«It has just occurred to me that I have a son-in-law.»
A slow, answering grin spread over Raven's face even as she gasped in shock, one hand flying to her throat. «You wouldn't. Not Gregori. He'll scare all the children. He couldn't look jolly if he tried.»
«We let him take our daughter from us,» Mikhail said. «I think as his father-in-law he will have a hard time turning me down.»
«And you say I have a wicked sense of humor,» Raven accused.
«Where do you think I got it?» Mikhail nuzzled her neck, his voice a husky whisper.
The familiar answering tingle of excitement shot down her spine. Raven loved the way Mikhail's every touch seemed so intimate. «He'll never do it. Not in a million years and you'll still have to, but I'd love to see his face when you ask.»
«I have no intention of asking,» Mikhail said, straightening to his full height. «I'm his prince as well as his father-in-law and he is my second in command and son-in-law. It is his duty to do these things.»
«You can't order him to play Santa Claus.» Raven tried desperately to keep her laughter from spilling over. Gregori was one of the most fearsome men she'd ever met. The idea of even considering him in the part of Santa Claus was both hilarious and ludicrous to her.
«I believe that I can, Raven,» Mikhail said solemnly. «You ordered me, and I'm the prince.»
Raven made a snickering sound. «I suppose you'd prefer I groveled at your feet.»
His hands framed her face and he bent to take possession of her mouth. He loved her mouth-her taste-her instant response. I could kiss you for all time.
Good thing since you dragged me kicking and screaming into your world. Raven closed her eyes and gave herself up to the sheer magic of his kiss. Her arms stole around his neck and she leaned into him, wanting to feel the imprint of his body so real and alive against hers. There had been too many assassination attempts on Mikhail. Just recently they had lost one of their homes in a fierce battle fighting the combined forces of Razvan, a mage, and vampires. It had been unheard of for vampires to band together, let alone band with any other species.