Jacques took a breath, calmed his mind, suddenly aware that he had inadvertently tightened his hold on Shea. I seem so sane to others, yet I am still fragmented without you. I am sorry I disturbed you. His voice was intimate and gentle, a wash of emotions as he took in the love of his life. Something softened inside, eased the roaring of the demons rising in
him-the deep rage that never quite left him no matter how hard he struggled to overcome his past. He would never be easy in the company of humans as his brother was, and he couldn't quite suppress the thought that invasion of privacy was well worth not only his own peace of mind, but his need to keep this woman safe for eternity.
«You look so cute,» she said.
Jacques blinked, avoiding his brother's eyes. «Carpathian men are not cute, Shea. We are dangerous. I look dangerous at all times.»
«No, honey,» Shea insisted, brushing past Mikhail as she entered the room. «You look so cute, I wish I could take your picture and show all the others how sweet you really are.»
Jacques turned on her, swooping her into his arms before she could protest, dragging her close, so that the flour rained down on her, looking like snow in her bright hair, coating her clothes and dusting her chin. He buried his face in her neck, deliberately rubbing against her as he nuzzled the warm bare skin, teeth nipping playfully.
Shea laughed, her arm circling his head, protesting even as she held him to her. Jacques's much larger frame nearly dwarfed her, and his long hair, tied with a leather thong, fell down his back in a wild mane in which she tangled her fingers to hold him even closer.
Mikhail felt emotion welling up, choking him. A rush of affection, of genuine respect and love, flooded Mikhail, and he shared that small moment with Raven. Shea O'Halleran had not only saved his brothers life and sanity, but she, with Gregori, had saved Raven and their child. Shea looked so fragile, with her small, delicate features and rounded stomach, but he knew the core of absolute courage and commitment, the iron will that lived and breathed inside her. While human, she had been a renowned surgeon and researcher, a brilliant woman as a human, and now, as a Carpathian, she turned all those skills to her work to try to save their species from extinction.
«In all honesty, Jacques, the flour and the apron does take away from the image of the dangerous predator,» Mikhail said, joining forces with her immediately, teasing his younger brother though laughter and jokes were rare between them these days.
Jacques turned back to his brother, far more relaxed than he'd been seconds earlier. Shea's calming influence had the tiny red flames receding from his eyes and the snarl gone from his lips. «Do not encourage her,» he protested.
Mikhail winked at Shea. She remained locked in his brother's arms, her head thrown back against his chest, uncaring of the white flour covering both of them. «I do not think she needs much encouragement at all,» Mikhail said. «I will leave you to your baking as I have to go. I want to talk to Aidan and Julian.»
You are checking on the woman claiming to be related to Shea.
Mikhail barely inclined his head. «Julian was friends with Dimitri at one time, wasn't
he?»
«A few hundred years ago,» Jacques said, eyes suddenly wary. «Why?»
Mikhail shrugged. «I have not seen Dimitri in his true form in decades. While he has been here, he stays in the body of a wolf. Many of the hunters use the body of animals to aid them when they are close to turning.»
He made you uneasy, Jacques said as he nuzzled Shea's neck and pressed a gentle kiss over the pulse beating there.
A little. I am just being careful. We are all a little on edge with this unfamiliar gathering Too many of our women and children in one place make me feel as if they are all vulnerable. I wish Julian to make contact with him to reestablish their friendship.
It is difficult to monitor one's childhood friends.
Yes, it is, Mikhail agreed with a soft sigh.
«Jacques!» Shea took his hand. «Our baby is kicking very hard. He's been so quiet tonight that I was getting worried.»
Jacques placed his palm over her rounded stomach in order to feel the thump of the baby's foot. He smiled at her. «Astonishing. A little miracle.»
«Isn't it?» Shea turned her face up to his for a brief, tender kiss. «I couldn't help but be worried. I've been talking so much with all the others working on the problem our people have keeping our children alive, and we all have different theories.»
«What is your theory, Shea?» Mikhail asked, his dark eyes compelling an answer.
She pushed back strands of red hair and turned her head to look at him, her face suddenly looking drawn and tired. Strain showed in the depths of her eyes. «Gregori and I both believe there are a combination of things causing the miscarriages and deaths. Soil is our mainstay. It rejuvenates us and heals us and without it we cannot exist for too long. We have to lie in it whether or not we allow ourselves to be completely buried. The composition of the soil has changed over the years. This place less than others, but chemicals and toxins have leached into the richness of our world and just like with other species, I believe it is affecting our ability to carry our children.»
Mikhail tried not to react. Soil. His people could not exist without soil for long. Even those who left the Carpathian Mountains sought the richest soil possible in other lands, but it made sense. Birds had problems with their young from contaminations, why not Carpathians? He suppressed a groan-a sudden reaching out to Raven. He wanted her to try to have another child-he needed her to try again-to lead the women after so many had suffered so much. The last thing he needed to do was to discourage her just when she was able once again to conceive. The time came so rarely, and an opportunity missed meant too
many years lost.
«You have been testing our soil?» he asked.
Shea nodded. «There are pollutants even here, Mikhail, in our sanctuary. We've been testing every one of our richest deposits to find the best soil possible for our pregnant women. And that is only one piece of a very complex problem.»
Hearing the note of anxiety in her voice, Jacques's hand came up to tangle in the hair at the nape of her neck. «You have made amazing progress, Shea. And you will find the answers to this puzzle.»
«I believe I will,» she agreed, «but I'm not so certain we'll be able to do very much to counteract the problems. And I'm not sure if I can find all those pieces to the puzzle and the answers in time to do us much good.» Her hand rested over her unborn child.
It was the first time both men had ever heard Shea sound so defeated. She was very single-minded-analytical. Always determined to keep moving forward believing science could provide answers.
She is tired, Mikhail. She will never give up.
Mikhail forced a small smile, deciding, with Shea so close to her time, it wouldn't be a good idea to bring up the infant-mortality rate. He needed a safe change of subject. «I forgot to mention a very important detail in tonight's festivities. Raven informed me it was my duty as prince of our people to play Santa Claus.»
Jacques choked. Shea coughed behind her hand.
Mikhail nodded. «Exactly. I have no intentions of putting on a white beard and a red elf suit. However…» He grinned evilly.
«What are you planning, Mikhail?» Jacques asked suspiciously. «Because if you think to pass this distasteful task on to your brother…»
The shake of Mikhail's head was slow and deliberate, his dark eyes dancing with mischief. «I have decided there is a use for a son-in-law after all. I will inform my dear son that it is his duty to wear the red suit.»
Jacques opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Shea pressed her hand hard against her lips, her eyes wide with shock. «Not Gregori. He'll scare all the children,» she whispered as if Gregori might hear her. «You aren't really going to ask him, are you? None of the Daratrazanoff brothers can play Santa. It would be… wrong.»