**Thank you for reading my story! Soon, this story will come to a close and I hope you all love it! But first, I have three edited chapters ready for you. Yes, three. Enjoy!**

~ Chapter Fifty-Three~

Reunited

A strange noise woke Rose up from her very deep, restful, and dreamless sleep. Her eyes fluttered open but instantly fell, heavy with exhaustion, and she longed to go back to sleep. However, as seconds passed by and she came to, she quickly realized two things.

One: she was no longer on hard Earth but was lying down on something incredibly soft, warm, and comfortable, and two, she was no longer in her body-suited armor but was wholly naked.

Now awake, Rose bolted into a sitting position, clutching the soft cashmere sheet to her chest, and looked wildly around the room. She was in a luxurious, king-sized bed in an equally elegant and spacious room she knew to be Avalon's Castle; but had no memory of getting there.

Blinking and narrowing her eyes in confusion, Rose moved her achy and tired limbs and realized how dirty she still felt. The dirt, blood, and sweat from battle, though wiped clean when she returned everyone from the Death Curse's grasp, still left a residue on her skin.

A bath was the first order of business and would happen when she found the will to wake up and move out of the soft and warm sheets. Now that she was somewhere safe, she no longer cared about how she got to Avalon's Castle or got naked in the first place.

Lying back against her pillow, she closed her eyes and snuggled the blankets up to her face, willing herself to keep sleeping. She also didn't know how long she'd been asleep but didn't care. The room was a dark blue color of either early morning or dusk, and with how exhausted she was feeling, sleep was going to be her only task for the next week.

Rose almost drifted off again until someone suddenly climbed onto the bed.

Gasping, she almost opened her mouth to scream or fight when light burst through her soul-bond. Her limbs, hands, and feet tingled, and her mate's beautiful scent filled her nostrils.

Sighing in relief, she kept her eyes closed as Brooklyn suddenly climbed in the warm sheets with her, wrapped his arms and legs around her naked body, and molded himself to her. Smiling to herself, he was so warm to the touch, and with her being naked, her body began to awaken with every touch he placed upon her.

Brooklyn growled in pleasure as he ran his claws over her bare breasts and instantly began devouring her lips in sweet but seductive kisses. Rose moaned, wrapped her arms around his neck, and time passed by perfectly.

Brooklyn let up first but didn't go far from her lips. His dark brown eyes peered into hers, and his smile melted her.

"Good evening, my love."

"Good evening, sweetheart." Rose smiled back at him, and he kissed her again, deeply and passionately, while running his claws over her naked body. Heat shot through her system, igniting her. However, the more he touched her, the more she remembered about her cleanliness- or lack of.

"Wait…" she whispered and pushed him off her slightly. "I want to take a bath first before we continue this, my love. I may look clean, but I certainly don't feel clean."

"I'll bathe you," Brooklyn breathed as he continued to feast upon her neck, now palming her breasts in his claws. Rose closed her eyes, sighed, and tilted her head further back to allow him more skin to claim.

"I don't mean with your tongue," she teased.

Brooklyn snorted and laid himself flat over her body, letting her know that he was fully aroused. Part of her wanted to rip his loincloth off and let him claim her. But she also still had standards about her cleanliness.

"Ah, darn. Come on, Rose. Where is your sense of adventure?

Now it was her turn to laugh.

"Haven't we already had enough adventure to last us a lifetime?"

Brooklyn smiled, detached from her skin, and lifted his face to gaze upon hers. His dark brown eyes found her gleaming amber-yellow ones as he circled his talons around her peaked nipples- teasing her along ever so tormentingly.

"Yes, but not this type of adventure."

Rose chuckled, opened her mouth to speak when he suddenly crushed his lips down to hers. His tongue swept deeply into her mouth, and his claws did sinful things to her body. But, Rose broke away from his lips, gasping in the air, and tried again for conversation.

"As nice of a wake-up call as this is, I am a bit confused."

"About what?"

"Well, last I remember, we were making out at the base of the cauldron back in Hel."

Brooklyn slid his tongue and lips down her neck and began sucking her peaked nipples. Rose shut her eyes, gasped, and arched her body to his with nails digging into his back. He lifted on his sucking and drew hot breath against her skin as he looked up at her.

