Chapter Twenty-Three

Happily, Ever After

The gathering in the Great Hall naturally congregated in conversational clusters. From his seat at the bar, he scanned over many faces, looking for his Fledgeling. When he'd said he required a good view, he'd meant somewhere he could watch Karou socialise unheeded, but she was well hidden within the sea of bodies - being of short stature cloaked her well. Like the phrase about dense woodlands, '- couldn't see the wood for the trees,' - picking out a particular person amidst the many heads, extravagant garments, and beautiful display of celestial wings was proving a challenge for even Warren's eagle eyes.

At last, after a few minutes and a few sips of his scotch, he spotted her. She wasn't far away, and she was talking to a man - a man who, at first glance, didn't appear celestial due to his lack of wings.

When she saw Warren, she smiled and waved him over. Upon realising that she meant for him to join the conversation, his posture seemed to drop.

Are you sure that is such a good idea? His tone of thought was a mere whisper and cautious.

Sure, come over. He's a nice guy. He wants to meet you, that's all, she replied, sipping her glass of champagne as the man continued to make friendly conversation with her.

How does he know about me? Warren asked.

I've never kept you a secret. Karou assured. This made him smile somewhat sentimentally.

Encouraged, Warren made his way through the crowd. Having left his empty scotch glass on the bar, he halted behind a small gathering of people and grasped a tumbler of champagne as it passed him on a levitated waiter's tray. Before he'd arrived on the threshold of their conversation, Warren took note of the man. He looked middle-aged and had a stocky build, though he still had some appeal about him with his well-tailored suit and slicked back salt and pepper hair. When Warren got closer, he smelled that he was also vamperic and had a glass of what looked like red wine to outsiders, but Karou and Warren would have known otherwise – it was blood.

"Ah, here he is," Karou announced when Warren arrived. She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. "Warren, this is Ben Hathaway – my friend and an advisor. Ben, this is my Sire who I've told you about before."

Warren was taken aback by how openly Karou had acted and looked down at her arm as it looped his own for a moment longer than usual. He shook off his slight discomfort and pulled up his façade

Passing his glass to the other hand, he held out his now free one towards Ben, welcoming a greeting gesture.

"Hello. Warren Howard. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said, nodding to Ben, and then looked down towards Karou with a raised brows, "I hope you haven't told him too much. Most of it is dreadful."

"All good things, I assure you," said the man heartily as he shook Warren's extended hand. "I was interested in meeting you after hearing you'd arrived here. I understand the Court had been giving you a bit of trouble. Not uncommon of them to pick on us vampires. We must stick together if we're to accomplish racial equality." He spoke as if the Court were nothing but a nuisance but winked knowingly at Karou.

Warren surmised there was an inside joke somewhere, but all it was, was that Ben had helped Karou deal with the mental health fallout that had come from concealing her vampiricy during her early days at Court. He'd been her only vamperic friend during the time she felt isolated from that part of herself.

"I can get you some of this if you'd like. Not the best quality, but still palatable," Ben noticed Warren eyeing his glass and how his eyes had descended into thirsting darkness.

"Oh, I won't be needing any, but thank you." Warren smiled, politely refusing the offer and implied something with his own inside joke, "I have prior arrangements."

Oh, I'll bet you do. Karou gave Warren's arm a slight squeeze.

I can barely wait. Your neck looks more delicious by the second. Warren thought back to her, though his mouth moved, continuing to spark up a conversation with his new acquaintance.

"You have a utopian political view of our race's place in society. 'Vampires together' has never seemed like a good idea to me. Nesting instincts never seemed anything but unhealthy in hindsight. They turn the best of us into the monsters we were fabled to be. Thanks to the mind of Karou, the move to take Blue Ash has thwarted the old ideals of the vamperic community. Thank goodness." He grinned in a stony manner and took a quick sip of his champagne; Warren was nothing if not a keen politician.

Ben downed the rest of his drink and set it on the tray of a passing waiter, which readied him to deliver his reply, "Nesting instincts aren't all bad. They exist for a reason. They aren't to be taken for granted. I learned that when my own fledgling was killed in the last decade."

