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so. Unfortunately, Earth was full of orphans, their parents dead from disease or hunger. It was a sad state of affairs.
    At that moment, Brownie chose to make an appearance, his nose low to the ground as he ran in Kosmas' direction. He wore a red ribbon tied into a bow around his neck, with a bell attached that jingled as he ran. Even the dog wasn't safe from Keely's Christmas spirit.
    “A dog,” Abby exclaimed, her face lit up with happiness.
    “His name is Brownie,” Kosmas explained as the dog stopped next to him, his tail wagging as he stared at the girl. “Would you like for him to go with you, and help you adjust to your new lodgings?”
    Abby nodded, sending him a small smile. For some reason, Kosmas thought they were probably rare. It made him sad for the child. “When you're ready for him to leave, just set him outside of the door. He knows the palace well. He'll have no problems finding his way back to me.”
    She reached down to tentatively pet him. Brownie immediately rolled over, a silent demand for a belly rub. The dog was notorious for those. His preferred method of greeting someone was stomach up, and he wasn't above pressing the issue to make sure his needs were attended to. There was no doubt about it. The dog was spoiled, and he'd just found another willing body to lavish attention on him.
    Zander gently took the girl's hand to lead her down the hallway. Kosmas trusted him wholeheartedly to see to Abby's comfort. “Brownie, go with Zander,” Kosmas ordered, but it wasn't necessary. The dog trotted happily behind them as they left, without a backward glance.
    For once, Brownie's desertion didn't bother him. In fact, he was glad his pet had something to occupy his time. Shit was about to hit the proverbial fan when he saw his mate, and he didn't need any distractions.
    *
    After returning back to their rooms, Keely sat in the chair in front of the fireplace. She felt empty and drained after their confrontation, her thoughts slow and lethargic. Kosmas' words and reaction, even the way he'd stared at her with an expression of distaste on his attractive face, had devastated her. The pain within her was indescribable, obliterating every other emotion that she might have felt.
    Why did it have to happen at Christmas? It was her favorite holiday, but it was so much more. What she'd been planning with Kosmas was a dream come true, at least for her. It represented the fulfillment of her deepest fantasy, a tradition that she could anticipate for the rest of her life.
    How many years had she secretly hoped to one day find love, just to have reality prove that is was nothing more than an unrealistic notion? As an adult, Christmas had always proven to be the hardest time of the year for her to get through. Not only did she miss her family, but it was a cold and stark reminder that she was alone. And during those lonely, dark nights of the holiday, when there was no food or electricity, she'd cried, wishing for something completely different. In her fantasies, she was happy, with a handsome man that loved her, and the warmth that came from being with friends and those that cared. Together, the holidays would be an endless time of joy, celebrations, and peace, complete with food and gifts. And after the evenings would end, the long midnight hours would began. In her lover's arms, her Christmas would be complete.
    And with Kosmas, she'd allowed herself to believe that her dream might finally see fruition. The upcoming Christmas celebration meant more to her than even Kosmas knew. But it had blown up in her face. The following night was Christmas Eve, and their relationship couldn't be any bleaker.
    The baby inside of her kicked again, reminding her there was more at stake than just their relationship. Pretty soon, they wouldn't just be mates. They would be a family. She wanted it to be a happy one, but their disagreement was a serious one. And the fact that his men had taken a mortal child disturbed her deeply.
    The