Page 162 of The Star's Sword

“You know I’d love to stay with you, but I think we should go help in the havens,” Griffin said, enfolding me in the gentle hug that was all him.

“I’d love to see this, I admit,” Os said. “But Griffin is right. You did the hard work, but we need to be there to back it up.”

“Surely you deserve at least one night off,” Simon said, glaring at them.

Griffin shook his head. “We’ll be together. In a world where there is hope. That’s enough.” He looked at me. “Are you okay if we leave, Cleo?”

I nodded. “You’ll be back.”

He smiled; royal blue eyes full of emotion. “Always, for my best friend.” He hugged me once more and I just held him back, grateful for how he’d been there for me on my journey.

He pulled back, and Os gave me a hug, and then Mor made a portal for her and Cayne and Griffin and Os took off together into the clouds.

Then it was just Zadis, Sam, Simon, Mark and me, alone in the courtyard with a swirling purple portal.

And then someone stepped out of the portal. Someone with long white hair, a gorgeous face, blue skin and black horns.

“Luren!” I said, running forward. Even though he’d been supporting us from the demon realms, he was such a part of this. Without him, we wouldn’t have survived hell.

He grinned as he hugged me, then walked me back over to the group, where Mark was cocking his head curiously.

“Luren,” Luren said, extending a hand. “Drorren knight.”

“Mark,” Mark said. “Vampire prince. Well, probably king soon, when Card leaves.”

Simon beamed. “I didn’t even have to ask.”

“A bit obvious, given my power,” Mark muttered.

Samael greeted Luren with a smile and a wave. He was still depleted, but I hoped a revelry might help that.

After all, the world was saved. What was the harm in being a bit adventurous?

Mark grinned as he looked around. “Two vampires, one incubus, one Drorren and one fae. Interesting revelry, don’t you think?”

Zadis gave me a wicked grin.

Luren folded his arms, looking like he might be blushing, though I couldn’t tell with his deep-blue skin. “I came because Cayne mentioned you all might be celebrating.” His eyes locked with mine and the heat there was palpable. “He said you might be having a revelry?”

“The more the merrier!” Simon said, smiling. “See, Cleo? Everyone agrees. It’s a new world. Lose your inhibitions.” He stood, walking for the sanctuary and waving for us all to follow. “Come on, I’ll show you Cayne’s secret below-ground revelry room!”

Mark, Zadis and Luren got up to go with him, leaving just Samael and I.

“Are you okay with this?” I asked, a bit excited by the unknown, but happy to celebrate our new life in any way he wanted.

Samael just laughed, pulling me close. “We just saved the world. Watching you feel all the pleasure in the world, surrounded by our friends, strengthening our bonds, what could be better, Morningstar?”

Truly, the Cleo from the havens was gone. My job as the Morningstar? Over. My lover? With me for all time now.

The future was mine for the taking, sparkling with possibilities for the first time in my life.

And wherever I went, Sam would be with me.

“Anything you want,” Sam said, lifting my hand to his lips to kiss it as we walked inside.

All I wanted was him, and I had him forever now.

But a night of fun with my friends, bonding with Sam, being fed on by Simon, exploring? That sounded good to my inner demon, too.

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