DARIUS is the prequel to the blockbuster Black Dagger Brotherhood series by world-renowned author J.R. Ward.  This novella came out one year ago as an audiobook exclusive, and now it's being released as an ebook and in physical book formats.  Anyone who is a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood has surely been waiting for the story of Darius!  Darius is the Brother who had the foresight to build the mansion that all the vampires now live in together, and who fathered Beth, the current queen and mate to Wrath.     We get to see how Darius and his mate Anne meet and fall in love.  We learn more about how Darius stayed in the mortal realm after his death.  DARIUS is the wrenching prequel that BDB readers needed, and also the Happily Ever After that Darius deserved.  The epilogue gives us Darius' HEA, and it is so satisfying to know that he is finally at peace and happy.     As is par for the course for a Ward book, there is plenty of angst and a lot of fighting.  Ward's signature snark lightens many moments and made me laugh throughout.  It's great to catch an early glimpse of many of the Brothers, including the king, and beloved Fritz, the doggen, or butler, who serves them all.     This novella gave me all the feels.  The anguish, love, and perseverance of Darius are so enthralling.  The love story left me sighing happily as I turned the last page.  DARIUS is all that the reader could hope for, and I'm so thankful that Ward shared it with her fans.