Elle was finishing her hair in the enormous walk-in closet – the size of their bedroom – attached to Cael's quarters. Nova stepped into the darkened bedroom, not realizing the lights were off.
"BOGOGOGOGOGOGO!" Cael leapt out from behind the door, flailing his arms like a banshee.
Nova screamed so high-pitched Elle dropped a hairpin in the other room.
"Cael!" she shouted.
Elle burst out laughing.
Nova smoothed a hand over her now wildly beating heart. "One day I'm going to shift mid-jump and bite your ankle."
Cael grinned. "Worth it."
But then he froze. Elle had just walked into the room in her dark green gown—and whatever mischief was on his face melted instantly.
Nova's heart swelled as she watched him cross the room slowly, taking Elle's hands.
"Isn't she the most beautiful woman in Shadowclaw?" Nova asked, smiling.
Cael kissed her, once between each word: "Yes. She. Is."
"Okay, okay, you softie," Elle laughed, pushing his chest playfully.
Cael straightened up and said, "You wanna see something funny?"
Nova and Elle both nodded.
"Keep getting ready. Pretend I'm not here. Jax definitely just felt that." He winked.
"What are you going to do?" Nova grinned, suspicious now.
Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door.
Elle called out, "Come in!"
The door creaked open.
"BOGOGOGOGOGOGO!" Cael jumped out again like a lunatic.
Fin blinked. "You're an idiot."
Jax didn't even flinch. Grant, however, yelped like a startled pup.
Cael smirked and crossed his arms. "Still got it."
Fin rubbed his temples. "After the hundredth time, it loses effect."
But Jax wasn't listening anymore.
His breath hitched.
Nova stood in front of him—and she looked even more stunning than he'd imagined.
The gown hugged her perfectly. Sapphire navy silk, adorned with delicate gems that shimmered when she moved. It flared at the very bottom and dipped low in the back to show the graceful line of her spine.
Jax couldn't speak. Couldn't even swallow.
Nova smiled shyly. "Hi."
He stepped forward slowly, his voice soft. "Did you miss me?"
Her eyes twinkled. "Yes."
"You look like starlight." He said.
She blushed at him.