"It was getting close to dawn, and we were so beat, I carried you back to this room that Titania and Oberon have given us for our uses. You fell asleep in my arms, so I put you to bed before I entered my stone sleep," he explained quietly. "You must have slept all day because tonight is the Avalonian celebration for winning the war, and technically, another week has passed by in the real world."

Rose kept her eyes closed, relaxed her head against her pillow, and nodded, "Okay. That explains why I feel like I have slept for a week but am still so content to keep sleeping. Is it always like this after a battle?"

Brooklyn nodded. "Yes. War and fights have wiped me out before, and this one is the worst yet, which is probably more the case for you. You fought like hell, died for Avalon and the world, brought us all back to life, all while growing another living being within your womb." He smiled at her. "You have the greatest excuse there is to sleep, eat, and keep sleeping."

Rose closed her eyes. "Hmm, I like the sound of that." She paused, rubbed a hand over her stomach, then randomly said, "I want pizza."

Brooklyn chuckled at her, but she emphasized, "No, babe, I mean… like a good New York City pizza."

"That sounds amazing!" Brooklyn hummed hungrily. " I'm pretty starved too, but I can't imagine how hungry you must be. Don't worry, my love. I'll get us food."

"Thank you, your son and myself would greatly appreciate that," Rose said, grinning.

Brooklyn's face lit up at the mention of their son and nuzzled his face against hers.

"I cannot wait for him to get here."

Rose smiled at him. "Me too." She paused, then said, "There's still something I don't recall and need you to explain better to me."

Brooklyn smiled, laid his bare chest over hers, and rested himself on his forearms.

"Sure. What's on your mind, my love?"

"Why am I naked?"

Brooklyn raised an eye bone at her and grinned even more mischievously. "Because you insisted upon it."

Rose laughed lightly and raised her eyebrows at him in disbelief. "Oh, did I now?"

Brooklyn growled in pleasure, nodded, and lowered his lips back down to her neck, licking her skin. Palming her breasts again, he squeezed them lightly but with enough force that he was creating an aching, molten sensation in her lower abdomen.

Rose threw her head back against her pillow again, moaning at the electrified sensations building in her body, and grasped fists of his mane of white hair.

"I didn't realize I was coherent enough to have done so," she breathed, "especially when I don't remember anything after bringing back everyone from the dead last night."

"Let's just say… it was an unspoken thing," Brooklyn whispered against her skin, rubbing his arousal against her legs as his talons drifted lower on her abdomen towards the sensitive and aching spot in between her legs. "Are you telling me that you don't want me as much as I want you right now?" He pressed himself against her groin, and an unladylike groan left her mouth. He grinned triumphantly at her. "That's what I thought. Being already naked makes my administrations on you so much easier…"

Gods.

If she wasn't awake moments ago, she was now. Brooklyn smiled against her skin at the small, whimpering sounds she was making.

"No, putting all that to the side, I took the liberty in making you comfortable last night, my love," he continued. "I may have touched and kissed you a little bit while you were asleep before dawn came, but I didn't do anything like what I'm doing now." He exhaled a hot breath against her skin. "I thought about you all day, Rose. It was torture to sleep, unable to wake from the intoxicating dreams I was having of you and not be able to touch you… to have to wait to kiss you…"

"Poor baby," she cooed teasingly, spreading her legs and wrapping them around his waist, bringing her heated core closer to his arousal.

Brooklyn growled. "Poor baby is right!"

Rose giggled, then whispered, "I'm afraid you'll have to wait just a little bit longer for me, my love. I first want to bathe."

"Or..." Brooklyn raised an eye bone at her, still in teasing seduction, "I can pleasure you first." His talons drifted towards her hip bones and made predatory circles around her belly button. She lifted her hips in response to his touches, wanting them to go lower.

"Anxious for me, much?" He laughed at her, and she growled at him in response.

"Maybe."

Brooklyn grinned, then caressed his talons over her groin, giving her the faintest sensation of touch. Rose jumped as electricity shot through her, the same time her hips launched up to meet his touch, but when she found that he pulled his talon away, she gritted her teeth at him, then flicked his nose.

"Beast."

Brooklyn continued to laugh, his smile and joy completely melting her heart. She gently caressed a hand down his beak and kissed where she flicked him.

"I told you that I would bathe you," Brooklyn whispered. "There is a huge tub outside of this room that's big enough for the two of us. I honestly could use a rinse off, as well."

Rose narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Outside the room?"

