"You aren't going to take pictures, are you?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Oh, absolutely I will be taking pictures." Beth bounced on her toes, already reaching for her phone. "This is too perfect to pass up."
Tyr sighed dramatically, but his lips twitched with suppressed humor. "Fine. But you have to promise you'll never let Tobi see these. He'd never let me live it down."
"I promise." Beth crossed her fingers behind her back, knowing her expression probably gave away her mischievous intentions.
The hostess helped them both into the cozy robes, then gestured toward one of the clear dome structures. "Would you like to try one of our igloos? They'll keep you warm."
Tyr glanced at Beth, clearly leaving the decision up to her.
"Would it be okay if we didn't?" Beth wrapped her robe tighter, breathing in the crisp air, redolent of snowfall. "I'm loving the sky and the breeze too much to be inside, even in something as cool as those igloos."
"Of course." The hostess led them to a prime spot near the edge of the rooftop, where comfortable seating offered an unobstructed view of the glittering cityscape. "This table has one of our best views of the Empire State Building."
Beth sank into the plush chair, unable to stop smiling as she took in Tyr's appearance. The ancient vampire warrior looked surprisingly dignified in the red robe, though his expression dared her to comment.
Beth snuggled deeper into her plush red robe, grateful for both it and her new leather jacket as another cool breeze sweptacross the rooftop. Most of the other patrons had opted for the warmth of the igloos, leaving the outdoor seating area practically empty. The heat lamps created pools of warmth around their table, but the knife-edge of winter air made her feel vibrantly alive.
She leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table and settling her chin in her hands. The Empire State Building's lights created a stunning backdrop, but her mind was fixed on Tyr's earlier revelation.
"So. Dragons." Beth's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Talk."
Tyr's rich laughter echoed across the nearly empty rooftop. "What exactly do you want to know?"
Beth leaned closer, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Tell me about the one you know. What was it like?"
Before Tyr could answer, a waitress approached their table, her notepad ready. "Good evening! Can I get you started with some drinks?"
"Actually..." Tyr gestured toward the cocktail menu. "You should try one of their hot cocktails. They're quite famous for them."
Beth flipped open the menu, scanning the options. The warmth from the heat lamps and her cozy robe helped against the nip in the air, but her nose and cheeks tingled with the cold, making the idea of a hot drink especially appealing. "Oh, there's a spiced hot chocolate! What's it spiked with?"
The waitress brightened. "We can do it with either bourbon or rum. The rum adds a sweeter note, while the bourbon gives it more depth."
"Definitely go with the bourbon," Tyr recommended. "It complements the chocolate better. And I'll have the hot toddy."
Beth closed her menu and smiled at their waitress. "Okay, spiced hot chocolate with bourbon, please."
The waitress jotted down their orders with a smile. "Excellent choices. I'll have those right out for you."
As soon as the waitress disappeared behind the bar, Beth leaned forward eagerly. "Go!"
Tyr's laugh rumbled deep in his chest. "It was back in the 16th century. Our clan lived in the caverns of a mountain range on the edge of a vast desert." His gaze grew distant with memory. "The city there had originally been built as a caravanserai - a way station - for merchant caravans traveling between the Safavid Empire in Persia and the Mughal Empire in India."
Beth's gaze was distant as she imagined the ancient trade routes and mysterious mountain caves. The New York cityscape faded away as she pictured towering peaks rising from endless sand.
"Those mountains were the ancestral home for the earliest vampires," Tyr continued, his voice dropping lower. "Lord Damien was one of those first ones."
"The city became a sanctuary of sorts," Tyr continued, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "A place where humans and Others could coexist, though not without... complications. We established a delicate balance. The vampire clan agreed never to feed on unwilling victims from within the city's walls. In return, the humans wouldn't attempt to drive us out or wage war against us."
Beth opened her mouth to ask about the complications when their waitress approached. The rich scent of chocolate and spices wafted from the steaming mug she carried.
"Here we are." The waitress set a large ceramic mug in front of Beth, the dark liquid topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. "Spiced hot chocolate with bourbon." She placed Tyr's hot toddy before him, steam rising from the amber liquid. "Can I get you anything else?"
"We're good for now, thanks." Beth breathed in the heavenly aroma of chocolate, cinnamon, and bourbon, humming in pleasure.
She took a sip of her hot chocolate, savoring the rich blend of chocolate, spices, and bourbon as the waitress departed. The warmth spread through her chest, making her snuggle deeper into the plush red robe.
