A soft knocking at my door woke me from a very peaceful sleep. I was so comfortable and really didn't want to move but forced myself into a sitting position anyway.

"Come in," I called softly.

The door opened and I smiled as Stark peeked in.

"Hey," he said softly making his way over to the bed. "I heard you finally back with us," she smiled kissing my forehead as he reached me.

"Yeah," I said lightly. "I can't believe I was out for two days!"

"I think Neferet was helping in that area. She wanted you to rest. It was the best way to ensure a recovery," he said sitting next to me.

I nodded. The rest had helped and I was feeling a lot better, "So how is everyone else?" I asked. I had seen almost everyone else earlier and gotten the scoop on Neferet, but in all the fuss over me I hadn't really gotten to focus on anyone else.

"Everyone else is fine," he said warmly. "Everyone was a little tired after the whole ordeal, but other than that…"

"No one else was hurt?" I asked thinking of Darius and Erik.

"A few scratches but nothing serious," he shrugged.

"Aphrodite!" I gasped my eyes widening. How had I forgotten to ask her earlier?

"She's fine," Stark said holding onto me. "Neferet was able to heal the cut pretty quickly. She has a scar, but it's no more than a small pink line. She was very lucky."

I sighed leaning back against my pillow once more and smiling as Stark laid back with me kissing me softly on the lips. "You really scared me you know," he whispered. "I was so scared I was going to lose you," he said kissing me again a little more firmly. He pulled back and looked in my eyes, "I don't know if I could ever make it through that."

I looked at him, my eyes tearing up, "I know how you feel," I whispered kissing him back. He ran his tongue over my lips and I parted my lips slightly allowing him in. The kiss deepened becoming more passionate and I found myself gasping for breath in a matter of seconds. My heart-rate sped up and I wrapped my arms around him, tangling my hands in his hair. He rolled pulling me on top of him and cradling me in his arms being careful as to not hurt me. I was still a little sore, but at the moment that really wasn't one of my concerns. Nothing mattered but Stark, his lips against mine and his hands on my body.

He pulled back and I frowned, "Don't stop," I said softly.

"Trust me, I don't want to stop, but you're still weak and besides this is not what I came up here for," he said standing up and grinning.

I looked him confused, "I don't understand…"

He bowed slightly looking deep into my eyes, "I was wondering if you would accompany me to dinner?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Dinner?"

"There is a formal dinner tonight for all the Council members in our honor. I was wondering if you would be my date." He said again seeming a little apprehensive.

I swallowed hard as I gazed at his face. I know it was corny, but it was kind of romantic! I nodded and gave him a smile, "I would love to join you for dinner."

He beamed leaning down to kiss me, "Great! I will be back for you in an hour."

"But, in the meantime I'm here to help!" Aphrodite said walking into my room.

Stark shook his head at her as he headed for the door. "See you soon, my lady," he said grinning at me and bowing again before shutting the door behind him.

"And again I say nerds!" She looked at me rolling her eyes, "you're just lucky he's hot."

I rolled my eyes back at her as I stood stretching a little. I looked down at my self and grimaced, "I definitely need a shower."

"No problem," Aphrodite said smirking at me.

"What?"

"Oh nothing, just that if you think my bathroom at the House of Night is amazing, you should see yours," she said taking me by the hand and dragging me to the door across the room. I gasped as we entered. The room like the rest of the palace was white marble and that included the huge hot tub and the amazing shower! Aphrodite laughed at my expression, "Yeah that was my response too. I'm trying to figure out how I can redo my bathroom at home to look like this."

"If you find a way you are sooo sharing!" I said stepping over and turning the water that spilled out from four faucets.

"Ha!" Was all she said as she turned heading back towards the door. "You get cleaned up and I will pick out your outfit."

I looked at her confused, "I only have the one bag, Aphrodite."

"No you don't. Natasha ordered us all in a few outfits and not one of them is cheap," she said grinning at me and then walked out shutting the door behind her.