by Jasmine Walt
The moment they were alone in the bedroom, Lucyan was on her, pressing her back against the wall as he kissed her deeply. “I get to have you first,” he growled into her mouth, just loud enough for the others to hear.
“Yes,” Dareena agreed, her hands already working at the buttons on his trousers. The moment she freed his cock, he shoved her skirts up and hooked one of her legs around his hip. Dareena cried out as his hard length surged into her, and she let her head fall back against the wall as she met Alistair’s eyes. Her mates watched avidly as Lucyan drove into her, fast and rough and deep, their pants tenting with the evidence of their own desire. Dareena licked her lips as Drystan freed his cock from his pants, stroking slowly. His thumb slid over the glistening head, and Dareena’s mouth watered as she imagined swirling her tongue around it, taking it into her mouth—
“You’re a greedy wench, aren’t you?” Lucyan rasped, meeting her eyes. His amber gaze blazed with wicked desire, his full lips curving into a dangerous smile. “Here I am, giving you my cock, and yet it’s not good enough. You want more.”
The challenge in his eyes awoke something in her, and she lifted her chin to meet his gaze squarely. “Yes,” she said boldly, refusing to be even remotely apologetic. “You are each enough on your own, but why should I settle for one when all three of you are here?”
Lucyan chuckled dangerously. “Be careful what you wish for,” he said, pulling out of her. A shiver raced down her spine as he swept her up into his arms.
“I’ve done this before,” she said to him as he set her down on the bed. Alistair and Drystan joined them, both naked, their golden skin and carved muscles gleaming in the daylight, but Lucyan was still partially clothed. She tugged at his tunic, and he obliged, pulling it off to reveal his lean, muscular chest and chiseled abdomen. Licking her lips, she ran her hands down it, then up and down his cock, enjoying the feel of his silky length.
Lucyan exchanged surprised glances with his brothers. “You’ve taken her at the same time?” he asked.
Drystan nodded, pulling Dareena into his lap. He gently stroked his hand over her body, lingering on her belly for a long moment before cupping her right breast. “We did,” he said, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “But I imagine it will be a little different, with three of us.”
“You’re damn right it will,” Lucyan said. He locked gazes with Dareena, and his lips curved into a slow smile. “But first, let’s indulge our mate in a bit of playtime.”
A thrill raced through Dareena as Lucyan closed his hand over hers, wrapping her fingers more tightly around his cock as he showed her how to stroke him. While Drystan played with her nipples, Alistair settled next to Dareena and cupped her between her legs. He kissed her long and slow as he slid a finger inside her, and Dareena moaned into his mouth, arching her hips to take him deeper into her. She could feel Lucyan’s gaze like a brand on her as her other two mates pleasured her, stroking her most sensitive spots while she stroked his. His cock swelled in her hand, growing even harder, and when Alistair added a second, then a third finger, she came, her inner walls clenching around his fingers.
“There you go,” Lucyan cooed as she trembled between them. He pushed Alistair’s hand aside, then slid his cock inside her again while her pussy was still quivering with the orgasm. The sensation of being filled so suddenly made her come again, and she cried out Lucyan’s name, her back arching as she surged her hips against his.
“More, right?” Lucyan teased before she could say another word. He thrust into her a few times, then pulled out. “I want your sweet arse this time,” he growled, climbing onto the bed. He lay down in the center, then pulled her onto him, her back against his chest, her legs planted on either side of him. Drystan was beside her, a bottle in his fist.
“Hold out your hand,” Lucyan commanded. Dareena did so without question, and Drystan squirted a healthy amount into her palm. “Rub that all over my cock, little minx, and inside yourself.”
Dareena sat up just enough so she could grab Lucyan’s shaft. She slathered him with oil, then coated two fingers with more of the silky liquid and slid them inside her. Her rear flexed at the intrusion, and she gasped at the pulse of exquisite sensation.
