As wonderful as things were between them, it was starting to feel like Monte Carlo again, being cooped up, never going out. It couldn’t be that way again.

“Byron, while you’re running the world today, try to find a moment to think where you’re taking me out on Saturday night. I’m not going to be cooped up every night. This can’t be like Monaco all over again.”

“But Victorija—”

“No, Byron, I’m not going to live my life waiting for some vampire to attack us. You’re all immortal—it could be centuries.”

Amelia really had changed in the time they had been apart. She had gained a strength she hadn’t had before, and was only too willing to call Byron out, but she suspected Byron liked it.

“You are right, of course. I will plan something nice for you. I promise I won’t make the same mistakes again,” Byron said, and Amelia believed her. Things really were different now.

* * *

Byron waited at the bottom of the stairs for Amelia. Sera and Bhal were talking, while the staff milled around helping people with their coats.

“Try not to get into any trouble this time, Sera,” Bhal said to Sera.

“Why, thank you, Bhal. I’m so glad you like my new dress. Can you ever say anything nice to me or just criticize me?”

Byron heard footsteps on the stairs and turned around expecting it to be Amelia, but instead it was Katie, and she looked beautiful. Alexis stopped midconversation, and she heard her Duca’s heart thud loudly.

Alexis immediately marched over to meet Katie at the bottom of the stairs.

“Where do you think you’re going, Katie?” Alexis said sternly.

“Out, to have a life. You know, that thing you don’t have?”

Byron heard Alexis almost suppress a snarl. “It’s not safe for a human at The Sanctuary.”

“The Principessa is going,” Katie replied.

Alexis took hold of Katie’s arm and pulled her over to the side of the staircase. “She has a multitude of vampires and warriors to protect her. You don’t, and I can’t be in two places at once. I need to concentrate on the Principe, and her wife. Your place is here.”

Katie yanked her arm away from Alexis, and said angrily, “Since when is it your job to keep me safe? I keep myself safe. The Principessa invited me and I’m going. Besides, I’m sure I can pick up some strong vampire or…something…to look after me.”

Alexis leaned into her and said coldly, “When you find yourself drained of blood, and in need of rescue, don’t come running to me.”

“At least one vampire will like the taste of my blood,” Katie said.

Byron was continually surprised at the venom between the two. They seemed to always be at each other’s throats.

“Duca? Come here,” Byron said.