The evening had been filled with one magical moment after another: soaring over Manhattan in a helicopter, dining in an intimate French restaurant, giggling through a vampire musical, and now skating beneath the stars at Rockefeller Center. Yet something in Tyr's smile told her the night wasn't over yet.
Chapter 18
Tyr rose first, extending his hand to help Beth from the bench. Her legs wobbled slightly as she adjusted to solid ground again, and his steady grip kept her balanced while her muscles remembered how to work without blades beneath them. A soft laugh escaped her as she took a tentative step.
"Skating legs," she quipped, grateful for his support.
His smile warmed his eyes as he offered his arm, and she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. They took their time walking through Rockefeller Center, before winding their way to where the black Maybach waited at the curb, its engine purring softly in the chilly night air.
"Are you tired?" Tyr's question held a hint of something more.
Beth considered. Her body hummed pleasantly from the ice skating, but exhaustion hadn't set in. The night was so magical, she wasn't ready for it to end just yet. "Not really. Why?"
"I thought we might wind down at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar." The familiar mischief danced in his expression. "It has the most incredible views of the Empire State Building, especially at night."
Beth nodded eagerly. "That sounds wonderful. I'm not ready for this night to end yet."
The Maybach glided up Fifth Avenue, its smooth ride letting Beth focus on the glittering storefronts passing by. Tyr pointed out landmarks as they drove, his cool presence beside her adding to the evening's magic.
"Bergdorf Goodman on your right - their holiday windows are legendary. And there's the Peninsula Hotel, where the employees all wear white uniforms and pillbox hats."
"Seriously?" Beth pressed closer to the window, peering at the doorman standing on the front steps. "Oh, wow."
Beth's jaw dropped as an enormous church loomed ahead, its twin spires reaching toward the night sky like ancient guardians. Delicate stonework caught the city lights, creating an ethereal glow around the massive structure. Elaborate stained glass windows sparkled like jewels set into the pale stone walls.
"A cathedral? Right in the middle of New York City?" Beth stared out the window as an enormous church loomed ahead, its twin spires rising like ancient guardians against the night sky.
Tyr chuckled, leaning toward her window. "That's St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was finished in 1878."
Beth stared in wonder at the intricate carvings adorning the facade. Even at night, she could make out the saints and angels watching over Fifth Avenue from their stone perches. The building seemed almost out of place among the sleek modern towers surrounding it, yet somehow perfectly at home in the heart of Manhattan.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, twisting in her seat to keep the cathedral in view as long as possible. "Like something transported straight from Europe."
"We were here when they built it," he said, his voice rich with memory. "Our clan arrived in New York City in themid-1800s. Watching the cathedral rise stone by stone was quite something."
The car pulled up to an elegant building, and soon they were whisking up to the rooftop in a sleek elevator. Beth gasped as they emerged onto the open-air space. The Empire State Building loomed before them, its iconic shape illuminated against the night sky.
Beth spun in a slow circle, drinking in the spectacular view. The rooftop stretched before them, completely open to the night sky. Twinkling lights strung overhead competed with the stars, while lamps cast a warm glow over intimate seating areas.
"I didn't realize it would be open air!" She clutched Tyr's arm in excitement. "The views are incredible."
Her eyes landed on several clear dome structures scattered across the rooftop. "Are those... igloos?"
Amusement flickered across his features. "They keep guests warm while enjoying the view."
A hostess approached, her professional smile brightening as she took in Beth's obvious delight. "Welcome to 230 Fifth. Would you like one of our signature robes to keep warm while you enjoy the rooftop?"
Beth's eyes widened as she noticed several other guests wrapped in plush red robes. A giggle bubbled up from her chest, growing into full-blown laughter.
"Robes?" She wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. "Like a fancy bathrobe? At a rooftop bar?"
The hostess grinned, clearly used to this reaction. "They're quite popular, especially on chilly nights. Very cozy."
Beth's shoulders shook with renewed laughter as she pictured herself and Tyr - the ancient vampire warrior - lounging at this upscale bar in fluffy red robes. Her new leather jacket kept her perfectly comfortable, but the mental image was too hilarious to resist.
"Oh my god." She pressed her face against Tyr's shoulder, trying to muffle her giggles. "Please tell me you'll wear one too?"
Beth couldn't contain her grin as she watched Tyr eye the plush red robe with a mix of resignation and amusement.
