Page 178 of Axel

Either way, he refuses to be shamed for loving Wren.

If the uptight haters only knew how they met. What he did for her. What he sacrificed.

Besides, they don’t know Wren, either.

Just because a woman is young, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t know exactly what she wants. That she can’t make that choice for herself.

And good fucking luck trying to argue with Wren that an older man knows what’s good for her when, hell no, she’ll tell you what’s best for herself.

So it’s none of my business how Sire’s sexuality plays out in their marriage. I just know he’ll be devoted to Wren until his dying day.

“I’m trying to get her pregnant,” he adds, “and yes, fucker, I need it kinky, too, so Lord willing, we’ll have a baby one day soon.”

I nod. I smile. I hide the ache in my chest over Lev.

I want to tell Sire about my son. How I’m going to get him back. I share so many of my secrets with him, but not this one.

I promised my mom I wouldn’t say a word, and I know it’s killing her too, fearing that one of her sons betrayed us.

Though Sire?

He endured so much abuse from my father, too. His ink covers his scars. If anyone knows what a threat our father is, it’s Sire.

“What do you think?”

He gestures to the room in a sweeping motion.

“I like it.”

I do. The new arrangement is more fitting with the queens sitting beside their kings instead of opposite them. It feels more intimate and connected.

It’s like a new era has begun. Our queens share our power and missions now. Particularly mine. They don’t just sit by and watch, and our throne room should reflect it.

Arranged like this?

For tonight?

Every king will be able to watch how I love my queen, how I’ll claim her for them to witness, while he enjoys his queen, too.

And fuck.

It stirs my cock even more.

I check my phone.

It’s almost time to get Ruby.

For our new life to begin.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

RUBY

“So, like,”I whisper. “How’s Roman?”

The other queens gather around the bar across the room in my hotel suite at The Mercier. They’re not listening.

I’ve been spoiled by their attention and my sexy lilac Chanel tweed bustier top, matching jacket, and mini skirt. My top lip still stings a bit from the diamond The Queen gave me for my new Monroe piercing, too.

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