“Do that again,” Alistair rasped, his eyes gleaming. Dareena bit her lip, then slowly slid her fingers out, then back in again. Her face flushed as her mates watched avidly—despite everything they had done, there was something taboo about this, about touching her arsehole in front of them. The way they watched her, as if it was the sexiest thing they’d ever seen, made her hot all over, and she grew bolder, wrapping her fingers around Lucyan’s cock instead and guiding it to her entrance.
“Yes,” he groaned as she slid the tip in. He went in easily, smooth as butter, and she moaned, letting her head fall back against him. Lucyan slid his arms beneath her legs to hold them out of the way as he thrust from beneath her, burying his cock deep inside her rear. He nibbled on her neck as Alistair climbed on top, then slid his cock through her folds, coating himself in her wetness and teasing her clit.
“Please,” she begged, digging her fingers into his muscled arse. She pulled him forward, and he surged into her, overwhelming her with that sensation of fullness. They only gave her a few moments to recover before they started pounding into her, keeping up a steady rhythm while Drystan watched. Turning her head, she tried to reach for his cock while he massaged himself, but it was difficult to focus. Her vision grew hazy as another climax approached, and she cried out, squeezing her eyes shut as the wave crashed over her.
The bed seemed to shift around her as she came back to herself, and suddenly, a cock nudged the seam of her lips. Her eyes opened wide, and she gasped at the sight of Drystan straddling her face. The head of his shaft instantly slipped inside, and as she felt his tongue on her clit, swirling around in slow circles, she realized what he was about.
Drystan was right. This was different. She opened her mouth wider, taking more of him, and just like that, she had all three of her mates inside her. Part of her wondered if she should feel shame for taking part in such debauchery, but the only thing she felt was bliss, and a sense of feminine power. She had not one but three men making love to her, drenching her in pleasure as she used her body to please them in turn.
When Alistair came first, calling her name, it seemed to release the floodgates in all of them. Dareena’s body arched against the onslaught of pleasure—the feeling of all three of them coming inside her while she experienced the sweet bliss of relief was indescribable. Gripping the backs of Drystan’s thighs, she swallowed his hot, salty seed as Lucyan and Alistair released their own inside her.
No, she thought hazily as she relaxed, letting the afterglow slowly spread through her. There was nothing wrong about any of this. There was only fierce desire, and the love they shared. And there was no force in this world that would compel Dareena to give any of this up, no matter what anyone else thought of them.
33
The next morning, Dareena and her mates gathered around the table in their suite to enjoy breakfast together. The sight of all three of her mates filled her heart until it almost burst—she was indescribably happy to have them all back again, and she could tell they were just as happy about being reunited, not only with her, but also with each other.
The brothers had a very close bond with each other, and she was the luckiest woman in the world to be allowed to share that bond with them.
As they ate, the four of them talked, catching each other up on what they had been doing. Lucyan told them all about how he and Ryolas had rescued Basilla, and how he had infiltrated the warlock spy school and learned all about their tactics.
“I suspected Soldian was using invisible charms when you told me what was happening,” Lucyan said. “She must be very high up indeed, as only the most trusted agents are using them. They are still considered new technology.”
“I can’t believe it was her,” Drystan said, shaking his head. “If I had to
guess which one of Dareena’s ladies was up to no good, I would have picked Lyria, not Soldian.”
“Those invisible amulets must have been how the count and the imposter oracle managed to escape from the dungeons,” Alistair said. “We will have to do another strip search of all the soldiers and staff, specifically checking for these items.”
Lucyan nodded. “We must also inform everyone to stay away from the windows or the outdoors if they are going to have private conversations. There is a reason I drew the curtains shut before we sat down—it turns out that the warlocks are using spelled mirrors with strange surveillance devices linked to them to see and hear what their enemies are doing.”
“Surveillance devices?” Dareena asked, disturbed by the idea. “How does that work?”
