Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
“ Y ou can have her now, and there won't be any pain. Can he have you now, Anah? Can he rut you as hard as he likes?”
The tiny part of my mind that was still sane said, slow your roll, cowboy, but I ignored her.
“Yes. Please.”
“Please?” From Andrei’s voice, he hadn't forgiven me. Not even close. Which wasn’t fair since I hadn’t even gotten the chance to spin the story. “Now you say please. Now you wish to submit to my will.”
“Don’t play this game with me.” Our gazes clashed. “Don’t hold me hostage.”
Sensual lips curved in a smile. “But I hold the winning hand, so why would I fold?”
“Andrei.”
He clucked, tilted his head.
“Lord Andrei.” I narrowed my eyes, struggling with a sneer. None of us were in a particularly pleasant mood. Con gave me an oblique glance, reminding me about baby diva claws. “My Lord.”
“ Am I your Lord?” Nails trailed along my thigh. “You don’t obey as if I’m your Lord. You behave as if you are Lord, and I your fangless thrall.” His eyes flashed.
“No, you’re a—” Mathen pinched my clit. “I mean. . .yes, you’re my Lord.” I shot Mathen a nasty glare he returned with a placid half-smile.
More frustration as my body reached the point before an explosive climax, and then they withdrew, letting me cool. Mathen’s fingers hadn’t ceased their leisurely edging, and Andrei tasted me again, another languorous moment of spinning me in a cycle of mad need.
“I don't know if you deserve my cock,” Andrei mused. “You’re a headstrong woman. I told you to come straight home, but instead you detoured.”
I gave him a slow, full watt smile. “I didn't mean to. See, what happened?—”
“No.” He spoke sharply. “I don’t care. I don’t want to hear it. You listen to what I say, and then do exactly as you please.”
This wasn't the time to point out that the latter statement was the very definition of being an adult. He wouldn't appreciate the cross-cultural life lesson.
I lowered the pitch of my voice to a sweet croon. “My Lord?—”
He narrowed his eyes. “If you attempt to beguile me, it will go very poorly for you, Hasannah.”
Glowering, I grabbed Constin’s wrist, trying to halt the fingers plucking at my nipple and distracting me from maneuvering my way out of trouble. Halt his contributions to the torture.
I glanced at the luudthen, recognized the gleam of sensual cruelty. “You too, Con?”
“If you tell me to stop, I will.” His raised silver brow was a challenge.
I frowned and didn’t say stop, but didn’t let go of his wrist either. “I thought you were the nice one.” I sounded sulky even to my ears.
Mathen huffed, amused. His russet eyes were a rich, warm burgundy, swimming with all kinds of hidden thoughts, a ruddy flush under his brown skin.
“I know you’re not the nice one now,” I snapped at Mathen. “I’ll never make that mistake again.”
Not with his fingers bringing me to the edge of climax over and over as if he knew exactly what to do and had only been waiting for the opportunity.
The men laughed. “Nice,” Mathen murmured. “We’re High Fae warriors.” He pinched my clit. I cried out. “No one told you we were nice, sati faha.”
“Andr—my Lord. I promise. I intended to stop for a few minutes and then come home, but there was a complication.”
“A complication.”
His voice was thoughtful now, but that didn't fool me. Mathen’s fingers moved on my swollen clit and together they brought me again to the precipice, then backed away.
Constin lowered himself to his side and took my breast, suckling my tender nipple.
“We know it's not malicious disobedience,” Constin said, nibbling my breast, my collarbone. He didn’t touch my neck. “You focus once you make a decision, and you think you’re safe. Too safe.”
The trio stared at me with a particular kind of anger and frustration in their eyes.
It confused me. “But shouldn't I feel safe when the three of you are protecting me? I don't understand.”
Andrei closed his eyes.
“Growing pains, Drei,” Constin murmured.
“She didn't intend to break her word, my Lord,” Mathen said quietly. “She did only speak to her friends for a few minutes, and not far from the transport. They took exception to an insult from a malcontent rival and defended her—she would not leave until certain they were uninjured.”
Andrei listened, at least a part of him. A part strong enough that his eyes were clearing, though not of lust but that other emotion, the one that scared his luudthen and made me think he was about to end our relationship in the worst possible way—for me.
“Perhaps leniency is called for,” Andrei said finally. He kissed the inside of my thigh. “You want me?”
“I will strangle you if you don’t finish this.”
Andrei laughed, the others chuckling. I’d never live this down. The memory of how they’d seduced me into submission simply by being themselves—a walking buffet waved under the nose of a starving woman.
“Andreien?” Constin said.
“I am. . .closer to myself.” Andrei glanced at my face. “I won’t hurt her.”
Constin nodded and rolled onto his back, flinging an arm over his eyes as he let out a harsh breath. Mathen eased away as Andrei lay me flat on the carpet. He lowered, rubbing his cheek on my stomach. I tried not to remember that the stomach was dinner of choice for some predators.
“That was close,” Constin muttered.
