Page 49 of Protecting His Treasure

Chapter Ten

Sinclair

Christmas Cheer….

Christmas arrived, bringing with it a snowstorm.

They remained inside, snuggled up together. Sin had already cooked them a delicious dinner, with Lee’s help, of course. According to Kaede, it was the best meal he’d ever had. She couldn’t deny that his praise boosted her ego a bit. Under their little pink Christmas tree, there were a dozen presents.

The children in the village had made her jewelry. Lee made her more of that amazing hair oil. Even Marta, the chef, had given her a gift. It was a T-Shirt, with the words, Warrior Witch, sewn on the front. Sin loved it. Marta was officially part of her squad. But it was Kaede’s gift that made her smile the most.

He saved his gift for last. She had to wait all day to open it. As they ate Christmas dinner, her eyes kept sneaking peeks at the last box under the tree. Even as they played born games that Sylvia had made them, she kept stealing glances to the box in the corner.

Every time she asked about the present, he told her to wait just a bit longer and then he’d find something else for them to do. Finally, just before bedtime, he told her she could open his present. Seated on the couch, she rubbed her hands together in anticipation. When she opened the box, her face lit up. She stared up at him with tears in her eyes.

“I know it’s not much,” he told her. “But, I know you missed the one you had.”

He remembered! “But, there’s two.” She lifted both red scarves from the box.

“You said your sister gave it to you. Now, when we return to the Mortal Plane one day, you can have one, and she can have one to match.”

Tears dripped down her cheeks. “That’s so thoughtful, Kaede. I love it. I love you.” She froze. Did she really just say that? Her eyes rose to his to see if he’d heard her declaration. From the look of shock on his face, she knew he had.

“What did you say?”

“Uh…”

“Say it again.”

“Say what?”

“Mate, don’t play with me. Say it again.”

There was no harm in admitting how she felt. Not now. They were a couple. She was no longer that female who wanted to shy away from love. She was now Kaede’s Oshiro’s mate. His warrior witch. The feelings were a blessing. Most creatures went their entire lifetimes without finding their life partner.

Those who get banished to other realms had an even lesser chance of finding theirs. Yet, somehow, someway, Kaede and her found each other. If that wasn’t a fated love, she didn’t know what was.

“Mate. I need to hear it again.”

Smiling, she told him. “I love you, Kaede Oshiro.”

A huge grin spread across his face. He pulled her into his lap, and rained kisses all over her face. Laughing, she half-heartedly tried to push him away. Was this another Christmas miracle? Her, Sinclair Rose, had fallen in love. It had to be because she was head over heels in love with her fiery dragon.

And it wasn’t just because he was sexy and he had a big dick. Those things were bonuses. She loved him because he loved her, flaws and all. He loved her curves, her wild hair, her sassy attitude, and the fact that she sometimes hogged the covers. He was her mate, her friend, her protector, her warrior, her partner in crime.

He was everything she never thought she needed, all wrapped up in a sexy package. And he had an inner dragon who worshipped her. How could she not love this male, this dragon? Kaede pulled her close.

“I love you too, Treasure,” he whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek. “No matter what the future holds, that’s one thing that will never change.”

He was right. Come what may, they’d battle it together. She’d finally found her happily ever after. If The Deciders thought they were going to take that from her, they were sorely mistaken. But they’d worry about that another night. Tonight, they would celebrate Christmas together. As the snowstorm raged outside, Sinclair Rose was inside, nestled in the warmth of her mate’s embrace.

“Treasure,” Kaede whispered.

“Yes, mate.”

“Say it again.”

She chuckled. “I love you, Kaede Oshiro. Forever and always.”