by Vivian Wood
“Your arms men are efficient in Anauka.”
“They are. They’re dedicated and have rigorous training. If a man is weak, he doesn’t survive to become an arms man. I hear the arms men of the Free territory are a force to be reckoned with.”
“They are. We have the largest army in the territories, available at a moment’s notice. King Ryker is a great King. He’s kept the Free territory a peaceful territory for many years.”
“I hope to meet him someday.”
“I have no doubt you’d like him. He’s a rider too, but being a King limits his freedom.”
“Do you know him well?”
“I do, we’re blood linked. Our fathers were brothers.”
“Did you grow up together?”
“We did. It’s how I came to love riding. His family had horses, and I’d spend many nights at his home so I could ride the horses too.”
“Is it true the Free territory welcomes anyone to live there once they’ve crossed the shield?”
“It is, but they’re expected to contribute to the territory with any skill they have. We’re not merciful to those who come with ill intentions. It’s how Ryker keeps the peace. Offenders of any kind are beheaded with haste.”
“I don’t disagree with that philosophy. I feel our own laws are too merciful to offenders. I hope to change that.”
“The pure Queen will surely surprise her people with a notion like that.”
“It’s necessary. True fear of lawbreaking keeps the people honest. Believe me, I know this personally.”
Reaching the stables, we slow our pace.
“Your purity law is eccentric. As a grown woman, you should have the choice to lay with any man you want.”
“I agree, but my purity is a lure, bringing the best suitors the Royal houses have to offer.”
“If the men I saw today are the best suitors they have to offer, I feel sorry for you, Princess. Those weren’t men, those were boys.”
“You are bold, Kendrick, but compared to you, I can see how you feel that way.”
Looking him up and down, I admire his build, the large muscles of his arms and chest. With longer, dark hair, dark eyes, and colorful tattoos along his right arm, I admit, I do enjoy the appearance of a Dolorian man.
“I might be too bold, Princess. By the expression on your face, I’d say you’re attracted to me.”
“It’s true, but not the way you’re thinking. I do find you attractive because you’re new and different which makes you all the more beautiful to me.”
“If there weren’t barriers between us, would you lay with me?”
Arriving at the stall containing his horse, I stop before the gate and wink at him.
“Now Kendrick, a smart woman never tells her secrets.”
A smirk stretches his lips as he stares down at me, his dark eyes noting my lips before returning to my eyes.
“They really are a bunch of lucky bastards. They don’t deserve a warrior like you.”
“Even you’re charmed, Kendrick. The unattainable truly is an incredible lure.”
“That it is, Princess.”
CHAPTER FIVE
FIORA
“Where did you go?”
The automated door of my preparation room closes behind Matheas. Ria is behind me, tying the corset back of my top as he approaches.
“Tether called me. Needed my help with one of the tasks your father gave him.”
“I’m glad you’re back before the bow and arrow trial.”
Matheas tips his head and gestures for Ria to leave.
“I’ll take it from here.”
“But her hair isn’t finished, Matheas.”
“It’s all right, Ria. Come back in fifteen minutes.”
She leaves, and Matheas makes sure the door is closed before he speaks.
“What is it?”
“Nothing we couldn’t handle. I just needed a minute or several to kiss you.”
Nibbling my lip, I raise my mouth to his. With his hand cupping my chin, he seals his mouth over mine. Soft lips and the taste of sin tip my need for his touch over the edge. Hands on his arms, I move in closer, needing to feel him against me. Hand gripping my ass, he squeezes, pinching my cheek as I’m pulled flush against him.
“Touch me, Matheas, give me something to hold on to until tonight.”
Unbuttoning my pants, he pushes us to the wall, farther away from the door. With my pants folded down, he caresses my clit, and I moan with relief. Holding my hands above my head, he suspends my body as I writhe against the palm of his hand. The scent of his masculinity carries on each breath as his lips savor me, one kiss at a time. Moaning into his mouth, he protects our secret, muffling my cries of pleasure as I come on his hand.
“There’s nothing better than feeling you come alive from my touch. Tonight can’t come soon enough. All I want is to feel your body beneath me.”
Cheeks warm, I exhale a breath, my body tingling from the orgasm.
“Anticipation is a cruel tease.”
Matheas’s head rests against mine as he chuckles, his handsome smile lifting the corners of his full lips.
“Yes, it is.”
Putting his finger to my mouth, he swipes it over my bottom lip, leaving the taste of me on my lip just before he kisses me. Feeling the hardened bulge against his pants, I massage into it, rubbing him up and down. Hand on the wall, he leans forward into my touch.
“Stroke me, Fi, I need it.”
“Lock the door first.”
“Ria will wonder why it’s locked.”
“I don’t care. Lock it.”
Touching the button on his soul band, he brings the screen up and with the touch of his finger to the monitor, the automated door clicks, locking in place. Dropping to my knees, I unbutton his pants, freeing his erection. Looking up at him as I take his length in hand, his cerulean eyes spark with elation. Bringing him to my mouth, I suck hard and fast. Hand gripping my hair, he moans above me.
