Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 165649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 663(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 663(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
He simply waited, giving her the choice, knowing that more than anything else this was difficult for her. Elisabeta preferred Ferro to make the choice for her. She wanted him to command her to look into his mind rather than leave it up to her.
Ferro. Her voice shook. Is this what you desire of me?
He was silent, turning over and over in his mind the various reactions to her trembling query. He wanted her to start making her own choices for her sake and know they were her own.
Minan piŋe sarnanak, only you can decide whether you feel you are able to trust me enough to shield you. If you cannot, I will not be angry or disappointed in you. We will simply try it another day. You have only to look into my mind, see where I am and come to me, or call to me and I will come to you. There is no wrong decision. He kept his tone as gentle as possible, giving her the sensation of his palm stroking caresses down the back of her head to soothe her.
Elisabeta paced back and forth on the grounds beneath the house, wrapping her arms around herself, unaware she was walking better and better. On the uneven ground she didn’t stumble. Already, when she wasn’t thinking about it, she automatically cushioned the soles of her feet so she didn’t hurt herself on the rocks. He would point these things out to her later, just not now when she was desperately trying to force herself to make a choice.
Ferro found it agony to feel her mounting terror. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself from taking the decision from her hands. He felt like he was torturing her rather than helping her. He was feeling his way with her, trying to guide her without pushing her too fast, but perhaps he was guilty of the very thing he had warned her female friends against doing. It was just that she was so confident when she came to the aid of those in need. Just as she was cushioning her feet automatically while she paced because she wasn’t giving it thought, while she was using her gift to help others, she made decisions and gave her opinion with conviction.
Then suddenly, before Ferro had made up his mind, he felt that first tentative touch, a seeking. She was so timid, her fear filling him, and then she found the images of his location, of him quietly waiting for her. He knew the moment she felt his overwhelming pride in her and his feelings that had fast gone from affection to love and passion intertwined so strong and tight, the feeling would only keep growing for her.
He felt her gasp. She went still. At first afraid to trust what she saw. The emotions he felt for her. He couldn’t blame her. Sergey had tricked her repeatedly over the centuries. The vampire enjoyed playing elaborate, cruel jokes on her. Ferro felt her move in his mind, daring to search further. Looking for truth. Needing to believe but terrified to do so. He held himself equally as still as she had, silently willing her to take the next step, but aware she might not quite get there this rising. She had already come so far. His Elisabeta, so courageous.
She found his location. She merely had to cross the ground that led out from under the house where he waited to give her blood. The building was situated so that one entire length of the house had views of the thick groves of trees. A pathway led through gardens of flowers straight into the cooler forest. Already, his lifemate had taken so many new steps that he was grateful he had thought to change his ideas of what they would share this rising. His body wasn’t as happy with him, but for him, everything he did was about Elisabeta and her needs.
I am coming to you? She tried to pour confidence into her voice, but it still came out a question, as if she feared she had made the wrong choice.
Ferro wrapped her in love. You are so brave, minan piŋe sarnanak. I do not know a single Carpathian hunter more courageous than you.
He watched over her as she walked slowly, hesitantly, bolstered by his confidence in her as well as his admiration. He kept her attention on him, not on what she was doing.
I have explored the forest, and although it is much different than what we are used to, it is beautiful. I believe you will find it a place of serenity, as I have. I did not have as much time to investigate as I would have liked, but now I am glad. That gives us places to find together. It will be an adventure. I do know there are streams and mini waterfalls.