The Unified Supernatural Congress officially formed two weeks after the entity's defeat.
Adrian stood before representatives of every species, accepting his role as Coordinator. It was terrifying—he was only five years old as a vampire, and now he was responsible for maintaining peace between beings who'd been feuding for millennia.
"You'll do fine," Kieran assured him before the ceremony. "You've already proven yourself. They trust you."
"They trust Cain. I'm just the guy who happened to have his friend's soul."
"You're also the guy who helped save everyone. That earns respect regardless of your soul's history."
The ceremony was formal, witnessed by hundreds. Adrian swore oaths in multiple languages, accepted symbolic gifts from each species, and tried not to look as overwhelmed as he felt.
Afterward, there was a reception—politicians being politicians, even when they were immortal creatures of the night.
"Congratulations, Coordinator Chen," a vampire lord said, approaching with his companion. "My mate and I wanted to thank you personally. Our bloodline was among those you healed."
"It was my honor," Adrian replied, falling into the diplomatic language he'd been learning.
More well-wishers approached. Wei clapped him on the back hard enough to make him stumble. "Look at you, all official and shit. I remember when you could barely feed without supervision."
"That was six months ago."
"Exactly. Baby vampire, all grown up and coordinating supernatural species. I'm so proud." She wiped away a fake tear.
"I hate you."
"You love me."
That night, Adrian returned home exhausted from socializing. Kieran was already there, having left the reception early to prepare something.
"Close your eyes," Kieran instructed when Adrian entered.
"Why?"
"Just do it."
Adrian obeyed, letting Kieran guide him through the penthouse. When Kieran told him to open his eyes, Adrian gasped.
Their bedroom had been transformed. Candles everywhere (they couldn't burn vampires, so Kieran wasn't worried about fire hazards), rose petals on the bed, soft music playing from hidden speakers.
"What's all this?" Adrian asked.
"A celebration. You survived your first major political event without causing an international incident. That deserves recognition." Kieran moved behind him, his hands sliding around Adrian's waist. "Plus, I missed you today. Watching you be all official and commanding was incredibly attractive."
"Was it now?" Adrian leaned back against him. "Tell me more about how attractive I was."
"The way you handled that territorial dispute between the werewolf packs was masterful. Firm but fair." Kieran's lips found Adrian's neck. "And when you put that arrogant vampire lord in his place—I wanted to take you right there in the conference room."
"That would have been scandalous."
"It would have been hot."
Kieran turned Adrian around and kissed him slowly, thoroughly. Not the desperate coupling from after the battle—this was deliberate, sensual, taking their time.
"Bed," Kieran murmured against his lips. "I'm going to take you apart slowly, make you forget about politics and responsibilities, make you remember you're mine."
"Promises, promises."
Kieran proved he meant every word. He undressed Adrian carefully, his cold hands leaving trails of sensation on warm skin. He laid Adrian on the rose-petal-covered bed and proceeded to worship every inch of him.
His mouth traveled Adrian's body—kissing, licking, occasionally scraping fangs over sensitive areas without breaking skin. Adrian writhed beneath the attention, his hands fisting in the sheets.
"Kieran, please—"
"Patience. We have all night. All eternity." Kieran's mouth closed around Adrian, and Adrian nearly came apart immediately.
"Oh god—"
"Not god. Just me."
Kieran worked him expertly, five years of learning exactly what Adrian liked, exactly how to drive him insane. When Adrian was trembling on the edge, Kieran pulled back.
"Not yet. I want to be inside you when you come."
He prepared Adrian thoroughly this time, his fingers stretching and teasing until Adrian was begging. Only then did Kieran finally push inside, both of them groaning at the familiar perfection of it.
"I love you," Kieran said, moving slowly, deeply. "I love everything about you. Your strength, your compassion, your terrible sense of humor."
"My sense of humor is excellent," Adrian protested, then moaned as Kieran hit exactly the right spot. "Oh fuck, there, right there—"
"Here?" Kieran did it again, watching Adrian's face with possessive satisfaction. "You're so beautiful like this. Coming apart for me. Only for me."
"Only you," Adrian agreed. "Always you."
Their pace increased, pleasure building between them, amplified by the blood bond. When they finally came together, it was with Adrian's fangs in Kieran's throat and Kieran's buried in Adrian's shoulder, drinking each other's essence as their bodies shuddered with release.
"That was..." Adrian couldn't find words.
"Yeah," Kieran agreed, collapsing beside him. "Definitely yeah."
They lay tangled together among rose petals, both completely satisfied.
"Think we can do this forever?" Adrian asked. "The passion, the intensity, the way we fit together?"
"I think we can do anything forever," Kieran replied. "As long as we're together."