Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SIRE
It becomes clear I not only underestimated Wren, I underestimated myself.
“So, you’re not mad?” I ask her. “You’re not jealous? Or furious? Or even pouting?”
I’m shocked because Wren’s mature acceptance of what I’m doing tonight arouses me in ways that are way too early for our relationship.
“If you want me to throw a tantrum, I can try,” she jokes with a mouth full of red velvet cake.
Delphine laughs. “There. It is settled. She is one of us. She celebrates our initiations. C’est magnifique.”
“But think about it,” Grant warns. “If we’re all in an initiation tonight, who’s watching Wren?”
She scoffs, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“But you do need a bodyguard,” I insist. “No fucking way will I leave you unprotected.”
“Unprotected while you initiate a man?” She licks frosting off her top lip. “You sure I can’t come with you?”
Oh, my angel, teasing me with your dirty pun.
“Oui. Why can’t she come?” Delphine asks. “She can sit beside me on a queen’s throne. She can see how queens are made. She’ll love it.”
“Because only kings and queens are allowed to watch an initiation,” Grant explains.
“Then blindfold me,” Wren offers.
“Fuck no,” I sneer lowly, thankful there aren’t many here for an early dinner in the restaurant. “I can’t focus on being a second king tonight, while my future queen sits blindfolded, and listening to me do it.”
“Yeah.” Grant nods, sympathizing, “That’d be too hot. You’ll bust a nut too soon.”
“That and…” I pause, trying to use logic, not lust. “This isn’t about us tonight. It’s about Nick and Zar and their love. It’s their ceremony. It means a lot to them. To all of us.”
“It means a lot that you’re doing this,” Grant adds. “I’ll always try and help a brother, but I can’t get it up for a man, even one as buff as Zar.”
I’m not usually surprised like this, but I am by how Wren softly looks at me. It’s not the same look as when she feared I already had kids or a wife.
No, when I told Wren we’re initiating a queen tonight, and for the first time, the queen is a man, and I’m vowing to be his second king, Wren looked touched, even happy about it.
Zar is my brother Nick’s future husband. We love our brother, and we love Zar, and it’s not like Zar needs my protection. He has the build and billions to defend himself.
But this is about our bond and our survival. If a brother isn’t really our blood, like Nash. If a brother is gay, like Nick. If a brother is bi, like me. Or if a brother can be a royal dickhead, like Axel. It doesn’t matter.
If we stick together and stick to our traditions, we survive.
When Nick said he wanted Zar to be his queen, to be honored like the other spouses, we agreed. It was obvious that I would be Zar’s second king. With the way Zar looks—tall, tan, and handsome—it’s not a sacrifice. I was honored, and honestly, aroused to do it.
But now, I have Wren.
She’s flipped my world upside down in days, and I don’t want it back. I want her, and she wants this.
“You’re changing your traditions to honor Zar,” Wren points out. “So, why can’t you change your tradition so I can be there?”
Delphine raises her glass of Champagne. “Tchin-tchin!”
I reach for Wren’s hand on the white linen tablecloth. Holding it, I get damn honest with her. I’m starting to count on it.
“Because I’m not ready for that, Angel. First, I want our wedding night when I make you mine. After that, we can do everything else.”
“Promise?”
I lean over, kissing her cheek. “Promise.”
“When did you get so traditional?” Delphine asks, amused.
“When I met her.” I lift Wren’s hand, kissing it.
“Bullshit, you’ve always been this way.” Grant leans back in his chair.
“You’ll break every damn rule, but not a tradition.
Watch out, Wren. He’ll sneak and unwrap his Christmas presents under the tree to see what they are, then wrap them back, like no one can tell.
But then he’ll make you wait until New Year’s Eve to open them. ”
Wren looks perplexed. “New Year’s Eve?”
“It’s Russian Orthodox tradition.” Grant winks at her. “Your holy fucker is a complicated man.”
I laugh. “Amen.”
“So,” Wren asks, “if I can’t be at the initiation tonight and you won’t let me take care of myself, which I can, by the way. Give me a Glock and Netflix, and I’ll be fine. Who’s going to…” she air quotes, “protect me?”