Free Taken by Desiree Broussard

pull himself out. He fell on the floor on his back, his chest heaving. At her first sight of his face, Keely couldn't help but snicker. Kosmas was dressed as Santa Clause, even down to the white beard and wig. They were no longer the pure shade she was sure they once were, though. Now, his entire face was covered with soot. Black, wet soot.
    Lowering the poker down to her side in disbelief, she laughed out loud. Kosmas glared up at her, his black eyes filled with his indignation. If he thought his glower would subdue her, though, he was wrong. If anything, it only added to her amusement.
    “Laugh it up,” he bit out, rolling over again to come to his feet. His movements were slow, as if he were in pain. “You won't find it too funny when you're picking shards of wood out of my ass.” He crossed his arms as he faced her, his voice sulky.
    “What are you doing?” she asked him, finally calming down enough to speak again. “Why didn't you just use the door.”
    His lips tightened, his eyes moving away. Just when she thought he wouldn't answer, he confessed, “I wanted to make it magical for you.”
    “Oh,” she muttered softly, no longer amused by the situation. Despite her hurt, Keely felt... touched. Laying the poker down, she turned back to face him, but words escaped her. After everything that had already happened, where was she supposed to go from there?
    He took a step closer. “The night isn't over yet, though,” he added softly, his suddenly warm eyes scanning her face with a look that made her blush. Picking her up, he quickly squatted just enough to grab his bag. “I have a surprise for you.”
    “Tonight?” she squeaked, thrilled to be in his arms again. Her heart rate quickened in excitement. God, how badly she'd missed this side of him. She just hoped his playfulness was the start of a new beginning.
    “Yes, tonight,” he replied, his deep voice rumbling in his wide chest. He smelled of soot, but it didn't matter. Not when they had the chance to work things out. Kosmas opened the newly replaced door before carrying her down the hallway. “This surprise can't wait.”
    “I can't wait to see it, then,” she replied, winding her arms around his neck. She was curious, but even more, she was ecstatic just to be with him. “Merry Christmas, by the way.”
    “I think that was supposed to be my line,” he answered, in a wry voice. Kosmas moved fast, quickly taking her outside the palace. A snowflake fell on her face, as Keely gasped. Holding a hand out with her palm up, she marveled at the snow that quickly filled it. “I can't believe it,” she said breathlessly. “It's actually snowing?”
    “It's a Christmas miracle,” he told her, the huge beard on his face hiding his expression. “I couldn't believe it either.”
    Kosmas came to a stop at one of the entrances to the amphitheater. “Close your eyes,” he told her mischievously. “Don't open them until I tell you to.”
    Keely quickly complied, a small smile on her face. The temptation to peek was strong, but she managed not to peek. He was quiet for several seconds, the wind rushing past her as he moved. After a bit, he came to a stop. “Okay, you can open them.”
    Gently, he set her on her feet. Keely remained in his arms, though, as she slowly surveyed the area around them. “It's beautiful,” she managed to whisper, her throat tight with emotion. In a world that had never celebrated the holidays, with vampires that didn't understand what the concept really meant, he'd managed to do the impossible.
    The bland, even unappealing amphitheater had been turned into a Christmas wonderland. She couldn't even began to see how they'd managed to pull it off, especially in the short amount of time they'd had to complete it. The formerly open top had been partially closed off, enough to shelter the main areas where the celebration would take place. In the center of it all was a giant Christmas tree, decorated perfectly with lights and ornaments.