by Lynn Best
He took the hand that had been sloshed with wine, bringing it up to his mouth. Slowly, he slid her finger between his lips and sucked it clean.
The sensation was incredible, only serving to rekindle the fire she’d tried to put out. The place between her legs ached and pulsed, begging Seela to let Stenton use those talented lips and tongue elsewhere. She shifted, trying to ease the ache.
Stenton lifted another finger and inserted it into his mouth, sucking and moving his expert tongue along the tip.
Seela thought she might die of want. Her body seemed to be acting of its own accord, leaning toward Stenton, putting her heaving chest close to his face. With her free hand, she gripped her dress, half expecting that hand to tear the fabric off to give Stenton what he wanted.
He went for the third and final tarnished finger.
Seela pictured them on the bed, him on top of her, his fierce body writhing between her legs. Oh Lords, she wanted it. Wanted him so badly it hurt.
“Stenton,” she whispered.
“Yes?” His voice was low and animal.
“I kissed your brother.”
She slapped a hand over her mouth. Those weren’t the words she’d expected to say when she began. No, she’d wanted to beg him to rip her dress to shreds and spread her legs wide. To put out the fire burning between her thighs.
Instead, she’d just confessed to being hot and loose with his brother.
Stenton put her hand in her lap. He tilted his head, a curious and confused expression crossing his face. “You are telling me this because…”
“I want to be honest with you,” she stammered. “I like you.”
He frowned. “I like you, too, Seela. And it appears you like Langdon.”
“Yes,” she confessed. “I like all of you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I see.”
She couldn’t tell how he felt about any of this, but she could tell the mood was ruined. She sat up straight, smoothing her skirt and trying desperately to stop picturing Stenton naked.
It wasn’t working.
Stenton stood. “I’m sure you are tired. I’ll leave you to get some rest.”
Seela watched him leave, his steps stiff. If she wasn’t mistaken, he’d been just as turned on as she was, as evidenced by the tenting of his trousers.
She slumped on his bed, but that didn’t help. It smelled of him, and all she could picture was his glorious form above her, easing her ache with every thrust of his glorious body. Oh, Stenton. She should’ve kept her big mouth shut and removed her dress. It would’ve been so much easier. But then, Seela’s life had never been easy.
It took her a long time to fall asleep. When she did, she couldn’t even escape him in her dreams.
11
Stenton had a lot of pacing to do before his cock would leave him alone. It was so rock hard after his moment with Seela he wondered if it would ever calm down.
It did eventually, thank the dragon gods, but his longing for her did not. Seela was everything, the full package. It didn’t hurt that he and his brothers been alone and celibate for about a hundred years. He was pretty sure he’d fall on a page boy in a dress at this rate.
But no, it wasn’t just that. Seela was kind, and she was smart. She’d charged into battle with a rusty old sword and a fiery conviction. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen with her dark hair, voluptuous figure, and luminous eyes.
And she’d made out with his brother.
Stenton had known this would be a problem. There was one of her and three of them. They’d never managed to save the sacrifice. Yet now that they had, all three of them were bound to want her. Even if she couldn’t break the curse, how nice would it be to have a woman like that warm his bed for the rest of his days? If he could have her, he wouldn’t even miss flying.
But could he have her?
Langdon had been the first to kiss her, true. But before the curse and subsequent seclusion, Stenton had been the ladies’ man. He’d bedded more women at court than both his brothers combined. Not that that mattered. If he had Seela, he’d never need another woman again.
But what was he doing? His brother was gravely ill, and they were all about to be killed by beasts. It was likely none of them would bed Seela. They’d all die, drained to death by those monsters.
Yet, he couldn’t take his mind off her. Those curves. Those lips. He had smelled her arousal, her pussy nearly drenched for him. Then she’d brought up Langdon.
Speaking of which, his older brother was striding toward him, the glowing cave walls lighting up as Langdon approached.
“How is he?” Stenton asked.
Langdon rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. “Better, but not out of the woods. Seela saved his life, you know. Neither one of us knows enough about herbal medicine.”
“It’s a good thing she’s here,” Stenton said tightly. He eyed Langdon. “Don’t you agree?”
“Of course I agree. She’s the best thing that’s happened to us since being cursed.”
Stenton raised an eyebrow. “Is she?”
“Yes. What’s your problem, anyway? Why the twenty questions? And why do you smell like wine and sex?”
“No sex, though she was plenty turned on,” Stenton said slyly. “Though I hear more than one of us has had the honor of wetting Mistress Seela’s undergarments.”
Langdon’s eyes went wide. “She told you?”
Stenton nodded. “Just as I was about to make my move.”
A bright laugh burst from Langdon’s mouth. “Ouch. That must’ve hurt.”
“It did, you bastard. How did you manage it?”
Langdon’s smile was a mile wide. “She practically fell into my arms. I’d like to try that again soon.”
Stenton put a hand out, pressing against Langdon’s chest. Langdon glanced down at it, his eyes darkening. Stenton’s voice was crisp and clear. “Let’s get one thing straight. We all get an equal shot here. No dirty tricks. No talking bad about the other brothers. Let her decide.”
