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“I don’t think they mind,” he replied with a glance at the newlyweds, who clapped in enthusiastic support. He raised her hand high and together they took a deep bow to raucous applause, the gracious hosts, the Lord of Night and his queen.

The band shifted into the slower gear of “Unchained Melody,” and she moved into his arms, her entire body vibrating with happiness. Rocking gently now in a sea of couples, their souls merged once more.

Samantha and Étienne danced nearby. Cassidy’s heart pinched.I’m going to miss her so much.Dominique’s private jet would whisk them away to Paris later tonight. The couple planned to spend the better part of a month traveling the French countryside, visiting family, even Francesca, before settling on St. Barth. While Étienne would manage the restaurant, Samantha had big plans for setting up a yoga studio and hosting workshops with renowned instructors. Their days would be full of life and their nights full of passion. Samantha had found her fairytale, and Cassidy was thrilled for her friend, even if her own days looked positively dull in comparison.

Dominique stroked the back of her neck with his thumb.The day is no longer your domain.

It was true, she had to admit. When there wasn’t some business that required her to be up and about, Cassidy’s days were mostly spent in bed. Rare was the moment that she stepped into direct sunlight anymore to relish its warmth on her skin. Rarer still were the moments that he looked for these memories in her mind. It was the magical light of the moon she craved now, the quiet power of darkness, and the cool, earthy aroma of her lover. The lover who no longer grieved his mortal life, nor needed her to be his tether to humanity, but needed her just the same.

The lover who patiently waited for her to join him in the eternal world of night.

“Tell me, Cassie,mon amour,” he murmured, his breath against her damp skin making her shiver. “Tell me what you want. Tell me in words.”

In words. Because only as words would her decision become…official.

Cassidy swayed to the music that spoke of hunger and touch, need and love. Swayed in time and in the arms of the man who was the only true anchor she had ever known—and would always know.

She tipped her head back just a little and felt her body melt when his lips found the delicate skin beneath the corner of her left jaw. Only hours before, his teeth had pierced the pulse beating there.

“I’m ready, my love,” she whispered and felt those teeth again. “I’m ready for forever.”