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“I was beginning to think you went back to sleep, old man,” she teases.
“Who are you calling old?” I grab her arm, tug her to me and kiss her hard on the lips.
“Haven’t you had enough?” she breaks our kiss.
“Never.”
She smiles. “Anita called. Niko is having a rough morning. She should be here soon.”
“Everything alright?” I ask, concerned.
“Yes, he just needs me.” Her smile widens.
“I can understand.”
She rolls her eyes. “Breakfast is ready.”
I stroll over to our dresser to grab my watch. “What are your plans for today?”
“I was thinking of keeping Anita busy until the burial. I still don’t understand why we didn’t just do everything the same day.”
“It’s tradition. Yesterday was about people paying their respects. Today we lay everything to rest,” I murmur more to myself than her.
“I understand. How about you? What do you have going on?”
“I’m meeting with the Clan at the docks before the burial.” She stares at me as she exits the closet. Her concern is clear. “It’ll be fine. I need to settle things with my father’s men.”
I tell her the truth to ease her worry, but it’s not that simple. This meeting could turn into a fight because of my father’s death.
“Can’t it wait a few days? They aren’t exactly going anywhere. Today needs to be about Anita.”
I pull her in for a hug before resting my chin on her head. “It’s best I get it out of the way. Just like yesterday, it’s tradition. People need to see their new leader and know where we stand.”
“I guess.” She doesn’t sound convinced.
“We must also host a dinner for the top men and their wives. It’s tradition for the new Queen to take her place.”
She pulls back and stares at me. “I didn’t realize you were royalty.” She laughs lightly.
“It is the best way for me to explain what position you now hold, my Queen.”
“And you, my King.” She gives me a peck on the lips. “What does it mean to be your Queen?”
“Now that my father is dead, my mother will take a step back. You are now responsible for meeting with the women regularly and hosting all Clan functions.”
“It sounds like you’re telling me I’m becoming a Stepford Wife.”
“Something like that, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. You have my mother, just like she had my grandmother.”
Ava walks over to the bed and sits. “I never thought about what it would mean when you took over.”
“I’m trying to figure out what I want my next steps to be. Nothing is set in stone. Oliver and I have a lot of decisions to make.”
“Just promise me you will be safe today. I need you.”
I walk over to her and crouch down in front of her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You better not. I swear if you die, I’ll bring you back from the dead and kill you myself.”
