There was absolutely no reason to blush when she heard her four husbands laughing with each other as they sat around her in her bed.
...What was so funny?!
She scowled at them in protest, pouting as she lowered the book she was reading in her lap, with a huff.
Phoenix grinned and leaned forward, pecking her cheek with a kiss. "There, there." He murmured with a teasing lightness, and a laugh in his eyes. "Why, that is a very interesting read, I imagine, that would draw you away from us so wholly as to not even spare a word in reply."
"Ha. Hahah. You're a joke."
Her sarcasm had the man gasping in mock offense as he rose one hand to his chest. "Ah, my dearest empress! You wound me so with your cutting tongue!"
She made a face. "You deserve it!" She gave a haughty sniff, holding her chin high. "An empress' judgment is never wrong."