Free Dark Blood by Christine Feehan

Don’t put it out into the universe. We discussed this. You and Dimitri argued with Mikhail and the entire council of warriors. They believe we have no choice, and if we’re going to save lives, maybe we don’t. The prince would never take such a risk unless he believed there was no other choice.
    There’s always another choice,
Fen said.
Unfortunately none of us could find it. Waking Zev was right there and once that was put out there as the solution, no one went on to try for another one.
He sounded bitter.
    Fen.
She whispered his name into his mind—surrounded him with warmth and love.
That’s your love and fear for him talking. You know better. Mikhail had to have looked at this from every conceivable angle before he decided to wake Zev.
    I know.
Fen scrubbed his hand over his face.
You’re right. But look at him. Skyler’s had to stop the bleeding every single time we brought him close enough to the surface to give him blood. And now he’s bleeding all over the place.
    She’s here. And she’s taking care of it,
Tatijana assured.
    But look at the toll it’s taking on her.
Fen shook his head.
    “Fen.” Zev said his name very softly, but his voice was commanding. “It’s my choice.” He felt Branislava’s fingers tighten around his. “
Our
choice,” he corrected. “You laid it all out for me, and we both feel strongly that we want to take the chance to try to help out.”
    “I don’t have to like it,” Fen snapped. He turned on his heel and was gone.
    Dimitri dropped his hand on Zev’s shoulder. “You know how he feels about you. And he’s always been overprotective, much, I’m sure, as you’ve been all your life.”
    Zev grinned at him. “It’s different from this side of the fence.”
    Dimitri shrugged. “I’m used to it, and I know he gets like that because I matter to him. So I just let him do his thing and then I go my own way.”
    Tatijana leaned over to kiss Branislava’s cheek. “I’ll see you next rising?”
    Branislava nodded. “Take care of him.”
    “You know I will.”
    Skyler came back into her own body, pale and trembling after using up most of her energy to do the best she could to heal the gaping hole in Zev’s stomach. Dimitri immediately enveloped her in his arms, sheltering her protectively while he gave her blood to recover.
    “Are you all right on your own?” Dimitri asked Branislava.
    She nodded. “If we need anything, I’ll call. Thank you, Skyler. Go have fun with your wolves.”
    “Before you go,” Zev said. “How do we find out if the things we suspect about my grandmother and mother are true?”
    “Mikhail, of course. He can ask the ancients.” Dimitri lifted his hand and, one arm around Skyler, left the room.
    Zev made a move to sit up, but Branislava kept a hand on his chest. He capitulated, but he didn’t like lying there, not if they were going to have a serious discussion about their relationship. He placed his hand over hers, holding her captive.
    “I know it feels like you have to do your duty and keep me from acting like a wolf among sheep, but, Branka, I have great control and there is no need for you to feel trapped.”
    “Our souls belong together. When you say the words of the binding ritual to me, we will be tied together for all eternity and there will be no going back,” she explained. “You have the power. I would not be able to leave you.”
    He rubbed her arm, from the back of her hand to her elbow, his touch soothing. “
Mon chaton féroce.
I do not believe in cages. No matter how much I want you with me, you have to want that same thing. You don’t know me, Branka.”
    She nodded. “I thought that until I spent time inside your mind. You’re a good man, but a little frightening. The idea of being with someone so dominant is daunting.” She touched her breast beneath her clothing. “Carpathians do scar, no matter what is said, if the wound is bad enough and isn’t healed in time.”
    Her lashes swept down and she looked