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Abby’s breath caught.

He extended a hand, two fingers loose and confident.

She melted into it, glancing back at her friends, her mouth in a perfect O.

Savvine choked on her wine. Laleh bent over in hysterics.

‘Our girl’s a goner,’ Laleh chuckled, wiping tears. ‘She’s lost to lust for that delicious-looking man.’

‘She’s not coming back,’ Savvine agreed, eyes shining.

The couple moved onto the floor, where Zev led with effortless grace. Abby flowed with him, laughing as he dipped her with a showy flourish.

The tango rose around them, heady and bold, and they became the center of the gala’s swirl.

Suddenly, an arc of amethyst-tinted energy whipped around Savvine, and her heart leaped.

She smiled as every cell in her body clocked her lover, shivering at his touch, scent, and heat on the small of her back.

She tilted her head to smile up at him.

‘May I have this dance with you?’

Laleh gave her a little shove, and with a slight laugh, Savvine let him steal her away onto the floor.

As they swayed beneath the stars, Xander’s breath warmed the curve of her neck, heating her between her teasing questions.

He soon slid into a solemnity, gazing down at her with intensity. ‘I want to love you forever, Savvine. To protect, cherish, and worship you like the queen you are.’

She shivered as he drew her closer.

‘I’ll mess up sometimes.Fokk, I know I will. But I’ll never stop trying, nor showing up for you.’

Her banter faltered, her breath hitching at the passion in his rasp.

‘You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted. The only one I will want. Maybe I’ll even wife you, if you let me.’

He kissed the shell of her ear.

‘All I desire,mireina, is to walk with you into the Wildlight and the galaxy beyond that throws at us.’

Her breath hitched as her hand slid to the side of his nape and stroked.

His voice thickened. ‘Fokk, I love you. You’ll always be mine,sí?’

How she loved this man.Still, she enjoyed teasing him. ‘So possessive.’

He frowned, his eyes hardening with an intense violet luminosity. ‘Say it.’

‘I’m yours. I love and adore you, baby, forever and a day.’

He growled, satisfied, then inclined his head to capture her lips in a melding, scorching kiss.

They danced, spinning beneath the stars and the golden glow of lanterns floating above the lake.

Surrounded by the notes of old world jazz, the scent of lemon and grilled sea bass, the glint of toasts being raised, and old rivalries forgotten.

For one glorious evening, their journey through the Wildlight was not about bloodlines or war.