by Ines Johnson
Chanyn nodded. "I'd like that."
Khial looked so alone and bereft. Much like she felt weeks ago when he and Dain found her. Her greatest desire had been to be welcomed into their bond. Khial had been hesitant with her. She didn't feel the same hesitancy with him. She wanted to share her heart with him.
Khial handed her the package. "I brought this for you."
From the weight and shape of the package, Chanyn could tell it was a book. No. A stack of books.
"They were my mother's. I have some of her things in storage. Things the Sisterhood found of no value. I thought you would like them."
Chanyn unwrapped the package to find a stack of thin Harlequin romance novels from the twentieth century.
"I used to think books like these were dangerous. That they caused women to pit men against each other. I realize it’s not the book, it’s the person. People choose how they receive information and what they do with that information. I trust you."
Chanyn knew that those last words were high praise from this man. "Thank you Khial. I will treasure these."
He shrugged, but she saw the relief and pride in his light eyes. Relief that she liked his gift and understood his gesture. Pride that he'd made a good decision and taken a step in the right direction.
"Anyway, I'll see you tonight." He wouldn't quite meet her eyes. He took a step around her, but Chanyn stayed him with her hand. She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. She felt his inhale of surprise. Then, as she stayed still a moment longer pressed against his lips, she felt him exhale and relax into her.
When she pulled away, he gave her the smallest of smiles, but it was a genuine smile, straight from the wounded organ that was his heart. His hand snaked around his head and scratched at the nape of his neck. He nodded once to her, then behind her to Jian, and walked into his bedroom shutting the door behind him.
Chanyn turned to Jian, who grinned at the closed door.
"Jian?"
He gave her his full attention.
"How long are you here this time?"
"For as long as you need me."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"Maternal Goddess, I seek your presence as I align myself with one of your sacred daughters.
I offer my body as a vessel of your will and your grace.
The desire of my heart is pure and known to you.
I wish to please your daughter and garner your favor.
The miracle that pleases a woman and creates life is of your design, Divine Goddess.
With great anticipation, I align all of the energy systems of my body, my soul, and my mind with you.
I give thanks in advance for your blessings of this experience and know that I walk in the light of your sun and the fertility of your earth.
Ashe."
The monk's melodic voice decresendoed. Again, Khial wondered how that deep tenor might sound accompanying his violin.
Jian asked for stillness. He and Chanyn closed their eyes in a silent moment of gratitude to the Goddess.
Khial picked at the buttons of his shirt, the itch on his nose. He looked around Chanyn's bedroom. Large blooms decorated a dresser near the window, beside them teetered the stack of books he’d gifted her. Golden-haired men clenching women with swollen bodices dominated each cover. Khial scratched at his chest.
The monk clasped Khial's hand. Khial's dick pulsed in time to the circular pattern the monk traced on the flesh between Khial's thumb and index finger. Was the monk trying to seduce him? Khial looked for a hint in the monk's eyes, but they remained closed.
Between them, both men held Chanyn's hands in each of their own. Her hands were by no means delicate. They were capable and strong. She interlaced two of her fingers with Khial's, leaving him feeling grounded, tethered. And aroused.
Khial tried to take his mind off his dick and focus on the two people on either side of him. Their fingers were wholly entwined. Their palms pressed together. Suddenly, Khial felt like an intruder. Chanyn and the monk loved each other and he was imposing on their intimacy.
The monk opened his eyes and focused on Khial. The monk—Jian. Khial figured he should start using his name, as they were about to be intimate. Jian's eyes said he read Khial's desire loud and clear, but he cast no judgment. Instead, a flicker of heat sparked in the other man's eyes.
Khial swallowed. It was too soon to think about another man. He was still getting used to the idea of a woman, his wife. He looked over at Chanyn.
"Should you always pray... before?" Khial directed the comment at no one in particular, but he knew who would answer.
"A woman's body is sacred," answered Jian. "If you do not prefer to pray, you should at least set an intention."
"An intention?"
Jian nodded. "Our intention tonight is to pleasure the lady." Jian turned to Chanyn. "Pleasure her until she begs for mercy."
