She rested both hands on his chest and poured all her power into him, but it wasn’t enough. She could feel that he was still slipping away.
A strong hand clamped on her shoulder. Andre. “Use my power!” he ordered.
She took him at his word and felt an increase in her energy, then a smaller one as Beth took Andre’s hand.
Not enough,not enough.She remembered how they’d knitted the energy of several family members together to bring their power to Cade when they were in France. She could do that again. Shewoulddo it again!
She reached fiercely for her most powerful family members. Bran, as close to Cade as two brothers could be. Merryn, who also loved Cade and would do anything to spare her husband the devastation of losing his brother. Rhys, the powerful and protective father who had always given everything he had to give. Gwyn with the power of her healing gifts and her compassion. Cameron, the next brother, who had always looked up to Cade and Bran.
One by one she grasped the power of every member of the Tribe of Tremayne, all the way down to six-year-old Emily. She felt their shock at this invasion of their minds, but as soon as they understood what she was doing, they freely poured their power through her into Cade.Heal, heal, heal . . . !
Slowly Cade’s life force brightened and she felt his heartbeat growing stronger. As he grew stronger, she grew weaker, but she couldn’t stop, not until she was sure that he was safe.
The river of power flowing through her began to diminish when the others had given all they could. Just a little more to be sure....
She felt the wet earth on her face as she fainted, then felt no more.
CHAPTER38
Tamsyn emerged from the depths of darkness to a soft light and her own familiar bed. Disoriented, she opened her eyes and whispered, “Mama?”
The mattress dipped as Gwyn moved to sit next to her. She was beautiful and blond and Tamsyn would look very much like her in future years. Except that Gwyn was taller. Everyone was taller than Tam.
Her mother rested a warm hand on Tam’s forehead. “You’re all right now, aren’t you, my dearest girl? How do you feel?”
“Beyond . . . exhausted.” With sudden horror, she tried to sit up but sagged weakly back onto the bed. “Cade!Is he all right?” She thought she could sense him, but that might have been hope rather than truth.
“He’s in the room next to this one, somewhat battered but less drained than you, I think.” Gwyn brushed back Tam’s damp hair. “When Cade was well enough to be moved, that nice young Mr. Jameson organized transportation to bring you home. He rode with you the whole way.”
Tamsyn exhaled with relief. “Andre is wonderful. We’ve decided that he’s a Tremayne cousin. Can we keep him?”
Gwyn laughed. “He’s already created a place for himself!”
Thinking back to that dizzying river of power she’d created to save Cade, Tam asked, “Did I drain everyone in the family? It was extremely rude to pull all that power without asking first, but I couldn’t think of anything else that might work,”
“The power was freely given, and there’s no one as exhausted as you.” Gwyn’s hand came down to hold Tamsyn’s. “You’ve explored new territory, my love. Rhys and I have never seen such a blending of energies. It was amazing.” Her voice caught. “Cade would have died if not for you. I would have lost my oldest son.”
Tam closed her eyes, shaking at the memory of how close it had been. “I wouldn’t have been able to bear that,” she said in a raw whisper, knowing it was time for the confession. “Cade and I had decided that as soon as we reached Tremayne House, we would tell you that we’re in love and want to be together always. We’ve hoped you won’t exile us from the family, but we realize that there is much potential for grave damage. We’re prepared to move away so we won’t cause more trouble.”
“It was quite a shock to recognize how you felt about each other,” Gwyn said wryly. “I was perhaps . . . not as shocked as everyone else. I knew that you and Cade had a special bond, but I didn’t realize that you would fall in love like this.”
Tam opened her eyes. “We’re not blood kin, but wewereraised as brother and sister and we feared that we’d be exiled. Have we horrified some of the younger Tremaynes? Neither of us want to hurt anyone.”
“We would never have exiled you!” Her mother squeezed her hand. “But I agree that if you two had just showed up and announced that you were in love, it would have been much more difficult. You and Cade are so important to everyone in the family that it would have been a devastating shock for some of the younger children to learn that your relationship had changed so drastically. Most have come from difficult backgrounds, and they need to feel that they are safe. That their new world is firm beneath their feet.”
“That’s just what we feared,” Tam said hesitantly. “But from the way you’re talking, it sounds as if that hasn’t happened?”
“No, because your call for help was propelled by the intensity of your great love for each other,” Gwyn said softly. “Every Tremayne felt that love right down to their marrow. They loved you already as individuals and now they love the two of you together. You changed everyone’s mind about what is acceptable.”
“Really?” Tam breathed. “It seems . . . too good to be true.”
“Really.” Gwyn smiled. “It was a drastic way to announce that you two want to marry, but very effective.”
Tam closed her eyes against tears. “It was agonizing to think I might have to choose between the family and Cade,” she whispered. “I would have chosen Cade, but it would have hurt forever if we’d lost everyone else.” She thought of young Emily, who had arrived at Tremayne House terrified and weeping. She hadn’t slept until she fell asleep in Tamsyn’s arms.
“Luckily, you won’t have to lose anyone,” Gwyn said. “Cade’s near-death experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
The door to Tam’s bedroom opened and Cade limped in with his arm slung over Rhys’s shoulders. Tam was surprised to notice that Cade was a little taller. His left arm was bandaged and he looked thoroughly bruised and abraded, but he was definitely alive.
