“Ah, then we’ll have to invite Cutler over for pizza,” she teased him.

Kai frowned. “He’s already been by the house a few times. He’s taken it upon himself to flirt with Lara.”

“Well, at least he didn’t hit on my comatose body.”

Kai was obviously not amused. “Sera, she’s my little sister. And he’s…well, Cutler.”

“I wouldn’t worry. From what I saw, she seems to be sweet on Riley.”

Her words did nothing to appease Kai. If anything, they only incited his anger further. “And from what I saw, she’s sweet on Cutler too.”

“She was effectively a prisoner for a whole decade. Let her have a little fun.”

“Just what this house needs: a love triangle,” he growled.

Chuckling, she continued walking with him. This was going really well. At this rate, she’d be back to killing monsters in a day or two.

“What’s wrong?” Kai asked.

She realized she was frowning. And that she wasn’t ready to get back to killing monsters—at least not yet.

“How about we get out of here?” she suggested.

“What did you have in mind?”

“You promised me a vacation. Anywhere I wanted.”

“I remember.”

“You, me, a beach. The ocean. Sand. The warm sun on our skin. A little late night skinny dip.”

Kai’s brows crept up.

“Or would you rather stay here stuck in meetings the whole day?” she teased.

“No, of course not. But I am concerned for your safety if we leave these gates.”

“I’m sure you know a nice, private place where no one will find us. No people. No monsters. Doesn’t that sound heavenly?”

Kai’s eyes lit up. “I know just the place.”

* * *

Sera lay reclined on a beach chair, watching the sun set on the ocean. It had been a few weeks since she’d woken up from death. Her body was almost healed, and this vacation had healed the rest of her too. Her days were a relaxing alternating mix between sipping fruity drinks and exploring the island. When Kai had said it was private, he hadn’t been kidding. There was no one else here—not a single person—on this unnamed island in the Pacific.

The fruity drinks were soothing, the island explorations invigorating. She hadn’t felt up to anything more rigorous. Ok, she’d been ready ages ago, but her wounded body hadn’t caught up yet. Kai didn’t even seem to mind. The way he looked at her…it took her breath away. He looked at her like there was no one else in the world. Like the sun could not set without her in attendance. Honestly, it was all kind of going to her head.

Kai stepped out of the hut, heading down the path to the beach. He set two drinks down on the table between their lounge chairs. Hers had a pretty yellow umbrella in it, his had a thick black straw and lots of ice. Right now, he was crushing that ice like it needed to be destroyed. He was obviously agitated.

A few times a day, the commandos sent him an SMS. He showed them to her, and they laughed over the guys’ funny comments. But Kai occasionally also got SMSs he didn’t show her. Those left him cold. It didn’t take a mind reader to guess that they were Dragon Born hate mail. But she wasn’t going to allow that to ruin their first real vacation ever.

She stood up and took his hand, pulling him up. “Let’s walk.”

They walked across the beach barefoot, the water lapping at their feet every time the tide slid up the sandy shore. Kai watched her the whole time.

“Ok, what is it? Do I have seaweed in my hair or something?”

He didn’t speak, just continued to watch her.

“Was it another love letter?” she asked quietly. That was her name for the hate mail.

He shook his head. “Not this time.”

“A message from the guys?”

“Just Tony trying to kick my ass into gear.”

She gave him a perplexed look. His hand squeezed hers, then he led her up a natural staircase of rocky stepping stones. At the top, a magnificent view of the island awaited them, served with a side of red-and-orange sunset. From here, Sera could look down on the whole island and the ocean beyond.

“It’s beautiful,” she commented.

He continued to stare at her.

“Ok, spill it, Kai.”

“Sera,” he said, moving to face her. “Something changed in me the day I met you. A light shone from behind the layers of monster guts and vampire blood, past your peeling shoes and torn clothes, past the snark and that smirk. Down there is a purity of soul and magic. You offered up your life to save the world, to save all of us, and every day that goes by, I’m glad the universe didn’t collect. For if you had died, part of me would have died with you.” His hand brushed her cheek. “I love you, Sera, and not even death will separate us. I will always find you.”

Warm tears splashed her cheeks. “And I will always find you.” She clasped his hands. “No matter what.”

“I know you will.” He lowered to his knees with deliberate slowness, holding her gaze the whole way down. “Sera, will you marry me?”

His eyes shone with unshed wetness, and that sent her over the edge. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her chest shook as she spoke, “Of course I will.”

As he pulled out the dragon ring, he waved his hand over it. Magic sparkled to life on the three gemstones, blossoming up in the darkening light. Sera brushed her fingertip over the dragon setting that held them in place.