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Gaya flushed in amusement, a hand to her chest. ‘Mio dio,Savvine didn’t say you were this handsome in person. You Signets must be bred from marble.’

Savvine rolled her eyes, stifling a smile.

Xander turned to Enrico, clasping his hand with a firm shake. ‘Don Bianchi. Holding the line well?’

Enrico gave a wry grunt, adjusting the lapel of his silver-stitched jacket. ‘Would be easier if the other houses weren’t always poking the wasp’s nest. Nonetheless, your security pact is making a difference. The family appreciates it, Xander.’

‘Your enemies don’t,’ Xander drawled, ‘which suits me just fine.’

Enrico snorted in agreement, but Gaya tugged on her husband’s sleeve before the conversation could tilt into strategy.

‘Basta, Enrico. It’s our first real date night in months. No more talk of pacts and politics. You promised me a dance, or five.’

She grabbed his hand and whisked him away with surprising speed, her laughter trailing behind them like confetti.

Enrico followed, shaking his head, yet softening under her spell.

Savvine’s gaze tracked them, her chest warming. ‘I hope you and I are that feisty at that age.’

Xander leaned in with a crooked grin. ‘Fokkyeah. We’ll be embarrassing.’

She laughed and twined her fingers through his, imagining the decades ahead.

Xander tilted his head, brushing his lips to Savvine’s temple as they stepped away from the crowd.

‘Content?’ she asked.

He glanced over the lake, at the lights, the stars, the music, the woman he adored wrapped in gold and jade.

‘With you by my side? I’m in heaven.’

In the domed sky above, the first fireworks lit the night.

The orchestra’s harmony shifted, and a warm breeze danced in off the water as the Signet strong group strode toward the love-struck pair.

Savvine blinked. ‘My my, don’t you all clean up well.’

They were all in full formal uniform, cut from midnight-black fabrics with sharp, asymmetric tailoring and silver-edged epaulets.

Their jackets were engraved with the Signet crest: the spectral head of a glowing wolf and a skull woven together, a line of gilded fire threading through the centre.

Santi wore his cloak with an open collar and combat boots like a stylish rebellion.

Mak was the picture of elegance with each crease ironed to perfection.

In contrast, Kaal sported sleeves rolled to the elbow, his thick forearms gleaming under the lights.

Zev, Boaz, and Rigo resembled warriors who’d walked off an old world movie poster and into a gala.

Xander’s grin widened. ‘Took you long enough to get pampered and ready.’

‘We had to look better than you,’ Santi shot back, clapping him on the shoulder.

Miral’s eyes raked Savvine up and down as she approached. ‘You’re a vision. Holy void.’

Savvine gave a slow, mocking twirl. ‘I’m just trying to keep up with you.’

‘Don’t even pretend,’ Kaal rasped to Savvine, adding a wolf whistle. ‘You’ve eclipsed the stars tonight.’