Hidden Devotion (Trinity Masters #5)(49)

Without discussing it, they all shifted, with Devon propped against the headboard, Franco sprawled out near the foot of the bed. Juliette lay back against Devon. He was solid and warm—familiar in a way that felt like home. Franco tugged on her legs until they were draped over his hip then massaged her feet with one hand. They lay in companionable silence.

“Can I be the master of ships?” Franco’s voice was hopeful.

“What?” Devon’s voice was husky with sleep.

Juliette sighed. “It’s not the small council from Game of Thrones.”

“Song of Ice and Fire,” Devon corrected.

There was a pregnant silence.

“You read high fantasy?” Juliette asked. How many other things didn’t she know about Devon?

“Closeted geek.” Franco yawned and stretched. “I can see it. I bet you’re into cosplay, too.”

“I am not.”

“You’d make a good Jaime Lannister.”

“Screw you.”

“You did.”

Devon mock growled. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want him in the trinity.”

“You know we need him.” Juliette smiled. This was fun. When she’d imagined being married to Rose and Devon, nights spent lounging in bed and teasing one another had never seemed like a possibility. Intense, hardcore sex, sure. Teasing? Nope.

“You definitely need me. The two of you take yourselves way too seriously.”

“Hey.” Juliette jabbed him with her foot. “Okay, fine, you’re right. We’re no good as a couple.”

“Couple? Couples are for amateurs.” Devon tightened his arm around her, settling in as if he were going to sleep.

Silence surrounded them, warm and comfortable. As much as she wanted to stay here, live in this moment, Juliette couldn’t ignore the future.

“The gala is tonight,” she whispered.

“I hate to tell you this, but they’re going to know you’re a woman.” Franco patted her calf.

“My fake deep voice wasn’t convincing?”

“It was for a second, because I expected it to be a man.”

“That’s some misogyny right there,” Devon said.

“Oh, like you wouldn’t have assumed it was a guy.” Franco sounded grumpy.

“Of course not.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but until a couple of weeks ago, weren’t you going to have two wives? That’s some misogyny.”

“Boys.” They both shut up. Franco brought out Devon’s fun side, which was nice to see, but there was a time and place, and now was not it. They had serious business to attend to. “I’m not going to try to disguise my voice. You’re right, Franco. It wasn’t convincing.”

“Are you ready to face them all?” Devon asked.

“No.” She laid her head back on Devon’s shoulder and stared into the darkness. In that moment, the weight of her roles as Grand Master weighed heavy on her shoulders. “I’d planned to make some changes.” Devon laced his fingers with hers and squeezed. Franco rubbed her foot. Their presence didn’t lighten the load, but it made it more bearable. “I’d planned to abolish the arranged-marriage rule.”

Devon went statue still at her back then hesitantly replied, “I don’t want to fight with you, but—”

Juliette reached up and stopped Devon’s words with her fingers. “I know. It was stupid of me to even consider changing our rules because I was upset. I don’t want to make any other stupid mistakes.”

“I know you said that this gala is important, but we need to figure out the whole poison thing, too,” Franco said. “That’s assuming Devon doesn’t decide it was me trying to poison the Grand Master and shoot me.”

“Just let me know. I’ll shoot him.”

Juliette ignored them with the grace of a queen. “More than just the poisoning. We still don’t know why your grandfather was never called to the altar.”

“So what do you need us to do, Grand Master?” There was no mocking in Devon’s tone. He would wait for her orders, and Franco would follow his lead.

Juliette sat up. Dawn light was starting to show around the edge of the curtains. “First, coffee. Then let’s make a plan.”

“I’m making the coffee.” Franco jumped off the bed. “You people have no idea how to make coffee.”

“You people?” Juliette rose and opened the drapes.

“New Englanders. White people. Take your pick.”

“I’ll pretend that wasn’t offensive.” She raised her arms, stretching in the first rays of dawn.

“Juliette.”

She turned when Devon said her name. He held out a hand. When she placed her fingers in his, he relaxed, a small smile curving the corners of his mouth.

“Master of Coin. I changed my mind, I want to be the Master of Coin.”

Devon picked up a pillow and threw it at Franco. “Shut up. We’re having a moment.”

Franco rolled his eyes and pulled on his shirt. “You two are so dramatic. It’s like you were raised in a secret cult or something…oh, wait.”

“We’re not a cult.”

“Whatever you say.” Franco dodged a second pillow and slapped Juliette’s butt on his way out the door.