Tariq waited until Enrique and Jorlan left his quarters before re-engaging the security. Then with a weary sigh, he undressed, allowing his clothing to litter the floor, and climbed in bed beside his Heart’s Blood.
“So many questions, Mi corazon.” He gathered her into his arms so they lay belly to belly, and chest to chest. “Your past is a riddle wrapped in a mystery and hidden in an enigma. The more layers I uncover, the more I learn there is to discover.”
The right thing to do would be to allow his Heart’s Blood to reveal herself to him in her own time and her own way. However, he was too impatient. So, as always, Tariq did what he wanted to do. He took advantage of Reyna’s unconscious state and eased into her mind. He’d discover for himself what it had been like for his Heart’s Blood, growing up in a pride who believed her father to be a rapist and having a mother who couldn’t be bothered to tell her daughter the truth. The key to understanding his blood mate lay in knowing her past.
He searched until he found her earliest recollections.
You promised not to read her mind without her permission, his conscience reminded him.
This wouldn’t be mind reading in the truest sense, Tariq argued. He wouldn’t betray her trust by reading her memories without her permission, not after he’d promised he wouldn’t. However, each remembrance left an emotional footprint and it was these prints he read.
In the beginning there were long periods of isolation broken by moments of tenderness and comfort. She began to recognize the scent and the voice of the one who showed her kindness. There was another who feed her when she was hungry and dried her when she was wet, but this one had no feelings for her and touched her as little as possible. Only the kind one held her, spoke to her, and rocked her until her cries quieted.
Years of loneliness, rejection, isolation, and abuse passed. Joy was fleeting, as was love, and each memory of it centered around the only person who showed her gentleness and love. She learned pride and confidence in herself even as the one thing she wanted most was denied her—acceptance.
Hours later he returned to himself. His face was drenched in tears and his body shuddered with the effort to hold back his rage. The things she’d suffered. No wonder she’d gone ballistic tonight. After the life she’d lived, Reyna should hate Felini and Vampaliens alike. It was a wonder she’d agreed to give him a chance. After all, he’d taken her without regards to her feelings on the subject.
Don’t pity me. Her voice was weak, but it was there in his mind. She’d used their link.
I don’t pity you. I’m amazed and humbled by you, Tariq assured her. I could not have done what you did, suffered as you’ve suffered, not without becoming a killer the likes of which this world has never seen. How you managed to maintain your goodness in the face of all the cruelty you endured, I’ll never know.
She sighed in his mind. I’m tired.
The weariness he heard in her voice went beyond the physical. It delved all the way to his Heart’s Blood soul. Rest. I’m with you, and I won’t leave you. I promise things will be different now.
Reyna didn’t respond. Tariq sensed exhaustion had once more pulled her under. As he held her closed he made her a silent vow: Never again will you feel unloved and unwanted.
Over the next three days, Tariq didn’t allow Reyna to do anything but eat and sleep. When she tired of the bed, he toted her to the couch and lay with her as they watched movies. Or he prepared luxurious bubble baths for her to relax in. He didn’t leave the apartment and no one but the doctor was allowed to enter.
During their seclusion, his Heart’s Blood opened to him like never before. Tariq would have been ecstatic if not for the feeling he was her choice of last resort. As the Felini male had feared, this last incident had been one too many. Reyna distanced herself from everyone who had anything to do with her past.
Jorlan had traveled to his den on the first day of Reyna’s convalescence to pack a suitcase of her clothing. When he returned, he brought the suitcase to Tariq’s apartment. “Here’s a few of her things to tide her over until she decides what she’s going to do. I’d like to see Reyna, if I may.”
“She’s still sleeping,” Tariq said.
“I’ll wait.” True to his word, Jorlan camped outside the door to Tariq’s apartment with his laptop and smartphone. The man turned the hallway into his office. Tariq saw him still sitting there every time food was delivered or the doctor dropped by to check on his patient’s progress, and couldn’t help admiring his determination.
Alvaro also remained in constant contact. How’s Reyna? I’d like to see my daughter.