"Yeah, it's a deep tub that hangs off the ledge of the balcony outside. It seems pretty private, so I don't think we'll be bothered. But if we are, well then…" Brooklyn leaned towards her lips and bit her bottom lip gently, making her gasp out a moan. "I'll be sure to handle our unwanted intruders."

Rose snorted. "I pity the souls that venture unknowingly upon us. Could you imagine someone just taking a nice moonlight flight, minding their own business, and innocently coming across us? Poor creature won't have a prayer against you when you're in your mating frame-of-mind."

Brooklyn suddenly threw his head back and laughed. When he looked back at her and smiled at her, she swore she was staring into the face of Heaven.

"Don't worry," he breathed, lowering his lips to her small, rounded stomach, "I'll be kind to the innocent bystanders. But, I will always protect you."

Smiling endearingly, Rose gently ran her fingers through his hair and knew he was thinking about their son within her womb. He was now kissing her more modestly as he nuzzled his face against her womb.

"I'd do anything for you, Rose," he breathed, now looking up into her eyes and hovering himself wholly over her. "Anything."

Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, and emotion bobbed at her throat. "I know." She held him even tighter to her. "Just as I will do anything for you."

His smile mirrored her own. "I know."

Without hesitation, his lips found hers, and this time she was ready for him. Opening her mouth, she invited his tongue in.

Moaning, he hugged her body even tighter in his strong hold. Their lips and tongues danced feverishly for a few minutes as his claws gently touched every inch of her soft, warm, and smooth body—his claws running down the length of her abdomen towards her sensitive center.

Rose threw her head back, held onto him tightly, and was gulping down air.

"Oh, Brooklyn…"

He smiled at the use of his name. "If you want to take this party to the tub, then I'm more than happy to oblige you, milady. The water should be warm and have the soaps ready for our use. I don't care where we are, just as long as I get to fulfill your wishes…"

"Which ones?" Rose gasped.

"The wish you asked of me when we were in the Underworld," Brooklyn whispered against her skin. "You wanted me to kiss every inch of you and to make love to you..." he lowered his lips to her breasts again and sucked in a nipple; Rose sighed, threw her head back as he breathed against the peak, "and to never stop."

She remembered asking him that now- and since she'd slept all day long, she felt more energized and ready to make new memories with him after all the horrors they had endured last night.

Rose sighed. "That sounds… lovely…"

"I thought so." He then lifted her onto his hips, keeping her straddled against him. "So, what do you say, my love? Shall we take this to the tub?"

Grinning, Rose held onto him tightly as he wordlessly lifted her off the bed and carried her across the spacious room, kissing her wholly as they went.

Rose detached from his lips briefly to look around and was surprised how many windows were in this room. There was a massive bathroom on the other side from where the bed was, with all the amenities that Xanatos had back at the Wyvern Castle. However, even the luxurious Castle Wyvern didn't have the infinity pool-like tub that took up an entire outside ledge as this one did.

Rose gasped in awe at how beautiful it was- and romantic.

The large basin of water overlooked Avalon, which she realized, had been fixed by Oberon's magic. Looking out, she couldn't see any evidence that a war had taken place the night before.

The summer air was warm, the moon was full and glorious, and the stars shined brightly above them. The tub had a few colored lights that changed, most likely by magic, and showed off its steaming and clear water exquisitely. All manner of soaps for body and hair lined the edges, and folded towels were around the stone basin.

"Like it?" Brooklyn whispered.

Rose turned back to look into his dreamy eyes. "Yes," she breathed, leaning towards his lips. "It's the perfect place to make deep, sweet, and passionate love to you."

"I couldn't agree more," Brooklyn breathed before claiming her mouth again.

Holding her bottom with one arm, he used his other claw to free himself from his loincloth. Rose heard his leather, studded belt clang to the floor, and she could feel his proud, silky arousal touching her skin. Electricity pulsed through her entire body at the feeling of it against her bottom, and a desperate cry fell off her lips.

She wanted and needed him now…

Obliging her, Brooklyn slowly walked them down the stairs into the warm, steaming water with their lips and tongues dancing passionately, and made sweet love to her, slowly and deeply.

The bed creaked with each thrust Brooklyn made into Rose, and she was left breathless after her many releases. Rose tightened her grip on his hair as he pushed himself faster, harder, and deeper into her.

Brooklyn reached his claws out to grasp the headboard, nearly breaking it as he came, roaring. Rose gasped against his mouth, clinging onto his body as he finished inside of her.

