Before, he could barely stand to be in a different room from me. Now, he trusts me enough to know I don’t need constant protection. He understands that some conversations—like this one—belong to me alone.
And suddenly, it strikes me that this is what a healthy relationship feels like. Support without suffocation, freedom without fear, trust without conditions, and love without obsession.
“I’m sure.” He leans down and presses a kiss to my temple, lingering just a heartbeat longer than necessary, making heat bloom in every possible place in my body. “And when you’reready,” he murmurs, sending sparks down my spine, “our continued initiation ceremony awaits.”
Cheeks flushing, I glance around, noticing Ruby’s knowing smile.
She arches an eyebrow in playful amusement, clearly entertained by the exchange she definitely overheard.
“What’s your number? We should get together,” she says, bringing out her phone in an appreciated effort to change the subject. “Just me, you, and Amber. Compare notes on how the goddesses operate. Mine was my best friend for years, so I have alotto share.”
“You were best friends with a goddess?” I ask, curious about how on earththatcould happen.
“It’s a story best shared over a few drinks,” she says with another knowing smile. “So… your number?”
“Right. Of course,” I say, and when I rattle off the digits, I’m surprised by how much I’m looking forward to spending time with her and Amber, despite the grief clinging to me like a shadow I’ll never outrun after watching Zoey fly away with Aerix.
“Tomorrow night?” Amber asks, her bright energy just enough to stop me from spiraling again into the pain of having lost my best friend. “We can show you around the city—the supernatural version, of course. Just not the subway. I’ve had some less than stellar experiences on the subway.”
“That sounds great.” I shake myself out of it and smile, curious about what traumatized a star touched warrior so much that she avoids something as human as the subway.
We all walk together to the elevator, but Riven pauses at the threshold, turning back to meet Damien’s gaze.
The air between them hums, filling with tension as they assess each other. Not with hostility, but with a mutual understanding of what’s at stake.
“She matters to both of us,” Damien says, his voice low but carrying through the room.
“She does.” Riven nods once, his love rushing to me through the bond. “Just make sure she’s back with me before sunrise. Because while I suppose I’ll make an exception for you, I’ve never been good at sharing, especially when it comes to my Starlight.”
His silver gaze remains locked on mine until the elevator doors slide shut, leaving the penthouse silent and charged.
Damien moves to stand before the wall of windows, his silhouette sharp against the glittering Manhattan skyline extended beyond the park. “Come here,” he says, gesturing for me to join him. “Look at the city.”
I step beside him, and we stand in silence, two reflections side by side in the glass. The same blue eyes and the same way we hold ourselves, whether I’ve embraced the vampire side of myself yet or not.
“I’ve protected my clan in this city for centuries, watching it grow into what it is today,” he finally says. “I thought it was my greatest legacy.” His focus turns to me then, the hard lines of his face softening. “But it turns out I was wrong.”
AERIX
THREE MONTHS LATER
Water caressesmy skin as I watch Zoey slice through the lake with practiced strokes, her movements fluid and confident.
Four months ago, she could barely stay afloat. Now she cuts through the water like she was born for it, her vampire strength and grace evident in every movement.
She’s flawless, unbreakable, andmine.
Every movement, every breath, and every laugh belongs to me. She proved it when she jumped with me off the tower, and I’m never, ever letting her go.
Ice hums beneath my skin as I admire her, coolness spreading through my veins. My magic has responded to her since I first saw her. She has no idea how much restraint it takes to not ensure no one else ever sees her, let alone touches her.
“You’re staring again,” she calls over her shoulder, droplets of water flying from her dark hair as she spins to face me.
“I’ll never stop.” My words carry an edge, a quiet intensity she only half-understands. Because if she knew the depth of my obsession, would she still smile at me so carelessly? Would she still love me if she knew what I truly am inside?
I don’t think she would. And that’s the scariest part. Because that thought sharpens my hunger, urging me to tighten my hold, ensuring she’ll stay by my side no matter what I have to do to make it happen.
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the smile she tries to hide. Then, with a playful laugh, she splashes water at me.
