The wedding was still several months away but Danika couldn't help but feel a certain unease, like something was going on that she just couldn't understand. She had heard Lucian whispering to the staff, when she would enter the room they would scurry away like little mice. Danika was always concerned for Lucian's state of mind, fearing the return of the shadows. She worried for him, comparing his sobriety to being on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move and he would plunge into the depths of abuse again. But the presence of the staff was welcoming, she knew that they would be there for him when she wasn't around. With that thought in mind, she disregarded their odd behaviour as inconsequential. It was likely that it was wedding related and Lucian wanted it to be a surprise. So she refrained from asking too many questions, rather playing the cheeky woman he fell in love with and casually snooped for information. There was none to be had, Lucian had wised up to her antics and shut off all conversations about anything that he was tasked with in relation to the wedding.

Danika woke in the warm embrace of her love, his arms wrapped around her tight, pressing her against his body. His fingers trailed down her exposed back, gently caressing the line of her spine. As it moved back up he kissed the top of her head.

'Time to get up my lovely.'

'I'd rather stay here for the rest of the day.'

'Me too, however we can't.' he grinned. 'Get up and dress. I have a surprise for you.'

'For me?' Danika playfully fluttered her eyes.

Lucian nodded as he pressed his lips together, trying to hide the smile. He took her hands and lifted her from the bed. His eyes couldn't help but wash over her naked body, her curves were divine. She had a beautiful hour glass shape in perfect proportion. His eyes stopped at the curve of her hip, the sweet slope that he loved to hold tight when she loved him. He sat on the bed as the carnal thoughts of her swamped his mind, the memories of watching her on top of him. Over and over again taking command and leading the passion. She moved in front of him, the dressing gown opened to the naked body below. His hand touched her stomach trailing to her hips, all of the carnal thoughts washed away. He kissed her stomach, wondering when it would hold life. Wondering when it would be the right time to make this body bloom with their love. His eyes rose to hers as his lips pressed to the soft skin.

'In time, my love. There is no need to hasten it, when the time is right we will be blessed.'

Lucian nodded as he wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her stomach. Danika ran her fingers through his hair, the other hand held his shoulder. She knew what he wanted, or what he thought he wanted. But for the time being, she wanted something far more important. Time. Time for Lucian to heal, time for him to be free from the burden of his past. And most important was the time to pass in regards to his sobriety.

When they had dressed, Lucian led her to the master bedroom, a room that she hadn't seen since that awful day. Lucian had spent his nights sleeping in the room beside it, the room that had been Danika's when the filming was being done. She knew that something was going on, he had stated that he didn't like the replacement furniture and wanted something that suited the two of them. He opened the doors and pulled her through, showing her the bare room. Everything was gone. The walls were stripped bare; the curtains were gone. Just one shell of a room.

'This is for you to decide. Weave your magic and create a love nest for us.' he grinned. 'Whatever you want.'

'So if I wanted to install pink carpet?'

Lucian raised an eyebrow but smiled.

'If that is what you want, then so be it.'

'Uh-huh.' she grinned 'Alright, one love nest with pink carpet coming up. What colour do you want the walls? I was thinking green.'

'With pink carpet?'

'Yeah.' she widened her eyes to look a little crazy. 'And purple striped curtains. I reckon I could find some bed linen that would go great, maybe a burnt orange. Ooh! With gold scatter cushions.'

Lucian picked her up to a round of giggles, pressing her into the wall.

'You are pushing your luck.'

Danika tried not to giggle as they kissed but failed.

'There is another surprise for you.'

'Two in one day, I am a lucky girl.'

Lucian let her down from the wall and took her hand again, leading her back to the corridor. Danika frowned at the bedroom door, she had remembered shutting it and now it was open. She pushed open the door to see Elena and Rosa waiting for her. In Elena's arms was a long dress, a deep aubergine material that looked like a mass of taffeta. Rosa had several bags in her hands and sitting on the bed was a square velvet box.

'I will leave you in the very capable hands of Elena and Rosa. They will bring you to me when you are done.'

He took Danika's hand and kissed her palm.

'You think that you can hide things from me.' he grinned at her stunned face 'Not today my love.'

Danika was speechless, wondering who had told him. She didn't exactly care, figuring it was his business to know if they were getting married but still, she hated this day.

'Just another day older.' she muttered after he left. 'Alright, let's get this over with.'

Lucian had to be quick, he had to get ready and then ensure that all the preparations were in order. Theodore was waiting for him outside the ball room.

'Sire, everything is ready. Your clothes are waiting for you in my room, is that alright?'

'Of course Theodore, thank you.'

He quickly moved toward the servant's quarters, momentarily stopping to look at the new area. The builder had done an amazing job, creating a homely space for them. Theodore's room had been extended to accommodate Elena, allowing them to rest together. Rosa and William's rooms had an overhaul and their common area was very modern and functional. There was a new extension for the guards, a common room that was attached to a new state of the art control room. Cameras now littered the grounds, the guards could watch everything from the comfort of the room. Lucian continued through to Theodore's room, finding the tuxedo waiting for him.

