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"The Goddess go with you," he repeated in a whisper

The flames started to fade Ella put one hand on Spike’s shoulder and one hand on Myka’s "You two, inside Sharon, how about we take Jordan and go back to the party? You look like you could use a cold one"

Sharon pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes "Thought you’d never ask" She opened her big purse again, took out an envelope, and thrust it into Myka’s hands "I ive this to you at the funeral, but lanced froht, you just be happy"

Myka brushed her fingertips over the envelope She could almost feel Jillian on the other side--she’d held this, written Myka’s name on the front

Sharon kissed Myka on the cheek and took Jordan’s hand, then the tomen walked away, Jordan between them Jordan’s loud voice floated back "Connor told rand mean?"

Ella’s ansas lost in another roar from the distant Shifter party

Spike slid his arht?"

"Yeah" Myka brushed her always-untao inside?"

Spike led her into the house, his arm around her They went upstairs and to his bedroo, and Spike shut the door "You want to read that now?"

Myka looked at the letter again, written on the thick blue stationery Jillian had liked She found e too informal, and sent her friends and family cards and letters for special occasions

"No" Myka slid the letter into her purse "Sharon’s right TonightI need you"

"I need you, Myka" The low throb in Spike’s voice undid her Myka opened her arth

Myka gave herself to the wildness that was Spike He pinned her on the bed with strong ar inside her until her shouts and his entle he could be, kissing her fingertips, her lips, her skin, the touches tender and light He licked her after that, tasting her brsts, her belly, and the heat between her legs Myka arched under his ain in a crazy storht after that, his face softening as he felt her, eyes staying dark, beautiful brown,hers as he spilled his seed

After that, silence The quiet ticking of a clock, the final creak of theher back Myka tu, sleep