by Dyan Chick
Tristan might not be the bad guy I painted him to be, but I was already deep enough in with Ethan and Dane. I didn't need to throw another prince into the mix. I already felt guilty enough as it was for being with both of them even if neither of them seemed to have a problem with it.
"Ignore Tristan," Ethan said.
"As soon as we get you to the Queen, he'll have to come back here," Dane said. "No way she'll allow him to stay."
"Why do you all speak so ill of him?" I asked. "He doesn't seem so bad."
"He wasn't once," Dane said.
"I'm afraid the loss of Lena hit him harder than anyone guessed," Ethan said. "He acted out in ways unbecoming of any Fae, royal or not."
"He said it was an arranged marriage," I said. "I thought you said Fae mated. That it was destiny that brought them together."
"It is, most of the time. Occasionally, in the elite houses, arrangements are made as they are in the human world. But it's rare," Ethan said.
"Extremely rare," Dane said. "And selfish."
"Cormac's father wanted power so he offered his daughter as bride to the Queen's family. Tristan's father took him up on the offer and the two were wed," Ethan said.
"How long does your father control your life here? Do you ever gain your independence?" Immortality seemed an awful curse if you never had any say in how you lived your life.
"For females, it's all about Queen's Trial, for males, it's different," Ethan said.
"How?" I asked.
"Females are eligible for Queen's Trial when they turn twenty and they remain eligible until they are fifty. After that, they are no longer under their parent's watch," Ethan said. "For males, you never really lose that connection if you want to inherit the lands. Oldest child has it the hardest."
"That's why I enjoy being the third son," Dane said. "I get the title and the parties, but none of the work. My brother, Stephan on the other hand, doesn't have it so good. He'll stay in the Summer Court to learn from our father until he takes over the position as the Summer Minister."
"What about you, Ethan?" I asked.
"I'm the second born, but first son. However, my sister did not pledge to Queen's Trial so she can inherit the title of Minister," he said.
I felt dizzy with all of the new information spinning in my head. There was so much to keep track of and so many rules. It might take an entire human lifetime to learn it all. I'd always avoided discussions of social politics with my father. I understood the basics, but there were nuances I never grasped. I'd always found it rather petty and dull. Trying to climb higher than his status had cost my family nearly everything and was constantly on my father's mind. He never seemed to slow down enough to enjoy his life. I didn't want a life like that. I wanted to be happy with the simple things.
We stopped in front of the tavern and Ethan opened the door for us. I had to admit, learning about the politics and life of Fae royalty wasn't as exciting as running from a Sodalis, but I would listen to these two talk for the rest of my life if it meant I got to avoid seeing one of those drooling creatures.
Settling in to a cozy corner table between Ethan and Dane, I felt the tension I'd been carrying melt away. It didn't matter what we were talking about. As long as I was with them, I was happy.
I was worried dinner would be awkward with Dane and Ethan, that I'd have to explain myself or that one of them would try to assert their right to have me. I couldn't have been more wrong. As the friendly Brownie server brought out cups of ale and soft, brown bread, Dane caught us up on the details of the Sodalis hunt that Ethan and I missed out on.
"There were at least twenty of them," Dane said. "But once we got through the first few, they couldn't get back through that tear fast enough. The vultures had a feast that day."
I lowered the bread I was about to eat and set it on the plate in front of me. "Could we talk about something that isn't going to make me lose my supper?"
"Sorry, love." Dane's hand found my thigh under the table and he gave a gentle squeeze.
On my other thigh, Ethan was resting his hand, unmoving. There was something exciting about having both of the males I was involved with touching me in public. Nobody else could see, but I could almost hear my human mother chiding me.
The server returned and set two steaming bowls of stew on our table. "I'll be right back with the last bowl. Want more bread here?"
"Only if you're the one that brings it," Dane said, winking at the female.
She stifled a giggle as she turned away from our table.
"Why do you always do that?" I asked.
