Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark series.
A/N: I re-wrote the first chapter, after re-reading both Dark Legend and Dark Celebration. I am also going to list songs that I think go along with the chapter/characters as I go along.
His sorrow was especially bad this night. Though only a few days after Christmas, Dimitri still lingered nearby while her family took their time getting ready to go back to Paris. This set Gabriel on edge, worried Francesca, and caused Skyler to feel even more guilty and anxious.
In order to escape her distressed adoptive parents, she sat out on the back porch, allowing the waves of grief to wash over her. Sometimes it was easier to just let them hit her, rather than trying to keep them at bay. The small wolf pendant was clutched tightly in her hand, as if merely by holding it, she could ease his suffering. But her heart was betraying her.
It was telling her, go to him. Comfort him. She had to see him again -- she didn't know why, and it was ridiculous, but she had to make sure that he was alright. Francesca had discussed this "lifemate" business with her, and she thought she had known what to expect...but could it really be this powerful?
It was frightening. Skyler wanted absolutely nothing to do with the domineering man. But that grief made it impossible for her to just sit there and do nothing.
So she lied to herself. I'm only doing this because I want him to know I still have no intention of ever being someone's lifemate. It sounded reasonable enough to her.
Quietly she slipped off the porch railing and headed into the forest, much like the time she had taken off after yelling at Josef. It was true that Gabriel had absolutely forbidden this type of thing, but she wasn't like Carpathian women. She didn't listen to men. They had controlled her life for far too long, and now that she had found a semblance of freedom, she wasn't going to give it up.
No. She loved her life with Francesca, Gabriel, and now baby Tamara. She loved being Skyler Rose Daratrazanoff, and learning how to slowly leave her past behind her. She loved feeling as if she was finally important to someone.
No, she told herself. I am important to them. They love me as a daughter.
Smiling to herself, Skyler found the forest was crisp and quiet. Though she sensed no evil or disturbance in the air, she remained alert. She didn't want a repeat of last time. Wrapping her arms around herself, she continued her trek through the snow, admiring the beauty of this splendid wilderness while she tracked him down.
The cold slowly seeped through her coat; she wasn't fully Carpathian, and couldn't regulate her body temperature like the others could. Skyler rubbed her mittened hands over her cheeks to warm them. He was farther away this time but his desperation reached out to her, drawing her to him. Her pace had slowed down...she was beginning to have doubts.
Skyler stopped walking altogether and looked down at her boots, sunk in the snow. Stop it.You aren't helpless anymore, she chided herself. You are confident and assertive.
She stomped her boot, reassuring herself...
...And quickly became aware of something -- no, someone -- watching her. Her stomach did a little flip...it had to be him. She had exchanged enough blood so that they shared a mental path, and could sense each other. But how had he reached her so quickly?
Immediately the stifling feeling of emotional pain left the air, and Dimitri stepped into the small clearing Skyler was in. Well, it hadn't seemed like a small clearing before she noticed him.
Instinctively she took a step back. He was angry again. She wanted to look away, but his bright blue eyes held hers, captivated.
"What are you doing out here, unprotected?" Dimitri spoke out loud. He was aware that Skyler was uncomfortable using his people's way of communication. And was also aware of how scared she had suddenly looked when she had noticed him. Dimitri had been quietly watching her, finding her mental conversation with herself and her antics amusing...and marveling at the fact that he could be amused at something.
Skyler clutched the sleeve of her coat. "I...you seemed so sorrowful," she said quietly. "I couldn't stand it. I had to make sure you were alright." She lifted her chin, gray eyes challenging. "It's the least I could do..." her words trailed off.
Reflected in those sapphire eyes of his was a mixture of agony, possessiveness, and...something she didn't want to think about too much. "That is why you risked your life, coming out here when you know that many vampires are still lurking nearby?" Dimitri's voice managed to remain neutral, though she caught on that he disapproved. Very much so.
Skyler remained defiant. "I can take care of myself! I don't need you telling me what to do! Gabriel does enough of that." She bit her lip, angry. Here she was, being nice, and he was questioning her! It was hard enough, but now he had to scold her like a child.
Dimitri's heart clenched. He hadn't been keeping his emotions in check, and Skyler worried for him. She had risked her safety coming out here. He watched her in fascination. She was so full of life. "Regardless of what you think, little one, we cannot have you put in danger." He took a hesitant step forward...
...And she backed away, absentmindedly twisting the fabric of her sleeve. "I...you're alright, so I guess..." Skyler felt color coming to her cheeks. She felt foolish now. Obviously he was fine. What else had she been expecting? And what had happened to her confidence and assertiveness?
"There is no need to fret. Or be afraid," Dimitri added, hating the fact that she was so scared of him. He wasn't used to people, especially women. Though she was the other half of his soul, he couldn't seem to ease her fears or worries. What kind of man was he?
"..." Without warning Skyler turned and ran. She didn't know why, but she felt claustrophobic somehow. What had made her think she could do this?! Confront him on her own?! And where the hell had her confidence and assertiveness gone to?!
Before she could come up with an answer for those questions, she felt impossibly strong arms wrap around her. She kicked and flailed, but a soothing voice spoke into her ear. "Skyler, please...don't run away."
Instantly she stopped struggling, but remained stiff. Hopelessness washed over her. "I'm sorry...I can't do this." Tears streamed down her face. "I'm not strong enough to do this." By 'this', she meant everything -- confront him, handle his sorrow, be his lifemate...
Dimitri knew he shouldn't have grabbed her, but watching her run was too much to bear. He so desperately wanted to hold her, comfort her, make her understand this whole situation. Make her want and need him as much as he wanted and needed her.
Gradually he released his hold on her, though it took great effort. To his relief she didn't move; only stood there...though it seemed worse than her running.
"Little one...I know you are suffering. And I know you have suffered much, things that no human should ever have to go through." Things that I should have been able to protect you from, he thought bitterly. As he spoke she turned to meet his gaze, and Dimitri found it hard to think, almost forgetting what he had been saying. Her gray eyes were mesmerizing. "You are upset right now. But I request something of you... a chance to talk rationally. Sometime when you are not so distraught."
Skyler looked wary, even as she wiped away the tears, embarrassed at her sudden outburst. "A talk? When?"
He thanked whatever god there was she didn't outright say no. "Tomorrow night. If it is alright with you, I will go to Gabriel's house. That way you will not put yourself at risk, traveling alone." She again heard the disapproval in his voice.
Not going to apologize for that, she ignored the last part. "Gabriel would never allow it."
"Then he won't have to know." It was true, he owed the man for taking care of her, Skyler was his lifemate and he did not need permission to speak with her.
Skyler looked at the ground, thinking this over. "...Just a talk?" She looked skeptical.
Dimitri almost smiled. "Just a talk."
"...Alright then. I agree to a talk."
It took courage for her to be talking to him, let alone agreeing to meet him again so soon after. Dimitri stared in wonder at the small girl -- no, woman. She was no child. Years did not count, for there were grown men out there who would never be as brave or as mature as her.
"Then allow me to escort you back home." He wanted to be with her just a little while longer. She was like a drug to him.
Skyler shook her head. "Dimitri, I am fine --"
"You have no say in this, when it comes to your protection." He looked menacing again, though she willed herself not to shrink away.
Confidence. Assertiveness. "Don't go saying things like that!" she huffed, ignoring the way he looked at her and instead focused on her anger. "I am going home alone, and I will see you tomorrow night. Good-bye." Skyler turned on her heel and marched off into the forest, heart beating fast.
However, the whole way back she was painfully aware of the presence of a large black wolf, trailing her.
Males...Carpathian males...