Though the man had a very calm, equally business-like exterior to Warren, there was something in his gaze that changed when he mentioned his deceased Fledgeling. He'd looked to Karou for sympathy. She was familiar with the story of how Cecilia had been brutally torn apart by mortals. It was undoubtedly a woeful tale.

In the aftermath, just as Ben had often helped Karou by being a friend when she'd felt alienated, she had comforted Ben through his grief. It hadn't been the simplest task either. Gently and compassionately, she had had to fight him off when he'd tried to take her on as a replacement fledgeling. To his mind, she was without a Sire, and he without a Fledgeling; they could fill each other's void, but Karou didn't reciprocate his feelings. Since she'd seen him at his lowest, she didn't respect him quite as much, but at least she felt she understood him better, and they'd come through the initial awkwardness as firm friends.

"I'm very sorry for your loss." Warren's condolence was genuine, but Ben's sob story didn't sway his opinion. "Still, I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree. A nest like the Davikov can put you off existing. Their 'ways' were brainwashing. My Sire made me complicit in some awful things together with our companions. Even neglect my Fledgeling."

Looking down at Karou for a long moment, his jaw tightened.

In response, Karou squeezed his arm to let him know that it was okay. The past was the past.

Reaching for another drink from a passing tray, she drank this one more slowly than the last, wanting to pace herself through the night. She didn't want to be embarrassingly drunk later on when things had quieted down, and she could sneak off with Warren.

Ben had noticed Karou's relaxed approach to being physical with her Sire, and something about it bugged him. Meanwhile, Warren had noticed how Ben looked at his Fledgeling. He'd sensed the underlaying jealousy that rippled through the man's forced smiles toward him and how his eyes eagerly wandered back to Karou even though she hadn't joined in the conversation yet.

Clearing his throat to distil the atmosphere that had descended over their conversation, Warren wanted to change the subject. "So Ben, what do you do for a living?"

"I've been the vamperic representative here for the past few decades. As a non-coven associated vampire, I try and make improvements for the vampires in the city and to help celestials understand that it isn't right to deny vampires of their basic needs." His fanged smile brightened up when talking about his work. It was something that he was proud of.

"Your work is to be admired."

"Thank you. We still have a long way to go, yet. Don't we, Karou?"

"Oh? Yes. We do." Karou nodded, surprised by how Ben had involved her in the conversation as if to make it clear to Warren that he and Karou were a team. The tactic was rather childish, and Warren tried to hold back a smirk.

"Hm, well, the Enochian Court still don't seem to understand the rudiments of the vamperic diet; when I arrived, I had to see to Karou's near-starvation myself. Here's to you making positive steps forward, though." Warren merely nodded and raised his glass before he took another sip to toast Ben almost mockingly.

Though Warren didn't know Ben yet and was still processing his manner, appearance, and the underlying meaning in his words and expressions, so far, he felt that the vampire was full of hot air. Ben obviously revelled in his work because it gave him an excuse to be close to the object of his desires; Karou.

"Uh, yes, there is still much good work to be done, that's for sure." Ben nodded; his agreement was a pretence, though. As long as the Court treated Karou poorly, she'd need a shoulder to cry on, and he could be there for her. "I hear you're a blood trading tycoon!" The vampire cheered, meaning to distract Warren with flattery.

"Yes. I'm the proprietor of a blood supply company."

"Oh? What a humble answer. I heard it's The blood supply company. And that you have a complete monopoly on the market, no?" Ben nodded towards Warren as if to say, 'check out this hot shot'.

"Yes. I do." Warren chuckled, finding Ben's attempts amusing.

"It must be very rewarding to be the pioneer in your field."

"It's certainly made me rich, if that's what you mean?" Warren asked, having a feeling that that was the crux of what Ben was actually getting at.

"Uh, well, yes, of course," Ben admitted awkwardly. "There's no shame in being in it for the money."

"And yet I'm not."

"Oh, really?" Ben asked with a sneer.

"No." Warren shook his head firmly.