"Do what?" he asked as he slid the bowl that was in front of him to my place.
"Flirt with every female you meet," I said, picking up a spoon. I wasn't going to turn down food.
Dane's brow furrowed and he looked like he was considering the question carefully. "I'm not sure, really. Must be that I like females." He shrugged.
Ethan leaned closer to me. "Must be that he hasn't met the right one yet."
Dane's grip tightened on my thigh and my eyes widened in response. "Dane!"
"Sorry." He lifted his hand and set it on the table.
"Here you are, dear." The brownie set down a steaming bowl of stew and a fresh loaf of bread in front of Dane. "I had them give you an extra scoop."
"Thank you, doll," he said, flashing a toothy grin.
She giggled again as she turned away from our table.
I turned to look at Dane, eyebrows raised in surprise. "You can't turn it off, can you?"
"Well, I couldn't exactly wink at her once and then ignore her," he said.
"You don't have to ignore a female to be nice to them," I said.
He lifted a huge bite of stew to his mouth and made a show of chewing.
I shook my head and returned my attention to my food. I knew it shouldn't bother me to see him flirting with the server, but it did. I had no claim on Dane, but I found as we sat there, eating our stew in silence, I wanted to.
I knew I wasn't going to be sleeping alone tonight. But I wasn't going to be sleeping in Tristan's princess suite, either.
Chapter Six
When we arrived back at the small palace, I was surprised that Cormac wasn't waiting to greet us. He was apparently angry enough at Tristan to avoid being in any of the common spaces. "Should we check on him?"
Ethan and Dane both shook their heads. "Just give him some time. He gets this way every year on Lena's birthday."
"It's her birthday today? And Tristan pulled that?" I marched down the hall to the back stairs before either of the males could stop me. Ignoring their calls after me, I climbed the stairs that I knew would take me to Tristan's rooms.
The splendid sitting room was vacant and now that I was standing in it, I realized I hadn't stopped to think about what I was going to do when I saw him. Slowly, I walked toward the closed door of Tristan's bedchamber and lifted my hand to knock. Hesitating, I wondered if I should turn around and walk away.
The door swung open, making the decision for me. Tristan stood at the doorway, completely naked. Head to toe, nothing covered, naked.
"What are you doing?" My voice came out shrill and squeaky.
He smiled. "I'm in my bedroom, preparing for bed. The question is, why are you outside of my bedroom at this hour?"
"At this hour?" I asked. "It's barely past dinner, it's a perfectly respectable hour." My eyes drifted downward, exploring Tristan's chest, defined abs, and surprisingly large manhood. My cheeks heated.
Forcing my eyes to return to his face, I tried to remember why I was here. "You are awful. Why would you taunt Cormac about his sister on her birthday?"
"I didn't taunt him," he said. "You were there. He attacked me."
I blew out a breath of frustration. "You're a child."
"As you can clearly see," he gestured to his now slightly erect member, "I am not a child."
"Can't you put on some clothes?" I asked.
"I thought you were here to live out that vision you ha
d. Or is it not time for that yet?"
My jaw dropped open. "That is not going to happen."
Turning on my heels, I spun away from Tristan and walked toward the door.
"Any time you're ready, Cassia," he called after me.
Shaking from embarrassment and anger, I walked back down the steps and back to the sitting room where I found Dane waiting for me. "Where's Ethan?"
"He went to see to the horses since Cormac is disposed."
"Good," I said. I walked over to Dane and tugged on his tunic, forcing him to lower his face. Then, I pressed my lips against his.
Dane wrapped his arms around me sliding them down my hips and under my butt until he picked me up and pulled me closer against his chest.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and pressed my lips harder into his. He walked forward, carrying me while he matched my kiss with hungry pressure. I nipped playfully by his lower lip and he growled, then pinned me against the wall.
He broke the kiss and stared at me. His breaths coming out shallow. "You sure you want to do this? Because this time, I'm not going to be able to stop. I've wanted you since we first met."
