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I giggle, feeling more carefree than I have in centuries.

“Do you want to talk about last night instead?” he asks, his voice dropping to that seductive register again.

I blush, the memories flooding back. “That was wild,” I admit, looking up at him through my lashes. “I didn’t know it could be like that.”

“You were comfortable with me,” he says, a note of wonder in his voice.

I shrug, trying to put my feelings into words.

“Well, you gave me my children back so I could put them to rest. Then Kemnebi showed me all the wonderful things you’ve done behind the scenes.

When vampire law says you must not meddle in human affairs, you didn’t just stay back and watch. Sometimes you helped.”

Amari strokes my cheek, his touch feather-light.

I get lost in his eyes, my lips parting slightly. “And... I told you that I loved you.”

Amari closes the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine. This kiss is different from our others—full of love and devotion. His hands cup my face like I’m something precious, something to be cherished.

“When you say it,” he murmurs against my lips, “when you profess your love to me, it’s like hearing it for the first time. The way my heart skips a beat, the way the words render me nearly speechless—I’ll never grow tired of hearing how you feel about me.”

He kisses me deeply again, and I giggle, pulling back reluctantly. “You’ve fed, but now it’s my turn.”

Amari grins down at me. “Can I make you breakfast?”

“Do you know how to cook eggs?” I ask skeptically.

He steals another kiss, then takes my hand, leading me out of the bedroom. I walk ahead of him down the stairs, yelping when he playfully smacks my ass.

“You have many more nights like last night ahead of you,” he promises. “I’m looking forward to all the different ways I can explore your body.”

I pause at the bottom of the steps when I notice a figure on the porch through the window. Amari follows my gaze and smiles.

“It’s just Bobby,” he explains. “I told him to meet me here. There are some things I need to discuss with him.”

“Oh,” I say, a little disappointed that our morning is being interrupted.

Amari kisses my forehead, then heads for the door, pulling it open. Bobby stands on the other side, straightening when he sees us. He bows his head to Amari, then steps inside.

“My queen,” he says to me with another bow.

I force a smile. “I’m going to have to get used to that.”

“My Lord, you requested me,” Bobby says to Amari, standing stiffly just inside the door.

Amari shuts the door and gestures toward the sofa. “Please, sit. It’s good news, I promise.”

Bobby hesitates, clearly not used to such informality with Amari. I take a moment to admire his neatly shaped afro and well-fitted suit. He finally moves to the sofa and sits down, perching on the edge like he might need to spring up at any moment.

Amari sits in the lounge chair across from him, relaxed and confident.

Bobby looks around the cabin, taking in the simple furnishings. “This is quite different from the homes you usually occupy.”

Amari glances at me with a hint of amusement. “What Bobby is trying to say is that it’s a step down. But it’s fine—I’ve learned to appreciate the simpler things in life.”

Bobby’s eyes drift to me, then back to Amari. “Your woman is lovely.”

I blush at the compliment, shifting awkwardly. “Would you like some coffee?” I offer, trying to be hospitable. “I made coffee all the time at the station. I even know how to add the right amount of blood and set the temperature correctly.”

Amari stares at me for a moment, surprise evident in his expression. What, does he think I don’t know how to take care of a vampire or something?

I put my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes at him. “I’ve spent a year dealing with Kade, Damon, and Amir. I know how to make vampire coffee.”

Bobby laughs, then chokes it back when Amari shoots him a look.

“That’s lovely, Carla,” Amari says, “but you don’t have to serve us. I’ll get it?—”

Before he can finish, I turn and head for the kitchen, not wanting to be left out of whatever conversation they’re about to have. As I prepare the coffee, carefully measuring the blood, I hear Bobby’s voice from the living room.

“You certainly have found quite the woman.”

I glance from the doorway, watching as Amari adjusts his suit, a smile playing at his lips. “Yes, it is truly a blessing from Mother Fate. And I won’t go a day without making sure Mother Fate knows how much I appreciate this gift.”

I groan, rolling my eyes even as warmth settles over me. I hate how easily he can make me melt with his words.

Turning back to the coffee, I’m struck by a sudden realization. I have a fated mate. A real fated mate. Someone to spend eternity with, who accepts me completely—me and my children.

But as I pour the coffee into mugs, a new worry creeps in. Amari has built quite a life for himself, with his company and his coven. I’m not sure how I’m going to fit into it, or if I even want to. After all, Wintermoon is my home now. It’s the first place I’ve felt safe in centuries.