Ben had begun to sweat, wondering if he'd offended Warren.

Karou was trying not to giggle, feeling that Ben had put his foot in it, but Warren, on the other hand, was very calm and collected as usual.

"I monopolise the blood market and control the price of my product with such zeal for one reason and one reason alone, and it isn't so that I can make as much money as possible by exploiting people's need for nourishment. It's quite the opposite." Warren explained plainly. "I knew hunger as a child, and it's truly the most painful form of neglect and poverty. So, I make my products available to the poorest of our kind so we can all live in a world without hunger."

Ben swallowed, feeling beat and ashamed that he'd meant to tarnish Warren's character in front of Karou and embarrass him.

Karou smiled and looked up at her Sire with a sense of pride. There was something unmistakably attractive about an honest, hard-working man.

Warren didn't want to ruin Ben's evening or offend Karou's friend, so to remedy the look on Ben's face and how his shoulders had sunk as his spirit evaporated, he said, "We're working toward the same goal; you and I, aren't we? We want to make the world a better place for our kind?"

Cheering his throat, Ben perked up and nodded with a hearty smile. "Yes, yes we are."

"Here's to vampires," Warren offered his glass forward in a toast.

"Here's to us," Ben agreed and the three clinked glasses.

Ben excused himself not long after, and Warren had Karou wandered back towards the bar together.

I wasn't sure if you two were going to get on for a moment back there. Karou thought to Warren.

I'm not sure we do.

So, you didn't like him?

Not in the slightest.

Oh, okay. I guess we don't have to have the same friends, but he's been a good friend to me, Warren.

Now that they'd arrived at the bar, Warren turned to Karou and sighed. He wasn't very good at verbal apologies, and even though his eyes were dark and thirsty, Karou could see that he regretted how blunt he'd been. Still, that didn't exactly change his opinion of Ben Hathaway. Karou… He began, his brows arranging in a contrite expression. The man desperately wants to be your third husband, and that's the one and only reason he's nice to you.

I… I know that. Karou bit her lip, looked away from Warren's eyes and fixated her attention on the button column of his shirt. It's just that regardless of how shallow his intentions were, he's been there for me for so many years and to abandon him as a friend the moment you're back in my life would feel cruel and ungrateful. Do you understand?

I'm not saying you can't be his friend, Karou. I just think that it would be best if I gave the man a wide birth lest I rip his throat out if he continues to ogle you in my presence.

Y'know it's sexy when you act jealous. Karou giggled and nibbled her lip some more. Her finger stroked up the button column she'd set her sights on, her eyes following suit until she locked her gaze with Warren's once more.

He might've blushed if he'd been the type, but instead, he straightened his tie and looked away for a moment. The several pairs of eyes glaring their way caught his attention. His eyes narrowed uncomfortably.

Karou noticed his reaction and sighed. "They're staring at us, aren't they?"

"Yes, and they don't look best pleased."

Karou had been struggling to ignore the eyes she felt boring into her back since she'd invited Warren over to her. Now and then, she glanced in the direction of Callida and gaggle of the other not-so-happy Courtiers. They'd been looking at Warren with judgement in their eyes. How petty.

"We should find some way to really freak them out," whispered Karou deviously, as she directed her eyes toward the people in question so obviously that it would urge Warren to follow her eye line. "I would absolutely love to see that little witch Callida choke on her drink out of shock."

"Do you think that Alessandra would appreciate you making a scene at her birthday party?" However, Warren grinned back at Karou just as mischievously; he spoke reason.

"Oh, she won't care. I think she'd be pleased if the likes of Ms Wildsheild passed away from shock, actually. She has a list of Courtiers she's going to axe when she becomes Queen. I'm pretty such that old witch is on it."

At her mention, Warren looked in the direction of Alessandra, who was quite busy as she stood before the buffet section dedicated exclusively to desserts. Balanced in her hands was a plate that she'd piled high with tiny cakes and chocolate-covered strawberries. She hadn't a care in the world and certainly wasn't aware she was being watched as she not so gracefully stuffed a strawberry into her mouth. As she chewed the juice chocolate-covered fruit, her eyes rolled in satisfaction.

