Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Nobody mentions dead Narek or murdered Levon, but their wives are here along with their children. They smile and nod and say all the right things.
I’ll have to watch them for a long time.
“Let me look at that.” Lena appears with Tigran. We have a brief moment together in the crowd. I stare at her, totally stunned.
She’s in a dark red dress, the color of old blood. It suits her and clings to her body, showing off her curves. I look at her pierced eyebrow and at the swell of her belly button ring, and fuck, I want her more than I’ve ever wanted her before.
She’s a goddess. She’s my wife and everything I’ve ever needed. Her bushy, curly auburn hair feels good in my fist as I pull her into me.
I’m aware of eyes watching. Let them fucking stare.
She doesn’t resist when I kiss her.
We hold that embrace. This is my woman, my wife. The future mother of my child. She’s everything to me and so much more, and so what if some people in this room hate her? So what if they only see the woman that started a war?
She’s fucking mine.
When the kiss breaks apart, she’s smiling a little bit.
“Missed me?” she asks.
“Didn’t know you were gone,” I murmur, stroking her cheek.
She pats my chest. “Sure you didn’t. Let me see that hand.”
“It’s fine.” She runs her fingers over the bandage and makes soft worried noises. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“Tigran said you’d kill me if I didn’t show up.”
“That’s a little dramatic. Maud might, though.”
She pales slightly. “I really can’t believe you use a poisoner as a cook.”
“Is that really so hard to imagine?”
“I guess that is the kind of crazy shit you’re into.”
I reach down and squeeze her ass, pulling her close. She’s blushing pink. Sometimes I forget how conservative and quiet she can be. Normally, she’s such a fucking spitfire and a huge pain. But show her some affection in public? Suddenly, she’s all squirming and embarrassed. It’s fucking adorable.
“Stay with me tonight.” I kiss her ear and bite it. She whimpers and tries to push me away, but I hold on. “Stay by my side and in my bed.”
“Arsen—”
“I know you’ve been needing your space. I understand and I’ve been giving you that. But I’m sick of it. I’m tired of missing you. Come back to me.”
“You stalked me. You lied about it.”
“You’re right. It was wrong to keep that from you. I just… I wasn’t ready to tell you. I liked watching you. I liked seeing who you are when I’m not around. You’re beautiful, Lena. You’re everything I need. I was being selfish, and I’m sorry. Come back to me. Don’t make me get down on my knees in front of everyone here.”
“Arsen,” she says, chewing her lip.
I start to kneel. “I’ll beg. I’ll fucking plead with you. I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.” I take her hands in mine.
She yanks at me. “Get up, people are watching.”
“Let them.” I don’t move. I stare up into her eyes. “Please, baby. I miss you so much.”
Her cheeks burn and she glances around. But when her eyes meet mine, they stick there and hold my gaze for several long moments. I stare right back and she’s the only person in this room. She’s the only person in my life I truly care about.
“Get up, you idiot,” she says, softly now. “Come on.”
I slowly climb to my feet. She presses herself into me, breathes in my smell, and nuzzles up against my chest. This fucking girl.
I love her with a fire.
“I miss you too,” she says, shaking her head. “But… there’s something you need to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Go talk to Sona.”
My eyebrows raise. “Don’t tell me you’ve been visiting her.”
“Just do it, okay? Just listen to what she has to say. It’ll be hard… but you need to hear it.”
I’m not sure how to take that. What did my wretched fucking aunt tell her? Sona’s a goddamn viper and nothing she says can be trusted.
But if that’s what it’ll take, it’s a small price to pay.
Lena’s my everything. She’s my heart, my body, my soul. I’ve been aching for her since that stupid fight.
“I’ll talk to her. I have to release her tonight anyway. If she’s got something to say, she’ll say it then.”
“Thank you.” She slips her hand into mine. “Now, show me off to your family. This is your victory night, right?”
“It’s a celebration,” I agree. “And you’re my beautiful wife.”
“I don’t know about beautiful—”
“Never doubt yourself. You’re my fucking queen now.”
She stares at me and raises her chin. “Yeah, you’re right. I am your queen.”
My stomach does twists. I love that look on her. She’s regal, beautiful, and intelligent. Even though marrying her made my life very difficult for a while and led to the deaths of some of my family members, I don’t regret it, not one fucking bit.