Kiss of Midnight_ A Midnight Breed Novel - Lara Adrian [675]
“There’s more,” he said, hoping they would enjoy the rest of his surprise. He stood up and took each of them by the hand. “Gome with me.”
He led them up the corridor to the elevator that climbed from the subterranean headquarters to the large mansion that sat topside. He could feel Renata’s apprehension in her loose grasp and in the spike of adrenaline that edged into her bloodstream.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered against her ear. “You’ll enjoy this, I promise.”
At least, he hoped she would. He’d been working on it for the past day and a half, trying to get everything just right. He guided Renata and Mira into the heart of the estate, toward the candlelit warmth of the formal dining room. The aromas of baked bread and roasted meat drifted out to greet them. Niko himself had no appreciation for human food, but the Breedmates living at the compound certainly did, and judging from the looks he was getting from the two females walking along at his side, they did too.
Renata’s astonishment shone in her eyes. “You cooked dinner?”
“Hell, no. Believe me, I’m the last person you’d want in charge of your meals. I pulled some favors from Savannah, Gabrielle, and the other women. Your stomach is in very good hands.”
“But I was just with all of them earlier today and no one said anything about this.”
“I wanted to surprise you. They wanted to surprise you, too.”
She didn’t say anything more, and he couldn’t help noticing that Renata’s steps had slowed the closer they got to the dining room. Mira, however, was crackling with excitement. As soon as they reached the arched entryway, she broke away from Niko’s loose hold and ran into the gathering, chattering a mile a minute as though she’d lived there all her life.
But not Renata.
She was silent, unmoving. She took one look inside at the table full of dishes and fine porcelain settings and drew in a shallow breath. She said nothing as she looked at the faces of the warriors and their Breedmates, every gaze lifted in welcome as she and Nikolai stood at the door.
“Oh, God,” she finally whispered, her voice broken and raw.
Niko followed her as she backed away, turning into the hallway like she wanted to bolt.
Damn it. He’d been so sure she would enjoy a nice dinner with everyone, but obviously he’d been wrong.
When she spoke to him, her voice was choked with emotion. “Everyone’s waiting in there … for us?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, drawing her into his arms. “I wanted to do something special for you, and I screwed it up. I’m sorry. You don’t have to do this—”
“Nikolai.” She looked up at him, her eyes glittering with tears. “I’ve never seen anything lovelier than that table in there, with everyone gathered around it.”
He frowned, baffled now. “Then what’s wrong?”
She shook her head, swallowed a strangled laugh. “Nothing’s wrong. That’s just it. Nothing is wrong at all. I’m just so happy. You have made me so completely happy. I’m afraid to hold on to this feeling. I’ve never known what it was like, and I’m scared to death that it’s only a dream.”
“Not a dream,” he said gently, caressing the stray tear from her cheek. “And you can hold on to me if you feel afraid. I’m going to be here beside you as long as you’ll have me.”
“Forever,” she said, beaming up at him.
Nikolai nodded. “Yes, love. Forever.”
Renata’s elated laugh bubbled out of her. She kissed him hard, then nestled up against his side and walked with him under the shelter of his arm, back to join the others. Back to join the rest of their family.
About the Author
With family roots stretching back to the Mayflower, author Lara Adrian lives with her husband in coastal New England, surrounded by centuries-old graveyards, hip urban comforts, and the endless inspiration of the broody Atlantic Ocean. To learn more about Lara and her novels, please visit www.LaraAdrian.com.
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in Lara Adrian’s bestselling series
ASHES OF MIDNIGHT
Coming from Dell in May 2009