A pang of discomfort shot across the back of Warren's eyes; he assumed it was because he was thirsty, but perhaps it was something more. Still, he caused him to squeeze his eyes close for a moment before he refocused his attention back on Karou and announced, "Your daughter is going to be asked for her hand in marriage tonight. Did you know?" Warren looked back at Alessandra as he brought up the topic. "I'll bet you can't guess who the unlucky bachelor is?"

Karou raised both brows curiously, "Unlucky, how so?"

"I'm guessing, but it sounded like she planned on refusing him."

Karou smiled; she found it sweet that Alice had confided in Warren. She looked back over at her daughter, who caught her eye, smiled and beckoned them over to her. Karou looked to Warren as if to ask whether he was okay going to join Alice. He gestured a yes. So together, they made their way toward Alessandra while continuing their conversation in the privacy of their minds.

The 'him' being Samir, right? Karou asked first.

Warren nodded yes.

Karou's brows rose high in reaction to the news. She'd had no idea that Samir would go that far. She knew the two had something 'going on' for a while, but she couldn't say that she was convinced the two were 'head over heels, in love'. It was no surprise that Alice would refuse him, not as much as it was that Samir had come to the idea that it was the right time to ask such a question. That was a little baffling. I wonder why she hasn't talked to me about it? She usually tells me everything.

Perhaps she didn't need to since she'd already decided on her own.

Her future husband is a pretty big deal, Warren.

You mean because their face has to fit? I think she's very aware of that, Karou.

"Many happy returns of the day, Alessandra," Warren wished her as they came to be stood on the other side of the buffet table.

"Why thank you," Alessandra said with a warm smile.

"Hello, Sweetheart. How're you enjoying the party so far?" Karou greeted.

"You two look really good together." She blurted; she'd been eyeing them discretely for a while.

"Why thank you," Warren said and returned her warm smile. "You look lovely too."

"Mhmm, that dress is stunning, darling." Karou agreed, nodding.

Alice smoothed a hand over the glittering rose gold fabric over her stomach. "As much as I enjoy getting all dressed up, this is my favourite part." Alice grinned at the little feast she'd gathered on her plate.

"I couldn't agree more! The kitchen staff have outdone themselves. It all looks so delicious." Karou nodded again and wiggled her fingers over the many options. She was spoilt for choice. Eventually, she settled on a sticky-looking iced bun.

Having just gobbled another strawberry, Alice wiped a smear of chocolate off her lower lip and swallowed what she had in her mouth before speaking. "Whoever said diamonds were a girl's best friend was a liar. It's chocolate. Chocolate is a girl's best friend."

Just then, the wilder child appeared at her sister's side with a bottle of 'something' that smelled like very strong liquor in her hand.

"What's up, gang? Enjoying the party?" Cassandra beamed. She went to lean against the table in an attempt to look 'hip', only to lose her usually sure footing. In an effort to catch herself, she landed a hand in a plate of cream cakes. "Whoa… Oops."

"Cass, you're drunk? Already?" Alice turned, slightly shocked, slightly disappointed and slightly impressed by her sister's ability to cause so much trouble, so effortlessly.

"I had a head start. I had a couple in my room earlier." Cassandra explained nonchalantly and licked the mess of cream from her hand.

Watching her sister, Alice shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please just behave yourself for the next hour, okay? Until they drop the lights and everyone starts dancing."

"See, I told you she'd want us to behave ourselves," Warren commented to Karou.

"Oooh, why? What were you gunna do?" Cassandra chimed, looking childlike in her enthusiasm.

"Your mother wanted to-"

"I just wanted to give the Court and bitch-face something to stare at, that's all…" Karou explained. "They're glaring daggers at Warren, and it's starting to wear thin. It should be water under the bridge by now."

"Don't hold back on my behalf. I'd love to see Callida choke on her champagne." Alice assured, her usually demure smile curled a little more wickedly.

"I told you so," Karou said, sticking her tongue out at her Sire.

