“He doesn’t need to work so hard at Leona’s safeguards,” Petru said. “He knows them. So he’s taking his time unraveling the other three, leaving Leona’s safeguards for last.”
Sorina nodded. “That’s our best guess, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to stop him if we’re right. Gaia asked him, but he goes for long periods of time without speaking. When he does speak, it’s usually only a few words, and then he’s back to pacing away from her.”
Benedek continued to look at her. “Your brothers know you are alive?”
Sorina sent him that same smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If they knew, I imagine they would have visited some time ago. My father knew I was not suited to be a lifemate. There were things...” She broke off and waved her hand as if it didn’t matter. “He told me a woman was needed, someone strong enough to guard without knowing how long that position would last. I volunteered, and he brought me to the palace to meet Vasilisa’s family. They had the tarot deck and took care of any demons slipping through a portal. We made a good team.”
“And your lifemate?” Petru asked. “What of him?”
She tilted her chin. “It isn’t as if I’m wandering around the world. I’m in one place. I suspect if he was going to find me, he would have already. That’s his duty, not mine.”
“Do you mind if I get word to your brothers that you’re alive?” Benedek pushed. “The dead were never spoken of in the old days. They believe you have passed from this world.”
For the first time, a real smile touched her mouth. “I suspect you would let them know I still live no matter what I said.”
Benedek gave a slight bow. “I would stay to persuade you my way is best.”
Afanasiv laughed. He couldn’t help it. “He would, too. Thank you for meeting with us and giving us your opinion. I will be staying here with Vasilisa, but my friends go out in the world to seek their lifemates. We return to the palace so Vasilisa can give them a reading in the hope that the cards reveal more clues to their whereabouts. Would you care to join us?”
Sorina shook her head. “Thank you, but not this time. Perhaps another.”
Afanasiv understood. She was uncomfortable in the company of so many male Carpathians but didn’t want to say so.
“It was good to finally meet you.”
•••
Vasilisa sat at the table, with Petru across from her. She liked him. She liked the set of his shoulders and his odd-colored eyes. They looked as if they were liquid silver. His hair was almost silvery-white and long, as the other ancients seemed to wear theirs. It was braided and fell nearly to his waist. It didn’t make him look at all feminine. Mostly, she liked him because he’d been there unfailingly for Afanasiv.
She simply handed him the cards. He took them without hesitation. Instantly, power clashed against power. A fierce storm brewed. Ice and fire clashed. Lightning seemed to fork from the cards, flashes of white reflected in his eyes. Petru was calm, merely shuffling the cards while the storm raged through them and tried to snap at his palms with flashes of lightning.
When the storm had calmed, he divided the deck and set one half aside. From the remaining half, he chose his six cards.
Vasilisa looked at them, butterflies in her stomach. She wanted so much for these men. She wanted to give them something in return forall they’d given Afanasiv, her and her people. She looked his cards over.
“The six of swords is transition, moving from one situation to another, hopefully a better one. The chariot indicates action, travel, forward movement. The seven of swords indicates an element of danger surrounds the issue, and you should plan carefully. The two of cups tells you there is a love connection between two people that will be successful. The magician has the innate capability of showing you the way.” She frowned, waiting for the right reading. “Do you have scars from a particular battle? A map of scars? That battle, those scars, show you the way.” She lifted her gaze to his, but his expression was unreadable. “The three of cups indicates a surprise, a wonderful one. I believe that would be the woman you seek.”
Petru nodded his head. “You have aided me tremendously,sisarke.” He stood and bowed to her before stepping back to allow Benedek to take his place.
Vasilisa took her time cleansing the cards, determined to give Benedek as good of a reading as possible. Benedek was a big man, larger even than any of the other ancients. He was intimidating just being outdoors. Inside, up close, Benedek was the one ancient she was fascinated by. He had thick black hair streaked with silver. Afanasiv had told her at one time the hair was to his ankles, but he had cut it to his waist and wore it pulled back at the nape of his neck with a leather cord. His eyes were mesmerizing, a midnight black, so at times, there was a dark blue shimmering behind that black. His shoulders were wide, and where some Carpathians appeared sinewy but lithe, his muscles were very defined.
Afanasiv had told her Benedek was a fierce fighter yet an incredible artist. He had a very dark aura. Petru and Benedek often stayed together to ensure the other didn’t succumb to the demon in a weak moment. She couldn’t imagine either man having a weak moment, but Afanasiv said it was easy enough to happen, so she wanted to give him hope.
He took the cards, and instantly there was a struggle for power. An eruption of fire, the flames burning out from his palms. Almost immediately, the flames took on various hues. An explosion of colors burst from the fire and then quickly died down. Through it all, Benedek never changed expression or stopped shuffling the cards. When the cards had grown silent, he split the deck and set one half aside before choosing his cards.
“Knight of pentacles, this card represents bravery.” She shot him a smile, knowing he wouldn’t even consider himself brave. “It also means putting someone else’s interest before your own. The moon. There is a warning here. Something is hidden and you need to pay attention, look deeper. Not all are being truthful. There could be deceit involved.”
Vasilisa didn’t stumble over the reading. To her, the warning was clear. Benedek didn’t change expressions, so she went on. “The three of pentacles. You must be able to rely on others. You will succeed with the support of allies. The lovers. At the heart of the matter, there is an intimate connection with another who will have a significant impact on your life. Four of swords. Needing to figure things out. Going to a mental space of neutral observation to get clarity. Chariot. This is action, moving forward, travel.” Vasilisa looked up at him. He didn’t so much as blink, but then she wasn’t certain he ever did.
Benedek rose and gave her a small courtly bow. “Thank you, Vasilisa. I, too, regard you as a little sister.”
That admission had tears burning behind her eyes. To cover her emotions, she stood up and stretched before, once again, cleansing the cards. Each reading had to be true. She glanced at Afanasiv, who sat in the shadows, but she could feel his eyes on her.I love you.She needed to tell him. Reading for the ancients was stressful, but somehow, he managed to make her feel she wasn’t alone, and she could lean on him any time she needed to.
I love you, Vasilisa. What you are doing for my family is a gift. Thank you.
Emboldened by her lifemate, Vasilisa faced Nicu. He wasdifferent. A little wild, but like the wolves and other untamed large predators, he was also unbelievably gentle. There were shadows surrounding him, and her heart went out to him. When he took the cards and began to shuffle, animals burst out, raptors flew at him. He didn’t flinch away but kept shuffling, his soft voice mesmerizing as he calmed his ferocious adversaries. He chose his cards and laid them out as she directed, then sat back, looking at her with his calm gaze.
“The tower. This is a warning. Danger. Potential for destruction. Endings to lead to new beginnings. Judgment. Being careful not to judge others or jump to conclusions about them. Also, this is about learning to trust yourself and your own instincts. In other words, you can trust yourself and others, and you must do so. The fool. If you’re not careful and don’t proceed with caution, you could stumble and fall. Don’t lose sight of your priorities. Nine of swords.” Vasilisa lifted her gaze to Nicu’s. “Worrying and fretting about something. Guilt. Is there something in your past you need to resolve that keeps you from trusting anyone?”