“We assumed all the Purists came out and declared a side,” Dante added. “But it would make sense, strategically speaking, to keep some people under wraps as spies. Think about it. Steven was a spy for Richard. Why wouldn’t the Purists do the same?”
“I’ll notify Malcolm and William about what we discovered,” Dominic said. “Dante, I want you to keep an eye on Zachary, and I’ll have Malcolm keep tabs on Eric. Under no circumstances will either of them be left alone with Richard. He’ll be back in a few hours, and I don’t want him unprotected when he returns.”
“Dominic,” Kerry interjected. “What about the prisoner exchange tonight? If Matt is with the Purists by choice and is part of some larger plan, I don’t think you should be the one to go. He wasn’t your biggest fan. Aside from the fact that you stole his girl.”
“It wasn’t like that,” Tatiana said.
“Not for you, but you can bet your bottom dollar that kid had the hots for you somethin’ fierce. The sexual chemistry between you and Dominic is off the charts.” Tatiana blushed, but Kerry waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t freak out, girl. The sexplosions are part of being mates, and even though Matt was human, you’d have to be deaf, blind, and dumb not to notice what’s going on with you two crazy kids.”
“Kerry’s right, Dom.” Dante linked his arm around Kerry’s waist. “The more I think about it, the worse this whole prisoner swap feels. At the very least, you shouldn’t do it alone.”
“It’s not up for debate. I need you and the others here to protect the prince,” Dominic said firmly. “I’ll do the exchange and deal with whatever consequences come of it.”
“Oh really?” Anger, resentment, and fear flooded Tatiana. She shoved at Dominic with both hands and growled in frustration. “You’re a macho butt-head. Do you know that?”
“That’s our cue.” Kerry stifled a giggle, grabbed Dante by the hand, and dragged him back into the stables. “We’ll let you two talk, and in the meantime, I’m going to see if I can get a reading off Zachary or Eric. Getting a clear reading on pure-blood Amoveo isn’t always a guarantee, but I’ll give it a shot.”
“You do that, but be subtle,” Dominic said while he held Tatiana’s furious gaze.
“Of course, kitten,” Kerry purred.
Tatiana waited until Kerry and Dante left the barn, and then she let him have it. “You know something,” she ground out. “You almost had me fooled into thinking you and I were a team, but that’s obviously not the case.”
Tatiana turned on her heels, stormed into the barn, and hung the lead line on the wall before turning to face him again. He’d followed her into the stables, and the confused look on his face stopped her in her tracks.
“You really don’t get it, do you?”
Casanova, who had been sleeping on a bale of hay, was now whining at Tatiana’s feet, but she ignored him.
“No.” Dominic rested his hands on his narrow hips and shrugged. “I guess not. Why don’t you explain it to me? I’m baffled as to why you’re pissed at me for wanting to rescue your friend, even if there’s a chance he’s involved with the Purists.”
“So, what?” She threw up her hands and glared. “You’re willingly going into a volatile situation, one that could get you killed, and you don’t think that requires discussion with me?”
“I’m sorry.” He hung his head and ran one hand over his hair as he let out a slow breath before looking at her again. “I’m not cutting you out of decision-making, but there’s really no decision to be made. I’m Head Guardian. Daniella is my sister, and Matt is your friend. All of these things add up to me making the exchange alone. I refuse to put anyone else in danger over this. This is my responsibility, Tatiana.” He moved closer and cradled her face in his hand. “Mine.”
“That’s all true.” Tears filled her eyes, and her lower lip quivered as she held his glowing stare. “But you are also mine. You can’t make me fall in love with you and then go off and get yourself killed. It’s not fair, Dominic.”
“I have no intention of getting killed,” he said through a laugh. Dominic wiped a single tear from her cheek, the rough pad of his thumb grazing enticingly along her flesh. “I plan on spending the rest of my life finding out how many different ways I can piss you off.”
“Is that so?” She giggled. “Why on earth do you want to fight and piss me off?”
“Are you kidding?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “For the make-up sex.”
Tatiana laughed, but before she could tell him what an ass he was, he covered her mouth with his and swept her into his arms. He lifted her off the ground as he devoured her lips and tangled his tongue with hers. Still kissing her, he walked through the stable toward the doors with the puppy yapping at their heels.
Tatiana suckled his bottom lip and pulled back to look him in the eye.
“As much as I want to spend the afternoon having make-up sex,” she said with a sigh and clasped her hands at the base of his neck, “I’d really like to check on Courtney.”
Dominic stopped and let out a sound that hovered between a growl and a sigh as he placed her gently on her feet.
“Fine.” He linked her fingers with his and walked with her toward the house. “But then we’re going to have some major make-up sex.”
“I would hope so.” She bumped her hip into his playfully before picking up the puppy. “I bet we could break more than the dishes.”
Chapter 12
Dominic accompanied Tatiana to the medical suite while she tended to Courtney and Steven. He developed admiration for her over the past twenty-four hours. She was unshakable in a crisis and kept a cool head better than anyone he’d ever known. Male or female. Human or Amoveo. The woman was a rock.
Unfortunately, Courtney was still unconscious, and Steven was growing more concerned, along with everyone else. Tatiana, a healer and a naturally empathetic woman, was clearly disturbed, not only by Courtney’s condition but by Steven’s as well.
Casanova trotted into the room at Tatiana’s heels and went immediately to Steven, attempting to soothe him. Tatiana was right about the little beagle being a good therapy dog. He definitely tuned into anyone who was hurting. Dominic’s gaze landed on Steven.
“Nothing’s working,” Steven whispered. “I’ve never felt more helpless in my life. I can’t heal her. I’ve tried everything, and she’s not responding. Her body is healing, but mentally she’s fading. She’s getting worse, and I don’t know how to fix it. I keep telling her to come back to me and our son.”
“You have to eat something,” Tatiana said gently as she pulled up a stool and sat next to a disheveled Steven. “Take care of yourself for her and the baby.”
“I’m fine,” he bit out. Steven leaned on the bed with both elbows and held Courtney’s limp hand. “I’m not leaving her.”
“Alright.” Tatiana looked at Dominic briefly before continuing, drawing strength from him. “What about the dream realm, Steven? Have you tried connecting with her there? The others told me that when Courtney was missing you stayed in a perpetual dream state so you could connect with her.”
“I tried,” he whispered as he kissed her fingers. “I looked for her, and I could feel her there in the mists, but I kept losing her. She slipped away time and again.” A choking sob escaped his lips as he pressed them to her hand, and the sound of the heart monitor beeped loudly. “Even after Courtney came back, we never walked in the realm. She… she said the dream realm was too difficult to reach and that it had something to do with the pregnancy. I tried to help her, to guide her, but it never worked.”