"Am I the only one who is going to remain sensible?"

"C'mon, let your hair down. It's a party." Cassandra encouraged.

"Actually, I second that." Alice nodded and popped another strawberry into her mouth with a smug look.

Warren rolled his eyes in defeat. "You Morgan women are a bad influence."

Taking up Karou's hand, Warren brought it up to his lips. Cradling it gently, he turned them both about so they stood profile to the audience; the Court. Now they had a first-class view to his next act.

Warren looked up at Karou from under his defined brow, kissing over the back of Karou's hand with a sultry look in his thirsty eyes. Naturally, she blushed and swallowed down the excitement already brewing in her stomach.

Down over her fingers, he trailed gentle, chaste kisses. All the while, Karou's gaze followed his movements. Once at her fingertips, Warren gently moved her hand palm up and kissed her fingers and over her palm all the way to her wrist. That was where he lingered. Karou's lips pulled into an aroused smile - anticipating what he might do next was thrilling. She hadn't expected him to take her up on her suggestion so quickly! It was a surprise, but it was a welcome one.

As if the sensual public act was not alarming enough, Warren had another trick up his sleeve. He grinned mischievously once more, and seeing that Karou was reacting as positively as he'd hoped, he let go of any reserve to kill two birds with one stone, tease Karou with a delicious appetiser and stir up a little chaos within the Enochian Court.

Warren's lips hovered over Karou's wrist while he made his decision. The pause had allowed the moment to build up until, finally, he let his fangs draw, clicking into place dramatically.

An audible gasp was heard beneath the chorus of chatter from over the room. It had come from their primary victim, Callida Wildsheild.

Meanwhile, Alessandra and Cassandra watched quietly astounded from over the buffet table. Cassandra blinked over and over as if she couldn't decern reality from her kinky imagination.

On the other hand, Alessandra was highly tuned into what was occurring just a little way away from her and stifled a moan when she 'felt' Warren's kisses by stuffing another strawberry into her mouth. The near-silent sound she made, earned her a brow-raising look from her sister.

As if no one else in the room truly existed, Warren focused every one of his senses on his Fledgeling. Even the way he held her hand to his lips was so intently purposeful. He would never hold another hand in such a way. He had so much pent-up love to give her. It was getting to the point where he couldn't reserve it any longer. Thus far, everything had merely been a tease, and things threatened to descend into delicious chaos.

Boldly, setting the sharp points against the most delicate fleshy part of her wrist, Warren grazed them down onto the centre of her palm. The light sensation tickled, but Karou whimpered in wishful anticipation of his bite.

I'm going to devour you later. This is just a taste.

Callida had collapsed into the arms of a mortified-looking Therrin Poole. He didn't know what to do with the woman who was old enough to be his grandmother swooning against his chest. Indeed, the act between Karou and Warren had appeared more daring and provocative from over the room than a simple public kiss and inflamed the Court's emotions precisely as had been intended.

With a final flourish, Warren set a kiss on Karou's palm to calm the atmosphere. Still holding her hand with both of his as though it were precious to him. He bowed his head to her, at peace, and his eyes fell closed.

Once his lips had left her hand, she glanced to the corner, where she spotted Callida bashfully trying to free herself from Therrin's strong arms and save face. At this, a very light giggle came bubbling from Karou's mouth. She had to hide her face in Warren's chest where she could smell his warm scent through his shirt.

You're such a tease, but you're still so good. Karou thought.

Wrapped securely in his arms, she felt him kiss the top of her head. Oh, the very same can be said for you. Warren replied telepathically while chuckling. Glancing in the direction of the Courtiers and Callida in particular, he whispered, "Do you think we've upset them enough?"

"Absolutely!" Karou replied. She leaned back so she was looking up at him. She'd seen Callida and Therrin's fiasco out of the corner of her eye but was surprised to see a familiar figure coming toward her in a deep, emerald green dress. There was a sudden sense of foreboding that dulled her mood. "Oh, crap. I didn't count on her getting involved…"

The woman coming toward them was, of course, Cambria Morningstar. Wing arches steepled, high and dominant, her annoyance steaming off of her and smelling like fresh brimstone as she marched toward them – it was a patient march as if she were going into battle, one that she expected to win such was her ego. She had undoubtedly seen their entire display, and to say that she didn't look best pleased was to understate the cold fire that flickered in her serpentine eyes, which glared at them.

