Page 225 of Fall Before Her Throne

“Hey guys, why don’t you go make lunch?” I suggested. “I’d like to talk to Leona for a second.”

One by one, they filtered into the kitchen, leaving the two of us alone. She walked to the window looking at the backyard, and I came up behind her. My arms wrapped around her waist.

“You were never the most patient, were you, princess?” I murmured in her ear.

Her palms landed over mine, and she relaxed against my chest. “I’m bad at being patient. I’m used to getting what I want. Guess I am a spoiled princess after all.”

“Spoiled queen, maybe.”

She laughed. “You guys do spoil me, so I can’t be too upset.”

I couldn’t wait to spoil her this afternoon, and tonight, and tomorrow night too, and every night for the rest of our lives. My lips trailed down her neck. “You’re doing amazing with all of this. It’s hard to wait, but we’re all waiting together.”

“I know. I just hate the idea that we’re all out here enjoying ourselves while he’s locked up.”

I spun her in my arms so that we faced each other. “Trust me. He’s where he wants to be right now.”

Max had only wanted to protect her. This was his choice to atone for the mistakes of his past, and with it, he’d protected us all. We all understood the weight of that decision, and we were grateful for it.

She leaned her head against my chest. It was the best feeling in the entire fucking world. “Can we visit him soon?”

“Absolutely.” My lips pressed against her hair. “I miss him, too. It feels like we just got him back, only for him to be missing again. I can’t wait until he’s home either.”

She let me hold her for a few moments.

“Okay,” she said as she lifted her head. “I don’t feel like ripping someone’s head off anymore. You made me feel better, so thank you.”

I laughed lightly while I ducked my head to give her a quick kiss. “Any time, love.”

“What are we going to do now?”

I brought her hand to my lips so I could kiss her ring finger and the sparkling diamond that still encircled it. “We could get married.”

She gave me a warm smile while she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Yes. Let’s start planning. I just have one question for you.”

I nudged her nose with mine. “What is it?”

“What if I have five other husbands along with you?” Her eyes sparkled as brightly as her ring. “Would that be okay?”

The Shadows were my brothers, and we already knew we’d be together for life. Being married to her was what we all wanted. But legally? It wasn’t possible. Yet. The guys and I had already been talking with a few lawmakers, and we were doing what we could to change that. It would be our surprise.

I laughed while I swung her around in a circle. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

74

LEONA

6 MONTHS LATER

Cas slung his arm around my shoulders. We all waited in front of the prison. My heart pounded in my chest, and I shifted from foot to foot.

“Anxious, princess?” Cas teased.

I poked his side, and he laughed.

On his other side, Ryu leaned backward against the SUV with his arms crossed. “I bet his skin is terrible. Eight months in prison? It would wreck my complexion.”

“I’m sure his skin is fine, Ryu,” Ciel said as he nudged my shoulder. “Are you okay, baby girl?”