Amelia leaned forward and kissed Wilder on the cheek. Wilder jumped back when Byron walked into the room, flanked by Alexis and Bhal. Wilder looked visibly nervous as she waited for Byron’s reaction to being kissed by the Principessa, but Byron smiled and held out her hand for Amelia to join her.

Byron stopped in front of the stone fireplace, and when Amelia came into her arms, she gave her a soft kiss. Neither was expecting the intensity that came in the slightest touch between them since they were blood bound, and Byron knew from Amelia’s response that she was bound to Byron as much as Byron was bound to her. They craved each other. Byron’s gaze dropped to Amelia’s neck and she smiled.

“Everything okay with you and Wilder?”

“We had a chat, and I think we’ll be good friends,” Amelia said.

“That’s what I like to hear, mia cara.”

Amelia slipped her hand inside Byron’s suit jacket, and whispered, “That’s Mrs. Debrek to you, vampire.”

“Quite so. Mrs. Debrek. My Principessa.”

They were interrupted by a disturbance at the drawing room door. Katie walked through the door backward. “Please just give me a minute to announce you.”

Amelia was surprised when she saw her uncle Simon barging into the room, followed by Jaunty. Uncle Simon was exuberant, flamboyant, much more of a social butterfly than the slightly reserved Jaunty, but they shared one trait. They were ferociously protective of Amelia.

“Where is this Byron? I’ll have a few strong words for her.” Simon strode angrily over to them, and then realized who Byron was. He wasn’t a tall man, and he had to look up to Byron. “Oh my, you are very tall…Well, anyway, what are you doing keeping our girl captive?”

“Uncle Simon, it’s—”

“Six months my Amelia was breaking her heart, crying over you, and now you reveal to her you’re a bloody vampire, and lock her away in this dusty relic.”

Jaunty put a calming hand on his back. “Simon, let Amelia speak.”

Amelia furrowed her brow. “Uncle Simon, you knew Byron was a vampire?”

Simon waved his hand dismissively. “Jaunty knew about Byron and her father for years, and I told him not to let you date her. It would only end in trouble for you, sweetie.”

Amelia couldn’t believe it. “You knew, Uncle Jaunty? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jaunty stepped towards her, and took her hand. “It was just suspicions, sweetheart, until I confronted Byron about it before you went to Monaco. I warned her not to let me down—”

“And I did.” Byron stepped into the conversation and put her arm around Amelia’s waist. “But only for the best of reasons, to keep Amelia safe, and Amelia is not captive here, Simon. She can leave anytime she wants.”

“I do want to be here, Uncle Simon.” Amelia gave her uncle a hug. “I promise.”