Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“I knew your parents, Benedek,” Fenja said unexpectedly. “My first transition was in that region of the Carpathian Mountains. It was wild. There were a few scattered villages, and I had a mentor who would work with me. I knew if I went anywhere else, I’d have to acquire more knowledge on my own. I could do that, but it wouldn’t be nearly as fast and I would lose out on helping those who needed me.”
His heart contracted. His mouth went dry. He closed the fingers of his left hand into a tight fist but placed his right palm over his heart. He didn’t look at his lifemate. She would feel the emotions he was feeling. None of them were good. Why hadn’t Fenja led with that? She played everything close to her chest. He couldn’t exactly fault her when he was the same way.
I am with you. Whatever she tells you, I am with you.
Silke’s warmth filled every dark lonely place in his mind. It was strange not to feel alone after centuries of loneliness. He hadn’t recognized that he’d been lonely until she filled him up with light and warmth.
“Your mother was young. Her name was Aerian, and just as her name implies, she was ethereal. Beautiful. In those days there were no surnames, but Radut, your father, told me you came from two lineages that were legendary in your species. Ordinarily, Carpathians had their own healers, but the two lived far from others in the forest, up in the mountains. They had planned to have the baby alone, without help. That was done as well in those days.”
Fenja flashed Silke a small smile. “Not too far from what Benedek was saying about women having babies and taking them into battle. Aerian ran into trouble, and her lifemate put out a call for any healer to come at once and help.”
Benedek couldn’t take his eyes off the older woman. She was very sincere. Everything she said was the truth. He couldn’t remember his birth parents, but she held the key to unlock what little he had stored away.
“I knew of Carpathians but had only met the occasional hunter. Aerian was extraordinary. She felt light. Airy. She was in pain, but she was sweet and kind. She wanted the baby to live. She began bargaining with her husband. She told him she knew a Carpathian male would rarely survive the passing of a lifemate without going into a thrall and either following her or becoming the undead. She told him he had to be strong, that she knew he was strong, and we were to save the baby, not her, if it came down to one of them. He was to remain alive and care for their son. She had every faith he would do just that. According to my mentor, that was something impossible she asked of her lifemate, and yet she was certain he would love and care for their child alone.”
Benedek shook his head. “That would be impossible.”
“And yet he swore to her he would do so. He also made it very clear to us that we were to save both. He wanted his son and wife alive. We had a long, hard task in front of us, but Aerian was quietly determined. In the end, there was blood loss and terrible pain, which she endured stoically, but both patients lived. I never saw two people happier to have their child. You came from extraordinary Carpathians. Rest assured they both wanted you alive and well. They both fought hard, and it was a long, frightening battle.”
Fenja leaned forward in her chair to look Benedek directly in the eye. “Even you, an unborn babe in trouble, lent your strength to your mother. You had tremendous power even as an infant. Never think you weren’t wanted or that you in any way caused your parents’ deaths. Marius did that. He brought Fawn with him and she participated. They ambushed Radut and Aerian.”
Benedek could feel the fury rising. Marius had taught him that ugly emotion, but Radut and Aerian had given him the genetics to combat learned behavior.
“Radut would never have conceived that a Carpathian with a lifemate would attack them. Fawn often participated in Marius’ raids. Having her there only added to the feeling of camaraderie the two would have craved,” Benedek acknowledged.
Before he could say anything else, Fenja sent him a determined look. “I’m ready for you to examine me and see if you can aid me to keep from transitioning until after Lilith’s army attacks.”
“Anything I find, I will not keep from Silke,” he warned.
Fenja nodded. “That is acceptable.”
Chapter
15
Silke pressed her fingertips to her temples, where the pounding was the worst. She hoped that simple pressure would alleviate some of the pain crashing through her head.
“Benedek warned me that I would be uncomfortable without him,” she admitted to Fenja. “I was so certain I’d be fine, but the worst isn’t physical, and that’s pretty bad. I feel as if I’m grieving for him. I keep wanting to reach out to him to ensure he isn’t dead. It feels as if I’ve lost him.”