by Nikki Hunter
“You taste like cinnamon.” Bekket chuckled again pressing one more small kiss to his lips.
At the sound of ruffling blankets the two men turned to find Camila sitting up in the bed a wild grin overtaking her face.
“What the hell did I miss?”
***
Together the three of them sat on the bed, the two men leaning into Camila. They couldn’t quit touching. Needing.
The skin to skin contact told them it was real and in this moment they were all okay. Bekket’s hand was sweetly woven with Camila’s, his thumb tracing the back of her palm. “I’m so sorry they did this to you.”
“Yeah, me too. Trust me.” Camila rolled her eyes. “I know that this…” She picked her other hand up from Lance’s thigh and waved it in the air. “Situation is bad. But... can we get back to what I just witnessed here?”
Bekket leaned forward making eye contact with Lance who chewed against his lip.
“It was nothing.” Lance finally said, breaking away from Bekket’s onyx gaze.
Bekket let his head fall back against the headboard, his lips pursed in a knowing look. Why was he so shy about his sexuality? Bekket didn’t get it. He didn’t have to marry him, actually Bekket would prefer he didn’t, since he was considering saving that title for Camila, if they ever got out of this mess.
“Hmm,” Camila sighed, “Didn’t look like nothing but I’ll let that go. For now.”
Even as they all sat, bodies pressed firmly against each other leaning against the intricately carved wooden headboard, the room felt empty. The weight of their worries pressing into the room, filling it with an uncomfortable silence. Bekket sent Camila many glances as his eyes roamed the room, constantly feeling the need to make sure she was still there, and she offered him a sly, sideways smile in return. Bekket loved that smile. The easy way she just gave away her joy even in the darkest of moments. Loved her cool confidence that leaked from every movement she made, giving him new butterflies in his stomach. A feeling he had gotten before, sure, but now it was steady. Not the come and go feeling he got with any new love interest, no, he was certain he would feel this forever.
“So, what do we do now?” she whispered.
Bekket pushed back a strand of his hair, aware that he was probably showcasing the healing bruises she kept staring at everytime he turned toward her. Lance turned more toward Bekket too, eager for a plan. A long breath escaped Bekket as he shrugged and opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted by a feather light knock against the door.
Exchanging worried glances with Lance and Camila, Bekket slowly pulled himself from the bed, the knocking continuing. Across the room, he spread his hand against the door where the knocking vibrated and met his palm.
“The door is locked. I can’t open it,” he said quietly against the door.
“Oh, my boy. I can help with that.” a rough voice answered as metal grinded in the lock. Hinges held the silence as the door opened.
Lance stood, offering his hand to Camila to help her from the twisted covers. They joined Bekket who stared wide eyed into the hallway. If they thought the queen was nothing but skin and bones, that was nothing compared to the fragile looking man in a wheelchair, his body curling into itself, barely larger than a child. Behind him, the woman Camila recognized from the camp, the curious one.
Beside her Lance froze, his breath catching.
“Uncle?” Bekket asked, kneeling before the wheelchair, taking the elderly man’s hand with caution.
“Layla?” Lance breathed, the girl stared back at him, unblinking as a slow smile widened over her cheeks.
Whoever this pair was, Camila thought, they had better come with some answers. Something that could end this mess once and for all. Camila had the feeling they were here as friends, ready to help them do just that.
Look for book four, The Forgiven, coming soon!
Also by Nikki Hunter
The Royal Harem Series
The Hundred Year Curse
The Curse of the Sea
The Legend of the Cursed Princess
The Magic of the Jin Series
The Needed
The Wanted
Coming Soon by Nikki Hunter
Day of Ruin
About Nikki Hunter
Nikki Hunter is a mom and wife, but also a Friends nerd. When she’s not writing she spends her time binge watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers while making her husband crazy.
