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Jacques went to her immediately and drew her into his arms. “No one thinks you would, Shea.”

Byron shook his head. “I just have a difficult time understanding genetics. My expertise is elsewhere, and I can never figure out how something like watching Franco shift into a jaguar as opposed to watching Jacques shift could be of use.”

“It is rather fascinating,” Vlad said. “I watch poor little Josef working at shifting, and one time half his body will be a bird and the other half something else. He doesn’t remember to hold one image.”

“It’s such a matter of focus,” Shea said. “For me, because we have such a tremendous problem having children, genetics is a primary concern.”

“I am grateful, too,” Eleanor said. “Our women have just about given up all hope of successfully carrying children or keeping them alive beyond the first year.”

“And yet we have had a success or two,” Shea pointed out. “The Carpathian who fascinates me most, though, is Gregori’s brother, Darius. He accomplished things as a boy that no one else ever has. I’d love to study him under a microscope.” She laughed when Jacques nudged her. “I know, there I go again. I’ll stop now.”

“Actually, Vlad and I were discussing Darius just the other day. Josef is still struggling to learn these skills, yet Darius was able to hold images for not only himself but other children as well. We don’t have the luxury of time for our children to learn the necessary skills,” Eleanor said, “and the old ways don’t work in this era.”

“I am grateful I am a gem-caller rather than a healer,” Byron said. “It is far too complicated to figure out.”

“Speaking of which,” Jacques said, “Mikhail is looking forward to your return. He wants to give Raven a special gift and was hoping you would put your gem-calling skills to use. He would have come himself, but Raven recently miscarried.”

There was a short, shocked silence. “Please give my sympathies to your brother, Jacques,” Byron said.

Vlad took Eleanor’s hand. “As well as ours,” he added.

They regarded each other with shared, heartfelt sorrow. It wasn’t just the fact that the child belonged to the prince of their people, it was the fact that every child lost brought their race closer to extinction.

“Is Raven all right?” Eleanor asked.

“She was depressed, of course, but physically, she is fine. They’d been trying for another child for a long while, and they feel the loss tremendously,” Shea said with a small sigh of regret. She pressed both hands over her womb protectively. “Whatever has affected our people’s reproductive abilities must be in our blood or in the soil itself. I have my theories but nothing substantial yet.”

“I never considered that by converting Antonietta, I would be asking her to cope with the sorrows of losing a child. Raven successfully gave birth to one child; I just assumed she would easily have more.”

“Raven has Carpathian blood flowing in her veins, just as the rest of us,” Eleanor said. “All of us hoped it wouldn’t happen with her as it did with the rest of us.”

Byron swept a hand through his hair. “Antonietta went through so much already just with the conversion. I should have thought this all the way through before I brought her fully into our world. I do not want her to have to face losing children.” He remembered Eleanor’s deep anguish as she lost baby after baby. And Diedre, Vlad’s sister, suffering such depression after the losses.

“I don’t want to give Antonietta false hope that we may have children. I always thought if I found my lifemate I would have children, but she’s accepted the idea she never would have a family because she didn’t believe she would ever find a man to share her life. I don’t want her hoping for children only to lose her baby.”

Eleanor sighed softly. “I have lost many children over the years, Diedre more than I, yet we tried over and over. Not, as many think, for the good of our race but because a child is a treasure we cherish, a gift unequaled on this earth. Tell Antonietta the truth, and allow her to choose for herself.”

Byron? Do you need me? Why are you so sad? This is our wedding day.

Antonietta was there in his mind instantly, a warm, loving presence.

I will always need you. Are you nervous?

She laughed softly, the sound playing over his skin, tugging at his heart.

I’m afraid not; that’s you, not me. I feel wonderful. Do not be late and leave me standing there looking like an idiot. I cannot imagine you looking like an idiot.

Antonietta laughed softly and turned away from the mirror. Her room seemed crowded with her family members all helpfully gathered around her. Even little Margurite, dressed in her finest, had been allowed to join them. Franco had placed her carefully in the most comfortable chair.

“Are you talking to Byron?” Tasha asked curiously. “He’s telepathic, too, isn’t he? Diego isn’t at all. I’ve tried, but he’s not originally from this area and has no telepathic ability whatsoever. You said you didn’t mind if I invited him, and I’ve asked him to bring the children. I want everyone to meet them.”

Antonietta kissed Tasha’s cheek. “This is the perfect day for all of us to meet his children. I want all my family around me and, of course, everyone they love.”

Franco reached out to touch a tendril of his cousin’s hair. “This is what you really want, Toni? This man is for all time.”

“I’m absolutely certain, Franco.” Antonietta could feel happiness spilling out of her. “He’s exactly right for me. Everything I’ve ever wanted. Is this the way you feel about Marita?”

“I knew from the first moment I saw her that she was my other half. I gave her no chance to get away from me. I spent weeks courting her. I think I frightened her with my intensity.” He turned his head to look at his wife.

Her answering smile was tentative. She was busy fussing over Margurite’s hair. Celt kept pressing his nose into the little girl’s lap. Marita didn’t scold, allowing Margurite to scratch the dog’s silky ears.

Antonietta lowered her voice. “I know we took a loss undercutting the Demonesini company on the last three bids, Franco, and that you’re worried about it, but you needn’t be. It forced them to sell their stock in hopes of recouping the loss of revenue, and

Nonno

has been quietly buying it. We’re taking that company down piece by piece. I didn’t want to say anything to Marita because she seems as if she’s finally happy again. What a terrible experience for her to endure.”

Franco kissed his cousin, mindful of her clothes. “

Grazie

, for your compassion. We are together, and we will always remain so.” He, too, kept his voice low. “The additions on the lower floor have been completed to Byron’s specifications. Paul and I will see to it that your orders are always carried out, Toni. You and Byron will be fully protected during the times Byron says you are most vulnerable.”

There was no way she could express her joy, so Antonietta didn’t try. It was so much easier for her three cousins to know the truth of what she was. She knew Byron had given them the choice and that he could monitor them at will, but they had accepted that condition readily. She hadn’t lost her family or the life she loved so much.

Byron? If I haven’t said so this evening, I love you.

He was there for her immediately. His warmth surrounded her, held her close.

I feel you laughing. What are you doing on this solemn occasion?