori scowled, but soon followed, finally leaving him and Raven alone at last.

Author's note: I love Gregori and Armando...-Anne