Chapter 7: Danny POV

The King's Valentine's Ball found me in a lovely dress, once more from Sebastian's unbelievable creations. I had still a rather hard time to be consistent in my powers of creating, but I didn't mind. This Ball I was able to boldly step out with Sebastian and enjoyed dancing with him and even a quick trot with the Earl. The Ball was the highlight of the Social Season, the celebration of the love matches and powerful houses rubbing shoulders and strategically mapping their children's futures.

"It is quite an evening, isn't it?" Sebastian asked as he handed me a glass of champagne. I sipped it and looked over the dance floor from our spot on the balcony. There was a swirl of colors and I leaned into him.

"This is my first time at a King's Ball. Not the first time meeting the King, well, this one, at least," I said.

"I've met Kings and Queens, even famous painters and ancient philosophers," he said, eyeing the dancers and clapping politely as the dance came to an end. "To a various degree they're all the same."

"Power and worship?" I guessed. He snorted and nodded. "Humans," I sighed. "All that complexity in an interesting package."

He looked at me and laughed. "And here I thought you were only two. Such depth."

"You forget I was a Reaper for 50 years, so add that into my wisdom age," I whispered, the gallery filling with Humans. The Earl was ushering the Lady closer to us and he was smiling.

"The Sweetheart Dance is coming," he said excitedly. He looked at Sebastian and I. "Are you two joining us this year?"

"My Lord," Sebastian said, looking at him, an eyebrow raising a bit. "Are you…?"

I looked at the two men and the Lady, all who seemed to be waiting for something. I turned to Sebastian and looked at him, his eyes falling slowly to me. He took my hand and tugged me to one of the open doors. I looked back at the Phantomhive's, not worried, but bewildered, and than a small giggle and smile.

"Sebastian?"

He pulled me out on the outdoor balcony, the cold leaving it empty. He held my hand until he got to the far end of the balcony. I pulled back and he used his strength to pull me to his chest. His fingers brushed my hair as it blew into my face a little. He bent down and kissed me, holding me tight.

"Daniella Hyde," he breathed. I held my breath for a moment; he used my full name in intimate ways and sent me to places a woman could be in trouble going. "You once said you wanted all a Human woman could have. I can give you one of those at the moment - I can give you this Earthly commitment to our Eternal promise."

I held my breath as he moved a step back and reached into his jacket. "Sebastian," I breathed.

His eyes danced with delight as he slid a black box out, just the perfect size of a small object. It seemed to gleam against his white gloves. "Daniella Hyde, would you do me the honor of joining your Soul to my rather Soulless existence, your body to mine, and my Darkness tie me firmly to yours?"

He flipped the small top and a gleaming silver band with two diamonds caught in the moonlight. I gasped and I heard his small chuckle. He slid it out of the velvet cushion and took my left hand, kissing my mark, under my own white gloves, and gently slid the ring on my finger. I looked at it and tears welled - I never knew something so beautiful could exist. The thin silver band was accented by tiny diamonds around the band, folding to meet where two diamonds sat on opposite sides. I lifted my eyes and heard my own ragged breath as I sucked in the cool night.

"Sebastian," I breathed, and said it again, and again, my whispers almost like I was summoning him to me, to my side, to my heart. "Thank you. I know it is meaningless to you -'

He pulled back and placed his right thumb on my lips, pausing me mid-sentence. "It is not meaningless, not if you find meaning it, and certainly not if you desire it. I do see the meaning in joining two Souls, two bodies, two destinies together," he said. He laughed lightly, bringing up his left hand and his Mark bright and visible even through his glove. He brushed my cheek again and the warmth spread through my being. He cocked his head a bit and smiled again. "The Sweetheart Dance. Shall we declare ourselves sweethearts?"

I pulled him down and kissed him. I nodded as I kissed him and a bubbling laugh came out. "Yes, yes, to all of what you will ever give me." I kissed him harder and threw my arms around his neck. "My lover. My Mate."