The celebration came on the heels of twenty-nine days of mourning. One day for every slain witch—twenty-two witches had perished. The extra seven days were the official Coven mourning period for the thirty-two witches who had lost their magick in the battle.

For the last month the Coven had been a somber place as they all grieved and repaired what had been so badly damaged, both physically and nonphysically.

During the time since Sarafina had accepted Theo’s proposal, Theo had moved into her apartment and made peace with Maria. As she’d requested, he’d kept his apartment, too—a solid tie to the Coven—and they’d spent the previous couple of nights there.

“I don’t know. I’d rather stay here in bed with you.” She laid a kiss to his chest.

Sarafina had an announcement of her own to make, but the thought of it made butterflies rise in her stomach, so she put the thought away for the moment.

“We’ve got the rest of our lives to spend in bed together, baby.” He chuckled low. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

She stretched, enjoying her satisfied lethargy and the soreness that came from being well loved. There were some types of pains that were more like pleasure. “What should I wear?”

He slipped the sheet off her, exposing her bare breasts and stomach. His heated gaze took her in for a moment, a familiar lust turning his eyes even darker. He lowered his head and sucked one nipple into his mouth and then the other, taking time with each.

It was odd how there seemed to be a direct line from her breasts to her sex when Theo touched them.

“I would prefer nothing at all, but I guess you should go down in a dress,” he murmured.

“A dress,” she answered in the breathless voice that Theo seemed to so often produce in her. “I can manage that, I think.”

He rolled off the bed and stood. Sarafina sat up, admiring the bare rear view of him—the long, strong legs and back, and the most perfect male derrière she’d ever seen in her life.

He glanced out the window at the darkening twilight. These days they didn’t have to worry about Bai popping in on them, or Stefan threatening them, so they could do self-indulgent and absolutely exquisite things like spend the whole day in bed. That was exactly what they’d done.

“I guess we should get ready,” she said.

“The party will be starting soon.” Theo reached out a hand and pulled her to her feet. He raised a brow. “Shower?”

She smiled. “If you’re in it, sure.”