Mathen made a noise of agreement. “Should we withdraw?”
Constin flipped to his feet and glanced at Mathen under the tousled curtain of his silver hair. “Leave them and attend me, luudthen.”
It was a deep, silky invitation under an enticing command and I carefully exhaled. Andrei glanced at me, a knowing curve on his lips, dark hair partially veiling his crafty eyes.
“But what if I need you again?” I asked, letting my bottom lip tremble and my eyes widen. A single tear trailed down my cheek. They’d said not to. . .beguile them. . .but implied I could use ordinary wiles. Not that I needed to try that hard. “Can’t you stay?”
Con gave me a long, considering look while Mathen’s red cheeks darkened. His eyes glanced off my face, then he looked over Constin’s shoulder.
“Their cocks aren’t coming anywhere near your pussy,” Andrei said, and nipped my stomach. “But they can stay if you want to play with them. Or watch them play.”
“Have you ever watched Fae warriors fuck each other?” Constin asked, his voice kind. “It can be. . .” he looked up at the ceiling as if trying to find a softer word than the one that was the complete truth.
“Brutal?” My voice was dry. “I think that’s been made abundantly clear.”
“Hmm.” He glanced at Mathen, who shrugged, still not looking at me. “Why are you blushing, luudthen? Ah. . .you’ve never pleasured yourself for a High consort’s amusement, have you?” Constin chuckled. “So reserved.”
“The carpet isn’t fun anymore, Andrei,” I said.
My bonded hauled us both up, throwing me over his shoulder. He caressed my bottom, then slapped it. “Come, lovers. Don’t forget. You can do anything she desires, but no one will have her but me.”
“I’d like to know when you’re going to rescind that rule,” Constin asked, trailing behind us. He fluffed his long hair. I braced my arms and half lifted myself up so I wasn’t dangling. “She seems amenable.”
“I’ll revisit the rule after our first child,” Andrei said. “Her first must be my bloodline Heir, and probably the second.”
I choked. That was another discussion we needed to have about the endometriosis.
“Since when are we talking about me as if I’m not present?” Since always, actually. “Guys? I’m here. Hey.” I snapped my fingers.
“That could take decades, Drei.” Constin scowled. “Two Heirs? That’s greedy, even for you.”
“So. . .you’re just going to plan my reproductive future without getting my input?” A reproductive future I might not even have.
“Maybe,” Andrei said. “But she’s my bonded consort, so I’m due a certain amount of privilege.”
Un believ able.
We entered Andrei’s bedroom, my mood devolving again, and when he dumped me on the bed, the reality of what was about to happen hit me.
I stilled, staring up at my High Lord. “Is this an orgy?”
Mathen choked. “I don’t know if I can do this. She’s innocent, the one taboo we honor—she should be introduced to sensuality gently, as is appropriate for her natural delicacy. Not thrown into a pit with three High Fae warriors.”
I almost rolled my eyes, but the distress on his face stopped me. Still. . .natural delicacy? If he thought that, I supposed I was doing my job right. Ballerinas were tough as nails. Delicate was the mask we put on for ticket sales.
Constin slapped him upside the head for me. “Realms, have you been reading Avallonnian poetry again?”
“I have not,” was the stiff reply. “But we’ve overwhelmed her with our attentions. She isn’t thinking clearly. We made Theland wait.”
“There were other considerations with Theland. He didn’t know his own boundaries. Hasannah knows her line, and how to tell us no.”
“Mathen, I don’t understand,” I said softly. “If you don’t want to be here, that’s fine. But you spent an hour touching me. What’s the difference?”
He faced me now, his expression darkening. “The difference, Lady, is once my cock comes out I will no longer be able to. . .”
Constin sighed, shaking his hair behind his shoulders. It fell to his ass and I wanted to run my fingers over both—which was likely why he kept doing it. “Mathen comes from a rigid upbringing where one is supposed to gently woo your Lord’s consort if chosen for the honor.” The good-natured derision in his voice matched his half sneer. “Not pull their hair and rut them into calling you Lord when you’re a mere knight.”
“But wasn’t that whole scene about my submission?”
“Submission to Andrei, not to him. If he touches you, he’s afraid he’ll assert his dominance and to him that insults you and our Lord. He thinks it’s wrong to do that to you when you don’t understand what you’re getting into.”
Andrei snorted and kissed my clit.
“Mathen’s old,” Constin added. “Us younglings have a different perspective on bed sport.”
I looked at Mathen, startled. Mathen was older? He folded his arms, clearly being stubborn.
“Do you trust me?” Andrei asked.
Mathen turned to him immediately. “Of course, Lord.”
“She’s thinking clearly.” Andrei met my eyes. “She wants you both. She doesn’t fully understand yet, but she’s willing. You should see the fantasies running through her mind. She’s. . .inventive. And flexible.” A smile played at the corner of his mouth.
Constin came to my side. “Rules, darling?”
I blinked at him. “Rules? I don’t have any special rules. There’s not much you can do within Andrei’s parameters.”
