by Mary Wine
Paneil gasped as she stood up. Jett towered over her shoulder with a dark frown marring his face. Elpida cast a horrified look at her son but Ravid didn’t appear to care. While inspection was an Alcandian tradition, it was not a common one and it insinuated that the bride’s mother was hiding something from the grooms’ mothers.
Ravid’s dark eyes burned with challenge, his audacity had nothing to do with their mothers…it was completely personal. But the warrior had a lesson coming if he thought she would bend to his will.
“Very well.” Zeva shot a warning look at Keenan before she walked down the aisle to where her mother stood. Paneil was turning red with anger as she stopped to squeeze her mother’s hand. “Enjoy your meal, Mother. I do not need you.”
Zeva moved down the aisle with her head held high. Elpida and Milena stood up and followed her because females inspected females before any male was ever allowed to do so. Ravid and Keenan were forced to wait until their mothers returned for them because Zeva had relieved her own mother of the inspection ceremony. Since they were already pledged, Milena and Elpida were now considered family and Zeva could let the bride-escorting duties fall to them.
That meant Ravid and Keenan were required to stand and wait. They could not enter their chamber until the mother escorting the bride returned to signal that they felt the bride was ready for inspection. Zeva could feel Ravid’s frustration as she walked up the aisle with her head high. Ha! She doubted the arrogant warrior had believed she’d leave him in front of his peers!
Not to mention her family.
Zeva stopped at the back of the hall because she had no idea where to go. Stairs rose up from both corners of the building but she didn’t know where Ravid and Keenan slept.
Doubt broke through her temper as she recognized that payback was indeed harsh. Last eve she had left them bound by tradition. Zeva shook her head as she followed Elpida. This binding fever truly brought out the worst in her.
Guilt slammed into her as she walked into the sleeping chamber. Her cheeks turned pink as she caught the embarrassed looks on Elpida and Melina’s faces. The two mothers clearly hadn’t expected their sons to cast any doubt on her worthiness to bind.
Zeva undid her clothing quickly and dropped it all over a chair. Elpida and Milena didn’t waste anytime, they strode right past her to the curtain that covered the doorway and left without looking at her bare back. Zeva was not even sure they looked at her front.
Their voices came through the curtain. “Just wait until I get my hands on that child of mine.”
“We should sit right here and make them wait until sunrise.”
“I would do just that if I did not know they would spoil our game by coming up here.” Elpida snorted. “Besides, we cannot leave Paneil below.”
Zeva stuffed her fist into her mouth to keep her laughter from reaching their ears. There was some unspoken bond between mother and child. Even when that child was a full-grown warrior, a mother refused to relinquish her authority. The idea of Elpida taking Ravid to task made her walk away from the curtain before her amusement became too loud to cover.
The window screens were all off, letting the night air flow in. The lights had brightened as she walked in and Zeva passed her hand over the wall controls to lower them a bit. She wasn’t hiding in the dark, just hesitant to stand in full light.
The chamber was more plush than she might have imagined it to be. Alcandian homes were covered in tile because it was lazered clean each morning by the main computer. Ravid and Keenan had deep area rugs that her toes sank into. A little hum of delight came from her throat as she tested one with a single foot. It was completely possible that the comforts had been added for tonight. The single round bed most certainly was. Unbound warriors did not share a bed but the three of them would.
Candles flickered with romantic welcome and blossoms were scattered over the furniture. One of the bedside tables held three drinking goblets placed there for her comfort. There were little details carefully placed throughout the chamber that made her reconsider her harsh views.
Warriors who wanted only to own her would not bother to seduce her. Tradition would give them the right to bring her into their bed. Zeva lifted a blue flower from the shimmering bed and inhaled its delicate fragrance. The idea of Ravid placing it among the bedding hit her with a wave of tenderness so large she tumbled off balance as it washed right into her heart.
There was also a window seat. Zeva secretly adored the things. She had never justified spending the funds to have one put into her own chamber but she climbed up onto the cushion and leaned over the edge to see the view. The candles sitting on the ledge flickered as the night air rushed into the room.
