Dark Slayer - Christine Feehan [143]
Razvan caught her looking at him with that look on her face she reserved only for him. Tender. Loving. Proud. She probably didn’t even know she had that particular look, but it made him soft inside whenever that expression crossed her face, no matter how fleeting. It was enough for him that she knew him and understood why he did the things he did. No one else had to know, only Ivory.
Ivory lifted her hands and closed her eyes, using a melodic voice to plead their case. She was startled when Razvan joined in, harmonizing in his deeper male voice.
Mother, oh Mother, we come to you for aid.
Hear our children, hold them close, never let them fade.
Mother, oh Mother, our children are dying
Catch our tears, we plead with you, stop our crying.
Listen to our plea, see what is in our hearts.
Hold us together, don’t let us fall apart.
We ask for the life in the soil to bring strength to our young
Heal their wounds, protect our special ones.
Around them the ground shimmered and the gems sparkled bright. Above their heads columns of stalactites hummed, vibrating with the tune of their harmony.
Ivory bowed her head in gratitude and Razvan slid his hand almost lovingly through the soil before they lifted their voices in thanks.
Mother, oh Mother, you are great indeed
Your gift is so precious, we’re humbled by thee.
Razvan scooped up handfuls of the precious material and, forming a silken pouch, poured it into the bag. “How much will you need?”
“Enough to conduct several experiments just in case it is not an easy answer.” She couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice. Usually there were no easy answers, but this time, they might have just gotten plain lucky. If there was a life-form that kept the mutated microbes at bay, or better yet, actually destroyed them, she should be able to find it fairly quickly. It wasn’t as if she had a lot of combinations to choose from.
Razvan’s fingers settled around her wrist and he pulled her to him. “You are a miracle to me, Ivory, whether you think so or not. This place”—he swept one arm in a circular motion, taking in the giant cave—“this may save my daughter. She has been through so much, and as always, you seem to be the key to my happiness. If I can ease her suffering and that of her lifemate, I will feel as if I at least partially redeemed myself.”
“Xavier possessed you, Razvan,” she reminded gently. “I shared your memories and saw what he did. The fault was not yours.”
He shrugged and tucked stray tendrils of hair, which had pulled loose from her braid, behind her ear. “I should have been more careful in my wording of things. I grew up with a mage. I know that words carry power, yet I continued to make mistakes that cost those I loved dearly.”
“You were fourteen years old the first time he took you, and you gave up your life so your sister would be safe. You were a child, Razvan,” she said.
His smile was gentle. “You are so fierce in your defense of me, hän ku kuulua sívamet—keeper of my heart, yet you should be called hän ku meke pirämet—defender.”
“I am the keeper of your heart,” she said, “and I will defend you to the death, Razvan. You are an extraordinary man and I am proud to be your lifemate.” She ducked her head, embarrassed as always when she showed too much emotion. “We should go back to our home so we can study the soil and see if we truly have your answers.”
He caught her chin and took a kiss. Just one. But he savored her, the taste and texture of her, savored the scent and feel of her. When he lifted his head he smiled. “Päläfertiil—mate.”
Just the way he said that single word made her weak inside. Soft. Tender. Sexy. She smiled back at him. “That I am.”
17
“The life-form had to have first been in the meteorite,” Ivory said and slumped down, her arms cushioning her head. “I should have known. It is iron rich.”
“How did it survive coming to Earth?” Razvan