Dark Song

I could not resist tasting you again. You are . . . exquisite. Ferro stopped himself and immediately closed the wound with the healing saliva from his tongue. You are such a temptation, lifemate. Your blood calls to me. Your body calls to mine. If you have need, I will give you my blood. I was careful not to take too much.

She wouldn’t have cared if he’d drained her dry. He made her feel so beautiful and sensual, things she hadn’t known were possible. She liked that her blood called to him, but the fact that he said her body called to his made her want to hug that statement to her and hold it tightly to examine later.

“Now that you have looked at the space, Elisabeta, what do you think we should do since neither of us has a clue what a home should look like?” His chin moved back and forth over the top of her head.

She froze, unable to give him an answer. It didn’t seem to matter to him.

“Perhaps you can practice your walking and I will call Andor and his she-devil lifemate, Lorraine, to come meet you. She can bring us some ideas to look at as well. I will warn you, do not take anything she says as something I would have you do other than when it comes to house decorating. Her lifemate gives her free rein; I would not be so lenient.”

He sounded stern, but she was merged with him, and although he believed Andor should take a firmer hand with Lorraine, Ferro felt unfailingly gentle toward Elisabeta.

“That sounds like a good idea,” she agreed, feeling his hint of amusement and letting it wash over her, knowing it was just for her alone.

7

What once was a blaze, grows stronger than before;

A metal in the forge, turns a sword for the war.

Josef arrived with Traian and Joie, and he’s already begun to work on updating the programs for Tariq,” Andor said. “He brought tablets for the brethren and is going to be giving lessons.” Andor smirked. “Sandu is first. You know how resistant he is to learning actual technology. He does not mind in the least picking it out of someone’s mind, but to use it on a computer, no way.”

Lorraine laughed. “As if you’re any different. And Ferro won’t even look at a computer.”

“What is the need when I can look into the mind and get the same information?” Ferro asked. “I learn how to use one, and retrieve the information I am seeking at the same time.”

Lorraine rolled her eyes. “You need to come into this century, Ferro. And why isn’t Elisabeta allowed to speak for herself? You introduced us and yet she hasn’t spoken a word. Andor told me that ancients do not always want their lifemates to speak with other men. We’re family, right? Andor is your brother and I’m your sister, so what’s with the old ways?”

Ferro shrugged his shoulders, no expression on his face. He looked down at the woman he held close to him. Elisabeta was tucked tight against him, his arm around her, nearly swallowing her, making it almost impossible for Lorraine and Andor, positioned on his other side, to see her clearly. He had set up the chairs deliberately for Elisabeta’s comfort, not for that of their visitors. So far, Elisabeta hadn’t given any indication that she wished to engage with the couple. Until she did, he was going to shield her.

Lorraine gave an exaggerated sigh while Andor coughed behind his hand, amusement lighting his eyes. She glared at her lifemate. “Don’t encourage him. Elisabeta, really. Ferro only acts like he’s tough. He’s really a sweet teddy bear. A little gruff sometimes, but he would never, under any circumstances, hurt you. If you want to talk without his permission, go right ahead. If he glares at you, I’ll kick him in the shins for you.”

Ferro not only heard the ring of truth in her voice but knew she had the audacity and courage to back up her threat with action. More, the smallest sound escaped Elisabeta, just in her mind, but he could swear it was a girlish giggle. That pleased him to no end. He knew his larger-than-life warrior-sister would bring his submissive lifemate a completely different perspective, one he wanted her to see. He had no idea Elisabeta would find Lorraine as amusing as he did.

“You, I cannot put over my knee, but my lifemate, I assure you, I can, and will.” In his mind, he made certain that he was rubbing Elisabeta’s bottom sensuously, massaging her buttocks, not in the least hurting her. To Lorraine, he sounded archaic, as if he would spank his lifemate, but he didn’t want his little songbird to fear anything in the way of punishments other than what he’d told her would happen—his kisses.