Ravid and Keenan found her like that. Zeva didn’t hear them, she felt them. A mind-bridge was forming between them that would add to their physical intimacy. She felt their eyes move over her back and hair. The night air flowed in and across her breasts, cooling the heat that flickered to life inside her.
She was getting used to the combustion. In her passage, fluid coated walls that told her how sensitive they were. Tiny nerve endings in her skin clamored for the firm touch of male hands. It went beyond desire now, she needed to stomp on her pride and follow her body towards relief.
Her heart joined the melody as it tempted her with visions of seduction. There was no doubt where the night would end, but there was a part of her that craved it to be hours filled with enjoyment instead of pride-fueled clashing. Heat moved over her skin as Keenan’s scent drifted to her nose. Desire built as she took a deep breath and savored the pure maleness of that scent. At that moment she didn’t want to be on equal footing. Zeva wanted to be female, and her mates, warriors. They were vastly different but together their bodies could be complete.
Ravid stepped forward and Keenan thrust his arm out to halt him. He shot his companion a hard look before he took the lead this time. Zeva still hadn’t moved. She knew they were there and simply sat. It was a humbling moment. Approval filled his thoughts as he saw her there. Just sitting in their chamber. All of the details fell aside as her delicate feminine scent drifted to his nose.
Keenan took a deep breath and let his blood surge through his body. He slid his eyes over the dark mane of hair covering her back and enjoyed the pulsing jerk of his cock. Arousal had ruled him too long but tonight he was content to enjoy the bite of it because Zeva was not leaving his chamber.
It was only a partial victory. Keenan moved forward and caught the slight tensing of her fingers. His frown deepened as he considered her unmoving body. Conflict, he understood. There was even a part of him that relished battling with Zeva. Her silent compliance was deafening.
She could smell him. Zeva was slightly astounded that she knew both warriors’ scents. Her brain began thinking on a different level as she caught a second lungful of Keenan’s scent. The fingers she had curled around the ledge of the window demanded she let them explore Keenan’s chest just as she had Ravid’s. She wanted to touch and be stroked in return. The wall of details separating them rubbed her raw as her body burned for theirs, and suddenly Zeva just didn’t want to wait any longer. She always went after what she wanted and tonight was no different.
She stood up on the window seat and turned around. Keenan’s body tensed slightly in response and she took advantage of the half second of shock. Slipping her hands over each side of his head she leaned forward to kiss him.
His mouth instantly opened as she sent her tongue towards his. Zeva pushed her body towards the warrior and he caught her weight as she stroked the length of his tongue. A harsh groan shook the chest she clung to as his arms tightened around her.
“That is the last time I allow you to go first, Keenan.”
Zeva broke their kiss and looked past Keenan to Ravid. His eyes flashed with desire as he watched them. Keenan’s hand was fisted in her hair as the warrior held her completely off the ground. Her hands were curled over his two massive shoulders as she looked over one of them. Ravid’s
dark eyes flashed again as they locked with hers and he pulled his jacket off.
Zeva listened to her own little gasp as she once again caught sight of his chest. Keenan lowered his mouth to her neck and her body jerked as pleasure shot down her spine from his hot kiss.
But her eyes were glued to Ravid as he tossed first one boot and then its twin aside. His eyes never left hers as he pulled his pants off. But hers fluttered as she slid them down his body. Fluid flowed down her passage as she looked at his swollen cock. There was another solid erection against her thigh and she shivered as she considered taking both of them into her body.
Keenan stiffened and lifted his head from her neck. He leaned over her shoulder and inhaled. Zeva shivered as she recognized that he could smell her arousal. It was a primitive thing that hit her in some dark corner of her mind. There was a part of her that wanted them both to know her body was wet for them. Just as her eyes enjoyed the sight of Ravid’s swollen cock.
“Your scent drives me insane, shihori.” Keenan caught her legs beneath her knees with one arm as he turned. The warrior was capturing her and a little zip of excitement hit her belly as Zeva recognized the pure strength of his embrace. Keenan’s eyes were hard as he watched her face. “I have thought too many times about this moment.”
