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We pass by a group of regulars, and they try to talk to Ekon, but he lifts his chin, eager to keep us walking. I laugh at his actions, and other people look at me, but I don’t give a damn. My chest aches, so full of something I can't name right now.

I don’t say what I feel out loud. The words are still there, riding inside my mouth, but I can’t say it yet. Ekon glances at me with grayish eyes, and I let the silence say what my mouth won't.

The club's neon sign glows purple and red ahead of us, pulsing like a heartbeat. The night is just beginning, and we have time to explore it together. Ekon drops my hand and then wraps his arms around me the second we get to an alleyway. His wings escape, ripping his shirt. We jump and then we soar, rushing through the air. The humidity presses on us as clouds whip around us. None of that matters, though. Right now, I feel everything, and it's enough.

Epilogue Ekon

The purple and black lights of Midnight Embers catch along the gold threads woven through the Jazz and Heritage banners strung across the VIP railing. I stand at the edge of the stage, hand on the curtain rope, watching the crowd filter in. I shut the curtain and return to the dressing room. My phone buzzes right away. I sigh and answer it.

“Ma—” I start.

“Ekon, do I look like a consultant?” she ponders.

“What?” I yank the phone away, checking the caller.

It’s my mother, but her question makes no sense.

“Ma, I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Clearly. When I said Yue and you should come for Sunday dinner, it wasn’t a suggestion for my health.”

I try not to chuckle. “Alright. I’ll talk it over with her tonight.”

“You better.” She pauses. “Ekon, have you given her the heart?”

“I plan to tonight. I wanted to give her some time,” I explain.

“Good. I'd better see it around her neck, or I’ll wring yours.”

This time the laugh slips, and my mom ends the call. I dress in black slacks and a white suit with the sleeves removed. No shirt underneath, but the slacks pull away to black boxer briefs. I pull my locs half up and tie them off with a black cord, the rest hanging past my shoulder blades. I exit the dressing room and find the area the same as I left it. People are in here, packed wall to wall. Another season means another massive celebration in the Quarter. The enchanted chandeliers above the VIP level rotate slowly, their crystals throwing light across faces I half-recognize. The bass from the speakers vibrates through the stage floor, rushing through the soles of my bare feet. Then it slows to something I gave DJ Tide before we opened.

Nyx lifts her chin at me from the bar; Eos winks, and the guys all grin as I pass them. Everyone knows some shit is about to happen, well everyone but her.

From where I stand, I can see Yue. She’s near the side of the bar, sitting in her spell stool with her arms crossed. Tonight, she wears a black skirt and a multi-colored crop top, revealing delectable onyx skin. Her coils fall to the side of her face. Her eyes narrow and scan the area like this is a normal fucking Saturday. It’s not.

My chest tightens, and my palms dampen before I shake them off.

DJ Tide’s voice cuts through the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is Jazz and Heritage night at Midnight Embers, and we've got a special treat. Give it up for one of our headliners, Maverick!"

The crowd screams. Unlike usual, I don’t drop from the VIP level, nor do I walk right to the stage. Instead, I meander toward Yue, lights illuminating my path. Yue’s eyes grow wide, and a chorus of shouts hits my ear. Ashari is placing her chair on stage. I extend my hand to Yue, giving her a choice.

“What are you doing?” she hisses, a fake smile appearing on her face.

“Dance with me.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind? We’ve already done this before. If you don’t remember, it ended with us flying and fucking,” she explains in a whisper.

I laugh. “I’ve danced with you here before, that’s true. But this isn’t that. It’s different.”

“How?” she growls, gritting her teeth as the crowd cheers for us to go to the stage.

“Come and find out.” I open and close my hand.

With a dramatic sigh, she takes my hand and says, “If you do something insane, no pussy for a week.”

“As if you’d do that to me.”

“Try me,” she replies in a sing-song voice.