Langdon slowly removed Stenton’s hand. “You think Jerrard would like a go?”
Stenton scoffed. “Have you seen her?”
Langdon nodded in agreement, then held up a finger. “Though, by birthright, I am the firstborn.”
“That nonsense died when our kind did. Along with our fortune and our ability to shift.”
A slow burn of anger was building in Langdon; Stenton could smell it.
Langdon continued. “Though, we have to acknowledge that she could break the curse for one of us. There’s more at stake here than Seela’s sweet pussy.”
“Don’t be crude,” Stenton said, just to throw Langdon off before continuing. “Of course there is more at stake. Don’t forget we have to keep her and us alive long enough for any wooing to happen.”
Langdon’s shoulders stiffened. “I haven’t forgotten. I used the last of my magic to save her and seal the door. Now I’m defenseless. Only you have the power to shift.”
Stenton raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t that mean I get her?”
“No,” Langdon boomed.
Stenton shushed him and pulled him aside, glancing back toward his room. “Look, she doesn’t need to know we talked. I don’t want her to think we’re conspiring to take her virginity or turn her into some sex-crazed monster.”
“Though, if she allows me to bed her, that might be what happens.” Langdon’s lips curled in a smirk.
Stenton elbowed him before continuing. “We stay out of each other’s way. Let her decide. Deal?”
“Deal,” Langdon said, rubbing his chest where Stenton’s elbow had been. “And don’t forget about staying alive.”
“Ah yes,” Stenton said. “That little matter.”
12
Seela awoke in a panic, sure her mother would be angry with her for oversleeping. Yet, when she glanced around, she remembered she was in Stenton’s bed, in the deep, dark cavern. She was the dragon sacrifice.
Oh, and Jerrard needed her.
/> Getting up immediately, she bunched her hair to the top of her head and tied it with a leather thong she found on one of the tables. She washed herself from the sweet-smelling basin that someone had provided for her as she slept. Three strips of crispy bacon from the breakfast tray left by the bed found their demise as she quickly dressed and primped. She needed to hurry to see how her patient was doing, but then there was the matter of the handsome princes to consider.
Her desire for them had cooled overnight, but not by much. They were so handsome, so smart and brave. And it didn’t hurt they were shoved down here together in such tight quarters that they were practically tripping over each other all the time. The strangest part was that they desired her so deeply. Well, two of them did. And frankly, it was overwhelming.
Pushing the thoughts aside, she threw open Stenton’s bedroom door and beelined toward where she’d last seen Jerrard, spread out nearly naked on the kitchen table with her poultices on all his wounds. Had her work done any good? He was nearly drained dry by those monsters. Any other man would have perished long ago. At that thought, panic spurred her onward. She shouldn’t have left him, no matter how tired she’d bee—
“Seela!” Jerrard spotted her as she ran into the room, his face brightening. He stood beside the table, slowly buttoning a fresh shirt. The skin beneath was pink and healing. His color had returned, and his eyes were bright.
Her mouth dropped. “How…” She pointed at his healed body.
“Did my brothers not tell you?” He frowned. “Dragons have amazing healing properties. The beasts who drained me knew when to stop to keep me alive. As bait, from what I hear.” His expression darkened for a moment before he brought his smile back up for her. “I also hear I owe much to my nurse.” He stepped forward, taking her hand and gently bringing it up to his mouth.
Seela shivered with pleasure as his lips brushed against the skin of her hand. “It was nothing.”
“It was not nothing.” Jerrard’s lime-green eyes held her gaze. “I really appreciate it. My brothers are abysmal at healing arts. They prefer swords and cudgels.”
“You saved my life,” she said, drawing her hand back slowly and using it to smooth back her hair. She wished now that she’d spent a little more time on her appearance.
“Back in ancient times, both of us would be beholden to the other for life. Doesn’t sound so bad.” His smile was warm and flirtatious. Adjusting his big frame to lean against the table, he glanced about. “My brothers are busy at the moment. Could I take you on a walk, show you something as a thank you?”
“Shouldn’t you rest?” she asked, unable to help herself. Her mother would’ve pushed him into a chair and scolded him for even standing.
“No need.” He held out an arm to escort her.
He did seem well, healed and nearly back to normal. And she would like a walk. Her mind thought back to the dark hallways and those spider-like beasts. “Would we be safe?”
“What I have to show you is protected inside our sphere of magic. Plus, you would be with me.” His shoulders straightened as he smiled at her.
Jerrard was playful and fun, while also being thoughtful to her needs. She found herself instantly drawn to him. But then, she’d felt the same way in the presence of all three brothers. Was this supposed to happen? She thought women found one guy they didn’t openly loath and then married him and cared for his brawling, squalling children until both of them perished. At least, that was how it worked in the village. Her father had died when Seela was too young to really pay much attention to her parents’ marriage.
“Shall we?” Jerrard held out his arm.
Seela took it, marveling at its size, the swell of the muscles underneath his shirt, as she put her hand in the crook of his arm. She let him lead her out of the small dining room and kitchen, down the hall, taking a turn at a corner she’d not seen before. They traveled down a sloping hallway made of stone. The temperature dropped ten degrees in a few minutes. Seela shivered.