Warren wasn't often shaken, and even though he wasn't necessarily frightened of The Morningstar, he bristled at her sight.

Cambria came up to be standing so close that she almost pushed her way between them. She rested a hand on either of their shoulders. She was going to attempt some diplomacy – causing another scene now would've been counterproductive.

"Evening," she said, lowering her voice. "It's a beautiful night tonight. Why don't you take this 'thing' out onto the balcony? - so that Callida doesn't pop her clogs on the dance floor. If she manages to remain earthbound, I'll be hearing about how I need to be controlling you for weeks from that bat-brained old woman!"

Karou rolled her eyes, but at least she wasn't giving her a lecture on why it was un-lady-like for her to be kanoodling with Warren - perhaps it was the party atmosphere. "Yes, yes, I got it. Can we please go back to having fun now?"

"You may," she released them both, granting them permission that Karou would have taken anyways. "But please, get a room or something. You're probably making the flock of hens insanely jealous. God knows the woman hasn't been laid since the 1950s..."

No sooner had Cambria made her exit than Karou's attention went straight back to Warren. "She's so bossy..."

"Really? I hadn't noticed..." Warren grinned, his tone thick with sarcasm. He took a hand off Karou for a moment as he dusted off the shoulder of his jacket where Cambria's hand had been. "She certainly never alters. Perhaps she's also jealous. What gives her the right to tell you what to do? It isn't even her party. Right, Alice?" Warren asked, looking at the birthday girl. Her cheeks were a bright shade of peach, glistening golden in the lights.

"Uh…" Was all Alessandra could manage to utter – she still felt detached from the moment and flustered by the aroused, tense emotions her empathy had filled her with.

"Geez, don't make it too obvious." Cassandra snickered, to which Alice dropped her head, embarrassed.

"Ah, my apologies Alice." Warren offered her a sorry smile.

Which she accepted graciously and replied with tact, "Oh, don't mind me. Please, don't -" she paused, thinking about how to phrase what she wanted to say; in the end, she settled for something simple, "Uh, - don't hold back on my behalf." Alice smiled at Warren and her mother, who was still in his arms. Glancing behind the couple, she continued, "But, do excuse me." Rubbing a palm into the centre of her chest, she disappeared from the buffet table.

Confused, Karou looked between Cass and Warren and then after Alice, "Should I go check on her?"

"No…" Warren suggested and glanced behind him in the direction he'd noticed Alice's go. Sure enough, Samir was standing across the room by one of the other entrances. "I don't think she was getting away from us."

It took only one nod from Warren for Karou to understand what he meant. Her brows rose in comprehension when she followed his line of sight and discovered Samir too. She decided not to follow or question her daughter on the matter of her imminent proposal, knowing that when the time was right, Alice would come to her of her own will. Besides, she didn't want to leave Warren's side.

When the two turned back toward the buffet table, Cassandra had disappeared. Karou briefly scanned the room for her, only to discover her sneaking out of the smaller side doors with one of the wealthy nobles' daughters, Adrianna Zumiez. This time Warren had followed Karou's gaze and concluded that they had been left alone to their own devices.

Music had been playing for some time and floated over the heads of the guests without effort. There had been a couple of hours of chatter by now. So, as the chandelier lights slowly dimmed, couples began to gather on the designated dance floor in the centre of the room. Gently bodies swayed two and fro, circling elegantly about the dance floor. Flourishes of dress fabric and feathered wings spread out into the open space, looking beautiful.

From the sidelines, Karou looked on enviously. She loved to watch the dances, but she never joined in.

Warren had noticed her longing looks, and when another song began, he looped his arm into himself, inviting her to take hold in a gentlemanly gesture. Tilting his head back toward the crowd, winked one dark eye at Karou and said, "C'mon, little bird; you know how to fly. Let me teach you how to dance."