Gulping down air and trembling slightly, Brooklyn pulled himself out, settled himself next to her, and wrapped them both in his wings. Both still damp from their bath. They had made love, over and over again in the water, cleaned each other thoroughly in the bathtub before he carried them back onto the bed to continue their love-making.

An hour had passed as they exercised their love and passion for each other and felt content to take a break. Snuggling into his arms, Rose rested her head upon his chest as he held her tightly and kissed her forehead.

Their soul-bond was pulsing strongly with the settling of their pounding hearts.

"I love you, Rose," Brooklyn whispered, shutting his eyes and resting his head on their shared pillow.

"I love you too," Rose breathed back, kissing his lips lightly

"You are stunning," he gasped. "Every time we touch or make love, you leave me breathless, and this time, oh, Rose, that was-"

A knock suddenly interrupted their moment.

Brooklyn shot up into a sitting position as a menacing growl erupted from deep within his chest. Sensing who was outside of the door, Rose pushed him back down onto the bed.

"It's only Ilana," she breathed, kissing him gently on his beak. "I'll answer it; you stay covered and warm. I'll be just a minute."

"She's going to know what we've been doing," Brooklyn argued in a whisper.

"So?"

Brooklyn raised his eye-bones at her. "So… can't you just ignore her or have her come back later?"

Rose smiled at him and chuckled. "You're my mate, Brooklyn. Ilana won't care that we've been having sex; if anything, she would encourage it. If we weren't spending every free moment of this new chapter in our life not making love, she'd be wondering what is wrong with us."

Brooklyn narrowed his eyes as she climbed out of bed and sat at the edge of the mattress, her bareback and wings to him.

"Well, I don't like others bugging us while we are mating," he grumbled. "Other than it being inappropriate, it's quite dangerous, especially when it comes to Gargoyle males. I'm in control over myself, but I would hate for her to get too close."

Rose looked at him over her shoulder and smiled at him. "You won't hurt her, Brooklyn, nor will you come undone and want to mate with her as well." She then raised an eyebrow at him. "Or will you?"

"Please, Rose," Brooklyn scoffed and rolled his eyes at her, "I may have some animal-like instincts, but I'm not that wild." He rested his head on one of his arms and then grinned cheekily at her. "Besides, one female is more than enough trouble for me."

Brooklyn barked out a laugh when she suddenly sent a pillow flying at his head. Rose then stood up, wrapped herself in a robe, crossed the room, and opened the door.

Sure enough, Ilana was there, in a different outfit than before. Instead of being a see-through slave outfit from Hel, she was more modestly dressed. Her long brown hair was tied up and had been freshly wrapped in dreadlocks. She was holding a tray of food in one hand and a dress bag in the other.

"Good evening, milady," Ilana said, smiling at her, "I have your food and dress to wear for the evening's party. May I come in and bring them to you?"

"Um… I can just take them, thank you," Rose said, holding her hands out to take the tray, but Ilana pulled them back.

"Oh, don't be silly. I know that we may not be in Hel anymore, but if you'd allow me, I'd still love to serve you whenever possible and be your hand-maiden. It's the least I can do for you saving all our lives."

Rose smiled kindly at her. "You don't have to do that, Ilana. You're my friend, and I don't…"

"I'm always going to serve you, milady Rose," Ilana said softly. "I suggest you get used to it. It is my duty and my absolute honor and pleasure to do so."

Rose smiled at her, then nodded.

When Ilana entered, and Rose shut the door, Brooklyn grumbled and sunk himself lower into the bed, pulling the sheets and blankets up to his neck. Ilana set the food tray next to the bed and threw a friendly smile at him.

"Good evening, Brooklyn! I'm glad to see you are doing well! After last night's terrible ordeal, I'm pleased that you look healthy and uninjured."

"Oh… yeah... thanks," Brooklyn answered her with a fake smile, then looked desperately over at Rose with wide eyes.

Babe, get her out of here.

Rose hung out by the door, leaned herself against a column in the room, and smirked at him. She knew that Ilana wouldn't care about him being naked under the sheets and was very open to the physical body and sexuality, but would also give them space.

It was hilarious watching Brooklyn hide under the blankets like a turtle, even though he lived in only a loincloth and was used to showing quite a bit of skin.