When he returned to Theodore, he was relieved to see that Danika wasn't waiting yet. Theodore held out the two soft bags with a smile and then waited by the doors to the ball room. After ten minutes of nervous pacing by Lucian, Danika walked through the corridors, stunned at what she saw. He was dressed in a full tuxedo, his hair neatly styled, looking incredible. Even Theodore was wearing a tuxedo. Lucian smiled as she approached, the dress looked stunning on her. A full skirt that puckered up in sections with little gems holding it in place. The bodice was tight to her frame with more little gems scattered across the bust, raining down the bodice. Her hair was swept up into a mass of curls and nestled at the very top was the tiara.

'Theodore, would you give us a moment?'

'Certainly sire.'

He waited until Theodore and the maids were a few steps away, they went as far as the staircase, waiting for the master to beckon for their return.

'You look divine.' he kissed her cheek softly 'You know that you are the light of my life.'

Lucian took her hand, his thumb running over the engagement ring.

'You sent the shadows away, giving my life reason when I thought that there was nothing. You make me want to be a better man, a reason to strive for a better life. When the sun rises of a morning, I have a smile on my face because you are there, beside me. When I close my eyes of a night, I rest easy in the dark because I know that you will never let go. My world is yours, I owe you everything.'

Gently he wiped the tears from under her eyes, trying to avoid making a mess of her make-up.

'Happy birthday.'

Danika wrapped her arms around him, trying not to cry. She hated getting older but if her birthdays were going to be this sweet, she wouldn't mind any more. When she let go, Lucian held out a soft bag for her. She took it and pulled out the contents, a black filigree mask. Lucian took it from her and put it on her. It was soft and moulded to her face with ease. When he was done tying the ribbon, he slipped his own on and gestured for Theodore and the maids. Danika looked at him, he had his own black mask on, she quickly turned to Elena and Rosa, they had masks on as well. Theodore and Rosa opened the doors to the ball room and Danika stared in shock. The room was filled with people. Men in tuxedos, women in colourful ball gowns. All of them had masks on, varying in types and colours. Lucian took her hand and led her into the room as the music started. A small quartet sat in the corner of the room, playing for them as the room came alive. Everyone started dancing, swirling around the room as if it was choreographed to perfection.

'A reason to celebrate.' Lucian smiled at her 'Now I have reason. Now I want to celebrate.'

He looked at her, she was still stunned.

'My fair lady.' he bowed to her 'May I have the pleasure of the first dance?'

'Uh... ok.'

Lucian laughed and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor.

As they danced, Danika tried to make out who was here. She could see her brother, Baz and Spencer. She didn't know if Lucian had seen it, but Spencer was dancing with Marinya. Louise was dancing with someone Danika didn't recognise. He swung her around and Danika caught sight of the brilliant blue eyes below the mask. Danika quietly gasped as they continued to dance, watching her sister smiling like a loon.

Lucian moved her around the floor with ease, Danika didn't realise it but he had been secretly preparing her for this event. Under the ruse of learning to dance for their wedding, Lucian had insisted on at least an hour each day practising different dances. Every single night after dinner, one of the maids would sit at the piano and play as Lucian taught Danika how to dance. Night after night in this very grand room, he would give her lessons. There had been a few occasions where his grandparents and great grandparents had joined them. Many times they had forgotten to keep their feet on the ground and ended up swirling around the room in the air. It had Danika thoroughly awestruck, watching them as they floated around the room, looking incredibly happy.

The music stopped and everyone slowed around them. Lucian looked down at Danika, softly kissing her lips as they stood in the centre of the crowd.

'Are you happy my love?'

'Very.' she gushed 'You sure do know how to show this girl a good time.'

'I live to see you smile and if it means throwing you a birthday party, then I will do it every year.'

*************************

'Damned infernal dresses.' Lucian muttered 'It's any wonder that anyone was able to procreate when these were fashionable.'

Danika giggled as she leaned on the foot board of the bed, waiting for Lucian to make his way through the lacing on her back.

'Maybe they just lifted the skirts and had them against the walls.'

Danika sauntered over to the wall, watching Lucian as he undressed, slowly walking to her. Everything was dropped where he was standing, watching her with anticipation. He stood before her in just his pants, her hand trailed over his firm chest.

'I would prefer you to be out of this but for now...' he chuckled lifting the skirt of her dress 'It will do.'

