Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

not become sexually mature so quickly. She is, Gabriel, whether you like it or not." Francesca held up her hand when he would have protested. "Of course she's too young to be bound to him, but that doesn't mean that technically it couldn't happen. She has to overcome her past and who knows if she is going to be able to do that. She has scars in her mind that even I can't erase.
    I can't even find her memories of her childhood before the atrocities started. He has to know that. He has to be prepared to be gentle and kind and patient with her. It's inevitable that they will be together, Gabriel."
    He turned away from her, fists clenched. As he turned, she caught the flash of fangs and he suddenly opened his hands—his fingers curling into lethal claws. Gabriel threw back his head and roared with rage. The sound shook the house and in the next room, Tamara began to cry. He whirled back to face Francesca. "She is not going to be forced by this—this werewolf into anything."
    Francesca gasped at the insult. "You're acting like a crazy man, Gabriel. Is this how it will be with all of our daughters?"
    "No daughter of mine is going to be forced into anything." He turned back to her, black eyes blazing with anger.
    "Like I was?" Francesca pinned him with her gaze.
    "That is entirely different."
    "Why? Because it was you? Gabriel, you have to be reasonable about this. We have to handle this right for both of them. Skyler isn't going to be able to accept him, especially if you act like a crazy father sharpening your fangs."

    "Gabriel? Francesca? Is everything all right?" Skyler stepped into the room carrying the baby. "Tamara is distressed. She's never heard her father upset like this before—and neither have I." She looked about to cry. "Are you fighting over me? You never fight. Never . I'll do whatever you want me to do."
    Francesca went to her immediately and wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulders, baby and all. "Of course we argue, Skyler. Just not out loud. I'm sorry we upset you. Adults often have differences of opinions."
    "We wouldn't if you'd agree with everything I say," Gabriel groused.
    Francesca rolled her eyes at Skyler and flashed a small half smile. "Ignore him. I'm always right and we both know it. And right now, we have things to do that are fun. Fun , Gabriel." She flashed him a small warning look. "Skyler, come help me make these gingerbread houses for tonight's dinner. Gabriel is going to help us."
    Gabriel took a deep, calming breath, forcing the air to move through his lungs, to remove the swirling rage that seemed to boil in his veins and churn in his gut. He breathed it away and tried to find his center. The last thing he wanted to do was upset Skyler further or get the baby crying.
    "That's blackmail," he grumbled, but winked at Skyler. He held out his arms for the baby, took her and bent to kiss the top of Skyler's head. "We were not fighting over you, little human chickie, only over what is best for you. And it was not a fight, simply a heated discussion. We are both in agreement. No man is ever going to be good enough for you and you need to stay with us forever."
    Skyler's look of alarm faded and she burst into laughter. " Forever ?! think by the time I'm eight hundred you would want to throw me out."
    "Never, baby," Francesca assured her, brushing back strands of hair from Skyler's face.
    She touched one of the crescent shaped scars that had failed, even with Carpathian blood, to heal. And Skyler's worst scars were where no one would ever see. "You will always be our beloved daughter."
    "You want to lick the frosting bowl instead of giving it to me, don't you?" Skyler teased.
    "Too much sugar for you," Francesca said, laughing. "Come on, we don't have a lot of time to put this together. I hope the instructions are easy. I've never actually constructed a gingerbread house before and Raven wanted several to use as the centerpieces for the tables."
    "The pressure is on," Gabriel taunted. He kissed Tamara and winked. "Let's see how the female members of the household do."
    "Like you're going to get out of helping us," Skyler said, grabbing his hand and tugging.
    "I'm going to paint your face with frosting while I'm at it. Tamara will love that, won't you, baby girl?"
    The anger was gone, but apprehension at the future had taken its place. Gabriel pretended reluctance as his lifemate and daughters dragged him into the kitchen, laughter bubbling around them and driving away a little bit of the