"Now, I've taken the liberty to bring you your dress," Ilana said, paying him no mind. "I've also shined Brooklyn's armor and have brought you two food." She bent down and showed her a bottle on the tray and shook it slightly. "I've even brought prenatal pills for you so that your sweet baby can keep growing big and healthy."

Rose grinned. "Thank you, Ilana. You are the sweetest to think of us-" she cupped her small stomach and cooed, "all of us."

"Of course," Ilana said, walking over and touching her stomach, "anything for you and your sweet child!" She grinned at her. "You've grown since we last saw each other."

"Yeah, I've noticed that." Rose ran her hand over her bump, and in her Fae form, it was now evident that she was pregnant. Though still small, it wasn't anything she could easily hide anymore.

"Your child will be a warrior just like its mother and father," Ilana continued, pouring her and Brooklyn some tea, then handed her a cup. "It's been through quite the ordeal."

"Yes," Rose said softly, sipping the warm honey tea, looked at Brooklyn once, then added, "he has."

Ilana whirled around, and her face lit up. "He? Is it a male, then?"

"Yes. We are expecting a son."

Ilana squealed, set down what she was doing, ran over, and hugged Rose tightly. "Oh, my darling, this is wonderful news! My congratulations to you both!" She let go of her, turned, and faced Brooklyn with her face glowing.

By now, he had relaxed a bit and smiled genuinely back.

"Thank you," Brooklyn said kindly. "We are thrilled."

"I bet," Ilana said. "Oh my goodness, what marvelous news!" She turned and faced Rose again. "How did you find out that he was a male?"

"In the Underworld," Rose explained. "He was there, among the many children that I found were taken by the Curse."

Ilana smiled and gripped her hand tightly. "The souls you've brought home."

Rose nodded. "I'm glad I made all of you remember that experience. It makes me feel less alone or less insane that all of that happened."

"I'm glad you let us keep our memories too. Especially Oberon and his Children. They will forever remember what you did for them and the world and will strive to keep the peace, I am sure."

"That was the idea," Rose said, nodding. "I wanted things to change around here, and, speaking of that, now you are back home here in Avalon. Is it everything you've wished to be?"

"Yes," Ilana whispered. "I'm home with my sisters, and Queen Titania has asked me to continue to be a hand-maiden to you and her. It's been wonderful so far, and I've become a valued member of this court. Oberon himself asked me to help out during this celebration and to make sure that you, and I quote his words, 'sparkle like the stars above us,' and that's exactly what I've done." She gestured to the dress bag and grinned excitedly. "I designed your dress, myself."

"You designed it?" Rose asked in awe, and Ilana nodded.

"Magic makes certain processes a lot faster. So, when I was given the task of making you look like a star, I worked all day on it and cannot wait for you to see it."

"I'm excited to see it!"

Ilana stared at her for a few seconds, then whispered, "Really?"

Rose chuckled and ran a hand down the bag's side. "Of course! You made it, so I have no doubt it's going to look stunning!"

"It's a bit much," Ilana warned, fiddling with her fingers nervously. "I… I know how much you hated being the center of attention, but-"

Rose turned to face her, smiling. "Oh, don't worry about that, Ilana. That fear of mine is long gone. I have faced the very face of Death and lost everything I ever loved but came out on top. Going through that type of fire has made me a stronger and more confident person. However, because of that, I can't wait to wear the beautiful gown you've made me and celebrate life with everyone I love and have come to love."

Ilana stayed silent, staring at her in awe, and Brooklyn smiled at her from the bed. She could feel the pride and love he had for her.

She grinned at both of them.

"Besides," she said lightly, "there's so much in this life worth celebrating, and this night is only the beginning of it-" she then looked at Brooklyn and smiled lovingly at him, "-and I cannot wait to begin living it."

Ilana wasn't kidding when she said that the dress was a bit much. Or that it would draw attention to her. But, according to Ilana, Oberon wanted her to look like the stars that shine in the night sky, and that's precisely what he got through Ilana's skilled handiwork.

She was donning the sparkliest, most exquisite, and form-fitting dress she's ever worn before.

It was a silver-blue color and looked like she made it out of tiny diamonds. The dress hugged her curves in a mermaid-style fit and had straps criss-crossing on her back- leaving the rest open for her wings to sit comfortably.

To match the elegance of the dress, Rose lightly curled her long hair and settled it on one side of her shoulders, did her make-up in a stunning smokey eye, and added her heart-shaped necklace, with angel wings on either side, to lay perfectly over the dress in her center chest.

