Chapter 1 #3
“It’s really impressive how silent Carissa can be,” Tanell praised her new friend.
Carissa had found a place within the friendship circle of my three lovers so easily, and I was amazed at how well they were all getting along after such a short time. She somehow managed to befriend Serra, Tanell, and Yori, despite my ladies all being so vastly different in personality.
Carissa and Yori had bonded right away on weapons and fighting, and she’d found common ground with Tanell over having had to deal with overpowering men in their pasts.
I’d thought Serra might be the standalone, but Carissa had charmed her, too, with her impeccable manners and understanding of how high and royal society worked.
Tanell took a step toward me and placed one elegant hand on my forearm.
“Can I show you what I learned?” she asked.
“Uh, yeah,” I said. “Of cou–”
Before I could finish, Tanell locked her fingers around my wrist, shifted her feet, and wrenched my arm around and up until my shoulder felt like it was going to pop out of the socket.
“Fuck!” I hissed.
Tanell immediately released the tight hold she had on me, and the discomfort subsided.
“Holy hell,” I laughed.
My golden-haired queen was grinning from ear to ear as she stepped back in front of me. She was glowing with pride at her new trick, and I couldn’t help myself. I wrapped an arm around her, pulled her against me, and kissed her passionately.
“That was very impressive,” I murmured.
“Thank you,” Tanell said through a breathy giggle.
“That’s not even the most impressive thing I’ve taught you,” Carissa said, and she propped one hand on her hip.
She was wearing charcoal-colored pants that hugged her hips and legs in a very distracting manner, and she arched one perfect, black eyebrow at Tanell. Then she turned to look at Serra.
“Would you like to show him?” Carissa asked.
“Oh–” Serra suddenly looked nervous. “I don’t think…”
“Come on,” Carissa said. “You can do it. You’ve practically mastered it already.”
“I’m not sure…” Serra mumbled and twisted her long fingers together in a nervous gesture.
“She’s right, Serra,” Tanell said. “And I’m sure Ken can handle it.”
Tanell shot me a challenging look that sparked something in my gut.
“Yeah, what is it?” I asked.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Serra said.
“Just don’t give him your full strength,” Carissa said. “He’ll be okay.”
“I’m so curious now,” I laughed. “You have to show me.”
Serra chewed on the corner of her lips for a second while the other three women encouraged her to show me her new skill.
I was itching with curiosity, and I joined in to support my willowly lover.
“Please?” I gave her a playful little pout. “I want to know what you learned. Show off for me a little, won’t you?”
“Oh,” Serra sighed. “Okay, but please don’t be mad if I hurt you?”
“I could never be mad at you,” I promised. “Besides, I’m sure–”
Once again, before the words had finished exiting my mouth, there were hands on me. Serra had locked her arms around mine and pivoted her body, so her back was against my chest. Then she slammed her hip and side into me and dragged me around her body.
I hit the stone pavers before I’d even registered what she was doing, and all the wind was knocked from my lungs. The sky spun above me for a split second, and I made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a groan.
“Oh, goodness!” Serra gasped. “Are you okay, Ken? Did I hurt you?”
“What?” I huffed for air. “That was amazing. How… How did you do that?”
Serra’s concerned expression turned into a shy look of pride.
“Um…” Serra smiled, and a pretty flush spread over her cheeks. “Leverage?”
“That’s incredible,” I said.
“Thank you,” Serra said and took a step back so I could get up.
I got back to my feet, rubbed a small sore spot on my ass, and chuckled.
“No one will ever get the jump on you with these skills,” I said, and I turned to smile at Carissa. “Thank you for teaching them some of what you know.”
“I’m happy to help,” Carissa said. “I think every woman should be able to defend themselves, regardless of station or role. Being a noblewoman doesn’t protect us from bad people.”
“No,” I agreed. “It certainly doesn’t.”
“She’s shown me how to conceal a small blade as well,” Serra said, and she gave me a sly grin.
“Is that so?” I laughed. “Do you have one hidden on you right now?”
“You’ll never know,” Serra teased.
“I’m kind of bummed I missed the training session,” Yori chortled. “It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.”
“Don’t worry,” Carissa said. “We can have another lesson tomorrow.”
“Yes, please!” Yori clasped her hands together in an adorable, childlike gesture.
Serra and Tanell showed us a few more of the skills Carissa had been teaching them, and we enjoyed some time in the warm sunshine and fresh air.
Then a footman in the royal colors of Nalatria strolled into the courtyard with a silver tray balanced on one hand.
In the center of the tray was a cream-colored envelope.
“Your Majesty,” the footman said. “A letter has just arrived for you.”