Dark Celebration by Christine Feehan

again. "I love you very much, Jacques Dubrinsky. I really do." Her hands framed his face. "Are you ever going to get over that silly jealous streak?"
    "Is that what it is? I thought it was feelings of inadequacy—that you might suddenly wake up one morning and realize I am more trouble than I am worth." He turned his head to brush her fingers with a kiss.
    "That could never happen, Jacques, not in a million years. Don't worry about Eileen Fitzpatrick. I'll know if she's lying to me."
    "You want family so much, Shea, maybe you will not be able to tell."
    "I have a family, Jacques. You are my family. You and our son and Mikhail and Raven and Gregori and Savannah. I am not deprived. And despite my hormones running amok, I would not endanger our loved ones for a stranger even if she is a relative. I had hoped she would have stories of my mother's childhood, but if not, I will only be disappointed, not devastated."
    Jacques turned his face away, happiness bursting through him like the unexpected eruption of a volcano. "Roll over," he instructed gruffly. "I'll rub your back for you." He couldn't look at her, couldn't face her when his vulnerability would be so starkly naked. Men just shouldn't be so dependent on their women, not even lifemates.
    "I have a beach ball for a stomach, Jacques," she pointed out. "There's no rolling."
    "On your side then," he suggested.
    Shea was silent for a long moment before catching his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her. "You're my life too, Jacques, my entire world. All those things you feel for me—I feel for you."
    "Even though I can't let go of you and always have to be a shadow in your mind?" He forced himself to look into her eyes—into her heart—to read her mind.
    He found unconditional love.
    "Especially because you stay with me. I treasure that in you." Shea traced his mouth with her fingertip. "A woman cherishes being loved, Jacques, and you know how to love me."

Chapter 3

     
    "What is that terrible racket?" Mikhail said in greeting as Aidan Savage opened the door to the large cabin. Mikhail hadn't seen him in several years and he couldn't help smiling as he clasped Aidan's forearms in a warrior's greeting.
    Aidan's unusual eyes glittered like two ancient gold coins. "You honor us, Mikhail, with your presence."
    "Please tell me Byron's nephew, Josef, is not already here visiting." Mikhail hesitated in the doorway, the lines in his face deepening in disapproval.
    "This seems to be the place to gather. Josh has a new video game Alexandria designed and everyone wants to try it. Josef is definitely here," he added in warning as he stepped back to allow Mikhail entrance.
    Mikhail paused, one foot in the air. "Perhaps we should have Byron send for him immediately."
    Aidan smirked. "You say that as if he's a vampire."
    "I would rather face a vampire. I was hoping he might stay in Italy. Byron probably brought him along as a practical joke."
    "He is rather entertaining once you get past his exuberant manners," Aidan said.
    Mikhail's dark eyebrows drew together. "He draws attention to himself, and does not practice the most basic of our skills."
    "I did see him take a plunge off the roof this evening and when he shifted shape, he only made it partway."
    "You sound amused," Mikhail said with a sigh. "He is in his twenties. We can no longer afford for our children to take so many years to grow up."
    Aidan shook his head. "He's a mere teen in our years, Mikhail. We have lived far too long in the world of humans and have begun to think as they do. Our children deserve a childhood, Mikhail. I enjoy watching young Joshua grow. Josef is happy and healthy…"
    "Joshua is human. Josef is not. And the world has become a much more dangerous place for our kind, Aidan," Mikhail pointed out. "We are surrounded by enemies and our women and children are the most vulnerable. We need Josef and in order to ensure his safety, he must learn the ways of our people. Can he even weave his own