Neonidas raised his eyebrows slightly, but there was more curiosity than objection on his face. My other women? These words, which he would normally say with pride, took on a different meaning when they fell from Allea's lips. Knowing her intelligence and ambition, he quickly understood the intent behind her words. Allea wasn't merely trying to carve out a place for herself—she wanted to be at the center of this union, controlling everything in Neonidas's life.
Without loosening his arms, he tilted his head slightly toward her. "Do you want to be their leader?" he asked, his voice calm and measured. "You mean… the one who unites them all under one roof?"
