Dark Slayer

His vision blurred as he stood feeling naked and vulnerable in front of her. It was one thing to talk to her from a distance, in a dream world where he lay beneath the ground safe from the recrimination that must be in her heart. But to have her stand in front of him, his twin sister, the one Xavier had systematically fed false information to and had tricked into giving him spells using Razvan . . .

Ivory surged into his mind. Into his heart. I am with you.

Four words, but that show of unity meant everything to him. She meant it. Ivory stood with him, tall and straight, a warrior without comparison, utterly proud of him. Her fallen angel-her lifemate.

Natalya's eyes swam with tears. «Razvan, please don't leave.»

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat threatening to choke him. One hand came up of its own volition and touched that bright hair. Natalya flung herself into his arms, weeping. He closed his arms around her and held her to him, shocked that after so many years, after so much suffering, the bond between them had not been completely broken.

Ivory stayed in his mind, holding him just as close, easing the terrible weight of responsibility that poured into his mind. He had long ago dealt with and accepted his choices, but to see his sister standing alive and well, healthy and happy, was overwhelming.

He held her at arm's length and looked her over carefully. «You look good, Natalya. Young.» So young. He was her twin, yet he was so much older.

You have earned every wonderful line. Ivory slipped her hand into his when he dropped his arms away from his sister. His fingers tangled and clung.

«This is Vikirnoff, my lifemate.» Natalya rubbed the tall warrior's arm, the movement mesmerizing, as if she stroked a talisman that held her together.

And maybe, Razvan decided, that's what the man was doing. Ivory was certainly holding him together. «It is good she has you.» He meant it. Whatever Vikirnoff might think of him, he was obviously fiercely protective of Natalya. And if the man felt one tenth of what he felt for Ivory, Natalya was in good hands.

Razvan brought Ivory's hand to his chest. She didn't feel comfortable with displays of affection, yet she didn't pull away. She stood beside him, her warmth enveloping him, steadying him, while he pressed her palm over his rapidly beating heart. «This is Ivory-sivam es sielam-my heart and soul.» He brought her fingertips to his lips. «Ivory, my sister, Natalya, and her lifemate, Vikirnoff.»

It was amazing to him to be able to stand there, free, in Natalya's presence, unafraid that he was providing bait for a trap that Xavier had set. But more than anything he felt pride in the woman at his side. He felt that with her he had everything. She had somehow turned a bleak, hopeless life into moments of pure joy-such as this one.

«It is wonderful to finally meet you,» Ivory said. «Your brother speaks of you often. And thank you for aiding our wolf pack, as well as giving us blood when we were in such need.»

Ivory followed Natalya and Vikirnoff into the house. Power surged through her the moment she entered. She glanced at Razvan to see if he'd felt that strong ripple of energy. He nodded silently at her, obviously uncomfortable that Gregori was behind them.

Raja has our backs, she assured.

«It was an amazing feat for the wolves to carry four humans through such treacherous terrain with a vampire close on their heels,» Mikhail observed.

Ivory shot him a wary glance. «They are special. My family. Thank you for aiding them. Is the little girl still alive? We had no time to prep her for the journey. We had to send them out fast.»

«I saw the destruction at the farmhouse.» Mikhail went straight to the woman sitting in a large, stuffed chair, her feet resting on an ottoman. «My lifemate, Raven,» he said and there was a wealth of love in his voice. «Raven, Ivory and Razvan.»

«Thank you for coming,» Raven said. «I'm sorry I can't get up, but do please sit down.» She sent a quick glare at both her lifemate and Gregori. «It seems I'm being dictated to by both the healer and Mikhail.»

«And I so enjoy the opportunity,» Mikhail said, unrepentant.

Ivory and Razvan sat in two of the wide-backed chairs set in a circle. Mikhail sank onto the arm of Raven's chair and Gregori seated himself opposite Razvan, his restless eyes moving constantly to sweep the surrounding forest through the windows.

«I think you have enough guards out there,» Ivory said. «I counted seven. Did I miss any?»

«Guards?» Raven echoed, looking from the prince to the healer. «What guards?»

It was Natalya who answered. «My brother has been considered the enemy for so long, many, including me, thought him a traitor, and it is difficult for others to believe he isn't.»

«You are pregnant with the prince's son,» Gregori pointed out gently. «Many think it is a suspicious coincidence that he has arrived when you are close to giving birth.»