Just as she had. Zeva trailed her fingers over his lips and grinned. They were still wet from her kiss and Keenan groaned as he turned towards the bed. It was a huge round one made to sleep all three of them. Her maiden’s bed looked like a miniature compared to it. At that moment she couldn’t help feeling like she was exactly where she wanted to be. Keenan let her down onto it gently as his lips lifted in a firm smile of satisfaction.
Doubt tried to wiggle into her thoughts but Zeva refused to notice it. She was far more interested in Ravid as he sat next to her. His dark eyes weren’t probing into hers for a change. They feasted on her breasts, lingering over each globe as she held still for him.
“Do I meet with your approval, Ravid?” Astonishment covered his face as his eyes fastened onto hers. Zeva kept her face calm. She wasn’t sure where she got the idea to tease a warrior like Ravid but the temptation tugged at her with irresistible appeal.
Zeva rolled back and caught her weight on her elbows. The posture thrust her breasts high and Ravid swallowed roughly as his dark eyes settled onto her nipples. “You should leave right now if I’m not acceptable. I certainly would not want you to make a mistake with an unacceptable female.”
A low rumble of amusement came from Keenan as he tossed his coat aside. Zeva watched Ravid look at his partner with confusion written on his dark features, and she bit her lower lip to keep her giggle in her mouth.
Ravid still did not understand. His fingers were curled into the bedding as his knuckles turned white. Zeva caught the corner of a pillow and swung it at his head. The warrior jumped and landed on his feet, glaring at her. Zeva rolled onto her knees and propped her hands onto her hips because she knew it would make her breasts very obvious. Her lips twitched into a grin as Ravid fought to keep his eyes on her face and not her nipples.
“Are you quite certain, Ravid? Really, maybe I should just leave and save you the difficult task of rejecting me. My mother can take me home. Or maybe I could make do with just one mate, if Keenan isn’t as picky as you.”
Keenan was choking as Ravid rolled his eyes and caught the joke. Zeva’s eyes sparkled with her teasing, making him stare at her in wonder again. This female could drive him insane but she wasn’t afraid of him. It was a harsh fact of his life. Most people he encountered feared him and Keenan—that was one of the reasons their friendship was as powerful as it was.
“You truly are not afraid of me.” Zeva felt an odd tug at her heart as Ravid cupped her face with his hand. His dark eyes were uncertain for a moment as he considered her. He stared at her with wonder and it humbled her slightly. Ravid certainly hadn’t been someone she would have thought harbored insecurities.
“There are different kinds of fear, Ravid.” The words came from her lips before she could stop them. It was a thought that tumbled out of her heart and her sense didn’t engage fast enough to intercede. Zeva felt her composure shake as Ravid’s dark eyes immediately captured hers. She shrugged as she lowered her body back onto her feet and crossed her arms across her breasts.
“Aye, there are.” Ravid sat on the side of the bed. “I feared never to see you sitting in our bed.” He crooked a single thick finger at her and tapped his lips as his eyes watched her reaction to his request. Her stomach twisted with nervousness but not fear. Strength might flow from both warriors but their honor was never in question to her.
She was safe in their bed from everything except her own body. Kissing Keenan had sent desire flowing down her body, and tasting Ravid was going to end every last notion of separation. Zeva raised her bottom off her feet and leaned toward Ravid. She placed one hand on his shoulder to steady her body as she gently touched her mouth to his.
The taut muscle beneath her fingers shook as the warrior let her lead. His mouth opened with hers and moved at the same speed that she applied. A tiny moan of delight surfaced from her throat as Zeva let her tongue trace his lips. The little sound pushed Ravid beyond his limit and his hand caught her waist and pulled her forward.
Zeva moaned again as his mouth took hers. It was a hard kiss that matched the male holding her. His tongue stroked over her lips before demanding entry to her mouth. Keenan’s scent joined Ravid’s taste as he stroked her bare sides with his open hands. He teased the sides of her breasts as Ravid’s tongue enticed hers to mingle.