"What? No! I can't."

"Of course, you can." Warren shook his head, having none of her protests. She'd already taken his arm out of habit, which had unwittingly permitted him to escort her onto the floor even if she dragged her heels a bit.

"Warren… You're about to embarrass the both of us," she whisper-shouted anxiously. "I may be older now, but my sense of coordination has not improved. Luckily, I can pass off my clumsiness to these shoes or even alcohol, but out there, I'm wide open; they'll see how uncoordinated I am."

"I may be able to remedy your coordination issues for the duration of the dancing. Take off your shoes and take a ride on mine?"

"You're kidding, right?" Karou asked, astonished.

He wasn't and wasn't taking no for an answer; he wanted to dance. Taking the lead, he took Karou into the crowd where others had already started dancing. A new dance age had come about; the free-style solo club scene was no longer as 'in fashion'. Instead, in its place, an evolved kind of 'in hold' form had made its way back into the limelight. Although Warren wasn't too keen on the new flourishes, preferring to keep it simple, classic and old-fashioned how he knew best, he still enjoyed dancing.

Kneeling before her at the side of the dance floor, he made no fuss over removing her heels. Karou watched him with a nostalgic smile. She recalled a day a long, long time ago when he'd sat her down on a log by a lake and put her tennis shoes back on. The memory had stayed with her like a stain because it was the first time she had wondered whether she was in love with Warren.

With his Fledgeling suitably barefoot, Warren promptly lifted her to balance on the toes of his shoes. Held safely in his arms, Karou pressed her chest close to his while Warren instigated their first dance. Making his way around the floor with ease, he carried her. Her waterfall dress disguised the rouse perfectly, making them appear utterly synchronised.

Karou thought This is so fun! Thank you.

You're welcome. He replied and couldn't take the smile off his face the whole time. In the middle of their dance, he could no longer contain admiring her in the privacy of his own mind and shared his singular recurring thought with her. You're stunning, you know?

Thank you. She replied, it always meant so much when it came from her Sire, her first and last true love. I'm all yours, Warren, always.

I must be the luckiest man alive. I'm not sure which is my dumbest mistake, denying I loved you for so long or staying away even longer.

You smooth… talker. Karou giggled again; her thought didn't make sense. But both…

Can I make it up to you? Warren turned his head to become face to face and edged closer as if he might kiss her at any second.

Are you trying to seduce me, Mr Howard?

Maybe. He answered plainly. Somewhere in his mind, he'd briefly wondered whether tonight would be the night he'd have to give in to his lust and make love to her. It seemed pointless to put it off any longer.

While their dance stretched from one song to the next, he let Karou make a move of her own, lifting her off his feet and urging her to twirl about while still holding his hand. Adeptly, Warren masked any stumbles by pulling her back into his arms and dramatically bowing her backwards, which earned him some happy smiles and playful giggles.

On either side of the room, the other two Morgan women that made up the Royal trinity reentered the Great Hall, having departed their own romantic encounters. Coincidently, they converged beneath the vast archway of the main doors. Framed by the grande architecture of their ancestral home, the heir and the spare looked out into the crowd. Alice took hold of her sister's hand. She was coming down from some powerful emotions and grounded herself in the familiar bond of her best friend and sibling. Cassandra, in turn, tuned into Alice's aura and felt the echo of what Alice had been going through via her gift - she squeezed her hand to comfort her.

"Everything is gonna be alright," Cass said with certainty.

"Yes. I think so too." Alice agreed and squeezed back the hand that held hers so securely.

Together they found their mother amidst the dancing crowd. She was with her Sire. Held safely in his arms and with a smile on her face. It was a sight that they'd both longed to see for what felt like a very long time, almost a lifetime.

"Yeah, for sure, things are gonna be good from now on." Cassandra felt hopeful, looking at Karou and Warren together. Just as they'd once told Warren, if their mom was happy, so would they be.

"I'm happy now. Now that she has her happily ever after."

THE END

Epilogue to follow