Lucyan explained it to them—the devices were magical orbs covered in some kind of white fluff that enabled them to blend in with the clouds. “I have brought one back for further study,” he said. “Shadley will be delighted, I’m sure.”
“And where are Ryolas and Basilla?” Drystan asked. “I thought you said that they rode out ahead of you.”
“I caught up with them and intended to escort them back to Dragonfell. But Tariana got wind that Ryolas was spotted traveling our lands and came out to meet us. She took the elves back to Elvenhame herself.”
“I suspect she was eager to be reunited with Ryolas,” Alistair said with a smile. “I do hope that the royal siblings make up with their father. We still have that peace treaty to sign.”
A servant came in with the morning post. “Speaking of Tariana,” Drystan said as he sorted through the various letters, “it seems we have a missive from her.”
“Really?” Dareena’s pulse jumped with excitement as Drystan opened the letter. “Does she bring news about Basilla?”
Drystan was silent for a few moments as he read the message. “She says Basilla is much recovered from her ordeal, and that she and Ryolas have mended their relationship with the king. She also says,” he added with a grin, “that she and Ryolas are finally engaged, and would like for us to come to Elvenhame to attend the wedding.”
“How wonderful!” Dareena cried. “Oh, Tariana must be beside herself with joy.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she imagined the two of them standing under a flowering arbor together, exchanging their marriage vows after being forced to hide their love for so many years. “Of course we will attend their wedding, though they really should have one in both kingdoms.”
“I think this wedding will be a very good thing,” Drystan declared. “There is no better way to form an alliance than through marriage, and once the curse is broken, Tariana will be able to bear Ryolas an heir.”
“I doubt he himself will become the heir, if he intends to create half-dragon babes,” Lucyan said. “I can’t imagine the elves would stand for that. But Basilla has a good head on her shoulders. She would make a fine queen.”
“Now that we’re talking of weddings and queens,” Dareena said, taking Drystan’s hands, “I do hope you will tell the steward to resume the wedding preparations. We still have much to do.”
Drystan’s cheeks flushed. “That is the first thing I will do today.”
“And what of the warlocks?” Dareena asked. “The wedding is still months away. Is there anything we can do to end this conflict, so we do not have the cloud of war hanging above us?”
“I don’t know about you,” Alistair said to Drystan, “but now that Lucyan has explained to us what they can and cannot do, I am more than happy to bring the fight to them. If they are so certain of imminent victory, they may not be guarding the warlock king himself very well. Shadley and Tariana have informed me he is not at Inkwall, but has taken up residence at Aylesbury, his country seat, with his mistress in tow. It would seem he is more than happy to govern from afar while his ministers and son spin their sticky web of deceit and murder.”
“He was not at Inkwall, from what I could see, so it is very likely he is still at Aylesbury,” Lucyan said. A wolfish smile curved his lips. “I believe you’ve got the right idea, brother.”
“As in chess, if we capture the king, the war is over,” Drystan said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Let’s send a missive back to Tariana and meet with her at Glastar. It is high time we end this.”
34
Three days later, Alistair, Lucyan, Tariana, and Sorana set out for Aylesbury manor. They’d spent the past two days preparing, and each carried three soldiers, the absolute maximum they could bear. The weight did slow them down some, but it was still far preferred to riding. The excitement brewing in Alistair’s breast made the burden seem lighter than air.
Remember, Tariana said in mindspeak as the border came into view, we do not torch the estate until we have secured the king.
We know, sister, Lucyan said in a longsuffering voice. They’d gone over the plan a thousand times. They had to take King Wulorian alive—if they killed him, he would merely be replaced, and they would have nothing to negotiate with.
Yes, General, the others said.