She suddenly hated Keenan’s pants. Her fingers moved over Ravid’s chest, tracing the ridges of muscles, and her thighs rested against the harsh fabric of Keenan’s pants. His erection burned into her thigh, taunting her with temptation. She suddenly felt empty, so empty she ached.
“The scent of your body will drive me insane, ruthima.” Ravid growled the words against her mouth as he trailed his lips down her neck. His hand captured her hair and pulled her head back as she was bent over Keenan’s arm. Her breasts were thrust high as Ravid teased one nipple with a soft kiss before sucking it into his mouth.
Her cry was harsh and Zeva wasn’t even certain the sound came from her throat. It was too primal. Her eyes flew open as fire flowed from her nipple into her belly and she found Keenan’s eyes locked with hers. He smiled at her pleasure as his fingers curled around her opposite breast, cupping the sensitive mound and raising the nipple up for Ravid.
Her hand landed on Keenan’s chest as her eyes noticed that he had discarded his pants while her attention was on Ravid. Her eyes refused to stay locked with his as they moved over his chest to the hard cock thrusting up from his body.
Keenan’s cock thrust straight out from his body. The head was ruby-red and the staff thick. Her belly twisted with need as she ran her eyes over him. She wouldn’t be empty with that erection pressed deeply into her passage.
Keenan watched her face the entire time. Zeva’s eyes flickered back to his and her pride surfaced at the uncertainly she caught drifting across his face. She might be a maiden but she was not fearful.
Moving her fingers, she ran them down his chest and over his abdomen. She traced the head of his cock and smiled at the feel of his weapon. His breath hissed as her hand closed around his staff and Zeva moved her grip down to the base and back up again. She shook off the pleasure of Ravid’s sucking enough to recall her mother’s instructions that had been given to her so many years ago. Alcandian females were never sent to their triparh without knowledge of a warrior’s bed. Her mother’s advice drifted past the pleasure as she eyed Keenan’s erection.
Rolling over, she bent over Keenan’s cock and let her tongue lick its head. A harsh grunt made her bold as she licked over that ruby head once more. The slit at its center held a single drop of fluid that she tasted before stroking his length with a firm grip.
“Zeva.” Her name came from Keenan’s chest like a plea as she o
pened her mouth and took his cock between her lips. She held the staff with her hand as she pulled her head back and tried to take more of his length into her mouth. Keenan’s hand curled around her head as his breath hissed between his clenched teeth. His pleasure flowed into her mind as their mind-bridge gained strength. She moaned around his cock as she used her tongue to stroke the head.
Zeva pulled her mouth from Keenan as she turned her attention to Ravid. His dark eyes were focused on her and Keenan, and he watched as she stroked the length of Keenan’s cock with her hand.
Zeva moved her hand up Keenan’s cock and down once more as Ravid shot her a hungry look. She reached for his cock and curled her fingers around its hard length. Her breath came in little pants. The craving twisted in her passage, unwilling to be patient any longer. She clasped Ravid’s cock as she stroked Keenan’s once again. Ravid growled as she grasped his cock and she grinned at the sound. She was learning the tone of his growls. Now it was a deep sound of male appreciation as her fingers stroked and gripped his cock. His dark eyes closed to slits as his lips curled back to show her his clenched teeth.
“No maiden should be so bold, yet I do not lament it.” Keenan caught her head as he whispered against her mouth. His lips pressed hers apart as his tongue thrust deeply into her mouth. Her passage twisted as it demanded the same thrust and fullness. In her hands their cocks throbbed with a promise she was eager for them to keep.
“Nay Zeva.” Keenan lifted his head and pulled her hand from his cock. “Your body will be too tight.” His eyes locked with hers as Ravid lifted her hand from his flesh as well.
Ravid laid a hand on her hip and rolled her backwards. His arm firmly pressed one of her thighs away from the other as Keenan pushed her shoulder down onto the mattress. Then she was on her back with the two looming over her. A tingle of fear swept through her as their shoulders rose above her with all that strength. She couldn’t push it away and it mixed with her need, making her hips jerk with a motion born from pure instinct.