The luudthen lifted slow, slow brows, eyes glittering silver. “Oh, you sweet, silly faeling.” He laughed, a sound of blackwood forests and teeth and growls hidden by shadows.
Mathen hissed through his teeth. “This is what I mean. She grants three High Fae warriors , two of them Lords, free rein. She has no idea what she did.”
“I supposed I didn’t have to tell you not to kill me or break bones. . .”
The men looked at me, a trio of dark, amused, slightly worried expressions. A look you’d give a reckless teen who insisted they really, really wanted to jump off the cliff into the roiling sea below even though you warned them about rocks, sharks, and a riptide.
But you’d let them do it anyway, because teens were hardheaded.
“We wouldn’t hurt you,” Andrei said. “Or take advantage. But if the subject ever comes up with any of your friends and you care for them, tell them that yes, they need to specify. Tell the red-haired child.”
I was more worried about Samuel.
“Especially with lovers from among the Courts,” Constin added.
Andrei crawled up my body. “I already stated my rule. Your cocks don’t go in her pussy, and her throat is also mine alone. Other than that, she may have you as she wishes. Or if she simply wants to watch you have each other. . .” Andrei smirked.
Constin’s fingertips brushed along my shoulder, down my arm. “Her little hole? May we have that?”
“If she consents. You’ll tell us what you want, darling.”
I cleared my throat. “I’ve never engaged in anal sex.” Though all things considered, it was probably a good alternative.
Three sets of eyes flared in the charged silence.
“In that case, I also reserve—” Andrei began.
Constin snarled. “Share, damn you.”
Andrei’s expression hardened. “Who is Lord and who is servant?”
“Remind me, when Anah gives leave, to remind you of who calls whom Lord while on his knees.”
They stared off.
My brain caught up with Con’s words and my imagination stuttered. Andrei on his hands and knees, Constin above him, silver hair spilling over shoulders and chest, hand wrapped around Andrei’s throat as he rode my bonded and made him shudder and submit.
I blinked, realized the men were staring at me again, Con with an arrogant, knowing smile playing on his lips. But he didn’t call me out.
“I just want us all to be happy,” I said. “We can work out details as we go.”
Mathen lowered his gaze to the floor, Constin’s smirk fading to a softer, thoughtful smile.
Andrei’s eyes warmed, his familiar sweetness emerging. “All right, my Anah.” His eyes flashed. “But her virginity is mine.”
Constin curled his upper lip over a fang. “We’ll see. I don’t think you deserve it after that stunt you pulled.”
Not asking, I glanced at my guard, holding out a hand. “Mathen? Do you want to?” How far I was falling. I wasn’t even trying to fight anymore.
Mathen stopped pretending the floor was interesting and looked up with a sigh. He knelt at the side of the bed and took my hand, kissing my palm.
“These two always go to the full measure and beyond. Con may have fooled you into thinking he’s the responsible one—” he cast Constin a dark look “—but once his cock comes out, he’ll start using it in place of his brain as well.” He stood. “You’ll both Vow to honor her safe word.”
Andrei drew up as if slapped, and Constin stilled.
Mathen smiled, a thin, unhappy expression. “See? If the thought of making a Vow not to hurt her disturbs you, then you weren’t fully prepared to keep yourselves on her leash. She’s human , my luudthen. She isn’t Fae. You can’t simply take what she offers.”
“What’s your safe word, Anah?” Andrei asked. “Choose, and I’ll Vow on it.”
Constin opened his mouth, shut it. “And if he fails again? The consequences to him?—”
“Are worse than a broken bonded?” Mathen demanded. “Do we want to come out of a rutting stupor in the morning to find her in a pool of congealing blood?”
Both men paled.
“Fine.” Constin cleared his throat roughly. “Choose, Anah.”
I hesitated, then said, “Prima.”
“Of course,” Con muttered. “What else? No one can accuse her of a lack of focus.”
Andrei rolled onto his back, laughing.
I propped myself on my elbow, staring at him. “I don’t see why that’s funny.”
“It’s Cassanian Court humor. It doesn’t really translate.” His expression sobered. “Speak the word prima, and I Vow to immediately withdraw.”
A tingle tightened my chest, a fleeting sense of. . .something. Constin and then Mathen repeated the Vow, grimaces on all of their faces.
“That’s unpleasant,” Andrei said. “I loathe Vows. They never work out the way you intended.”
“This one is straightforward,” Mathen said.
“The straightforward ones are the worst. Like telling a child not to cross a busy street because you think it’s unsafe, but there’s a monster on the sidewalk about to eat it.”
I sighed. “Do we need to convene the High Court, or can we proceed? If I’d known inviting you all to my bed would require hostage negotiations, I might have brought snacks.”
Andrei crawled on top of me. “Hostage negotiations before taking High Fae to your bed is fairly standard, though I realize you’re being sarcastic. What shall we do about that, hmm? About this smart little mouth of yours?”