Page 67 of Hell's Queen

I stare at the door as they leave. It feels like a dream to have both of them. I have loved them for so long.

“Wow, Asura has feelings?” Derrick’s voice comes from my door. My brothers both make kissy noises until I must swat at both of them. “Glad you aren’t a fucking chicken anymore… Queen.” He gives a sarcastic bow before pulling Killian down the stairs.

My bottom lip quivers. They seem proud of me, but I want my father and Fenric to be here. I miss my father trying to offer pie to Hazen every moment of the day or how he used to wrestle Khazon to the rug in the living room. My heart is so packed with love for my newfound family and boyfriends, but it aches for the life I could have had.

“Are you okay?” A voice comes from the bedroom door. I look up to see Inarian leaning against the doorframe. He’s in a black suit to match his cold, dark interior. His body swallows the frame, even though the doors are extra-large for my extra-large family.

I nod, wiping a rogue tear from my eye.

He steps inside, lifting my chin. “Keep your head up. If you had a crown, it would fall.” I nod at him. “Are you okay, baby? Tell me the truth.”

Shaking my head, I wrap my arms around him, holding back tears.

He lets me hug him. He’s been getting just as soft as Jigsaw is, and that hasn’t stopped him from fist-fighting Ledger one too many times. “You know if they were here… they would be proud.”

Tears run down my face, and I pull back. “I’m ruining your suit and my makeup.”

“Fuck the suit. I promise you this next week, we will all relax and cuddle a lot.”

I let out a short sob. That is the most incredible thing he’s ever said to me. He doesn’t even like cuddling.

Amos’s voice comes from my door. “What are you doing to her? Her makeup! Out!” She hits Inarian, who growls at her. “Out, big boy!”

I laugh between sobs, but he does leave the room, glancing back to watch me. I just give him a nod, and he goes. Amos closes the door.

“Aw, my baby.” She whines, hugging me. “He’s an asshole, isn’t he?” I nod, sobbing still. “Yeah. Let’s get you cleaned up.” After a few minutes of breathing, we clean my face, and Amos helps me put on more makeup. She looks at me with sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry if it felt like I wasn’t there for you….”

“I saw your calls and texts. I was just busy.”

“Dating eight men!”

A chuckle escapes me.

“Miya is here,” she grumbles.

“I know. I invited her, and Khazon was okay with it.”

“You’re… not jealous?”

I shake my head. “Why would I be? She won’t be able to take Khazon from me. The whole world knows we are together now.”

Amos laughs. “Kind of badass, Queen.”

After a few minutes, I am ready to go back down the stairs. “Stay around me. You’ll have to fix it a few more times.” She agrees, looping her arm around mine and leading me to the stairs. Along the wall is a family photo, then separate photos of my father, Fenric, and Edris. I would not be where I am without any of them.

“Are you ready, Queen?”

I nod, and together we go down the stairs. My four hellhounds sit at the bottom of the stairs. Hazen is in a gray and maroon suit, with his curls slicked back. His eyes are wide as they land on me. Jigsaw is in a gray suit with accents of lime green, and his hand is slowly rubbing the silk inside the suit.

“Holy fuck,” Ledger mutters, wearing a maroon suit with boots. His brown curls fall against his olive skin.

At the bottom of the steps, Hazen grabs my hand. “Always fucking gorgeous.”

“Damn right, she is!” Amos snaps. “I don’t hear compliments from the others, though.”

All at once, the men stumble over their words, trying to throw out compliments to me.

I giggle, rolling my eyes.

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