It was strange getting used to not having aches and pains or injuring herself. Sometimes she did think about living the long stretch of immortality in front of her and felt overwhelmed, but she just tried to concentrate on her love, Alexis.

“I knew you could do it,” Katie said.

“Do what?” Alexis asked.

She moved her arms around Alexis’s neck. “Smile, Duca.”

“You’re the only one who can make me,” Alexis said.

Katie sighed in contentment. “I remember the last time we were all here, and I was dancing with someone else wishing they were you.”

Alexis pulled her in tighter. “And I was watching you, wanting to kill your dance partner.”

Katie pecked her on the lips. “You’ll always be my dance partner now.”

The music faded out, and servers walked around with glasses of champagne. Katie looked over to Daisy and saw her sway a little. She made eye contact with her and mouthed, “Are you all right?”

Daisy smiled and nodded. She had been dealing with difficult side effects from Victorija’s blood bond, Katie knew, and Byron was doing everything she could to support her and protect her.

Slaine stood on the small stage with the microphone and said, “Let’s have quiet for Principe Debrek, everyone.”

Bhal stood at one side of the stage and Wilder at the other beside Amelia. A hush came over the crowd when Byron took the microphone and said, “I just wanted to say a few words. I’ve known Alex for a long, long time, and she has been the most dedicated Duca anyone could hope to have, but I’m so happy that love is taking some of her attention away from her job. You deserve it, Alexis.”

Alexis moved behind Katie and put her arms around her waist.

Byron continued, “Katie, you know what I think of you. I’ve watched you grow up from a little girl to a beautiful young woman. You’ve always been like a little sister to me, so if Alexis does anything you don’t like, send her to me.”

“As if I’d dare,” Alexis whispered in Katie’s ear. “You’d kill me.”

Katie chuckled.

Byron put her arm around Amelia’s waist. “There’s another reason for celebration today. Only our closest friends and family know about this, but we thought it about time we shared it with the world.”

Amelia’s uncles looked on proudly from below the stage.

Byron leaned into Amelia and gave her a kiss. “The Principessa and I are going to have a baby.”

Katie whooped and clapped along with the crowd. She shouted over the noise to Alexis, “About time they told everyone. It’s the best news ever.”

“It was a shock to them both. I think they just needed time to get used to the idea. I’ve never seen Byron so nervous,” Alexis said.

“A little baby for you to protect.”