I have often regretted that I did not kiss you that evening, Branislava admitted.
He could have groaned aloud. Of course she was reading his thoughts. Branka, you’re far too innocent for a man like me. You can’t go around saying things like that to me when we have company. Wait until we’re alone.
Her fingers were back in his hair, her touch sending little darts of fire through his body—the body that shouldn’t have been able to feel anything but pain.
I like that you call me Branka when everyone else calls me Bronnie.
He smiled at her. You will always be Branka to me. Or mon chaton féroce.
She raised her eyebrow at him. I can be fierce, but a kitten? And French? That is French, isn’t it? How many languages do you speak?
He grinned at her, enjoying their moment together. Claws. Spitting. Mine. And about ten very well and I can get by in five others. Well, now eleven if you count Carpathian.
She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t claw or spit at him, which he took as a victory.
“When you two are done flirting with each other, you might consider the answer to our question,” Fen said.
“What question?” Zev asked.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what I thought. You’re so wrapped up in your woman that your brain short-circuited.”
Dimitri gave a little snort of derision. “Where can we find the all-important information on your grandmother and mother, that’s the question. Whether Skyler, Tatijana and Bronnie can have children if they’re mixed blood like we are.”
“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.