Page 167 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

“LEXI,”MAGNUSSAIDwith exasperation as he strode into the royal chambers. “Ulmer just told me you booked us an hour-long meeting to discuss the decor in the royal apartment? We pay people to choose wallpaper. My choice is to not attend meetings that aren’t necessary.”

They had moved into the monarch suite as soon as Magnus was crowned, but eight months later, they still hadn’t changed any of the furnishings. It was all period pieces and beautiful antiques, many of which he’d begun to complain lacked comfort.

But that wasn’t exactly why Lexi had blocked out this time.

“It sounds like you’re having a good day,” she teased.

“I am dying a death of a thousand paper cuts, all caused by bureaucracy.” He looked around. “Where’s Rolf?”

“Auntie time.” Queen Katla had kept her title, but was typically referred to as the Queen Matriarch. For Rolf, she was very much Auntie Katla. She had more time for him these days and absolutely doted on him.

“Oh?”

“Now his interest in wallpaper sharpens,” she noted with amusement.

“Furnishings at least.” He stalked toward her. “Pick whatever you like, but make it sturdy.” As he passed a writing desk, he gave it a wiggle, then swooped to wrap her in his arms, lifting her so she was eye to eye with him. “Isthis meeting code for sex? Because I think I just developed a fascination with interior design. We might need a weekly appointment to explore color samples.”

“I did want a private discussion without alerting staff.” She gave his hair band a light tug, which was always a signal they were about to let their hair down.

“I’m listening.”

He was not listening. He was burying his mouth in her neck, making it difficult for her to remember what she wanted to say.

“I, um, saw the doctor today.”

He picked up his head, blue gaze darkening with concern. “About?”

“About whether it’s too early to conceive again. I’d like the kids to be close in age, if possible. He said we could start trying. What do you think?”

“I think that I want my wife to have everything she wants, so we’re going to squeeze lovemaking into my busy schedule every single day, if that’s what’s necessary to make it happen.”

She chuckled. “You’re willing to make that great sacrifice, are you?”

“My country can spare me.” He walked her through to his bedroom, the one that was called his, but that they shared while hers was mostly a dressing room. “In fact, I would say it is my most solemn duty as king to make at least one more baby with you.”

“I’ve been thinking I might want three. What do you think?”

“I think we’d better start applying ourselves,” he said against her smiling lips.

They did. And because they were Magnus and Lexi, and they wanted to give each other everything and more, they welcomed twin girls within the year.

They had another boy two years after that, just for fun.

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