Blood Vow (Blood Moon Rising) (29 page)

Hundreds of heads nodded in agreement. “In light of what we are up against, and the simple fact that we need our numbers to remain strong, I hereby call upon the council to set aside any trial or acts currently in motion so that we use these next three weeks as a time to hone our skills and strategize against the Slayers and Fenrir and not fight amongst ourselves. I ask what Lucien did to Sasha be accepted as an eye for an eye in that it was Sasha’s intent to kill Falon whether at the council’s behest or acting alone.”

Sharia looked over her shoulder to the elders who had stepped behind her. There was no need for any of them to confer; Rafael owned the floor, and nothing short of agreeing with him would fly.

“There will be no charges,” Sharia said.

Once again as they departed the dome the crowds parted like the Red Sea had for Moses. When they cleared the crowds halfway home, Rafe said to Lucien, who carried Falon’s limp body in his arms, “Do me a favor, Lucien. Don’t fuck any Slayers, don’t kill any alphas, and try really hard not to stir up shit between any of the other packs. I’m not sure I could convince our saint of a mother, much less the entire nation, to let you walk again.”

Lucien grinned. “I can’t make you any promises, Rafe, but I’ll try.”

Moments later they were met by their pack healer, Talia who ushered them into their lodge, pointing to the bed of pelts. “I want you two out of here. One of you is enough to handle but the both of you? Poor Falon probably needs a year’s vacation.”

Rafael watched from the foot of the bed as Talia gently tended to Falon. She looked pale and innocent. Vulnerable and suddenly frail. His heart swelled painfully with love. He looked at Lucien who had the same intense look on his face as Rafe felt.

We have been selfish with her,
Rafe said.

Lucien squatted down beside her and smoothed her hair from her cheeks.
I forget sometimes because she is so powerful that she is a woman first with all the same vulnerabilities.

And pregnant, Luca. She carries an heir.

“Get out of here both of you!” Talia hissed.

As they lifted the flap to exit, they nearly knocked Layla over. Rafe stopped short, sniffing her muted scent as if she were trying to cover it up.

“Is she all right?” Layla asked worriedly, trying to look past both alphas’ shoulders.

“She’s exhausted,” Lucien said. Rafe heard the regret in his voice. He felt the same way.

At the same time, they moved aside, and Rafe held the flap up and said, “Go to your daughter, Layla, we’ll be close but we don’t want to stress her out with our hovering presence until she’s stronger.”

Layla nodded and moved past them.

As they stood side by side, they were met with loud cheers and warm welcomes from their packs.

Rafael grinned. “Well, I guess that’s one thing we’re not going to have to worry about,” he said to Lucien as he slapped him hard on the shoulder.

“Looks like the arrangement stands.”

Twenty-eight

DAYS DRAGGED BY and Falon had not come out of her exhausted state. Lucien paced outside the tent most hours of the day, many times bumping into his brother who was just as vigilant. When it became apparent that Falon became more restless when either one of them was near her, they spent more time out of the abode and took to sleeping in cots outside the front flaps.

Layla and Talia tended her day and night and on the fourth day, Sharia made an appearance in a litter.

Lucien shooed the Amorak assisting Sharia away after the litter settled on the ground before his lodge. He swept her from the seat into his arms. The old woman smiled and held on while Lucien set her gently down on the ground.

“Greetings, Sharia,” Lucien said, grinning.

“You always were the cheeky one, Lucien.”

“Some things never change.”

Her brown eyes grew serious. “I’m concerned your chosen one has not come around.”

Lucien nodded. “Talia says she doesn’t want to. I don’t know why. We did what she wanted. Rafael and I haven’t been fighting over her, in fact, we’ve been damn civil about this
arrangement
.”

“I know it must be hard for you both.”

“It is hard but easier than I thought. Hell, I can’t believe it’s working as well as it is.”

She had to stand on her toes to touch his cheek. “You and Rafa share a love only twins share. Growing up, you two shared everything. It does not surprise me you found a way to share the woman you both love.”

“Apparently we shared too much of her between us. Physically wearing her out combined with the stress of the coming rising, I think Falon literally feels the weight of the world on her shoulders.”

