Suddenly Darra took a deep breath in, making everyone jump. She blinked and turned her head to look at Garrick. "You look concerned," she said softly as she sat up. Aiden tackled her in a bear hug pressing his face against the hollow of her shoulder. "Darra," he yelped. She awkwardly wrapped her arms around him. She frowned over at Phalanx who began to fill in the blanks. "It appears they believed you to be dead," he said gruffly in her mind. "Oh," she said with a smile, "I'm sorry for the fright." Garrick plopped down in a chair, "You'll be the death of me yet. What the hell happened down there?" She released Aiden and turned to sit on the side of the bed. "You have a problem, there is a spy in your court," she said with concern. Mathus snarled, "Impossible!" "No, there is a male vampire here and he was prepared," she picked up one of the darts, "this is Nightshade, and this kills our kind." There was a stark and uncomfortable silence before Garrick asked, "You were dying, then?" She smiled, "I was, yes." He snarled and shot up out of his chair, starting to pace. Ravens' brow furrowed in confusion, "Wait, you said that kills your kind. Then why aren't you dead?" Everyone froze including Garrick who turned to look Darra. "I suppose it has something to do with whomever my father was," she said with some thought. "So, are you immune," Aiden asked. She reached up and wiped the black sticky substance from the side of her neck and looked at it. "I suppose for the time being I must assume that I am," she said softly. "Mathus, search the kingdom. I want the vampire found," he growled. Coming to immediate attention, Mathus bowed at the waist before turning on his heel and leaving the room. You could hear him barking orders at the guards as he made his way down the hall. As Garrick reigned in his rage he turned to the others, "Please leave us." Phalanx was the next to leave, squeezing his massive size through the door. Aiden and Raven left next, Raven giving Darra a quick hug before scurrying out.
When they were alone, he lifted her unceremoniously off the bed and sat with her in his lap before kissing her deeply. She leaned into him before pulling away. "Garrick, we can't," she whispered, "I can't." He growled and kissed her again, much longer this time. Her fingertips turned to claws gripping his shoulders as he fitted her body closer to his. He snarled and nipped her jaw, constant low rumblings coming from his chest. "These clothes are in the way," he grumbled. That snapped her out of the passionate trance she'd been in. She snatched her claws from his shoulders and jerked out of his arms nearly tumbling to the floor. "I have to go," she said softly but stern. "We're going to have to talk about this eventually," he barked at her. He was blocking the door, arms crossed over his muscled chest. She felt the breeze from the balcony at her back, she remembered throwing the balcony doors open. She shook her head and sprinted for the open doors, knowing he was hot on her heels she vaulted over the balustrade. She heard his shout and saw him reach for her, his face a mask of terror and rage. She instantly felt bad and wondered if maybe she hadn't overreacted. Waving her arms as if she were floating in water and not falling seventeen stories, she came to a slow but graceful complete stop. She floated back up to him just out of reach. "I'm sorry," she said softly. He was breathing hard, and his eyes were just starting to lose that amber glow. Running his hands through his hair, he sighed, "I understand. You felt cornered." "I don't know what it means to be a mate, to anyone. I have no notion of romantic love; I don't understand the impulses and reactions taking over my body. Whether it be true or not, I would be a sorry example of a mate for you," she said. "You can't possibly know that" he grumbled. She smiled sadly, looking as if she wanted to say something more but she shook her head instead. "You have a kingdom to attend to, good king," she turned and seemingly dropped without preamble. He watched her with his heart in his throat. She twisted then, her hair flaring out around her before she landed on both feet. She looked up then took off toward the front of the keep. Taking a deep breath, he let her go. He felt exhausted. His mate wanted him, her scent told him as much. But she was terrified to be with him. Soon his wolf would take over and there would be no choice for either of them.
The next day things had settled considerably. After training with Aiden, Darra disappeared. However, many of the towns folk noticed that the old forge had smoke coming from the chimney and there were sounds of hammering. Garrick woke with a start to the sounds of banging. Coming out of sleep he thought it was the sounds of battle. He shot out of bed and hastily threw on clothes. Grabbing his sword, he wrenched his bedroom door open and ran headfirst into Mathus. With an annoyed grumble Garrick straightened his cousin and then stepped back. "Must you hover around," he barked. Mathus chuckled, "You were never this grumpy before the appearance of your mate. Anyway, I just came to warn that it appears your woman has stumbled across the old forge and revived it." Garrick breathed a sigh of relief and then frowned, "What the devil is that woman up to?" Mathus chuckled as he about faced and continued back down the hall.
