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“No,” he said aloud, wiping away the tear sliding down her cheek. “I love you, Olivia Rodriguez, and if given the choice, I would do it all over again. My supernatural strength, speed, senses, none of it means anything without you.”
The mating bond burned blindingly bright with their love. Marek leaned down and kissed her. As her vanilla and floral scent enveloped him, as their souls twined together in flight, he knew as long as they were together, everything would be all right.
Epilogue
One week later
Oliviasighedwithdelightas she stared herself in the mirror and traced her palms down her side, luxuriating in the dress’s silky smoothness. It was the one-shoulder purple dress Leah had bought her, delivered a few days ago. It looked even better than she remembered, hugging her curves at just the right places. When she moved, the silvery threads in the dress shimmered like moonlight reflecting on the ocean.
“You look beautiful,” Marek said, leaning against the doorway.
She felt beautiful. Any woman would when someone as hot as Marek looked at her as if she were the most precious jewel in the universe.
He had dressed up himself, forgoing his normal jeans and T-shirt for a silvery gray button-down tucked into black trousers. A black blazer and purple tie matching her dress completed his ensemble. His blond hair was neatly gelled and brushed back from his face, emphasizing his prominent cheeks and angled jaw.
He looked too perfect, like he’d walked off the set of a photo shoot. Olivia’s fingers itched to mess him up a little, to undo the tie, unbutton the top button, something to make him more approachable, more human.
Human. Grief choked her. Because of her, Marek was stuck somewhere between vampire and human. He still needed blood, but only hers. Everything else tasted foul, including blood from another human directly from the vein. After feeding, he would regain his vampire strength temporarily. They were still testing exactly how long her blood sustained him. He could summon his wings and fly, though he tired much faster. The only positive was he was able to stay out in the sun longer. Not forever, but sunlight burned him to a lesser degree and slower.
Though he tried to hide it from her, she sensed at times how his powerlessness bothered him, how he worried about their future. Each time, ice balled in her belly, chilling her blood. If he didn’t recover, would he hate her one day?
“Not in a million years,” Marek said, his voice soft. “I will never regret saving you.”
She believed him. Impossible not to with the mating bond’s connection. That, fortunately, hadn’t changed. The depth of his love and devotion stole her breath. It seemed unfair that her heart and soul overflowed with joy every day while Drakos was out there, while ravenous fae sucked the life out of humans. Julian Blackmore had sent out warnings to every vampire House, to shifter packs and witch covens willing to listen regarding the fae threat and Drakos. So far, only two vampire Houses had responded with fae sightings.
“Hey, we promised not to worry tonight, remember?” Marek rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
“I know.” She sighed. “But—”
“No buts.” He placed a finger over her lips. “Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow we’ll deal with the future.” Olivia nodded and smiled. “You’re right. We should go.”
After their return from Brazil, Leah had decided to throw a big party. It seemed ill-timed, but Leah had been adamant. “There is always another crisis, another mission, another threat, but we can’t let the bad dictate our life. We have to celebrate and treasure all the good too,” had been her exact words.
And there had been so many good things. The CDI had completed its first mission in Arizona successfully weeks ago. Marek and Olivia were mated. Everyone had survived their Brazil ordeal. Olivia had finally opened the email from Dr. Casava to find a job offer. However, after much debating and discussion with Marek, she’d declined it. Instead, she would turn her considerable attention and brainpower to stopping Drakos and the emerging fae. One way or another, she had to prevent Drakos from being freed.
The good and the bad. One couldn’t exist without the other. And tonight was reserved for the good.
Marek lifted her chin with a finger, his touch searing through her. His gaze was gentle and understanding, even as his lips curved into a suggestive smile. “Or why don’t you unbutton my shirt? I know you want to.”
Olivia backed away from his sinful temptation. He had an uncanny way of knowing exactly how to draw her out of her overactive, often dark thoughts without intruding on her privacy. “We can’t. Leah will kill us if we’re late.”
“No one arrives at a party on time.”
Her breath hitched as their desire twined together along the mating bond. “I meant later than fashionably late.”
His eyes dipped to her breasts, and he licked his lips. Olivia’s nipples peaked under the dress. She checked the mirror and sighed when nothing showed. Thank God for nipple covers.
“We should go,” she whispered, though her feet remained stubbornly in place.
“Hmm,” was his noncommittal answer.
“Urgent message for Olivia Rodriguez.” If it weren’t for Tristan’s sudden announcement, they’d be frantically undressing each other by now.
“What is it?” Olivia glared at Marek. “I need the dress tonight.”
“I wasn’t going to rip it,” Marek said with a grin.
“Betsy is awake,” Tristan said a second later.
