Page 126 of Axel

But one of them is a traitor?

It doesn’t sound like it when Jace expresses his deep respect for Nash and Vale. It doesn’t feel like it when Grant playfully teases Jace about it like they’re thirteen.

There’s no betrayal amongst the kings.

Since I can’t see, all I can do is hear, smell, and sense the love in the room, and a shared lust so powerful for their queens that it soaks my thighs. So when Wren, in her fairy-like voice, says of the kings, “I like it when they’re beasts.”

I sigh, “Hmm,” into Axel’s thigh because I agree.

I love it when he’s a beast. I’d love all of them if they’re beasts. I trust them. They’d never hurt another king or queen.

But the room falls silent at my first sound until Nash barks, “Will you lift that sweet woman off of her goddamn knees?” Me? It must be. “Let her sit on your lap.” He’s fussing at Axel. “She’s at least passedthistest.”

After a rumbling growl, Axel gently tugs my arm. My legs shake as I rise, then I hear him pat his thigh, guiding me to sit on his lap.

I listen to what sounds like Nash going down on Vale. Then it sounds like he’s thrusting inside her, swearing to fill her before Jace’s turn.

The sounds of Nash’s possession and Vale’s pleasure perfume the air like an opiate, drugging me. Without thinking, I grind my hips over Axel’s erection, and he grabs me, likehold still.

This arouses him.

Greatly.

I can feel it.

Greatly.

As much as Axel hates the idea of sharing me, he craves the public spectacle of claiming me. He did it like an animal at the dance club in Mykonos. He dominates me almost every time we fuck, and I love it.

The threesome between Nash, Vale, and Jace fills the air. Their taunts and moans building to where I can hear Nash slipping from fighting their union … to getting off on it.

Vale’s pleasure is obvious, and Jace’s restraint is touching. It’s like he respects his role but can’t deny the pleasure of filling it, of filling Vale.

Axel said each queen decides how she’ll receive her second king. So, how do I want Grant? How can I receive him in order to become Axel’s queen, without hurting Axel?

For the first time, I care.

I’ve shared nights with two men, so I’d feel nothing for either. So I’d never get hurt.

But this time, I only love one man and want to respect him. I don’t want to hurt him, but how? How can I truly be Axel’s queen?

And will we even make it to my initiation if his father has found them?

And then there’s the secret of Alena and Loch. How she doesn’t know about their arranged marriage.

I don’t hear her. She’s not here. It’s too taboo. Nash would never allow his daughter to witness what he’s doing with Vale and Jace.

They protect Alena from this, from so much. But how will everything change once she finds out? I wouldn’t blame her for being hurt.

If Axel lied to me like that? After he’s fought so hard to earn my trust? I can’t imagine the pain. I’ve protected myself from it for so long. But now?

Axel’s the first man I’ve loved.

The last man I’ll love.

It makes me nestle into him, resting my head on his shoulder. With strong arms, he wraps around me. “I got you,” he whispers tenderly.

Then he shifts underneath me, his erection unrelenting, his lips urging over my ear, “Wildfire, I want to fuck you so hard right now, I’m in pain.”

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