She gasped as he pushed her to the wall, pulling her legs around his waist. As they kissed his fingers continued to undo the lacing on her back, he preferred to feel her delicate skin pressed against his. Danika laced her fingers through the soft hair on his head, tilting it to one side so that she could bite him. He groaned roughly as she sunk them deep, feeling her extract the blood was an unbearably amazing feeling. Lucian could feel he was about halfway down her back, his fingers were frantically fumbling the strings through the eyelets. He could hear her gasp as she pulled out, leaning back to the wall as the blood started to trickle from the corner of her mouth. The bodice of the dress had loosened, freeing her just enough to heighten his lust. His senses inflamed with the smell of his blood, he drew in a deep breath, inhaling the scent. It fanned the flames of his blood lust, spurning on his need. He pulled the bodice down more and sank his fangs into the side of her breast. Danika let out a breathy whimper as her body heaved with the sensations. His hands moved under the mountain of dress between the two of them and unzipped his pants. With a little taste of her blood his lust was accelerated, he pulled his fangs out as his fingers continued to move material. Moving aside, moving apart. Blood trailed down her neck as he caressed his fingers under her pants, taking a tentative touch. She gasped, leaning her head back onto the wall, elongating her neck. The temptation was too great for Lucian as he pushed into her, he bit her neck.

Danika groaned as she felt the full force of him, slowly drinking her blood as he took her against the wall. His movements were hard and fast, like he hadn't been with her in ages. When he had another little taste of her sweet blood, he licked the punctures, suckling at the weeping wounds. Lucian pulled out of her and let her feet down, turning her around to continue freeing her from the material cage. Danika had one euphoric grin on her face as she leaned on the wall, waiting for the frenzy to start again. She loved it when he was like this, it was hot and heavy and always amazing. With a few muttered curse words about over the top dresses and ridiculous lacing, the dress fell to the floor at her feet. She giggled as he pressed his chest to her back, wrapping his arms around her. His lips pressed against her shoulder as one hand trailed up her stomach. He pulled her against his body away from the wall, caressing her as he clamped down on her again. Slowly he dragged the blood from her, waiting patiently as she succumbed to the glorious feelings coursing through her. His other hand trailed up her body, barely touching her skin. Danika shivered at his touch, moaning when he took her in hand. She could feel his warm breath on her body, his fangs penetrating deep into her skin as he toyed with her. Teasing her. Both hands were forceful but still gentle as he massaged the flesh. Lucian could hear her breathing become more frantic, getting closer by the second. He withdrew his fangs and licked the wounds again, sending her over. Her moan was disjointed and a little breathy as the feelings flushed through her.

The warmth of his body left hers as he stepped away from, as she turned she leaned on the wall. Lucian had moved onto the bed to wait for her to join him. Danika stepped out of the dress that had pooled at her feet, kicking off the almost shredded panties and painful shoes. As she passed the bedside she gently returned the tiara to the box and then crawled onto the bed at his knees. Feather light kisses up his body caused him to sigh with pleasure, feeling the soft touch of her lips against his torso. Her fangs scraped over the skin scratching the surface enough to weep a little blood. She dragged her tongue over the scratches, her sultry gaze never leaving Lucian's eyes. Lucian couldn't get over how well she had taken on the life of a vampire, she fed without issue, she embraced the life that was his world. And then there were moments like these, mated love was always better but when she fed from him, he felt like he was awakened to a whole new world.

Two green eyes stared at him from his torso, so large and full of life, she coyly smiled at him as she pressed her lips to his sternum making her way higher with each sweet kiss. He tucked her fringe behind her ear, trailing his fingers over her cheek. Danika moved higher at his insistence, kissing deep and needfully. He rolled her onto her back, settling in between her legs, looking down into those beautiful eyes. Resting one arm beside her head, he ran his fingers over her lips as they stretched out to smile at him.

'I've never been the gambling type.' his voice was low and husky as he grinned 'But I do believe I have won the lottery.'

Danika rolled her eyes as she laughed.

'Corn ball.'

'Too corny huh? How about, did you hurt yourself when you fell?'

'Because I'm an angel and I've fallen from heaven?'

'Yeah.' he grinned. 'Did I tell you I went to the doctor yesterday? He said I'm lacking vitamin U.''

Danika couldn't help but grin, trying to stifle the laughter.

'Said you need some vitamin me.'

'Is that right?'

'Uh-huh. I can give you some vitamin me right now.'

'Interesting proposal, but I think I'm enjoying the corny pickup lines.'

'You'd rather terrible one liners instead of the naked man in between your legs?'

'One more.'

'Alright.' Lucian rolled his eyes.

Danika watched as he lowered to her leaning both arms beside her head. He kissed her on the jaw moving slowly toward her lips as he pressed harder against her. She moaned as she gasped, as he did it again she wished he would end the torment and love her.

'For a moment I thought that I had died and gone to heaven.'

Lucian kissed her on the corner of her mouth as she wrapped her arms around him 'But now I see that I am very much alive.'

His lips scraped over hers as he kissed the other corner, pushing himself deep into her. Danika gasped again, her eyebrows pressed together feeling the glorious sensation of her love as he filled her.

'And heaven has been brought to me.'