The House of Wind shimmered with quiet magic, the soft glow of twilight already painting the sky in hues of lavender and navy. Starfall was only an hour away, and excitement buzzed in the air like electricity. You stood before the mirror in your private chambers, smoothing the deep emerald gown over your hips, the fabric catching the fading sunlight and sparkling like the night sky itself.

Behind you, the door creaked open, and you didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

“Still not ready, my mate?” Nyx’s voice was rich and teasing, already dressed in midnight-black Illyrian leathers with silver thread stitched along the cuffs—elegant, powerful, unmistakably him.

You glanced over your shoulder, catching his eyes through the mirror. “You’re early.”

He strode in, wings folding neatly behind him, his gaze trailing over you with open admiration. “No, you’re late. I’ve been ready for half an hour.” He paused behind you, his hands settling gently on your waist. “But gods, you’re worth the wait.”

You leaned back into his warmth. “You say that now. Wait until I drag you through an hour of dancing.”

Nyx grinned, his lips brushing against your neck. “I plan to do more than just dance with you tonight.”

Your pulse fluttered. “Oh?”

He spun you gently to face him, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “Tonight is Starfall. The night the stars return, the night when wishes feel real. I’ve waited my whole life to spend it with my mate.”