Seri stood by the edge of the dock, her face tilted to the stars, a serene smile on her lips. My chest did that funny little squeeze again, the one that happened every damn time I was reminded of how absurdly lucky we were to have this magical, compassionate, brilliant woman all to ourselves.
To everyone’s surprise, it was Lucian who approached her first, extending a hand with formal grace.
“May I have this dance, daughter?” he asked.
“I’d be honored, Papa.” Her eyes glowed as she placed her small hand in his much larger one.
We watched as he led her in a waltz, moving with the grace of a predator, but also with a gentleness I didn’t think he was capable of.
“Well, that’s not something you see every day.” Kaori appeared at my side with two glasses of The Darkling’s Regret. She handed one to me, and we clinked glasses as we watched Lucian twirl Seri beneath the willows.
“The fearsome vampire king, dancing with a lunar witch who insists on calling him Papa,” I mused, taking a sip. “The supernatural tabloids would have a field day.”
“He likes her. More than he’s willing to admit.”
“Everyonelikes her. It’s impossible not to.”
As Fosterina claimed Seri for the next dance, Kaori’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Or maybe it was the booze.
“Dance with me. Mr. Cimmerian?”
“Your wish is my command, Your Majesty.” I offered her my arm with exaggerated gallantry.
I was pleased to discover that she had a party vibe that matched mine. She moved with a natural rhythm and didn’t mind when I added a dramatic dip.
“You know,” she said, “your father is immensely proud of you three, even if he’d rather be staked than say it aloud.”
“Right. That’s why he spent nearly two decades treating us like his personal assassin squad.”
“People can change, Zane. Even cranky old vampires.Especiallycranky old vampires who suddenly find themselves with a beloved who refuses to tolerate their emotional bankruptcy.”
That startled a genuine laugh out of me.
“Is that the official medical term, Dr. Ro?u?”
“Yep! Fortunately, it’s treatable with regular doses of family dinner and the occasional heartfelt conversation.”
“I’ll take your professional opinion under advisement.” I spun her one final time as the song ended.
Cas swept Seri into his arms next. He might be allergic to public displays of emotion, but there was no mistaking the look on his face as he took our beloved into his arms. His expression melted into something so tender, I had to pinch myself to believe it was real. They barely moved to the music, just swayed together, foreheads touching, and melted into each other’s eyes.
Ko was watching them, too, his face soft with love and pride. When the song transitioned, he stepped forward for his turn, and I swear the air around them shimmered as they connected. He waltzed with Seri with an effortless grace, adding gentle kisses and whispers that made her blush and smile in equal measure.
Brum-Brum took a turn “dancing” with Seri, too, his little top hat hanging under his chin as he rose on his hind legs and she held his front paws and moved them in a small circle.
I myself waited for the perfect moment, the crescendo of a particularly romantic violin solo, before making my move. Striding across the dock, I cut in with a bow.
“My turn with the belle of the ball, fuzzypants.” I took Seri’s hand and got a bark of approval from my wolf bestie. “You enjoying your party, moonbeam?”
“Absolutely, Zoodle.” Her gray eyes sparkled as I led her in a dance that was probablya bittoo energetic for the slow music. “It’s wonderful! And you are too cute.”
“I amnotcute!” I protested with a scowl. “I am dangerous and unpredictable and—”
“Cute,” she finished for me, tippy-toeing to kiss my chin.
Well, there was only one appropriate response to that! I tightened my grip on her waist, picked up our pace, and danced us down the dock. Cas, who knew mefartoo well, had started moving toward us with a warning look, but he was too late.
“Hold your breath, peach!” With a flourish, I danced us right off the end of the dock with a spectacular splash.
