Emily's laugh draws my attention as she tears into Brax's gift—wrapped in Deadpool paper to annoy Lucian. Inside is a custom Marvel comic book with Brax and Emily as the main characters. The title reads "The Witch and the Demon: A Love Story (Now with 100% More Explosions!)". I catch glimpses of their adventures reimagined as superhero escapades, complete with Brax's signature snark in the dialogue bubbles.
"You made us into a comic book?" Emily laughs, flipping through the pages. "And why am I wearing a cape?"
"Because capes are awesome," Brax declares, still wearing Chris Hemsworth's face because he's a shit-stirrer. "And look, I even included our greatest hits—like that time you set my ass on fire. Literally. Page 12."
“It’s acloak!”Lucian corrects.
Next to them, Sable unwraps a sleek package from Damon to reveal the latest Kindle Paperwhite. Her squeal of delight makes us all smile.
"I noticed you've been devouring those steamy vampire romances faster than I drink blood," Damon teases, his voice warm despite the ribbing. "Figured you might appreciate something that doesn't leave evidence of your... literary tastes all over the mansion. Plus, I've already loaded it with the complete works of your favorite authors—including that series where the vampire has, and I quote, 'abs that could cut glass and a brooding stare that melts panties.'"
Sable's cheeks flush pink to match her bubblegum hair, but she clutches the Kindle to her chest like it's made of gold. "This is perfect," she whispers, kissing him.
"Just so we're clear," I call out, wiggling my eyebrows, "I'm totally borrowing that when you're done with the dirty parts. Call it research for my own love life." I gesture between Rhyland and me with a wink. "Though I might need to take notes—some of those positions require serious flexibility."
Rhyland chokes on his coffee beside me, and Sable throws a balled-up piece of wrapping paper at my head, her embarrassment melting into laughter.
"Oh mygod," Lucian groans, dramatically throwing his head back. "Can we go five goddamn minutes without hearing about your bedroom acrobatics? Some of us are trying to enjoy Christmas without picturing Rhyland's naked ass. Though—" he points his candy cane at Sable with sudden interest, "if that Kindle has that series with the vampire twins who share everything, I call dibs after Dani. Erik needs some educational material since he's been dead inside since the Renaissance."
Erik's eye twitches as he silently contemplates which of Lucian's limbs to remove first.
I sip my coffee and snuggle back against Rhyland's chest. His arms tighten around me automatically, and I feel his smile against my hair.
This right here—surrounded by our crazy, supernatural family, watching love stories unfold uniquely—is better than any Christmas I could have imagined, even if Brax is still trying to convince everyone to watch all three Thor movies as our Christmas marathon.
Perfect doesn't begin to cover it. Perfectly chaotic, maybe. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Rhyland
81
Watching my makeshift family celebrate makes my chest tighten with fierce pride, even if Lucian can't keep his mouth shut for five fucking minutes. This is the first Christmas in forever that's meant a damn thing to me. Seeing my mate's face light up like that—yeah, that's a memory I'm keeping forever.
"Hold the fucking phone and rewind!" Lucian dramatically interrupts. "Are we just going to ignore the fact that Thunder Struck over here hasn't given his Christmas present yet? Come on, Rhy-Rhy, don't be a holiday cheapskate. Did you at least get her a gift card to Amazon?"
Everyone's eyes swing to us like it's feeding time at the zoo. Dani's grin threatens to split her face in half as she looks up at me, that spark of mischief in her caramel eyes making my heart beat faster.
"Show them, baby," I rumble, my hand sliding possessively around her waist.
Dani sits up straight, practically vibrating with excitement as she extends her left hand. "Oh, you mean this little thing?" she says with mock innocence, wiggling her fingers so the 4-carat diamond throws sparkles across the room. "Turns out Rhyland finally decided to make an honest woman out of me."
The custom-designed platinum band hugs her delicate finger perfectly, just like she fits perfectly against me.
Seraphina gasps, her hands flying to cover her mouth, golden eyes wide with angelic wonder. "Oh, Dani..."
"And before you ask, Lucian—yes, I'm fully aware I'm marrying a grumpy, possessive, ancient-as-dirt vampire. But he's my grumpy, possessive, ancient-as-dirt vampire."
Lucian throws his hands up dramatically. "You just had to go and beat everyone in the gift-giving department, didn't you? What happened to the brotherhood pact of 'reasonably priced presentsso nobody looks bad'? Now my snow globe to Phina looks like toilet paper compared to your whole 'let's get hitched' extravaganza. Thanks for raising the bar to the stratosphere, asshole."
The girls swarm Dani like a pack of excited wolves, cooing over the ring and practically tackling her with hugs. I reluctantly let her go, watching with smug satisfaction as she shows off my claim on her.
"About damn time, you old fart," Emily snarks, elbowing me in the ribs before turning back to Dani. "And just so we're crystal clear, I've been this girl's Maid of Honor since we pinky-swore over wine coolers in high school. Though I gotta say, I pictured the groom with less brooding and more pulse."
I can't help the satisfied smirk spreading across my face as I watch them fuss over my mate. Yeah, I definitely won Christmas this year.
While everyone's cleaning up the massacre of wrapping paper, Emily clears her throat.
"Hold up. Got one more gift to deliver," she announces, turning to Bryn with an uncharacteristically nervous smile. "If Her Royal Valkyrie-ness will permit it?"
