Page 73 of Bound to Four Alphas

“Really?” Caeda’s expression opened in joy, “You mean that? I mean, as my Queen? Not just my brother's mate?”

Selena wasn’t sure she would ever get used to the title. Elian had wanted her to take the title Goddess, Kaelen suggesting Empress, but in the end she was mated to two kings, a lord, and a leader. She chose to be named Queen. Nevertheless, it wasn’t any less strange on her tongue.

“Of course I mean as your queen,” Selena said. “But you can’t leave right away! We’ll need to make arrangements, ensure you’ll be safe, talk to—”

Caeda wasn’t listening. She had leapt to her feet and was clapping her hands with glee. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m going to go tell my friends now, they’re not going to believe it!”

“… Elian,” Selena finished, shaking her head with amusement as Caeda danced away in delight.

“He’ll never agree to it, you know,” Kaelen’s voice came from behind her, and she turned to see him leaning against a bookshelf, a smirk on his face, “and I’m inclined to agree with him. The political situation is still precarious with the other realms.”

Selena quirked an eyebrow, but nevertheless scooted forward slightly so he could slide behind her and pull her into his chest, his hands resting protectively against her stomach. “Kaelen, the King of Embers, agreeing with Elian, Lord of the Benellane Court? Will wonders never cease?”

“Cheeky little omega,” he growled, nipping playfully at her ear.

“I’m not just going to let her fly straight over the border,” Selena sighed, nestling into him, “but I won’t keep her trapped here. If she wants to go, then she should be free to go.”

“A discussion for another time,” he suggested, “now come. It’s getting late, and you need to rest.”

His voice had taken on that domineering tone that left no room for argument, and she wasn’t in the mood to test him. Instead, she let him sweep her into his arms and carry her to their bedchambers.

Elian and Ronan were already there, the former pouring over an experiment of some kind on his workbench in the corner of their private drawing room, the latter polishing a set of weapons in front of the fire. As Kaelen settled Selena into the cushions of a sofa, Malek silently crept in, his arms full of books. He had been as starved of knowledge as Selena, and both adored the opportunity to now spend hours lost between the pages.

He had also begun tutoring some of his own kind, progress was slow, but he was determined. Although he never said it, Selena knew that he was desperately excited to be able to at last communicate with some of his own kind.

“Your sister wants to travel to the other four realms,” Kaelen said to Elian, ignoring Selena as she batted at him in frustration, “and our radiant Queen has agreed.”

Elian glanced up from his workbench, the shock clear on his face, “That is absolutely—”

“Notbeing argued about now,” Selena interrupted, glaring at Kaelen. “How has your day been?”

Elian’s jaw worked for a moment before he decided to let the issue slide. “Excellent, thank you. I made huge advancements in the negotiations between some of the noble Fae families, and I’m pleased to say you have even more support.”

Selena gulped, “I didn’t before?”

“Bloody Fae,” rumbled Ronan, “can’t just make things simple. Everything has to be intrigue and plotting.”

“My dear Ronan,” said Elian with delight, “that’s what makes it sofun.”

“Are any of the dragons or wolves planning to come to the Marble Halls for the celebrations?” asked Selena, interrupting them before they could start yet another sparring match of wit.

“Some of them have …reservationsabout the company we keep”—Elian glanced over at Malek—“but relations between the Fae and the dragons have always been strong. The wolves will follow Ronan. All it will take is a few matings between differing clans and old territory lines will quickly be forgotten.”

“I hope so,” said Selena, groaning slightly as the familiar nausea roiled in her stomach. Kaelen was by her in an instant, his eyes swimming with fear.

“What is it, are you hurt? Is it your stomach? Do you need me to fetch you some ginger root tea?

“Relax, Kaelen,” she said, cupping his taut face even as Elian snickered. “It’s just a bit of sickness.”

Kaelen nodded but didn’t release her from his hold, tucking her further into him.

“I was thinking,” she said, “what do you think the baby is going to be?”

“What do you mean?” asked Ronan, placing down a sword that was probably as tall as she was.

“I mean, you’re a wolf shifter. Kaelen’s a dragon, Elian’s a Fae, and Malek … is Malek. If the baby truly has come from the magic and is part of all of us, what do you think it will be?”

“I think it will be like you,” said Elian without hesitation. “A God’s magic is always the strongest. It seems only logical that it would be the dominant trait. I think our child will have elements of all of us, to be sure, but will predominantly be a pure magical being. Just like you.”

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