It frightened her to think there was a conspiracy to murder Mikhail. Her terror of losing him had partly been the reason she'd suggested a huge celebration of Christmas. Although not a holiday usually celebrated by the Carpathians, many of the previously human lifemates, including Raven, missed not having Christmas. She also needed something to take her mind off her growing fears for his safety.

Mikhail lifted his head, retaining possession of her chin. «There is no need for you to fear for my safety, Raven.»

The smile faded from Raven's face and she took a step away from her lifemate. «There is every need.» She glanced toward the forest, a hitch in her breath. «Someone is coming.»

«A youngster, Raven, no one to be afraid of.» Mikhail brought her palm to his mouth to press a kiss in the center. «I've never seen you so nervous.»

«I try to accept what we cannot change, Mikhail, but as the years have gone by, the danger to you has increased. I try to live as normal a life as possible, but I cannot even now, when it is imperative to protect you, overcome my loathing of sleeping in the ground. My terror of being buried alive makes us more vulnerable than ever.» Ashamed, she ducked her head, avoiding his eyes.

Raven. My love. He bent his head once more to hers, his lips brushing hers with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes. «I made you a promise and I mean to keep it. You do not ever have to sleep beneath the ground. The earth rejuvenates us in our chamber and there is no need to feel you have in any way placed my life in danger. You are my life. I cannot allow you ever to be in danger. If I thought sleeping in our chamber was dangerous, I would find another way.»