left my sire’s aegis so that we could be together. I’m sure she’s curious.”
“She’s a really, really powerful vampire who rules Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.” She swatted at his hand in annoyance. “I’m an “I’unemployed writer. What on earth are we going to talk about?”
“I don’t know. But you are also my mate and she has been in talks with Carwyn and Brigid about something for weeks now. Something to do with both of us, I suspect. So just be pleasant and try not to interrogate her if you get curious.”
“I wouldn’t interrogate her!”
He laughed. “Yes, you would.”
“Questioning is not interrogating.”
“So you say, my love.”
“Don’t…” She held up a finger. He’d been doing that—calling her “my love” and something in Chinese she didn’t understand, which probably meant “my perpetual headache” or something equally endearing. It didn’t matter. When he said it in that low, sexy voice she melted every time. “Don’t call me ‘my love’ just so you can—What are you doing?”
He had stopped a few feet down the hall from the living room, before kneeling in front of her and framing her face with his hands. “I’m proposing to you.”
Despite her annoyance, she blushed. “W…what? Here?”
“Yes.” He reached in his pocket.
Her voice squeaked. “Now?”
“Whatever happens in that room,” he said, pulling out a ring from his pocket, “I do not want anyone to question my commitment to you. You are not just a human under my aegis. Vampire or not, I consider you my mate. And I am asking you to be my wife. Officially.”
They’d talked about it. Natalie had even assumed it, but seeing him down on one knee, ring in hand, made her fall in love with him all over again. This startling creature, this inhuman marvel, wanted her to spend the rest of her life with him. And more. She knew he wanted more, but he was patient. As different as they were, they were perfect together.
“Yes,” she said simply. “Of course yes. I would be honored to be your wife.”
She knew she’d said the right thing when his face lit with a joy she’d never seen from him, spilling out of his eyes, his smile. He lit up from within as he slid a simple solitaire over her finger. Not a diamond, a light blue stone. Blue, like the water he commanded.
“It’s the color of your eyes,” he said quietly. “Is it—”
“It’s perfect,” she said. “I love it.” She pulled his collar and kissed him, claiming his mouth, claiming everything he was for her own. Her body hummed in awareness of his. Weeks recuperating had led to one very frustrated Natalie. She didn’t want to go to a meeting; she wanted him alone. Her body missed his, and she was not very good at being patient.
“Natalie,” he growled, pulling away with regret. “Soon.”
“Soon.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wishing they could escape as she gathered her nerves and said, “Okay, let’s go meet the new vampire.”
He stood and started pushing her chair again. “You’ll be fine. Just be polite. Respectful. Don’t interrogate.”
“I told you—” She broke off when Brigid pushed the door open, obviously hearing them in the hall. When Natalie entered, she was surprised by how young the powerful Katya looked. The vampire looked as if she’d been turned when she was around eighteen. She was small, blond, and lovely, with warm brown eyes and angelic features. Despite her seeming innocence, Natalie could spot the keen intelligence behind her gaze.
“Natalie, Baojia,” she said, rising to her feet. She was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a sweater nd a swethat seemed at odds with the formal room, but somehow, she still commanded it. “May I be the first to offer my congratulations?”
“Oh, right.” Natalie realized Katya had heard everything from down the hall and tried to remember if she’d said anything adoringly stupid. “Thanks.”
“Thank you, Katya,” Baojia said more formally. “It is very nice to see you. I hope your visit to Los Angeles has been productive.”
Her eyes sparkled with interest. “Very. So many interesting things have been happening lately. I almost feel as if I’ve missed out on the fun.”
Baojia wheeled Natalie over next to an armchair and everyone sat at once. Carwyn and Brigid were on the sofa, facing the fireplace. Katya sat casually across from Baojia and Natalie.
“Baojia, I want to offer you a job,” she said directly. “I think you have been underutilized, and I have a particular position I think you’d be