Corinne took her time getting ready for bed. Dayan had pulled up his guitar, and she dawdled as he began to play. The music seemed alive, a part of the harmony of the earth and sky, a dreamy ballad. At first his voice was so soft she could barely make out the lyrics. She hurried out of the bathroom into the bedroom so she could listen to every word. His voice was mystical, beautiful, dreamlike. He looked up at her and the world seemed to stop spinning, standing still so the moment was locked in her memory for all time.
You take my breath away.
She thought the words to him, not wanting to interrupt his singing, not wanting to miss one single word of the ballad. It was a song of haunting loneliness, of a man, a wanderer, a troubadour, searching through time, century after century, for the one woman who could love him.
His sensual mouth curved into a smile, and his gaze drifted over her before his lashes lowered and his hand moved over the guitar. His fingers worked so fast she could hardly follow them as they played the haunting melody. He sang of a dark shadow slowly spreading over his soul, a stain that would be impossible to eradicate once it took him over. A powerful beast that roared continually for release from within. As time went on and he did not find his lady, colors and emotions faded, along with all hope, leaving him only his guitar and the words of his song.
It was a dark melody that brought tears to her eyes. Corinne curled up on the bed, intently watching his face as he played. The light bothered her eyes, so she casually flicked her hand to turn it off. All that mattered in her world was Dayan and his perfect voice singing this hauntingly beautiful song. She had a sudden desire to hold him in her arms, to be the woman who was needed so desperately.
The music changed subtly, introducing a hopeful strain, one that rose to a joyful crescendo. She found herself smiling there in the dark, her eyes glued to his face. He was an artist, a poet without compare. She loved watching his expression as he played, as his soul poured out its music. Corinne’s eyelashes lowered onto her cheeks. She was very tired. And Dayan was there with her, solid and real, impossibly strong and healthy.
For one moment the guitar was silent as Dayan stretched out beside her, laying the instrument across his chest.
She smiled. “Are you going to play for me until I fall asleep?”
“Absolutely.” She heard his answering smile in his voice. “You have sweet dreams, honey. Dream about us together.” His fingers once again glided over the strings, producing a soft ballad.
She was dreaming. Daydreaming. Nightdreaming. She only knew it was wonderful to be with him as she drifted away on his music. He made her feel alive and very feminine. She could even pretend to be healthy. In the midst of her dream, trails of fog began to slowly wind through the stars. She frowned, felt Dayan rub his index finger gently back and forth over her forehead.
“Go to sleep, honey. I want you to sleep all day until sunset.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead, taking away her frown. “Do you understand me, honey? Sleep deeply until I call for you to wake.”
She was more asleep than awake. “You’re ordering me around again, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I expect you to obey me.” The sounds of his guitar filled the room, filled her heart and soul. “You know you are my life, you know it. Tell me you do.”
“I wish I were your life.” She was almost asleep, not certain what she was saying. “You are definitely my life.”
She was silent for so long, Dayan thought she had drifted off to sleep. He lay beside her, his fingers moving lovingly over his guitar, his body close to hers. He wanted this moment to last for all time. Corinne was beside him where she belonged. Light was beginning to streak through the darkness, turning the inky blackness to gray. He lay there savoring the feel of her beside him, missing the sound of her voice, her laughter, the way her eyes danced when she teased him. The way she looked at him as if he were the only man in her world. Corinne. He knew what poets wrote about. He knew why his soul had cried out for her. He knew why he had waited centuries for her.
“Dayan” — she murmured his name drowsily — “are you human?”
Startled, he stared down at her. Corinne’s eyes were closed, and she was breathing as if she were asleep. He had covered her memories with a veil, not removing them completely because he wanted her to know the truth soon. He didn’t want it to be a complete shock to her; he couldn’t risk that kind of shock with her damaged heart. He wanted her to have the memories to draw on when she needed them, but his command should have prevented her from wondering.
He examined her thoughts as she lay there beside him. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, having a beautiful dream. She was unafraid. Dayan relaxed, a slow smile curving his mouth. She was moving closer to the truth. Closer to accepting him.
Sleep, honey, while I visit you in your dreams.
And he would. He couldn’t bear to be away from her, not even while they both slept. He would be forced to seek refuge in the ground as the sun rose, yet he didn’t dare protect her with normal safeguards. If she were to attempt to leave the dwelling despite the guards, the stress could cause problems with her weak heart. As it was, he was afraid if she did go too far away from him, she would begin to feel the effects of separation from her lifemate.
Although he had not said the ritual words to her, he and Corinne were already bound in heart and mind.
He bent once more to kiss her, needing to touch her, wanting to remain with her despite the danger to himself. He knew it was impossible to stay, but it didn’t stop him from longing to be with her.
Sleep until I rise, Corinne. Sleep safe.
He murmured the command softly, needing to find a way to protect her while he slept.
When he was satisfied that she had obeyed him, he lay quietly, freeing his mind, seeking his brethren.
Darius. Our need for a healer grows greater with each passing moment. She is much weaker this night. I do not know how much longer she can continue.
There was a wait and then Darius was there. Strong. Reassuring. Calm as always.
Join with her. We will link
—
Julian, Desari, Tempest and I. You work, and we will supply you with as much help as possible to keep her going until we can come together.
Dayan let his breath out slowly. He should have realized Darius would think in terms of the family strength. His family was there for Dayan, as always, standing shoulder to shoulder with him to fight for his lifemate and the child. He reached for the merge, embraced his family and let go of his physical body to once more attempt a healing. This time with help.
Chapter 8
Desari, lead singer for the Dark Troubadours, tapped out an edgy rhythm with her fingernail on the tabletop as she looked at her brother. “Dayan’s lifemate is not going to last much longer, Darius. I don’t like this situation at all. Dayan cannot claim his lifemate, nor help her while she is with child. What did Gregori say, Darius?”
Julian circled Desari’s waist with his arm, bending to brush his lifemate’s temple with a brief, reassuring kiss. “Gregori and Shea are really very good, Desari. They’ll figure out how to help Dayan. Gregori is impressive when he works, and he is your brother, of your lineage. You know how powerful that makes him. It’s too bad Gregori and Savannah didn’t make Lucian’s wedding. Running into the vampire delayed them, and now this news will cut their reunion with Lucian short.”