Free Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan Page A

different culture. Carpathian women have those rights and have always had them. We follow our men, but they do whatever it is that makes us happy. It is their duty. I am not certain I can fully explain, but it is imprinted on them before they are ever born. The ritual binding words that tie us. Once said, there is no taking them back . . .
    Wait. Julija’s heart suddenly beat too fast . He could have tied us together?
    Yes, of course. Once he says those vows for the two of you, nothing can tear you apart, not even death. You belong to each other. You cannot be without him nor he without you. If you die and he does not follow immediately, he can go into a thrall and become vampire. Otherwise, once tied to you, it is impossible for him to become vampire.
    Isai could have taken the decision out of her hands the moment she’d refused him, but he hadn’t. He had declared she wasn’t worth the centuries of searching for her. Of waiting for her. She almost asked Elisabeta about the flow of ink scarred into his back and what those words said, butit felt as if she was betraying Isai and she couldn’t do that. The words he’d put there had been for her. His lifemate. If she found out what they said, it had to come from him.
    Lifemates belong to each other, Julija.
    You say you have been claimed as well, but your voice trembles when you tell me. You are really afraid, almost more so than you are of Sergey.
    That is true. Elisabeta didn’t try to deny it. I am no longer that girl with her foolish dreams of lifemates. I have been with a vampire for centuries. I am . . . altered.
    Again, Julija felt tears dripping down Elisabeta’s face, but they were not in her voice. Just that quaver, the one that conveyed so much.
    Julija had never known girlish dreams. She’d had the occasional fantasy when she’d watched human women fall in love. When she’d seen human families and the way they’d interacted. Some of them, not all. She’d wanted those things for herself, but she’d been younger than ten. Eight perhaps? She’d already known those things, like love and happiness, weren’t for her. There would be no man to love her and no children for her. Her family would never allow such a thing. More importantly, she didn’t want to trade one cage for another.
    Can you refuse your lifemate? Julija asked.
    I suppose it is possible, but if yours did not tie you together, I am certain mine would do so immediately. He is . . . hard. Disciplined. I cannot think about it yet. I do not know how to think for myself. I cannot see how I can please a lifemate.
    This time the sob was in Julija’s throat, choking her. In her mind. Swamping her. She immediately hugged herself tightly in the hopes Elisabeta could feel it. I am here for you. You will not be alone.
    I am so lucky to have met you, Julija. Thank you for being my friend.
    Julija didn’t hear hope in Elisabeta’s voice. Not one small bit. Her lifemate had done that. The thought of having one had overwhelmed her friend, not made her happy. Julija was no closer to an answer than she had been before, but she had to help Elisabeta. She couldn’t leave her to suffer in terror hiding beneath the ground.
    You say lifemates have to make their women happy, Elisabeta.
    Yes. The pairs are meant for one another.
    Elisabeta fell neatly into Julija’s trap. Then this man has been made for you and you for him. He will make you happy.
    I wish I could believe that, but I am no longer the one who carries his soul.
    You must, or he wouldn’t know it was you, right?
    I worded that incorrectly. I do not know how to say this. I have guarded his soul carefully from Sergey and it earned me my worst punishments, but I was adamant, he could not bring down my shield. I would have suicided first.
    Now Julija could hear the terrible screams of agony Elisabeta had made when Sergey punished her for not giving him what he demanded. She shivered, desperate to reach out to her friend. No prisoner of war