Tariana ignored Lucyan—he was always flippant, and the two of them had a bit of a love-hate relationship. Alistair had no doubt that if not for the riders they carried and the gravity of this mission, Tariana and Lucyan would be blowing smoke and fire as they chased each other across the skies. Perhaps one day they would take to the skies for the mere thrill of it. But today was for war, not play. If everything went as planned, this would mark the end of the war. But if they failed…
Don’t think about it, Alistair chided himself. Failure was not an option.
Still, he thought as he counted the raiders again. Twelve, plus the four dragons, made sixteen. Shadley’s spies had told him there were a mere thirty guards protecting the estate—not nearly enough to pose a threat. But he knew well enough from the first raid that the guards were the least of their worries. The amulets would protect them from certain things, but they still needed to be wary of traps.
An hour later, the manor finally came into view—a lovely building with red roofs and white stone on a hilltop in the center of a large agricultural estate. Alistair picked out an additional fifteen workers tending to the fields, and he imagined there were more in the buildings.
Leave the field and the workers be, unless they attack us first, he ordered the team.
They may be field workers, but they are still the enemy, Solara protested. We should burn them, and their crops, too.
Our primary objective is to capture the king, not terrorize innocents, Tariana said sternly. Focus on the soldiers, not the peasants.
Very well, Solara said, a little gruffly. She folded her wings in at her sides, then dove straight for the manor. Alistair and the others hung back—Solara had insisted she be allowed to go first to ensure the amulets were working properly against their defenses. Lucyan saw a ripple in the air that he assumed was from some ward being triggered, but to his relief, Solara remained airborne and in dragon form. Opening her mouth, she let loose a blast of fire on the gate, singeing the guards who stood at the ready.
More guards ran from the manor, a few carrying spears. Alistair, Lucyan, and Tariana dove down to join the fight, spewing fire everywhere and doing their best to avoid the spears. One of them hit Lucyan on the shoulder, and he let out a roar of such intense pain and rage that a ripple of nerves washed over Alistair. He feared his brother would crash-land and injure or kill his passengers, but he managed to reach the ground safely, then shifted back into human form. The soldiers shielded him while he hurriedly pulled on his clothes, then drew his sword and rushed to join the fight.
Alistair and Tariana continued to circle in the air, burning to a crisp any guards they saw while Lucyan and Solara made for the manor’s entrance. The soldiers they had brought were more necessary than they had anticipated—some of the soldiers were carrying fire-resistant amulets and had to be taken down using physical force. By the time Lucyan and Solara made it inside, they still had ten guards left to take down.
/> Enough of this, Tariana snarled. She swooped close to the ground, grabbed a soldier, and tore his body in two. The other soldiers watched in horror as his entrails flew, and after a split second, they turned tail and ran.
I’ll get these last few, Tariana said. “You go after the others.
Alistair dove to the ground, changing as he went. He hit the ground in a roll, diving out of the way of a particularly vicious sword slash, then sprang up and spewed fire all over the attacker. His pack weighed heavily around his neck as he ran inside the house, and he ducked into one of the rooms to pull on his clothes before he continued inside the manor.
After all, he couldn’t meet the king of warlocks wearing only the skin he was born in.
It wasn’t hard for Alistair to figure out where Lucyan and Sorana went—he merely followed the trail of bodies. A few guards had been overlooked, but these he took down easily, either with sword or fire as he ran. By the time he caught up with his siblings, his blade was slick with blood.
“Don’t come any closer!” a terrified male voice cried. “I’ll kill you all if you set foot in this room!”
Lucyan and Alistair exchanged glances. “He sounds like he means business,” Lucyan said.
“We could simply torch the place from within,” Solara pointed out. “I’m sure Tariana could come around through the window. They wouldn’t know what hit them.”
Alistair shook his head. “We cannot risk it,” he said. “King Wulorian is a powerful warlock, but even he might not survive the blast. Our primary objective is to take him alive. He is useless to us dead.”
Sorana bit her lip. “I can smell magic all over this door,” she said. “Our amulets might withstand the wards…but they might not. It is impossible to know until we try the door.”