My breath came out quick and shallow and I stared hungrily into his hooded eyes. I could tell the same desire that had turned my blood boiling was rising in him. "I don't want you to stop. I want everything."
Dane pressed his mouth against mine again, finding a rhythm with my lips. As he adjusted his grip on me, he pressed me closer as he pushed me harder against the wall. I could feel the bulge in his trousers pressed against my rear and it sent a thrill through me.
I was hungry, starved for physical attention, and tonight it seemed only Dane could satisfy me. I ran my fingers through his hair and he caught my wrist, pinning it against the wall. He pulled back leaving my lips wanting, while his intense icy blue gaze bore into my very soul. I whimpered, wanting nothing more than to feel the heat of his mouth on mine again.
One corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk and a second later he had me in his arms again, carrying me like a bride toward one of the closed doors in the hallway beyond. He hesitated a second at the door shifting my weight so he could reach the handle.
As soon as we crossed into the room he threw me onto the bed. The room was dark, curtains drawn and no lamps lit. The only light was from the crack underneath the now closed door. I heard the rustle of fabric and I knew Dane was stripping his clothes. I reached for the ties on my tunic and wondered if I should take my clothes off to be ready for him; but before I could make my decision Dane was on top of me.
In the darkness I could only make out shadows of the hard lines of his face and the ripples of his muscled form. I lifted my fingers and touched his temple, then slowly dragged them across his cheek and down to his firm jaw. My fingers trailed down his neck, over his sculpted shoulders and down the corded muscles of his arms before lingering on his hands.
I could hear his breathing, even and steady, almost in time with the beating of my heart. The bed creaked as he repositioned himself grabbing hold of me once again and rolling me on top of him. In a heartbeat, he had my tunic over my head and discarded it somewhere in the dark room. His hands were rough but comforting as they explored my naked body. They lingered on my waist before moving up to my breasts, caressing them and exploring every inch of naked flesh I had to offer. I was straddling him at his waist, but I still had a barrier of clothing between the two of us. It reminded me of our last encounter and I wondered if he was waiting for me to get one final confirmation that I was ready for him.
Reaching behind me, I felt his upper thigh and moved my fingers along until I found his erection. I took the shaft in my hand and gently wrapped my fingers around its girth. He let out a soft moan as I slowly moved my hand up and down, mimicking the movement that Ethan had made when he was inside of me. The skin was softer than I expected and as I continued to work my hand up and down, I felt the member grow even larger. Dane's breathing grew shallower and every so often he let out a satisfied moan. I smiled, feeling completely in control. There was something satisfying about being able to give him this much pleasure. After another minute, Dane sat up and in a quick motion threw me on the bed again.
"You have no idea the power you hold over me, do you?" he asked.
"I think I'm starting to understand," I said.
Dane's fingers tugged on the lacing that was holding up my trousers. He worked quickly and I raised my hips to help him as he pulled them down, undergarments and all.
It was dark, so I didn't feel as exposed by being naked laid out in front of him. But I had a feeling, I wouldn't have minded even if it were the middle of the day. I knew there was nothing wrong with what I was about to do. I had a connection with Dane, but I couldn't explain. It was different from how I felt about Ethan, yet with both males, I felt a need and a desire to be with them as intimately as possible.
Tingles of anticipation danced across my skin as Dane traced lazy circles on my stomach. He leaned down, kissing me along my waist, then my upper thighs, and finally kissing me at that most sensitive place between my thighs. I lifted my hips in response and moaned softly. His tongue flicked at the sensitive nub and tremors of ecstasy rippled through me, gaining in intensity with each passing second. I gripped the bedding, squeezing the quilt in my hands as I moaned again. My hips bucked and wave after wave of pleasure rolled through my body until they finally exploded in a crescendo of bliss. I cried out as the climax shook my core.
Dane lifted his head and I felt like I was sinking deeper into the bed as my body relaxed in utter and complete satisfaction.