A slow, intentional smile spread across the monk’s face. He rose to his feet bringing Khial and Chanyn along.
Jian stood behind Chanyn and turned her to face Khial. She'd dressed in a simple nightgown of light purple silk. Lace ties held the flimsy garment together. Her dark nipples poked against the material.
"Undo the laces, my lord."
Khial's hands shook like the strings of his instrument. Not from nervousness—not entirely. Khial trusted Jian to make this experience pleasurable, not only for Chanyn, but for all. Khial's fingers trembled in anticipation as he lifted them to the first tie.
Chanyn smiled in encouragement as she watched Khial's progress. I trust you, that smile said. Khial felt his heart expand a fraction.
Jian also marked his progress with the ties. His dark eyes portraying the same trust. Khial was not one to trust easily. He could count on one finger the number of people he'd trusted. The idea that he trusted these two people, whom he'd known for such a short time, astounded him. The hard fact that he did trust them both steadied his fingers, and Khial pulled the last tie free.
Jian swept the garment from Chanyn's shoulders. Khial's fingers, his legs, his dick, lost the battle of steadiness. He began to throb from his eyelashes to the space between his toes. Chanyn stood completely bare before him.
Her brown breasts full, her erect nipples pebbled, so dark they appeared black. Her waist narrowed into a sculpted stomach with curves and planes. Her hips flared out to powerful thighs. A dark set of curls lay at the juncture between her thighs.
Khial's mouth watered. He'd dreamed of that space last night. Of diving in there once more. Of getting lost in the bliss of that warm heat. Of their own accord, his hands reached out, but Jian pulled her away.
Khial glared. Jian only smiled that serene smile of his station. Khial's blood heated. Was this a trick? He'd seen his fathers fighting over time in the bedroom with his mother. Her door locked while one of them banged at the exterior for entrance. Would this come to a fight?
Jian didn't look adversarial. "We need to prepare her," he said.
He guided Chanyn towards the bed. When she turned, Khial caught a glimpse of the orbs of her ass. His dick, already hard as a rock, strained painfully against his pants. Khial took a step to follow, but Jian's hand stayed him once more. Khial’s glare threatened murder.
The monk, placid as ever, said, "Breathe."
Khial clenched his teeth.
Jian released Chanyn and brought both hands to Khial's shoulders. Khial's instinct was to shove him off. Jian's thumbs rubbed circles at a point on Khial's shoulders and, like magic, the aggression seeped out of Khial.
"I need you to be present, my lord," Jian said quietly, for Khial's ears only. "I need you to have a clear head. We are going to please her first."
The emphasis on her snapped the fog from Khial's mind. A front of shame moved in. He’d gone to Jian for help in making the act pleasurable for Chanyn. In the first minute, he'd let his Neanderthal instincts overpower him.
Jian tilted Khial's head up so that they looked each other in the eye. Khial wondered how this man could allo
w him access to the woman he so clearly worshipped. But the woman the monk worshipped was Khial's wife, now. Khial allowed Jian access to her. Once more, Khial felt Jian read his mind because what he saw reflected in the monk's dark eyes was gratitude.
Khial leaned into Jian's touch, grateful for the support. He wanted to rest in Jian's embrace for a moment longer, but Jian gave his shoulders a final squeeze and then he turned them both towards Chanyn. She lay on the bed like an offering.
Khial came before the bed and kneeled. Jian went to the other side.
Jian ran his hand over Chanyn's face. It was a move Dain had done to Khial countless times. It signified love and trust. Chanyn closed her eyes, her entire body going to another level of relaxation.
"With men, we need very little preparation other than a wink and a nod," Jian said, a smile in his voice. He nodded at Khial to mimic his motions on Chanyn's body. Khial slowly raised his hands. They shook once more as they hovered over Chanyn.
"Women's bodies are different," Jian continued his lesson. "That tremble in their bodies means that they are mentally open to intimacy. It takes a moment for their pleasure centers to awaken."
Jian's hands moved lightly over Chanyn's body. His fingertips danced across the planes of her body, around the mounds of her breasts, over the peaks of her nipples, up to the hollow of her throat, down into the valley between her thighs.
