Page 24 of Rurik
“What is it?” Grigori was out of his seat in an instant, taking her hands inhis.
“I’m feeling nauseous. Can you help me to thebathroom?”
Grigori unbuckled Madelyn and walked her to thebathroom.
“Is she okay?” Charlotte asked. Her concern warmed hisheart.
“I suspect it’s morningsickness.”
“That’s right, you mentioned she was pregnant.” Charlotte’s eyes softened, and Rurik wondered if Charlotte ever dreamed of having children. He couldn’t imagine her not wanting them. She was warm, sincere, loving, and brave, everything that made a good mother. But if they mated, he could never give her children. Only a dragoness or another of the immortal kin could have drakelings. Or would it be a thunderling? He honestly had no idea how this would work out, and it caused him someconcern.
“Yes, only a couple ofmonths.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful. She and Grigori must bethrilled.”
“They are.” Rurik changed seats, settling in beside her. He buckled up and reached over to take Charlotte’s hand, stroking the back of it and studying the delicate veins just hinted at beneath her skin.So fragile and so beautiful. She’sincredible.
“I like your family,” she said softly, ducking her head. He cupped her chin and raised her head so that she peered up at him beneath those dark lashes. His body flared to life at her seductive yet shy gaze. The woman knew how to turn him on without eventrying.
“Seems like they like you too.” He leaned over and traced his fingers down her cheek. He gazed at her lips, neither too plump nor too thin—the perfect shape for both kisses and smiles. His hunger to taste her in every way he could was almost overpowering, and her intoxicating virginal scent was damned hard to ignore. He’d teased Grigori mercilessly about how he hadn’t resisted Madelyn, but now he understood his brother’s loss of control. A true mate was difficult to resist, a virgin true mate all butimpossible.
“Are you going to kiss me?” sheasked.
His lips quirked into a wicked smirk that earned a giggle from her. “Maybe.”
She made a soft little noise of excitement as she gripped the collar of his jacket with one hand and tugged him towardher.
Their lips met in a mix of searing heat and sweetness. Joy ran through his veins, like the old lullabies his mother had once sung when he was a drakeling. There was tenderness, fire, sorrow, and delight all mixed in their kiss that rocked him to his core. He held a hand at the nape of her neck as he kissed her more urgently, demanding she open herself, give him everything she had. The burning desire to connect with her went beyond physical need. Behind his closed eyes he saw his home, the Fire Hills of Russia, the rippling shades of fiery leaves in the fall, the joy of flying low over the valley. His body surged with adrenaline and excitement as he shot up through the clouds and into the bright light of the morningsun.
Then the images changed. He saw a little girl chasing two blond-headed boys across a sandy shore, laughing as she tried to catch up to them. They stopped, each holding out a hand to her. Their palms, much bigger, much stronger, curled around her small fingers as they led her to the lapping waves. She screeched in delight as the cold water kissed her toes, then rushed forward to clean her feet of sand before the water pulled back out. The eldest boy smiled down at her.“Don’t worry, Charlotte, we’ll protectyou.”
“Yeah, always,”the other boy agreed. Their sunny smiles and dark-blond hair seemed familiar, and the heartache that poured through him was strong enough to drown him. Something about this made Charlotte’s heart heavy, and he was feeling that through her as theykissed.
The vision faded as he and Charlotte broke apart. His arms were locked around her, and she was clutching his jacket as though her life depended on it. Ghosts of tears clung to her lashes. Her lips were parted, and he could sense the questions on the tip of her tongue. It was as though his mind and hers had been on the verge of becomingone.
“What was that?” she panted, a littlefrightened.
“I…” He couldn’t tell her the truth, or that he’d made a dangerous mistake. Shared memories and emotions were a sign of a mating in progress. He could not ignore it or dismiss his fascination with her. This was infinitelymore. He’d never let things get this far with Nikita—he’d been far more careful aroundher.
A true mate… But to claim her would be to defy my father. He could already hear his father’s voice in a commandingtone.
“One to lead, one to gather jewels, one to protect. That is how it must be. We have no other children, so you must each bear aburden.”
And Rurik’s burden was living the rest of his long immortal lifealone.
“Rurik, what’s the matter?” Charlotte asked, her brows knittingtogether.
“I…” Again, he was at a loss for words. Thankfully, Grigori and Madelyn returned at thatmoment.
“Sorry. Sometimes I get a little sick,” Madelyn said, her face still pale, but she was smiling. “I’m pregnant.” She touched her belly gently, and Grigori sat down beside her, lacing his palm overhers.
“We’repregnant,” he corrected with a warm smile, and his mate leaned in to nuzzlehim.
“Oh yeah? You can carry the baby for a few months then,” Madelyn retorted, but she returned his nuzzling embrace with a softsmile.
Rurik watched them enviously. He could never have that. Charlotte was watching them too, and the longing and loneliness in her eyes broke through the cool distance he’d tried to put between them. She may not be a mate he could claim, but he could still provide her with comfort. He slid an arm around her shoulders and lifted the armrest between them so she could slide closer to him. She was stiff only a few seconds before she settled against him with asigh.
“Congratulations to you both,” Charlotte said, smiling. “You must be sohappy.”
