The party was in full swing, with the Great Hall as large as it was it didn’t seem packed, even though there were over a hundred people present, and that didn’t include the staff. As Aggie had promised, everything was going off as planned, and everyone, including the Vampires present, seemed to be having a good time. Amaya had asked for the music to be changed up a couple of times, commenting it was a little too slow, and that had livened things up a little with quite a few people dancing.

It wasn’t quite how he’d planned the evening, but if she was having a good time then that’s all that mattered. He was plucking up the courage to ask Aggie to cut it off, any moment now. He had to get this over with because his nerves were shot to hell. Amaya was returning to him after having gone to get another drink, even though Thorne had offered to get her one. She’d shook her head and told him she was quite capable of getting her own. She definitely didn’t like being catered to hand and foot so Quinn had tipped his head and let him know it was okay, but then as soon as she’d walked away, he’d watched her every move until she was now on her way back, glass in hand.

He looked for Aggie, but didn’t see her in the crowd so instead whispered to Thorne, “Can you ask Aggie to cut the music please?”

Thorne wasn’t in on his plans and looked at the dancers and back again. “What? Why?”

“I have an announcement.”

“Oh, right, okay.” Thorne looked back at the dancers, shrugged and went off in search of Aggie.

Amaya arrived, looking at him and then leaned up, “What’s wrong? My beast is worried, she can sense something’s amiss.”

“Nothing,” he lied, his belly doing somersaults as nerves started to slither up his spine, looking around at the crowd of people he wondered if he should rethink his plans. Goddess, what if he made a mess of this and a fool of himself in front of everyone?

“Don’t do that, Quinn, don’t lie to me.” Amaya scowled, her nostrils flaring. “I can scent the lie on you. That’s not a good thing to do, you know. Lie to your mate.”

“I’m sorry.” He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck. He didn’t want to mess up her lipstick.

“Don’t apologize, just don’t lie, and don’t think I’ve not noticed you’ve still not answered my question.” She tilted her head. “Is there trouble? Has something happened?”

“No, nothing like that.” He looked around for Thorne or Aggie. Where were they and when would this infernal music stop?

“Quinn Alexander . . .”

Finally! Silence. The music stopped, dancers looked around wondering what had happened and he strode into the center of the room. People moved out of his way, looking at him and wondering what was going on. Some had been drinking heavily for some time, very heavily, and gave him slaps on the back as he passed by, but he ignored them and waited until there was relative silence. Stopping and turning back to face Amaya.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight to help me celebrate my good fortune in finding that most magical of things . . . my Bloodmate.” He crooked his fingers at her, seeing her cheeks turning pink. “Amaya, would you join me please?”

Hands started clapping, a few cheers went up, and Amaya’s cheeks reddened even more as she glared at him. Shit. She didn’t look happy, but Thorne relieved her of her drink and gave her a gentle push to get her moving and once she was she continued until she was close enough for him to snatch her hand and stop her from running back. Thank fuck!

“Now, you’ve all heard the rumors about what happened, and I’ll tell you the truth. I was struck with A Vampire’s Thirst and I’ll admit I damn nearly succumbed to it. It’s the most awful thing I’ve ever gone through, if you’ve ever heard anything about it . . . it’s worse than you’ve heard. And then Amaya was kidnapped and held for ransom, but, with help, we got her back, and now we’re home, back in Scotland and she’s here with me. My Bloodmate, the most precious thing a Vampire can ever dream of having.”

A host of whoops, screams, yells and clapping filled the room. So much so that he had to stop. So he pulled Amaya closer, her red cheeks gone now as she stared up at him, mesmerized by his words. Quinn held his free arm up to quiet the crowd down before carrying on.

“I’ve got her here, in my home, in my arms, and I can’t begin to tell you . . . and her how I feel, but I’m going to try.” He focused on her face, turning his full attention to his love. “Amaya, you’ve filled me with something I never thought I’d have. Poured it into me without me even knowing it, lit me up from the inside and gave me something I never thought possible. Showed me that it’s here, right now, between us and it can never be broken or taken away. That’s what being a Bloodmate is and our love is strong, we feel it every time we look at each other, touch each other, kiss each other. I love you, my darling, but I want to ask you something . . .”

Amaya’s eyes were brimming with tears, her lip was trembling as he reached in and brought out the small velvet box, several gasps and “oohs” and “aahs” as well as “Oh my gods” filtered around the room as he flicked it open and dropped to one knee.

“You know what you mean to me, you’ve already taken me to the moon and beyond”—he lowered his voice to a mere whisper, winking at her—“several times”—then resumed a normal tone—“but will you do me the greatest honor of all and become my wife?”

A tear broke free to run down her cheek, a soft sob hitching in her chest, a long second passing and he was sure a pin could have been heard in the vast hall . . . until she gasped out, “Of course I will! I love you, Quinn, with all my damn heart and more.”

The roar that erupted around them was so loud that they both winced. People rushing forward to congratulate them, first and foremost was Thorne and Ace, who looked the happiest of all. Quinn was on his feet, placing the rings on her finger and explaining it was an entwined set, shrugging. Amaya kissed his cheek, whispering, “Just like us.”

“Champagne! Get the champagne!” Thorne was shouting, his arm waving wildly in the air. “And music, get the music back on. We’ve got something to celebrate.”

Quinn grabbed him, whispering, “You carry on with the party. I’m taking Amaya away for some alone time.”

Thorne frowned. “What? No, you can’t leave now!”

“Yes, we can and we are.” He turned, picked Amaya up in his arms, cradling her against his chest and started to walk away, shouting, “Out of the way!”

The guests parted, whooping and making lewd comments as they departed, Amaya’s face now beetroot red as he carried her out of the hall. “Put me down,” she complained, but he refused.

“No,” and continued until they reached the gazebo which was lit only by the candles he’d instructed be set up.