As with Jorlan, Tariq explained his blood mate simply wasn’t up to the task of visiting with him. She’s worn out. Doctor Silas has restricted visitors until she’s regained her strength.
How soon before he lifts the restriction? I’d like the opportunity to tell my side of the story. When Isabella told me what Reyna and the rest of the pride had been led to believe, I was appalled. Tariq could hear the repressed fury in Alvaro’s voice and knew it would take his friend a long time to get over it.
I’ll let you know as soon as he has. Tariq hesitated. Alvaro, a word of warning. It will be up to Reyna if she sees you. I’ve done enough damage by interfering. I’ll encourage her to talk with you, but I won’t push.
I’ll be forever grateful to you. Because of your interference, I now have the family I thought had been denied to me with the supposed death of my Heart’s Blood. I believe Reyna will see me, when she’s ready. I won’t drag you into the middle of it, Alvaro promised.
Now that Reyna’s health wasn’t such a concern, Tariq felt free to ask, Alvaro, what happened with the Felini leader?
In a tone as cold as ice, Alvaro said, Isabella’s father is no longer a problem.
Tariq made a mental note to ask Conall later what had transpired.
Despite Alvaro’s bold words and easy confidence, Reyna continued to refuse to see any of them—Jorlan, Alvaro, or Isabella. Isabella hadn’t yet requested to see her daughter, but Tariq assumed she’d come with Alvaro when he came to visit. Every time he broached the topic of her family with Reyna, her denial was instant. “Tell them to go away. I don’t want to see or talk to them.”
Because she was still regaining her strength, Tariq hadn’t insisted. She’d tried to bury her pain but it was still there beneath the surface like a nagging tooth ache that wouldn’t go away. He could see it in the tears she tried to hide from him. Feel it in her long silences. The weight of depression hung like a cloud in the atmosphere around her.
On the morning of the fourth day, Tariq made a command decision. While his blood mate’s physical condition had improved drastically, her mental and emotional state were deteriorating. He had to do something to stop it. So while Reyna lay sleeping—something she did more and more as her melancholy increased—Tariq went and opened the apartment door. As expected, Jorlan sat working in the hallway. One of his staff members had been kind enough to provide him with a chair and a small desk.
“She still hasn’t asked to see you,” Tariq warned, “but I made you a promise. She’s in the room sleeping. I told her I wouldn’t leave so you’ll have to deal with my presence.”
Jorlan dropped what he was doing and sprang to his feet. “I don’t care. I just need to see for myself she’s all right.”
He brushed past Tariq and strode toward the bedroom’s entrance. Once there, Jorlan simply stood in the doorway gazing at Reyna. From this angle, Tariq couldn’t see his face but noted the way the male’s shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep, stabilizing breath. Then with his posture erect, he sauntered over to the bed and climbed under the covers next to her.
Had Jorlan been any other male, Tariq would have ripped off his head and eviscerated him, but this man had raised Reyna. In a very real sense, Jorlan was Reyna’s father. So he leaned against the door jab and watched the unfolding drama.
Jorlan nuzzled her throat, buried his face in her neck, and purred. The deep rumbling sound vibrated through the room. Reyna mewled, snuggled closer, and tried to burrow into him.
“Kitten, wake up,” the Felini murmured, brushing her hair off her face.
“Jorlan?” His Heart’s Blood voice was thick with sleep and confusion.
“I’m here now. It’s okay,” Jorlan said and hauled her into a bear hug.
Tariq thought she’d fight him, try to resist his hold. Instead Reyna collapsed into his embrace like this is what she’d been waiting for and needed. The tears came then, harsh sobs which racked her entire body. Jorlan rubbed her back, stroked her hair, and murmured tender reassurances in her ear. The male’s eyes were damp.
Watching the two of them, Tariq acknowledged he’d never replace this male in Reyna’s life or her affections. Their bond went deeper than blood. It was as it should be, he thought. A father’s love had no equal. Suddenly, he felt sorry for Alvaro. His friend wanted to be a father to his daughter and the position was already taken.
Feeling like an intruder, Tariq retreated to the living room and gave the two the privacy they needed.