Page 258 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“Please don’t thank me for this,” he replied, guiding her around a corner.

“But I will thank you for this,” she insisted. “If we were still in the kingdoms, do you think I would be calling you husband right now?”

He tugged her into his side, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Such a logical statement,” he teased.

“Shut up,” she muttered, peering up at him.

And his heart skipped a beat.

He pulled her to a stop and took her face in his hands, searching those amber eyes.

“Axel, what in the name of Anala are you doing? We’re in the middle of the street,” she chastised.

“I know, but—” He looked back and forth between her eyes, his chest tightening at what he found. “Shadows,” he whispered.

“What?”

“There are shadows drifting in your eyes. Like mine would do,” he explained, watching the black wisps.

“What are you talking about?” Katya said, sounding alarmed.

“Just…look,” he said, pulling her into a clothing shop of the Apparel District. The bell of the door rang out, and he found the nearest mirror, positioning her in front of it.

He heard the small gasp when she saw them. “He’s been moving more lately,” she murmured, still staring at her reflection. “Getting bigger and stronger. I feel it in my own power.”

“You need to rest more,” he said immediately.

“When did you become a pregnancy expert?”

“I’m not. It just seems logical,” he countered. Then he frowned. “We should have Cienna or Gia visit at least weekly though, especially at this point. I mean, isn’t the babe coming soon?”

Kat laughed. “Yes, Axel. If by soon you mean a few months, then yes. But it is probably a good idea to have them visiting weekly at this point. Only because we’ve never done this before.”

“Deal, kitten. I’ll send word when we get back,” he replied.

He dropped a few coins for the shop owner on their way out as an apology for the disturbance before making their way to a jeweler.

“Do we really need rings?” Kat asked. “I think even the Marks were unnecessary.”

“It’s all necessary,” he replied, holding the shop door open for her. “But I also need to get rations here.”

“Rations?” she asked, taking in the shop of accessories.

Axel nodded. “It’s the Underground, kitten. I can find contraband anywhere.” He led her to a glass case. “Stick to the rings on the left side.”

“Why?” she asked, eyeing the gems and precious metals on the right.

“The ones on the right are cursed,” he said simply, pressing another chaste kiss to her cheek before wandering to an opposite counter. A Fae male appeared, his face dropping when he saw Axel.

“Heir St. Orcas,” he said, nervously wiping his hands on a towel. “What can I do for you?”

“Nolan,” Axel greeted. “I’m in the market for some rings.” The male visibly relaxed until Axel added, “And some rations.”

“I’m, uh, out,” the male said, avoiding eye contact. “But I can show you some rings.”

He made to step around Axel, but Axel moved in front of him. “In all my years, you’ve never been out, Nolan. Are you saying I should visit Turner instead?”

“Yes,” the male snapped.

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