The old woman nodded gravely. “She is right to feel that way because it is.”

It was not in Lucien’s nature to feel helpless, but with Falon refusing to surface because of all that awaited her, he felt beyond helpless to pull her back. She needed to be here working side by side with him and Rafa, showing their solidarity, her strength, her poise, and her confidence. The nation needed to witness through all that was her that they could win the fight.

“Where do the packs stand with yours and Rafa’s arrangement?”

“They have reunited. Rafe and I share alpha responsibilities.”

Her eyes smiled as she nodded. “That is wonderful news, Lucien. I am proud of you both. Your parents would be proud of you, too.”

Lucien’s excitement spiked. “I would give anything to see them again.”

She grasped his hand and squeezed it. “You may yet if we can get your chosen one to open her eyes. She is key to everything, Luca. Without her standing with you and your twin, there is no chance of surviving the rising.”

“I know.” He extended his hand to the open tent flap. “Have you come to see her?”

“Actually, I came to speak with Layla. Is she inside?”

“She has not left Falon’s side.”

“Good. Then if you don’t mind, I will have my talk with her.”

* * *

THEY ENTERED THE tent, and Sharia immediately caught Layla’s guarded stare. Sharia smiled, and looked past her to Talia who stood as she realized who walked into the room. As an afterthought Layla rose and nodded respectfully.

“Sharia,” Talia said warmly, clasping her hands and guiding her to a chair near Falon’s bedside. “I’m so happy to see you.”

Sharia smiled. She’d always loved and admired the beautiful Lycan healer. Talia came from an old line of powerful spirit healers. She was loyal to both brothers and Sharia never once believed she had been held against her will by Lucien.

“You please these old eyes, Talia. You look more like your mother every day. She would be proud of you.”

Tears glittered in the girl’s amethyst-colored eyes. Wiping her cheeks, Talia smiled through her tears. “Can I get you something?”

“No, no. But if you would not mind, Talia, I’d like a word in private with Layla.”

Talia cast Layla an odd look but nodded and exited, closing the flap behind her and Lucien.

Sharia looked across Falon who had lost noticeable weight. Her cheeks had hollowed and dark smudges circled her eyes. When she looked up at Layla, the Lycan glared at her.

“Why so hostile, Layla?”

“I don’t need your hocus-pocus. I can take care of my daughter just fine.”

Sharia looked at Falon, then back to Layla. “And a fine job you’re doing. She’s wasting away to nothing.”

“I feed her soup, it sustains her until she wakens.”

“Does she know?” Sharia asked pointedly.

“Does she know what?”

“About her father?”

Layla gasped. “What do you mean?”

“Does she refuse to face her reality because of the nightmare that is her heritage?”

“Speak simply, Sharia.”

“Does she know Thomas is her sire?”

“That’s a lie!” she said, looking away.

“You are the only one with lies.”

Clasping her shaking hands together, Layla hung her head and slowly shook it.

“I often wondered if he had killed you. But when I saw Falon for the first time, and I saw her eyes, I suspected. When her power was revealed, I suspected more. But it wasn’t until the day she fainted that I knew the truth. She was terrified her secret would be revealed. She is the one of two bloods, Corbet and Vulkasin. With the exception of her hair and skin tone, she is all Corbet. I’m amazed no one else has recognized it.”

Layla raised tired weepy eyes to her. “When you are in love you see only what you want to see.”

Sharia nodded. “As you did with Thomas.”

“And as do Rafael and Lucien. They love her with every fiber of their being. It will destroy them when they learn the truth.”

“But for her to raise the ghost walkers she must have a clear heart.”

“We do not need the ghost walkers to win the day.”

“We? Do you stand with your people or your lover?”

“He is my husband!”

“You did not answer the question.”

“I cannot live in his world. They will slaughter me and my children.”

“Children?”

“I have another daughter.” Layla gasped, as if just now realizing something. “She is also of the two bloods and pure of heart!”

“That may be, but she is not of Vulkasin blood. Falon carries either Rafael or Lucien’s child, either way it is the Vulkasin blood of her child and Vulkasin blood given to her by both brothers when she lay at death’s door.”

