Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Daddies,” she whispered when Ardon lifted his mouth, and she earned enthusiastic hugs that made her squeak.
“Let me show you both around your new home. The workmen are waiting to start the demolition,” Oldrik announced.
“Sounds like a good time to give them some room,” Ardon agreed. “And tomorrow, we’ll head to my mountain lair to make it comfortable to you as well.”
I’ll need to go home and grab my clothes if I’m staying here.
“Tierney can arrange for the transportation of your clothes from your parents’ house,” Oldrik assured her, stressing the last part of that sentence.
Not my home anymore?
Ardon shook his head. “This is your place now, My Treasure. And mine. Let’s fill it with the happiest of memories. First, I want to find the kitchen to thank the cook for the delicious meal.”
“And sweet-talk her into making your favorite foods?” Oldrik asked with an arched eyebrow.
“Brilliant suggestion,” Ardon answered innocently. “She’ll want to know Skye’s preferences as well.”
Skye couldn’t keep her giggles inside as Ardon skillfully accomplished his goal and included her so Oldrik couldn’t protest. She slid off the bed and linked her arm with Ardon’s. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 6
Help me!
Where are you, Skye?
Please!
She didn’t seem to have heard him. Ardon jumped from bed and found Oldrik already racing for the door. When they reached the hall, Oldrik ran one way and Ardon the other. Without a word, both shifters worked together.
“Here!” Ardon yelled as he spotted Skye crumpled on the hall carpet. Instantly, he heard Oldrik hit the wall as he abruptly turned.
Dropping to the floor by her side, Ardon brushed her long hair out of her eyes to see her face. She was pale and her expression drawn with pain. “Skye? Can you talk to me? Where do you hurt?”
She responded by shaking her head violently as Oldrik joined them on the carpet.
“What happened?” Oldrik asked.
“I don’t know. She’s in pain and can’t tell me where. I don’t want to move her in case I make it worse,” Ardon said.
Oldrik stared at her face, and Ardon heard his mental questions. Skye? Can you tell us what’s wrong?”
Again, she shook her head.
“There’s a barrier in her mind. I can’t get through it. It’s like she slammed a door between us,” Oldrik reported, and Ardon’s blood ran cold. If she’d severed their ability to speak to her….
“Skye, remember me talking to you about our connection and that we could experience each other’s sensations? We can help you if you can be brave enough. Keep your eyes closed.”
“Oldrik, we’ll put our hands on her forehead and coach her through opening our connection.”
“Shut your eyes,” Ardon stressed when one of Skye’s blue eyes peeked up at him. Instantly, she slammed it down.
“Good girl. We’re going to coach you through this. Listen to our voices. Be present in your mind. Look toward where you feel our hands. Once you’re there, turn around and focus on your brain. You can orient yourself by pressing your back to our hands. Rotate now, My Treasure.”
Skye took a deep breath and released it. He nodded to Oldrik for him to take over for the next part. She needed to have both of her mates involved.
“Blueberry, what you see is your beautiful mind. Don’t be scared by the darkness. We are there with you. If you look carefully, small zings of light are flying around. Focus on those streams of colors. Can you locate a blue streak?”
Her expression shifted slightly, and Ardon guessed that was a yes. Oldrik must have as well, for he continued.
“Follow that blue streak with your eyes. Trace it until you find a place where a bronze-colored light joins it. It probably runs parallel or maybe wraps around it. Those are your mates’ lights. They are your safety nets.”
The corners of her lips twitched slightly, making Ardon think she was trying to smile. Oldrik nudged him with a powerful shoulder, so Ardon addressed her again.
“Follow those joined streams of light—the blue and the bronze. Don’t worry about any of the other colors. Those two are the most important. They should lead to a door. It may take a bit to find it. Don’t give up.”
When her nose wrinkled, Oldrik teased, “You found it. Does it smell like Ardon? Or sweet like me? You can tell us in just a minute. Do you see the locks on the door, Blueberry? Three locks should be there. They might have keys in them. Focus on the top one. Grab it and remove the key.”
When she didn’t show any signs of success or failure, Oldrik tried one more time. “Skye Marie Ericsen, reach your hand up and wrap it around the top key now. Pull it out.”
A tear ran down her face, making Ardon afraid they had hurt her. A fraction of a second later, a torrent of pain lanced through Ardon. Oldrik rocked back slightly, signaling to Ardon that he was in the backwash as well.