Jerrard glanced over at her. Noting her discomfort, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Seela shrugged into it, loving the warmth inside and how it smelled of him. When she looked up, Jerrard was watching her attentively.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You are very welcome. This way. Not much further.”
He led her to another door ringed with runes. This one opened with a simple latch. Jerrard held the door open for her. She stepped into the warm, dark room.
Jerrard lit a candle and then a few lamps, illuminating the space for them. It was a library, small and quaint with bookshelves on every wall and some in the center stuffed full of ancient-looking books. In the center of the room were two old leather club chairs with a small table between them. On the table, a tea set awaited, plates and cups and little sugared cakes like this had all been preplanned.
“This is lovely,” she said, walking up to a row of books. Seela fingered a shelf, loving the smell of old paper and cracked leather. There were only a few books in town and only one in their home, the set of laws that was passed down from the king and required by law. Still, her mother had taught her to read from it. Picking up an old book, she thought of her mother, missing her so badly at that moment it hurt.
Jerrard drew up beside her, his brow creased. “Is something wrong?”
She forgot how perceptive he was. Keeping her eyes down, she opened the book, letting her fingers slide over the soft, worn pages. “Nothing. It’s just… I miss home. I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through.”
“Any day away from home is terrible,” he said, leaning against the bookshelf and gazing down at her. “Who’s at home missing you?”
“My mother. And a friend or two. Not many people. Our town was small.”
“But they all loved you, no doubt,” Jerrard said, his eyes lingering on her.
She laughed. “Hardly. I think I annoyed a lot of them. I was supposed to be a healer’s apprentice, but I was terrible at it.”
“You healed me,” he said, glancing down at the open V of his shirt where the healing scars were visible.
Seela’s eyes traced over the skin beneath his cotton shirt, over the rise of pecs, the skin hairless and so smooth she wanted to run her hands over it. Shivering with the thought, she shook her head to bring herself out of the daydream.
“Is there a magic spell in here to solve your curse problem?”
He shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes before he tossed it away. “Unfortunately, no. We’ve had a lot of time to read, and none of these books are useful in that regard. There are several spells to cure warts, and even a great one for making your hair grow long and luscious.” He tossed his head, mimicking luxurious hair cascading down with a smile. “I think they put these books in here to keep us busy, to keep us preoccupied while they figured out how to kill us.”
“But they never could,” Seela added.
“Yes, until now. It seems like they’ve just been biding their time until our powers waned. And waned they have. A very unfortunate timing for you.” He gave her a sympathetic look.
“We’ll figure it out,” she said, gazing at him. He was so handsome, with slight dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. His hair fell into his eyes in a boyish way that made her want to reach up and touch those silken strands.
“What were you thinking of just then?” he asked, stepping a bit closer. There was little distance between them, causing Seela’s heart to speed up and her pulse to race. She let her eyes flick from his broad chest to his arms to his strong jawline. Why did she always turn to putty in front of these men? And why was she always fighting herself? She was stuck here forever, so what did propriety matter now?
Heart pounding, she wondered if she had it in her to tell him the truth. “I was thinking about you.”
“About me?” He took another step. One hand reached up to grip a bookshelf above her head, nearly pinning her in place. But she liked being caged in by his glorious b
ody. It made her feel vulnerable and excited at the same time.
She licked her lips. “I was thinking about… your skin.”
“My skin?” He stepped even closer until his body was nearly touching hers. Their clothing was all that stood between them. “That’s funny,” he said. “I spend a lot of time thinking about your skin, too.”
Gently, he trailed the back of his hand down her cheek. It sent a thrill down Seela’s body. She arched her back, flush with emotions. She wanted Jerrard just as badly as she’d wanted Stenton the night before. And as badly as she’d wanted Langdon before that.
His head angled down. For a moment, she thought he would kiss her, a hot surge jolting through her body at the thought, but he didn’t. He lingered, his lips inches from her own. She could smell the minty scent of his breath, feel the whisper of air as it slipped out and in.
She thought about something else slipping out and in. The warmth between her legs flared hotter.
“When you think about my skin,” she said boldly, “what do you think about?” Her eyelashes batted as she coyly glanced down and then up into his green eyes.
“Oh…” he said, drawing out the word. “Many things. I think about how soft it looks, about how badly I want to touch it. To run my hands over it, down it.” He nibbled at her ear, letting his teeth graze her neck before pulling back slightly. “I think about seeing what’s underneath that dress.”
Seela moaned, unable to stop herself. Between her thighs was wet now. She could feel it readying for Jerrard’s touch. She wanted to ask him to kiss her, but the words were caught in her throat. Too many years of pre-programming about what a lady was and was not supposed to do. Instead, she arched her back, pressing her breasts forward as an invitation.
Jerrard’s head dipped low again as his teeth nipped at her neck. “What is it you want from me, Seela? Tell me and it’s yours.”
She bit her lip. How badly she wanted to tell him to undress her, to quench the want that was becoming unbearable between her legs. Rubbing her thighs together, she tried to quell the desire, but it only seemed to intensify things. If he didn’t touch her, she might go mad.
