“Why would they be mixed blood?”

Fen groaned. “You’ve really lost it, wolf man. Totally.”

“Did you just call me ‘wolf man’?” Zev demanded. “I’m going to get up and kick your ass.”

“Fen.” Tatijana slipped into the room. “What in the world are you doing provoking Zev at a time like this? Can’t you see he’s ill?”

Zev groaned dramatically and placed a hand over his stomach.

Tatijana shot Fen a glare and hurried over to him. She hugged her sister. “How is he?” How are you? I’ve been so worried.

“He needs to rest and go to ground again,” Branislava answered aloud. I know, Tatijana. I’m sorry I worried you. He was slipping away and I had to stay focused on him.

Don’t feel bad. If it was Fen I would have done the same. You told me he was your lifemate and I believed you, although I have no idea how.

Zev managed another very real-sounding moan, which earned Fen a dark glare from both women.

“Are you kidding me?” Fen said. “Can’t you see he’s faking it?”

Dimitri snickered at his brother. Now you’ve done it. The man’s a hero with blood dripping all over the floor, a hole the size of Texas in his gut and you’re mocking his pain to women. You need lessons, bro.

“Fen, if you can’t have just a little compassion when a man’s at death’s door, I suggest you wait outside for me,” Tatijana said. “I’m sorry, Zev. I have no idea what’s gotten into him.”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Fen burst out. “Zev, you’d better hope you keel over tomorrow, because if you don’t, you’re going to be taken out behind the barn and learn what big brothers are all about.”

You’re just digging that hole for yourself deeper, Dimitri commented, his amusement growing.

Before Tatijana could singe Fen’s hair, which she looked as if she might do at any moment, Skyler rushed in. She flung herself into Dimitri’s arms and kissed him. “You’re amazing. Amazing and incredible. I’m so lucky to have you.”

Dimitri sent his older brother a quick triumphant glance. Did you hear that? Amazing and incredible. She’s lucky to have me. What was that Tatijana said about you?

Zev could barely contain his laughter. “Why is Dimitri so amazing?”

“He told me it looked as if it might be possible that we could have children together.” She bent over Zev to inspect the wound.

Zev thought it was significant that Tatijana and Branislava moved aside for her. Skyler was much younger than both women but she was the acknowledged healer.

“Why in the world did they allow you to wake?” Skyler spun around and glared at Fen. “I told you he would need at least another two or three months in the ground before we could even start to believe he was out of the woods.”

Fen didn’t defend himself. Instead he apologized. “I know, Skyler. I’m sorry. Is there anything you can do to help? He’s in a lot of pain.”

Zev could tell Fen’s reaction was genuine. Fen had put all teasing aside and focused on the young woman.

“Fen, it isn’t that bad,” Zev said.

Fen shot him a warning glance. She can help. And she can feel your pain, whether or not you downplay it. She saved your life.

Of course Zev knew that. She might be the youngest of the Dragonseeker women, but she was talented, strong and determined. He didn’t realize she could feel his pain. Instantly he did his best to push the pain away, so that if she touched him, she wouldn’t hurt like he did.

Thank you, Dimitri said simply. I know it isn’t easy when you’re weak to do that.

Skyler ignored all of them. She sank down onto the floor, her spirit leaving her body as pure, white-hot healing energy to enter Zev’s. He was shocked at the heat. He could feel her cauterizing and sealing off veins and tissue deep inside. The pain lessened almost the moment she entered him, and he could hear her soft voice somewhere in his mind.

That which is torn, raw and gives pain,

I draw upon fire to heal and reclaim.

Light that is life, fire that seals,

I cast forth your power to each vessel seal.

Fen tore at his wrist with his teeth and held the dripping blood over Zev’s mouth. “I offer freely, my brother. Take what you need to survive.”

Zev’s body suddenly seemed starved. He hadn’t even known it until that very moment. He knew that Fen and Dimitri had come regularly to his resting place to give him and Branislava blood to sustain them through the healing process. He shouldn’t be starving but he could feel every cell in his body, every organ reaching for that infusion of life-giving ancient blood.

When he knew he’d taken enough he instinctively ran his tongue over the laceration and to his surprise, the bleeding on Fen’s wrist stopped and the wound closed. That was a neat trick he could have used a few times in the past years.

“Thanks,” he said. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Fen.”

Tatijana reached out her hand to Fen. “I knew you weren’t really being mean about Zev,” she said softly.

Fen brought her hand to his mouth. I don’t like this, my lady. I should have found another way. If he dies tomorrow night . . .

Don’t. Don’t think it. Don’t say it. Don’t put it out into the universe. We discussed this. You and Dimitri argued with Mikhail and the entire council of warriors. They believe we have no choice, and if we’re going to save lives, maybe we don’t. The prince would never take such a risk unless he believed there was no other choice.

There’s always another choice, Fen said. Unfortunately none of us could find it. Waking Zev was right there and once that was put out there as the solution, no one went on to try for another one. He sounded bitter.

Fen. She whispered his name into his mind—surrounded him with warmth and love. That’s your love and fear for him talking. You know better. Mikhail had to have looked at this from every conceivable angle before he decided to wake Zev.

I know. Fen scrubbed his hand over his face. You’re right. But look at him. Skyler’s had to stop the bleeding every single time we brought him close enough to the surface to give him blood. And now he’s bleeding all over the place.

She’s here. And she’s taking care of it, Tatijana assured.

But look at the toll it’s taking on her. Fen shook his head.

“Fen.” Zev said his name very softly, but his voice was commanding. “It’s my choice.” He felt Branislava’s fingers tighten around his. “Our choice,” he corrected. “You laid it all out for me, and we both feel strongly that we want to take the chance to try to help out.”