Page 138 of Nash

“I love you, too,” she whispers, “you sexy dickhead.”

She makes me chuckle into our kiss as Wren softly sighs, “Aw, they belong together.”

For an hour,we celebrate.

Kings and queens laugh and catch up, though I don’t miss how Axel remains seated with the mystery woman’s covered head in his lap.

Vale and I light a candle together, and I grin, knowing her prayer. It’s the same as mine—little Wednesday Allen.

We raise another round of shots. Caviar on canapes is passed before Sire blesses the Korovai, the traditional Russian wedding bread, hand-braided and prepared by Nadine. I serve Vale a bite before she does the same to me.

Later, I’ll give Vale the wedding of her dreams. I’m sure it will be gothic and glamorous, and I won’t be surprised if she walks down the aisle to the Addams Family theme song.

But now?

Christ, I want this woman.

“It’s time,” I tell my brothers.

Silently, they nod, settling onto their thrones while Axel and his woman remain on his.

I whisper to Vale, “Go refresh in the restroom down the hall. We’ll wait for you.”

Wren joins her. Delphine, too.

While they’re gone, Zar takes his place on Nick’s lap, as Nick jokes with me, “Damn, Nash. It’s about time. You’ve been a very patient man.”

“It only took… What?” Grant asks, “Ten years?”

“Twelve,” I answer. “And fuck patience. I was protecting Alena, but she’s old enough to accept it now. One day, I hope.”

Silence falls over us before Nick jerks his chin left toward the seventh throne. The empty one. “Is he coming?”

“I ordered him to join us,” Axel answers.

He makes Sire scoff, “Like he listens to anyone but Nash.”

“He better obey me,” Axel seethes before I snarl, “He better not?—”

“He knows what to do!” Axel barks. “It’s fine.”

Flaring my nostrils, I’m about to fight him on this.Seven should NOT be here.But Wren and Delphine bound into the room with Vale. “She’s very ready!” They giggle, guilty as fuck.

“Come here!” I command Vale, lust and fury thrumming through my veins.

Swishing my way, Vale smiles from ear to black diamond ear, but I pull her toward me, whipping her around, all humor escaping when I crush her petite back against my chest. Grabbing her delicate throat, I feel her excited pulse as Wren sits with Sire and Delphine drapes over Grant.

Jace is the only king with no queen, no one kneeling before him either.

Suddenly, it evaporates my rage.

I love Jace. I love that he taught Alena how to ride a bicycle; I was too protective to see her fall. I taught her how to shoot, but Jace taught her how to dress her first kill: a deer. She cried some, and Jace never chided her. He patiently talked her through it.

He looks like an alluring devil, just like his father, but he’s a good man.

Maybe he’s more like me than I realize. Maybe, like me, tonight he’ll keep his vow to his family while he waits for the love of his life, too.

It’s not Vale. No man loves Vale as I do.

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