Chapter 17

Marks POV

I was so nervous about this whole plane. I did not like the idea of travelling to America in search of Robertin fear of the damage Spirit might eventually have on my beloved Oksana. Not able to withhold my concerns any more I asked.

"Oksana are you sure you are up to this my love?"

"Yes sweetheart and you already know how I feel!" Yes I did know how she felt as I could sense and read everything that she was feeling and thinking through our bond.

"Yes but it is so dangerous and I am worried about you!" I could sense that truly felt touched knowing how deeply ingrained my love was for her and the lengths that I would go through to keep her safe. This also frustrated her because even though this was the right course of action to take, she knew that I was a selfish man when it came to her and would risk anything for her even an innocent life. She did not begrudge me of this though, and pulled me into her loving embrace.
"Don't be, моя душа once Robert sees us, I am sure we can convince him to help us!"
"Darling we don't even know if he is sane any more, the last time we saw him he was worse for wear. Talking up delusions of grandeur!"

"I think deep down he is a good person and with the charms I have infused with Spirit, I am sure will be able to repair some of the damage." Oksana had the ability to charm silver and in turn was able to keep away the harshest of side effects of darkness caused from the use of Spirit. She has spent a great deal of time mastering this specific trick.
"But at what cost? You will be toying with the darkness!"
"That is why I will make more charms and together with your help my love we will be fine, and I promise I won't do more than is completely necessary!" Oksana seemed so sure of herself and when I delved into her mind I found determination and purpose. This is why I loved Oksana will all my heart she would give up her life for a complete stranger, because that is who she was kind, caring and selfless.
"I just worry about you!, it pains me to see you suffer and there is only so much darkness I can take from you before I become a nightmare!", The charms did help fight off the darkness but when Oksana used too much of Spirit I would pull some of the darkness away from her but no matter how recent the charm is made I still would be hard person to live with. Yet she never complained and this was the key to our salvation for I found strength from simple things like her touch and found solace in her love.

"I won't let it get to that! I know both our limitations and I promise I will keep spirit in line and together we will be able to help Dimitri restore his true love and there is no greater miracle. It is only because of you and our love that I am so truly happy in this life with all our ups and downs" I understood her completely because before I had met her, I was nothing. Yes I was an accomplished guardian and decent one at that but until I met Oksana I felt as though I was a zombie conforming to the rules of society. The motto was they come first! It had never occurred to me that I had the right to love or that I could even fall in love with my soul mate and be truly free. It did not seem probable or even possible for that matter and so I did not fight it. I just went about my life protecting the Moroi with no thought of fairytale endings.

Oksana melted my heart and showed me how to love, and together our love was so strong that when we made our love public, no words could break us, we were whole and strong together. I smiled thinking back and could not believe that this woman not only brought me back to life physically but also emotionally and now here she was as my wife. The love of my life and the endearing way she has managed to fight through life's hurdles and still come out strong.

"Of course I do sweetheart and you are right we have to try!"
"Thank you мое сердце" I love you"
"я тоже тебя люблю ".

We finished packing any last minute luggage and then drove to the airport to fly across the seas and visit our old friend Robert Duru.

Authors note

моя душа - My soul

мое сердце – My heart