Page 13 of Saving Dakota

CHAPTER Seven

Dakota felt the bite and it was exquisite nothing like he thought the bite of a nightwalker would be like. Terrance gave him something that hit and then exploded into the most extraordinary experience of his life. They were connected now truly connected he could feel Terrance in his soul walking with him side by side and hand in hand.

Beloveds were honestly the most sacred of connections, and Dakota reveled in the fact that such a perfect and pure relationship was his. He understood, and a complete awareness of Terrance's world opened up to him. He saw the nightwalkers or vampires as good and bad like everyone else, and he saw the DuCane Coven as the pinnacle of power in this supernatural world.

Terrance licked the wound bringing it to a sharp sensitivity and then placed a kiss on the spot sending a thrill through him at the touch. Terrance slowly pulled out and gently laid Dakota back onto the bed. He removed the bedspread and tossed it aside and pulled the sheet up to cover them both. Dakota just went with it letting Terrance guide him and loving the tenderness of every touch.

He was tucked close to Terrance’s side with his arm draped lovingly across his middle. There had been no words, but words were not necessary the emotions that spread out between them were more than enough for the moment. They lay there like that for several minutes gathering their thoughts and relaxing. Slowly his heart eased back to a natural pace and his breath was no longer ragged and rapid.

The lovemaking was not unexpected and for all intents and purposes unavoidable. He desired this man like no other before and coming together was something they both wanted.

They'd been sharply aware and reacting to one another all day. Finding out what a true beloved really was turned out to be an incredible bonus, and Dakota was not sad that their bond had been struck. How it would affect him going forward was not certain, but strangely, he was not bothered by that fact.

"I completed our bond," Terrance told him while Dakota rested his head on Terrance's chest. Terrance was running his finger through Dakota's hair, and he found it so soothing. "I'm sure you're already aware of that. Your mystical influences, those personal to you and those bestowed by your shaman have touched me as well, just as my vampire presence has touched you. We are one in mind and spirit." That sounded perfect to Dakota, and it was clear they were both feeling the same.

"I do realize that there should have been more talk and getting to know one another before thrusting this step upon you, but I have no regret for completing our bond. You are mine, and I am yours, and everything else can be worked out."

Terrance was direct and to the point and Dakota could not argue with anything he had said the bond was inevitable. He may have jumped the gun a bit but what’s done is done and hetold him that and then added. “And like you, I have no regrets. Let’s see where this goes.”

Terrance turned out the lights, and they settled in for the remainder of the night. It had been a long day in many respects, and Dakota's mind was reeling. The situation with Eric was dire, and yet he believed Terrance, and he trusted the capabilities of Master DuCane and his people. The witch and the rogue would be found, but whether or not Eric would recover was still a gamble as far as he could see. There were no guarantees that he would ever come out of the coma, and if he did, would he be Eric or simply a shell?

Then there was the situation with Terrance, which was so amazing that he felt guilty for feeling so good while Eric's life lay in question. He turned to look up at Terrance, and his heart was filled with tenderness and adoration. Terrance was his future he saw it during the solidifying of their bond, and he saw it in the visions of the thunderbird. They were meant to be and would always, no matter the circumstances, find their way back to one another. It was a lot to process, but it was true.

"I can feel your worry," Terrance said and tightened his arm around Dakota's shoulders. He still had his head resting on Terrance's chest, and he found the contact and aroma calming.

"I'm worried about Eric and the outcome of this spell. Witches are unpredictable, like all magic makers, but they are especially cruel in the things that they do. I'm here enjoying my time with you and the dreams of the future, and poor Eric lies in a hospital bed in a coma, waiting for something to happen and for someone to help him." Dakota shared his concerns openly.

"You've done all that you can do. You have not neglected your duty. You have fulfilled it to the best of your ability. Do not feel guilty because you happen to experience some happiness inthe middle of it all. You are allowed to live for yourself while helping others, and one does not preclude the other." Again, he made perfect sense, and it was exactly what Dakota would be telling someone else in his position, but the guilt would not leave him. He could not fully be the partner that Terrance deserved until Eric had his life back and his family was at peace.

He hadn't contacted his captain since morning, so he chose to wait until, hopefully, things were resolved and he could present the good news. Damn, he sorely prayed that in the coming days, it would be good news that he would be imparting.

"It's still early. Try to relax for another hour or so, and then I will check with the Master about the progress of his searchers." Terrance offered, and Dakota moved his body up beside him and leaned onto one elbow so as to look down into his sweet lover's face, which was so handsome in the dawning light.

"I'll visit Eric when you go see the Master," Dakota stated, feeling better knowing that he would spend some time with him. Come morning he planned to call Able and explain what was happening. He could do a ritual and prayer to help stave off the foul magic that had infected Eric.

“I’ll meet you there when I’m through.”

"And hopefully, you will have good news."

Terrance slipped his hand around the back of Dakota’s neck and pulled him down for a loving kiss that quickly grew into a ravenous kiss. Every embrace with Terrance was charged and passionate, and Dakota readily opened up to his explorations. "You taste wonderful," Dakota commented when the kiss slowly came to an end. He once again slid down Terrance's body to lay his head on his shoulder.

“So do you, my love."

Terrance could still sense the uneasiness coming off Dakota and he wished he could give him some peace. It was a waiting game at the moment and although he was confident that the waiting would not be for long it was still going to take time to locate and apprehend the witch and the rogue.

It would help Dakota to spend some time with Eric. Dakota’s mystical protections could aid Eric in finding his way back it was a long shot, but anything was worth a try. He’d experienced Dakota’s mysticism during their bonding, and it was much more powerful and deeply engrained that he’d first thought.

It wasn’t magic. It was pure and honorable handling of the power of the elements. His power seemed to be derived from a source similar to Ezra's abilities. Perhaps in time, they could get together and discuss their connections. With that, though, he instantly began to consider Dakota's job in the north and his tribe.

Would he be willing to relocate? There was a Chippewa tribe a few miles to the south, but they had little to do with the residents of Isabella County, and Terrance knew nothing about them. After meeting Dakota, he felt that it was an unfortunate oversight. They'd always lived separately, and neither group reached out. Perhaps Dakota could be the one to bridge that gap. He pushed everything from his mind and, cuddling his newly bonded beloved close to his side, closed his eyes in hopes of getting a few hours of sleep.

"The witch had the rogue with him and was using it as a servant of sorts and for protection or defense. We found the rogue and had to kill him he was beyond the cure." Quincy, the leader of the search teams, reported. Quincy was bonded totwo hellhounds and, therefore, possessed a natural resistance to most magics. He often took the lead when dealing with magics in the field.

“Are you near to apprehending them?” Master DuCane cut in.

"They were headed south. We tracked them to the border, and I assumed the witch was going back to his Coven or community in Ohio. But we have evidence that he reversed course and is now on his way back toward Mt. Pleasant. We have a clear trail and should have him soon." Quincy stated and then added. “The witch moves at an unnatural speed, and he has a hyper sense of smell it’s been hard getting close.”

“We’ll watch for him at this end Sheriff Keller and his men are patrolling the city and my guards are assisting. Keep me posted and let me know when you have eyes on him.” Master DuCane closed the call and turned to Ismael his second in command.

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