Khial felt a hand on his own. Chanyn gazed at him, kindness crinkled the corners of her eyes. Khial felt the cage around his heart fracture. Chanyn pulled his hand to her chest. He felt her strong heartbeat. The strength of it scared him. She moved his hand from her heart and brought it to her lips, kissing his fingers lightly. Trust mingled with desire in that smile. She left his hand on her breast and then closed her eyes once more.
Khial's hands traveled the mound and peaks of Chanyn's breasts. Chanyn parted her lips and sighed.
"Very good, Lord Khial. Watch for her responses. Her body will tell you what is pleasing, if you look for the signs."
Khial saw the signs instantly. When he touched her lightly, she trembled, arching up into his hands. When he firmed his touch, her lower body ground into the mattress seeking traction. She was an instrument, her limbs the chords. Khial played her, learning the keys to her melodies.
Jian sat back on his heels and watched Khial's ministrations, a smile of satisfaction on his face. That look of satisfaction made Khial prideful. He'd never been great at school, outside of music. Teachers usually looked at him with disdain. Khial couldn't muster the inclination to care. As a first born and royal, he would never need to do much with his brain. Watching the pride in the monk's eyes made Khial want to ace this examination.
The monk's smile did spread. In mischief. "Excellent job with your hands, my lord. Now, we'll use our mouths."
Both Khial and Chanyn's bodies shuddered. Jian leaned over Chanyn's body, closer to Khial. The monk's hand filled with one of Chanyn's breasts.
"I want you to determine which she likes most." Jian curled his tongue and flicked it lightly over Chanyn's nipple. "A light touch?"
Chanyn's body undulated.
Jian's tongue flattened and traced another trail. "A firm touch?"
Khial leaned into the side of the bed to give his dick some much needed friction.
"Or a bite." Jian's teeth clamped lightly around Chanyn's nipple. Her eyelids strained to her brow. Jian ran a gentle hand down the side of her face. "And remember," he said to Khial, "our intention is to make her beg for mercy."
A look of stubbornness settled over Chanyn's features. The look told them she accepted the challenge, and wouldn't be so easily won.
A smirk lit Jian's face. "You will see, my lord, that the bedroom is the only place where a man has the opportunity to rule a woman."
The monk moved to the base of the bed and settled between Chanyn's thighs. He spread Chanyn's legs wide, then stretched himself out and rested his head on the inside of one thigh as though he planned to stay for a long while.
"Go on, then," Jian nodded to her breast.
Chanyn's eyes narrowed on Khial in challenge. They were on opposite teams. He'd watched her play card games with Dain. Dain was notorious at card games. He loved to win. Khial had never been very competitive. Whenever Dain moved in to make the killer play, he got this look of challenge in his eyes. That was the look in Chanyn's eyes. And suddenly Khial wanted very much to win.
Game on.
Khial lowered his head and did as Jian instructed. Softly, he traced the underside of Chanyn's breasts. The crease of the skin at the base of the mound intrigued him. Chanyn gasped, showing her hand, then clamped her mouth shut. Khial chuckled and played his next move.
With a firm flick of his tongue, he traced from that bottom crease to the peak of her breast. Chanyn rested a trembling hand on his shoulder, panting, but still she kept all words from her mouth, determined to stay in the game. Khial made a show of baring his teeth. Her breaths kicked up.
She was going to lose.
He bit down lightly. Chanyn's nails dug into his shoulder. Khial wrapped his entire mouth around the top of her breast and suckled. He moaned, himself, at the taste and feel of her. Her hands moved from his shoulder and into his hair. She cradled his neck as he continued to suckle. Khial became lost, but not for long. He remembered Jian's words.
I need you to have a clear head.
Khial released Chanyn's breast with a pop. Her eyes remained closed in absolute bliss. Pride shot through him at the sight. The restrictions around his heart relaxed. He caught Jian's nod of approval before the monk dipped his head between Chanyn's thighs. Khial watched, transfixed, as Jian ran his tongue lightly at the pink opening between Chanyn's thighs. Her deep moan brought Khial's attention back to her face. Her eyes screwed shut, her mouth wide, her chest panting.
