Facing the garden was akapomartial arts dojo, and a shimmering eternity pool took up one side of the massive R&R sanctuary.
Sheba spotted Kainan standing by the outdoor dining area, a monolith of bronze skin, muscle, and absolute authority in dark shorts and a fitted shirt.
A mane of black locks spilled over his broad shoulders. Gold and sapphire nebula tattoos snaked across his dermis, weaving through the thick sinew of his arms and hands.
The same iridescent jewel-tones caught the light in his beard and the sculpted line of his jaw.
His forehead was a heavy, unyielding ridge, his eyes glowing with aqua and gilded fire.
The Rider’sKhanhovered over a smoking barbecue, flanked by his inner circle, similarly attired, and carrying the similar lethal energy.
Kage monitored the flames with a chef’s focus, while a silver-haired Riv and a slyly amused Zane stood by giving unsolicited advice on the char of the meat.
Xion perched nearby, arms around his stunning woman, Katya, gazing down at his woman with adoration.
Sheba’s heart sang with joy as she made out the Riders’ partners: her sister Selene, alongside Harlow, Illanna, K’Élisa, and her best friend, Rina.
They held court in a circle of divans, sipping prosecco and chatting merrily.
Idan and Sheba hung back in the shadows of the vestibule, sticking to the plan she and Ki’Remi devised to surprise the group.
Ki’Remi and Issa stepped into the light first.
‘Did anyone miss us?’ Issa called out.
The Rider family reacted; first in shock, then delight as they surged forward, crowding the couple with kisses to their cheeks and brotherly hugs.
‘Didn’t think you’d make it back in time for dinner from whatever shadow-run you were on,’ Kage rasped, striding back to turn over his precious steaks. ‘Where were you anyway?’
‘On a unique courier gig,’ Ki’Remi grinned.
‘Picking what up?’ Xion called out.
The sentence died in his throat as Sheba stepped out of the darkness.
‘Surprise, bitches!’ she cried out, her voice ringing across the deck.
Selene sloppily set her glass down, the liquid splashing onto the table, as she rushed toward her sister.
Rina followed, her face a mask of disbelief and raw emotion.
The women collided in a chaos of kisses, hugs, and exclamations of shock.
‘How is this possible? We got told of a massive storm over Tansinia that was not meant to clear for days before we could send the ship to fetch you.’
Ki’Remi and Issa shrugged. ‘We might have had something to do with that little bit of misinformation. How could we not, given how surprised you all are? It was freakin’ fun playing you.’
Still, Idan remained in the periphery, masking his presence as a shadow against the elevator’s neon glow.
Sheba pulled away from her loved ones and went to him, waiting in the alcove.
‘Ready?’ she murmured.
He nodded and detached himself from the dark corner.
She took his arm, and he banded a hand around her waist, in a possessive gesture as they stepped out as a couple.
The second he crossed into the light, the lively atmosphere on the roof skidded to a halt.
