Page 7 of Christmas Embrace

Tristan shot him a hard glare. “Seriously?”

“Okay, okay. I’m a vampire not a dead man. Not that it’s any of your business but…” Kade stopped speaking, listening to make sure she’d left the house. He lowered his voice. “I’m going to propose.”

“You’re already engaged,” Tristan told him.

“I was engaged. This is a do over.” Kade waved them off and put his mug into the sink. “Plenty of wooing going on.”

“I’ll never understand vampires. Good thing us wolves just mate and get it over with.”

“I know what I’m doing.” Kade turned to them and smiled, changing the subject. “It’s time to go, boys. I’ll just nip upstairs and be back down in a few minutes. I’m ready for some blood.”

“Now you’re talking, mate. Let’s hit the blood club before beignets.” Luca stood.

“Thank the Goddess all the romance talk is over.” Tristan laughed. “If I spend any more time with you guys, I might go into heat.”

“Y’all worry ‘bout yourselves. I’ve got this covered,” Kade assured them as he walked out of the kitchen and headed to go get dressed. Tonight he’d remind his feisty little detective, Sydney, of their love and win her heart and her hand in marriage.

Chapter Two

Sydney sucked a breath of fresh air as she shut the front door to the house. A chill ran through her body, and she tugged up her zipper, her black leather jacket not quite warm enough for Christmastime in New Orleans. She knew surviving the next two days would take every ounce of energy she possessed. Between the loss of her humanity and then losing Zachery, she’d been heartbroken.

Being turned into a vampire had nearly killed her. Emerging out of the darkness had given her hope that an eternity with Kade would be all she’d ever need to survive….until Zachery. As a human, she’d fought her desire to have children, knowing her life as a police officer put her in danger. But after getting engaged, the love in Kade’s eyes sparked a desire for his child, a family.

Her connection with Zachery had been serendipitous, one that transformed her life. She’d just wrapped up a murder case in the French Quarter when she heard the call come across the radio. From the second she held him in her arms, Sydney knew the child belonged with her.

It was only a month. One short month. Each day, minute, second, her love for him grew exponentially.

Giving him back to his birth mother had crushed her. Memories of Zachery lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the pain. She could not erase the sweet smell of the baby. The sound of his laughter. The smile on his face when she walked into the nursery. They’d renovated his room within days, confident he was in his forever home. Everything revolved around Zachery and life was perfect…until he was gone.

“Hmm, the tea is delicious. I would love some more.” Sydney offered her cup to the smiling toddler.

“Ya, ya, ya. Tookie? Tookie?” the little girl asked, flashing her wide blue eyes.

“What do you think, Syd?” Samantha asked from across the room. She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, studying the fine lace trim on her dress.

“I think you look amazing.” Sydney’s heart tightened as she admired her beautiful friend. Although genuinely happy for her, not having a child or a plan for getting married stung. Like a dark cloud, it hung heavy over Sydney’s head. Worse, she missed Zachery, unable to accept the circumstances.

“I’ll play. You go help Sam,” Dominique offered.

“Are you okay?” Sydney inwardly questioned her choice of words. “I meant…you sure you want to watch Kate?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course I’m okay,” she lied, settling on the floor next to Kate. “Go on. Sam needs you. It’s fine.”

“You sure?” The once ferocious vampire rarely spoke. Several months ago, she’d been rescued from a demon. Beaten and starved, it had been weeks before she’d uttered a word. She still had not opened up to Kade or Sydney about what had happened, although they had learned that prior to her being turned into a vampire, a demon had murdered her children.

“Yes. All good.” She turned to Kate with a broad smile. “Do you need more tea, mademoiselle?”

Sydney reached for the hot-pink clay teapot and pretended to pour tea. The toddler giggled, a cookie clutched in her chubby hands.

“Dear princess, your mommy needs my help, but this beautiful queen would love to play with you.” Sydney glanced at Dominique and frowned, turning to Kate. “Queen Dom seems to be missing her crown. Do you have one in your dress-up bin she could borrow?”

“Ya, ya, ya.” Kate’s eyes lit up in excitement as she ran off to search for a tiara.

“Thank you.” Sydney stood and bowed to Dominque, still in character. A small smile formed as she caught a hint of amusement in the vampire’s eyes.

“Syd,” Samantha called from across the room.

“The princess is all yours, my queen.” Sydney winked and quickly made her way across the room to Samantha.