"No mercy, my lord." Jian's lips glossed with Chanyn's juices.
Khial's mouth watered. Whether at the desire to taste Chanyn's juices, or to taste Jian's lips, or both.
Jian grinned, a kid at a berry stand, then he inclined his head towards Chanyn's other breast indicating for Khial to get back to work. He disappeared between Chanyn's thighs. His mouth devoured her, his tongue flicked over the pink bud at the apex of her thighs.
Chanyn trembled—no—she shook. Her moans turned to cries of the purest ecstasy. They filled Khial's ears and settled somewhere deep inside his chest. Deep inside where his own core lay, and it warmed him through.
Like a two-piece instrument, they played her. Jian's tongue stroked her firmly, Chanyn ground her hips. Khial nibbled at her breasts lightly, the upper half of her body arched toward him. The opposing touches drove her to madness.
Khial had never been interested in power. He had no desire to rule Chanyn. But he did relish the command he had over her body. It was like the first time he picked up the violin. It had called to him, begged him to uncover its mysteries. To practice until he'd mastered it. That's how he felt now, with Chanyn in his hands.
Her moans were guttural, animal. Her body jerked out of control. She was climaxing, Khial realized. He released her breasts and watched.
Chanyn dug her heels into the bed, her fists tangled in the sheets. Her entire body moved in a wave, like the tide crashing into the shore, over and over again.
When the waves receded, Jian moved alongside her. The monk wrapped his arms about Chanyn and held her tight, murmuring nonsensical words of love to her temple. He smiled over at Khial. Job well done, that look said.
Disappointment washed through Khial. He was nowhere near finished playing.
Jian chuckled. "Take off your pants, my lord."
Khial blinked. The monk raised an eyebrow and waited patiently for Khial to follow his instruction. Khial stood on shaky legs. What would happen now? Chanyn looked done for the night. He assumed any minute she'd roll over and fall asleep. What then? Would Jian relieve him? Did Khial want that?
Khial slowly unbuckled his pants and let them fall to the ground. Jian watch
ed the motion, his hand stroking Chanyn's back, easing her quakes to light trembles. Jian reached over to the side table and grabbed a circular device. He handed it to Khial. Electricity tingled Khial's palm as Jian's fingers skittered over his. When Khial looked down, he recognized the device.
"You want me to wear this?" he asked the monk.
The monk placed a light kiss on Chanyn's temple, never taking his eyes off Khial. "Trust me."
Again, something shifted in Khial's chest when he realized that he did. Not only did he trust the monk, he wanted to please the monk. He'd never cared to please anyone but Dain. Khial clamped the conception ring around the base of his dick, then looked to Jian for further instruction.
Khial's dick throbbed as the monk sat up. But the monk brought Chanyn with him. Jian sat with his back against the headboard. He turned Chanyn so that she lay on his chest. Then he reached down her body and brought her knees to a kneeling position around his torso. In that position, Khial realized Jian meant for him to take Chanyn from behind.
"Women can orgasm many times a night, with little to no break in between."
Jian motioned for Khial to place himself behind Chanyn. Khial's hands began to shake once more. He remembered being buried in that damp, tight space. The warmth of it, the tightness. He tried to breathe through his eagerness to return. After witnessing Chanyn in pleasure, he never wanted their coupling to cause her pain again. He wanted to give her the bliss she was in now.
"Don't worry. She's ready for you. You will not hurt her."
Chanyn's head rested against Jian's chest. Jian traced a lazy pattern on her spine as he watched Khial.
Khial spread his thighs wide on the outside of both Jian's and Chanyn's legs. He lined himself against Chanyn's wet heat. Slowly, had been Jian's instruction to Dain. Gritting his teeth, Khial entered her slowly.
In his mind's eye, he saw paradise. He felt peace. Seated fully in her, his balls ached for immediate release, but the device wouldn't allow it.
Chanyn's moan brought him back to this plane of existence. Her eyes remained closed as she clung to Jian. Her lower body arched back into Khial. Slowly, Khial began to move. Chanyn met him thrust for thrust. His hands rested lightly against her hips. They tightened with each thrust.