“Thomas has given her an ultimatum. She has just a few days left to tell Rafe and Lucien or he will.”

“He thinks he can force her to his side?”

“He wants a chance to be her father.”

“That time has long passed.”

“I cannot make him see that. He wants his daughter with him. Willing or not, he will force her hand.”

“And she will kill him.”

“No!”

“What Falon does not understand is that even with her father’s death, her secret must be told if there is any hope of raising the ghost walkers.” Sharia moved closer to Falon and put her hand on her cool brow. “It is time to wake, Falon. More hearts will break than Rafa and Luca’s if you do not.”

Falon moaned, shaking her head.

“Wake up, girl, and face your destiny.”

* * *

HOURS LATER, FALON opened her eyes. The first person she saw was her mother.

“Leave me,” she said, quietly but firmly. When Layla blanched, Falon struggled to sit up in the bed and pointed to the door with a shaky finger. “Now!”

“Falon, please,” Layla begged.

“Get out.”

Tearfully, Layla stood and ran from the tent.

“Falon?” Talia said as she entered the tent followed closely by Lucien and Rafe.

She struggled for composure. As she did, the reality of her life came crashing down around her. Heartache mushroomed in her chest, pushing painfully against her lungs and rib cage. She sobbed and fell back against the soft fur pelts.

“Angel face,” Lucien cooed as if she were a baby. He knelt down on her left side and took her cold hand into his big warm one. Rafael knelt on her right and took her other hand and brought it his lips.

“My love,” Rafa whispered. “You’ve scared twenty years off my life.”

She tried to smile, but her throat constricted as tears slid down her cheeks. It broke her heart as they tried to soothe her. Together, one at a time, then together again. Finally, when her crying became hysterical, they stood back and looked to Talia for help.

“Go,” she said. “Bring all of her favorite foods. I’m going to clean her up.”

And like she was a baby, Talia shampooed her hair and bathed her. Wrapping her in a warmed sheet, she helped Falon to one of the sofas, changed the sheets on the bed and threw fresh pelts on it.

Never once did Talia ask her to speak. Never once did she question her, and for that Falon was eternally grateful. She was afraid if she was questioned all of her fears and anxieties would come pouring out of her. Finally, as Talia added logs to the fireplace, Falon reached out and caught her hands and started to cry all over again. Talia took her into her arms and soothed her, rocking her gently.

“Falon, whatever it is, you need to get it out. Holding it in like this will kill you.”

“It would be better if I were dead.”

“No! Rafa and Luca would die if you died. I have never seen one man much less two love as powerfully as they love you.”

“I’m not who they think I am, Tal. I’m a fake.”

She laughed at that. “Oh, Falon, there isn’t a fake bone in your body.”

“I am not worthy of one of them much less both of them.”

“Shush, only
you
are worthy of them.” She rocked her and hummed, and Falon felt better but dreaded what she must do.

“You need to eat, something more than the soup your mother has been feeding you.” Falon stiffened. Talia pulled back and looked at Falon. “She has not left your side this entire time.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Four days.”

Shocked, she cried, “Four days?”

She only had a week to hunt down her father and do what should have been done ages ago. And then after that? Would she have the courage to tell her alphas she had killed her father? For them?”

“Yes. Now,” she said, getting up, “you’re going to eat until you want to throw up. You’ve lost weight and—”

“The baby!” Falon cried, pressing her hand to her flat belly.

“The baby is fine. But he needs to eat like you do.”

“Is it safe to come in?” Rafe called from outside.

“Yes,” Falon answered. She smiled when they both came in bearing containers of aromatic food.

Her stomach did a little roll, but she swallowed it down. But when the food was plated and put under her nose, the smells were too much for her. She covered her mouth, ran to the sink and threw up what little there was in it. As she hung over the sink dry-heaving, her knees shook. She was so weak. Body and heart.

Strong arms steadied her. She felt so sick to her stomach yet she was famished. She rested her head back on Lucien’s shoulder. He pressed a cool cloth to her brow. “Feel better now?”

“Yes.”

He scooped her up into his arms, and set her down on the freshly made bed. Rafe propped pillows behind her so she could sit up. His concerned eyes caught and held hers.