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EPILOGUE

CALL ME HUSBAND

Julian

M y queen: Meet me in the bedroom and get into position.

I glance at the text from Nadira again as anticipation races down my spine. We recently ate an early breakfast, but I happily return to our bedroom and kneel in front of the door, naked and waiting for whatever she has planned.

Ever since we captured Jason, we haven’t had a moment like this. It didn’t feel right to either of us while he still breathed. He lasted longer than I expected, but within the month of torture, there was one positive outcome. I reestablished my bond with Chelsea, though I begrudged her at first. I didn’t stand a chance with Nadira in her corner.

The door to the bedroom opens, drawing my attention to what’s about to happen.

Nadira enters. Her natural hair is in a twist out bracketing her lovely face with thick, juicy coils. Black eyeliner highlights her beautiful dark eyes, and purple lipstick puts me on notice before I take in the rest of her. She wears a black lace and satin cami that exudes her feminine power. In her hand, she holds a large black leather case wrapped in a black satin ribbon.

“My queen?”

She pads over on bare feet until she stands inches away. “I was going to wait until March to do this, but I’m not as patient as you are.”

It takes a few seconds for me to understand what significance March holds for her. When I do, my heart melts. Even as an adult, she prioritizes my birthday, a date I stopped celebrating long ago since it didn’t mean as much without her by my side.

Nadira kneels, her knees brushing against mine. “Then I realized, today had to be the day. It’s a day that has caused both of us pain in the past. When I was younger, I refused to acknowledge the day because it reminded me of the parents I missed so much. My denial of this day took something from you, too. Whereas I delighted in making the smallest wish of yours come true even with my limited resources, I never gave you the same opportunity.”

“Nadira.” I swallow and lick my dry lips as understanding hits me hard.

“So, I want to ask you if you’ll make my birthday wish come true.” Her eyes shine with deep emotion as she pulls the ribbon and opens the box.

Inside, three rings lie gleaming against a black satin cushion. They’re the rings I bought years ago to remind myself why I needed to live every day even when it was the last thing I wanted.

“I know you don’t care about my name, but I have a fondness for yours. So for my birthday, I would like to change my name to Mrs. Nadira Caddel. Can you make this happen?”

Words are beyond me. All I can do is nod as I reach for her.

“Not yet,” she says, halting me. “Before we celebrate, there’s something else. You made these rings and I had them resized to fit for our ceremony, but I want you to wear my claim as proudly as I’ll wear yours.”

“These are wedding rings, they represent our mutual claim.” I settle back on my feet.

“True, but our history isn’t in them.” She lifts the cushion from the box to reveal two leather and steel cuffs beneath. She hands one to me and keeps the other.

I turn the jewelry in my hand, studying the design before turning startled eyes to hers.

“I had a mold made of our grass and flower rings, then had a designer link them in a chain circling the leather. I guess I haven’t outgrown the need to wear the promises we make.” She shrugs.

Without a word, I hold out my wrist for her to place the cuff on me, then I do the same for her, marveling at the way our childhood jewelry intertwines. “If I’m going to make your birthday wish come through, we should get going.”

She stands with a seductive grin. “Leave without doing justice to all this?” Nadira waves her hand in front of her body and the sexy lingerie lovingly cupping her curves. “Don’t be stingy. By my estimate, I should get at least one happy birthday orgasm before my newlywed ones.”

I grin as my cock hardens. “You’re right. It’s the least I can do as thanks for granting me the title I’ve longed for.”