Rose's arm was hooked through Brooklyn's as they descended the stairs towards the Avalon celebration. He was wearing his newly shined and cleaned armor outfit, as well as all the weapons he used during battle, including Excalibur, and stood tall beside her. They exchanged smiles at each other and walked towards the double doors to the Great Hall, and Rose couldn't help but remember what took place back in Hel's Great Hall.

Now, a mere twenty-four hours, which felt like a week to her, they were entering the mirrored doors to celebrate their love and newly-found freedoms. She was dressed in a gown that represented the stars above them, not death, and was walking to greet the ones she loved in the arms of the love of her life.

Everything had turned out in her favor, and it was almost like a dream as to how it happened. They stopped before the closed double doors, hearing the party-goers loudly talking, laughing, and gentle music playing.

The usual nerves tickled her stomach, but she held onto Brooklyn's arm tighter, took a deep breath, and stood tall.

"Have I told you that you are exquisite?" Brooklyn suddenly whispered in her ear.

"Hmm, you may have mentioned it a few times back in our room," Rose said, grinning. "I even vaguely remember trying to get dressed, three separate times, but you insisted on undressing me all over again to make love to me."

"Hey, can you blame me? You are the most stunning woman, especially in this dress. You're shining like the brightest star in my night sky." Brooklyn smiled, then looked her up and down. "This dress hugs you in all the right places if you know what I mean."

"I know, right?" Rose suddenly gushed, looking down at herself. "People can now tell that I'm pregnant! And…" she paused, then grinned, "not to toot my own horn here, but it makes my butt and breasts look amazing!"

Brooklyn checked her out again, whistled, and then nodded. "I'd say. Damn, girl. It's going to be a challenge to keep my claws to myself tonight."

Rose chuckled. "Thank you." She turned to face him, caressed her hands over his chiseled abdomen under his armor, and held him around the waist. "You are one sexy beast too. I'm the lucky one here."

"Hmm," Brooklyn leaned forward and kissed her lips modestly, "I'm nowhere near as beautiful as you, my love."

"I disagree, but I still thank you." Rose kissed him again, then pulled away and smiled. "Well, are we ready to go in?"

"Do you mean, am I ready to get this party over with so that we can finally go home?" Brooklyn asked, "then, yes. I am."

"Yes, that too," Rose laughed, paused, then thought about something for a few seconds. "Promise to save a dance for me?"

Brooklyn blinked and looked down at her with shock. "Dance?"

"Yes."

"But you…" he stopped and surveyed her for a second, "I thought that you don't like dancing? Especially in front of crowds?"

Rose shrugged. "I didn't, but like I've told you before…" she faced the closed doors with determination, "this experience has changed me."

She saw the proud smile on his face before he kissed the side of her head.

"It has changed us, my love, and all for the better. I think. But, yes, I will dance with you, Rose."

The double doors suddenly opened by themselves before she could say anything to him and bathed them in bright light.

Brooklyn looked at her as she stared at the light in awe, smiled, then whispered, "After you, sweetheart."

Arm-in-arm, they walked through the dais and into the glittering and Grand Hall. The entire hall was gold, was lit as brightly as the sun, and was packed with Gargoyles, Third Race beings, The Children of Oberon, and the New Olympians. The light hit her dress, making her sparkle, and instantly heads turned in their direction.

Their eyes widened in shock at her profound beauty and luxurious outfit and then lingered over to whose arm she was holding and smiled. Many of them bent slightly in a bow to acknowledge her and Brooklyn's presence.

"Wow," Brooklyn mused to himself, "this certainly is... new."

"What is?" Rose asked him quietly.

"I don't know… to be…" he paused, then said, "acknowledged for our efforts to protect and to be… appreciated for doing so."

Rose instantly looked over at him. "I appreciate you."

Brooklyn smiled endearingly at her. "Awe, thank you, but I already knew that. I meant to have other living beings bow before us. It's weird but kinda… cool." He paused, looking at all the party-goers eyes lingering on her, and then chuckled a low laugh.

"And seeing the way they are looking at you, I'm going to have to really keep you in my sights tonight, my love. With you sparkling like a diamond, everyone is going to gravitate towards you and want a piece of you."

"Oh, well, let them try the impossible," Rose said, kissing him on the cheek, "because every part of me belongs to you."