Page 21 of Vampire Solstice

“You always will be,” I reply.

As the night wears on, the celebration grows more jubilant. Laughter and music fill the air, and the hall is alive with dancing and feasting. It is during one of these quieter moments that Kael drops to one knee before Myra, holding a small, simple ring in his hand. The hall falls silent as he looks up at her, his expression full of devotion.

“Myra,” he says, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “You stood by me when I was at my worst, when I was something no one could love. Now that I’m free, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

Myra’s hands fly to her mouth as tears spill down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispers, and then louder, “Yes! Of course, yes!”

The hall erupts into cheers and applause as Kael rises, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a kiss. The joy in the room is infectious, and I find myself laughing and clapping along with everyone else.

Later, as the night begins to wind down, Fen and I retreat to our chambers. The warmth of the celebration lingers, but there is a quiet intimacy in the space we now share. I step into his arms, leaning against him as the weight of the night finally eases.

“You were incredible tonight,” Fen says, his voice low and full of affection.

“So were you,” I reply, looking up at him. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. “I’m proud of you, Ari. Of everything we’ve built together. And everything we’ll continue to build.”

I smile, my heart full. “I love you, Fen.”

“And I love you,” he murmurs, leaning down to kiss me. The world fades away as we lose ourselves in each other, the warmth of our love carrying us through the longest night and into the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

The End