"You ready for more?" Dane asked.
"There's more?"
"You're with a Summer Fae, love. That was just the warm up."
When I woke the next morning, I knew the rumors about Summer Fae and Dane's reputation were completely deserved. In fact, more of my night had been spent stifling screams of ecstasy than actually sleeping.
"Good morning, love," Dane said.
I smiled lazily back, feeling completely content and at peace with the world in this moment.
Dane dragged his fingertips across my bare arm, gently caressing me before planting a soft kiss on my forehead. "I would ask if you wanted to go again before breakfast, but I've already heard several curious steps pause in front of our door. I imagine the others are wondering why we're still in here."
"Ethan," I said, his name off of my lips before I could stop myself. Guilt flared up in the pit of my stomach. Both for being with Dane and for saying another male's name while in his arms.
"He'll have to wait for his turn another night," Dane said. "Last night was for me and you."
"You won't make me choose between you?" I asked, still struggling to wrap my head around the nonchalant attitude that they had toward sex.
"I'll admit, sharing you might be difficult, but if that's what it takes to have nights like this, I'm willing to do it," he said.
"You're with girls all the time," I said. I leaned in and exaggeratedly batted eyelashes at him. "I'm sure you have nights like this all the time."
He growled at me playfully, then grabbed my shoulders, rolling me over. We tumbled to the ground in a tangle of sheets.
Laughing, I started to dig my way out of the bedding. Dane pounced on me, pinning me to the ground. "You're not getting away from me that easily."
"Maybe I don't want to get away from you," I said.
Dane lowered his face so his nose was practically touching mine. "You know you're not like other females. Now that I've had you, I don't know that any other will be good enough."
His words left me breathless, unable to respond. Coming from Dane, that had to be the highest compliment he could give a female. "Dane..."
He pressed his lips into mine, swallowing my words. It was as if he knew what I wanted to say even when I struggled to find the words. With Dane, words weren't how he expressed himself. His touch, his kiss, his body pressed against mine were all the confirmation I needed that he was f
alling just as hard for me as I was for him.
Sheets thrown to the side, Dane and I became a tangle of flesh. It was as if we had both been starved and the other was our only source of sustenance. I gasped when he entered me, arching my back as his erection hit the spot inside of me that drove me wild. He held me close, my breasts pressed into his chest. The two of us were so close, it felt like we were one body. My fingers gripped his bare back as his thrusting sent me closer to the edge. I lifted my hips and dug my fingernails into him as I moaned, reaching my climax.
With a satisfied grin, Dane slowed down, but he wasn't ready to stop. He kissed the top of my shoulder, my collarbone, and my neck, giving me a moment to breath. Then, he lifted my legs so my hips were in the air and began to thrust inside me again. I gasped, as his erection nearly sent me to climax in a single thrust. Dane pressed on, and I grabbed hold of the abandoned sheets on the floor, squeezing the fabric in my hands as pleasure crashed through me in waves. Dane quickened his pace and I felt pressure building up inside me, begging for another release. Forgetting anything but the moment, I cried out, as the waves gave way to an explosion that made my thighs clench.
Dane finished, a tremor shaking him as he gently set my thighs back on the ground. Sweat glistened on his brow as he leaned forward. He kissed me again and stared at me with those blue eyes which were single-handedly capable of taking my breath away.
"I suppose we better put some clothes on. Or I'm going to have to keep you in bed all day with me."
The idea of spending an entire day in bed with Dane was delicious and enticing all too tempting. But I knew it wasn't possible. At least not now. We had things to do, and I knew his comments about people trying to listen into our room were probably true. I felt my cheeks heat. I'd probably been loud enough in the last few minutes to alert everyone in the small palace as to what we were still doing in bed.
Dane kissed me again before rolling off of me. He crossed the room and pulled on his trousers.
I moved a little slower, not wanting to return to reality. Finally, I forced myself to stand and started to look for my clothes.