"I will do anything for her, but she has to bite me for the Blood Rites to take place. Drinking my blood is not enough."

"Maybe if you continue to give her your blood she will get strong enough to stay conscious," Sally said in a hopeful tone.

Costin brushed Sally's hair from her face and smiled at her when she leaned into his touch. "You are amazing," he whispered to her.

She looked at him, confused. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you refuse to think the worst, and only think of possibilities that result in a positive outcome."

Sally blushed,."Jen's a fighter. She would be pissed if she thought I didn't think she could make it."

Decebel stood over Jennifer. She lay still but for the movements of her breathing. Sally had brought him several towels and a large blanket to put over her. She'd also brought him a large bowl with warm water in it, and washcloths to clean his mate. He leaned down to kiss Jen.

"I will be as gentle as I can, love," he whispered as he dipped the washcloth in the warm water. After squeezing out the excess, he began to softly wipe her face, removing any trace of blood. Then he washed her arms and hands and dried them. The entire time, Decebel talked to her. He told her about the life he remembered and how he didn't remember the good things. All the while he protected her modesty by keeping the blanket over as much of her as he could.

When he finally removed her shirt, the breath felt like it had been punched from his lungs and he fell to his knees at the sight.

The door flew open at the sound of Decebel's  knees hitting the floor. His head snapped up immediately and he simultaneously covered Jen with the blanket. His eyes were glowing as he snarled at the intruder.

"GET OUT!"

Sally paled and after seeing that Jen was still breathing, slammed the door shut.

Decebel gently pulled the sheet back again and couldn't stop his hand from lifting and his fingers from tracing the markings that ran along her right side from under her arm to down below the waistline of the sweat pants she wore. Markings that were identical to his. At that thought his head jerked up and he quickly re-covered Jennifer. He stood and walked over to the bathroom attached to the room. He pulled his shirt over his head and looked in the mirror.

Decebel's eyes watched in wonder as his markings changed before his very eyes. The marks that covered the right side of his back and shoulder now began to move like a vine up the right side of his neck and down his right arm to the wrist. Several moments after the vine-like movement had stopped, Decebel continued to stare. He might not remember Jen, but his body did – his soul knew she was his.

He pulled his shirt back over his head and finished cleaning up his mate and getting her more comfortable.

As he covered her with a blanket after having dressed her inthe clean clothes that Peri had brought him, he watched her chest rise and fall, taking solace in that sight. He moved to the other side of the bed and lay down, careful not to jar her. He propped himself up on his elbow, head supported by his hand, and stared at her beautiful face. She was still so very pale, but to his relief she did look better than when Costin had brought her through the forest.

There was a soft knock at the door. Without turning to see who it was, he said, "Come in."

Sally peeked her head in. "Are you both alright?"

"She is breathing, clean, and with me. For now that will have to be enough."

Sally stepped far enough into the room that she could close the door behind her.

"Decebel," she started, then paused, trying to gather her thoughts. Still he did not turn his face from Jennifer. "Do you remember her at all?"

"My wolf recognizes her, knows her scent. But if you're asking if I have memories of her and I together, the answer is still no."

"Are you willing to do the Blood Rites with her?"

That question got him to turn and look at Sally.

He sat up on the edge of the bed, but left his left hand resting gently on Jennifer's leg.

"Have a seat, healer. We need to talk." Decebel motioned to the chair across from him.

When Sally was seated, her hands folded in her lap, Decebel met her honey brown eyes with his amber ones. He took a deep breath and let it out before he spoke.

"I will not do the Blood Rites without her fully conscious and making the choice herself."

"Not even to save her life?" Sally asked calmly, without any accusation in her voice.

"The Blood Rites are sacred, and intense. I cannot take that choice from her. Besides, she might not want to complete the bond while I do not remember her. Who wants to be mated to someone who doesn’t know you?"

"But you will remember her once the bond is done," Sally implored.

"Says who? The Fae? She is not pack – she does not know of our ways, our magic." Decebel growled.

"At least think about it. Don't make any rash decisions while your emotions are so chaotic." Sally stood and stepped out of the room.

Decebel once again turned and laid down next to Jennifer.  He shut his eyes and took a deep breath to get his emotions under control. As he lay there, a song kept creeping into his mind and he couldn't get over how well it fit his situation. He laid his hand gently on her stomach and inched a little closer. In a voice that was surprisingly beautiful and haunting, Decebel began to sing to his mate:

"When I lose my way and I forget my name, remind me who I am.

In the mirror all I see is who I don't want to be, remind me who I am.