Page 137 of Jace
“Are you angry?”
This isn’t my shame.
I don’t feel it anymore.
This is how we communicate. Me and Jace. Our emotions are safe together, and so are our desires. This is what our friendship has built.
“No, I’m not angry.” He nuzzles his forehead to mine. “I’m proud of you. That wasn’t easy for you to tell me; I know.”
“If it’s not okay with you, then?—”
“It’s okay with me,” he insists. “For one night, for your initiation, my queen will get her fantasy.”
More tears well from my heart, spilling down my cheeks. How can a man make me feel so free and yet so bound to him? “But what’s your fantasy? I want to fulfill it too.”
“Other than our kinky stuff?” He brushes his lips over mine. “I wantSixteen Candleswith you.”
“How?” I ask softly, not sure where he’s going with this, but whatever it is, his eyes are electric, and I want it.
“At our wedding,” he says, “I want the final scene in the movie—a picture of us, sitting on a table and making a wish over sixteen candles on our wedding cake.”
I nuzzle his nose. “Grant will give you so much shit.”
He nuzzles back, grinning. “Grant can eat cake.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
JACE
Maybe it’sdestiny I’m the last king to fill my queen’s throne.
I used to think it was my punishment; for what, I didn’t know.
But now I feel proud as I watch The Queen rise to survey our room.
This is the first time every throne is full. It’s like her heart is, too, as Mom strides toward Axel on the first throne with Ruby beside him.
She kisses their cheeks, whispering something that makes them smile. She does the same to Nash and Vale. Then Sire and Wren, making Wren wipe away a touched tear.
Grant and Delphine chuckle at whatever she whispers to them before she glides past her red throne, bypassing Viv and me.
I understand; it’s our night.
She leans over, pecking Zar’s cheek before cupping Nick’s. He sits close enough so that I can hear her tell him, “You always make me proud.”
Whatever she whispers to Alena and Loch next, I can’t hear, but they proudly grin before she turns to Sasha on the last throne.
In Russian, she imparts something to her daughter that makes Sasha nobly lift her chin and reply, “Yes, Mama.”
Knowing our Queen, it was something like, “The warrior inside you is always stronger than the war,” or one of her hundred sayings that have kept us together.
Finally, Mom returns to Vivian and me, with tears brimming in her sapphire eyes. “My Jasha.” She sighs, cupping my jaw. “You were punished for having the biggest heart, but now, you’ve finally found its match.” She turns to Vivian. “Thank you for loving his heart, and for letting him share it with you. You two are a beautiful picture together.”
“Damn, Mom.” I sniff, grinning. “Quit chopping onions.”
From across the room, a box of tissues lands in Zar’s lap.
“Give that to Sniffles.” It’s Grant, giving me shit to lighten the mood.
