Page 164 of The Prince's Curse

Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled at him. “I want to look good next to you.”

“Again, you don’t need the shoes for that. But if they make you feel good, I won’t stop you,” he said.

Rounding the desk, he gave her a kiss and offered his arm. She took it, and all became right with the world. Just past his office was Olivia Pierce’s renovated office, which smelled of her perfume. It was dark, so she was either finding a snack with Nikko or already making her way downstairs.

It had been months since the court gathered for an evening at Infinity, and he was surprisingly nervous about it. Not so long ago, he’d sat within these walls as he counted the months till he saw his Brigitte again, till he suffered the greatest heartbreak. And now…now the world was full of possibility.

Holding Scarlett’s arm, he helped her down the spiraling stairs. There was a low hum of the music from within the lower level and club proper. Several of his Nightwatch lingered outside. Phoebe McFadden was at the lobby with Karl Muller, both dressed sharply as they welcomed arriving guests. “Sir,” Phoebe said warmly.

Paris and Olivia waited at the double doors into the main hall of the club, where he’d spent so many nights at Eduardo’s side. Olivia’s red eyes raked over him, and he fought the urge to step back. She’d always possessed a certain ferocity, but growing a pair of fangs had brought it out in spades. Somehow she seemed taller now, her shoulders always high and proud.

“You look great,” she said, carefully adjusting his tie. “You’re going to make an entrance.”

“We don’t have to do all the ceremony,” he said.

She scowled. “Paris. Please offer your assistance here.”

“After all we went through, you are going to do all the damn ceremony this lovely lady desires,” Paris said. “You’re going to walk in with your sexy dhampir on your arm?—”

“Thanks,” Scarlett said eagerly.

Paris grinned and continued, “And make everyone happy with how beautiful you both are and the fact that we are all still fucking alive. You will give us a proper toast, tell us to drink ourselves silly, and start the party. And that’s all. Got it?”

“Got it,” Julian said. He bowed his head and kissed Paris’s cheek, smiling as the other man kissed him back.Warmth prickled through the Covenant bond, and for once, he returned it, hoping that Paris felt his gratitude and affection.

Blue eyes shone as Paris pulled back and bowed his head in a show of deference. “I’m very happy about tonight,” Paris said. “You should see Misha’s suit.”

“He looks great,” Olivia said appreciatively.

“That man has an ass that defies physics. It’s literally impossible for pants to look bad on him,” Paris said. Then he smiled at Olivia, offered his arm, and pushed the doors open. “You’re up after us.”

In they walked, the two people who had unexpectedly been his closest advisors and dearest friends over the last months. One wielded the sword, the other the pen, and both had refused to take his shit. Both had been brutally honest with him, refusing to let him give up on being their Elder, and he could never be appreciative enough for the pair of them. If they wanted a bit of pageantry, it was a small ask.

As the doors swung open, the music rose, then faded again. Julian glanced down at Scarlett. “Are you ready for this?”

“I think so,” she said. She pressed her left hand to his heart, and a familiar warmth pulsed there. And even knowing that she was safe, he still felt that instinctive sense of fear, the cold dread that this was going to fall through his fingers, that he would still lose her.He hadn’t burdened her with it, but Armina Voss still appeared in his nightmares, swooping in to claim her as she laughed and said, You didn’t really think I’d let you win, did you?

But Scarlett was still here. The curse was broken, and she was free. Shoshanna had told him so a hundred times, and had gently informed him she’d be glad to tell him a thousand more that things would be all right.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. The taste of her bloomed on his tongue, sweet and sharp as wild berries. “I love you, and I am so proud to have you at my side,” he said.

Scarlett’s dark lips pursed in a smile. “I love you, and it is my honor to be here.”

Ahead of them, the double doors swung open, and the music grew louder. The smell of dozens of vampires, each triggering familiar memories, each tugging at their shared bond all at once, overwhelmed him. Inside, faint lights glowed from the rafters, casting a hazy glow over the gathered court.

Conversations faltered, leaving only the noise of clinking glasses as he strode in with Scarlett at his side. As he passed the raised dais where Alistair sat at the piano, he nodded. Alistair nodded to him, and Julian rose onto the dais, offering his hand to Scarlett. They had a table at the back of the club, but he had promised Paris a proper ceremony. Alistair put a glass in his hand, then descended.

Their court was still small, with no more than three dozen vampires and dhampir allies gathered in the dark space. At the edge of the crowd was Elsa Wolfe and her wife, who had come as guests. His mouth went dry at the sight of Ophelia Klein, who had come on behalf of the Sanguine Crown at Misha’s request.

Red gazes turned to him, and he slowly took in the strange sight. So many expectations upon him. What would he say?

Scarlett’s slow, steady heartbeat reassured him. Each pulse sent a little burst of her scent wafting into the air, and he gently brought her closer with one arm around her waist. Raising his glass, he said, “It has been far too long since we could gather this way. Over the last weeks, I have spoken to all of you at length, and I will not bore you with droning speeches this evening,” he said. “Our court is small, but proud. You are here because you chose your integrity over easy comfort. We are bound by a vow to stand for what is right, and to stand together.All of you have given much to be here, and I thank you for those sacrifices. I pray that the darkest of times are behind us, and that tonight is the beginning of a time of peace and flourishing. Please, drink and be merry, and be proud of what you stand for.”

“Hear, hear,” Dominic called aloud from the edge of the room. Julian caught his eye, watching as he rose with his glass. Around the room, the rest of the Nightwatch followed, along with the other members of the court.

His chest tightened at the sight of them, low light glinting off those still, raised glasses. The air hung thick with expectation, as they waited for him. They waited to follow him.

With a nod, Julian drank deep, then bowed to his court. With a growing murmur, his court drank. Scarlett rose and kissed his cheek, and the conversation rose to a buzz. He turned to meet her gaze. “My queen,” he murmured, kissing her softly.

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