Thrusting his hips forward, he pushes farther back into my throat, moaning louder with each thrust. Arousal aches between my legs, making me wet with need once more. Hand between my thighs, I rub my fingers against my clit as he takes pleasure from my mouth. Pumping rhythmically, his eyes darken with desire as he watches me satisfy myself. With the tightening of his grip, he lets out a low groan. Cock thickening, the taste of him fills my mouth.
Looking down at me, his lids are hooded, his expression satisfied. Lifting me off my knees, he holds me close, ending our shared pleasure with a kiss.
“No one’s ever made me feel as good as you do, Fi. I’m completely addicted to the pleasure you give me.”
Joy threatens to burst from my chest. His words are what I need to hear.
“I want you to be addicted. I want to be the woman who’s given you the most satisfying pleasure.”
“You have, you have no idea how much.”
Our lips lock, and he squeezes my ass as our kiss deepens. A light-handed knock sounds at the door, and we both sigh heavily.
“She’s back already?”
Matheas looks at his soul band before quickly fastening his pants.
“It’s been twenty minutes.”
“That was worth every second.”
Hands to my hips, he caresses my lower abdomen, stirring my arousal as he moves to my buttons, fastening them.
“It was,” he agrees, giving a wolfish grin.
“Now it’s time to get prettied up so I can please everyone else.”
Matheas clicks his soul band, raising the screen to unlock the door.
“You are good at pleasuring, Princess. Very good.”
My mouth curls lasciviously as I turn my back to him. The palm of his hand comes across my ass within seconds of Ria walking in the door. Shaking my head, I laugh, and she smiles as if she just walked in on a joke.
“What’s so funny?”
“The challenge of putting a long thick weapon in a small hole.” Behind me, Matheas laughs, an
d my smirk widens. “He got a peek at what House Nevari has in store for me.”
“Oh! No wonder you wanted privacy.” Ria walks to the vanity, and I join her, sitting in the chair so she can style my hair. “I hope you do well. I heard they wanted to give you a difficult challenge.”
“They’re not the only ones. House Tuller has something wicked planned for the Fire and Water trial.”
“I think their house wants the glory of having given you the most challenging trial,” she says, completing another part of my hair in a braid.
“I do too.”
“Do you think any of the men are attractive?”
Matheas leans against the wall by the vanity, within view. His expression is mischievous and curious, awaiting my answer.
“They all have interesting qualities. Based on physical appearance alone, I like the way Luther looks.”
Thumb under his chin, Matheas’s finger curls at his lips as he hides a smirk. I can see the wheels turning in his head. Narrowing my eyes at him, I glare, knowing how amusing he finds this.
“Do you look forward to laying with the man you choose?” she asks, finishing the other braid on the opposite side.
“I do. Very much so.”
Grin wide, Matheas does his best to keep his composure.
“Have any of them kissed you yet?”
The memory of Malark’s kiss pulls laughter from my gut.
“Yes.”
“Oh, was it not pleasant?”
“No, Ria, it was not.”
“Who was it?” In the mirror, I see her face full of interest and anticipation.
“It’s best I don’t say, to respect him and his house.”
“Of course.”
Bringing both of the French braids she created on either side of my head to the back of my hair, she twists them together into a braided bun, leaving the rest of my hair loose beneath it.
“There you are. That will keep your hair out of your face while you shoot.”
“Thank you, Ria. Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite member of my staff?”
With a cute smile plumping her cheeks, she looks up at me happily.
“You have. Many times. I don’t tire of hearing it. Will you need me this evening for dressing or for your hair?”
“No, I’ll keep this hairstyle for the remainder of the evening.” Glancing at the blue dress laying out on the table, I see she already has my evening gown prepared. “You’ve done a great job getting me ready. Thank you.”
Ria leaves, and I take a breath. Matheas places his arms around me, resting his hands at my lower back.
“Luther, huh?”
“He is the suitor that looks most like you but not nearly as handsome.”
“Now I know who to watch most closely.”
My mouth twists into a playful smirk. “Jealousy looks good on you.” Brushing my nose against his, I stare up at his intense eyes before giving him a passion-filled kiss. “But you don’t need to worry, I’ve already made my choice.”
Caressing my back, his eyes roam my face, full of emotion.
“So have I and I’ll do anything to keep you.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“I want you to spend time with the suitors, watch them, find out where they go, what they do when they’re not pretending to be perfectly honorable men. Find out who I can and cannot trust. As you said, these are the men who could soon be in my Royal Faction. I want to know everything about them, the good, the bad and the ugly.”
“Malark asked me to have a drink with him tonight. I’ll start with him.”
“Perfect. Invite all the suitors. See what they’re like after a few glasses of ale.”
“I’m impressed. You’re already thinking like a Queen.”
“I’ve learned from the best—you and my father.”
Noise from the stadium outside reaches my preparation room. Checking my soul band, I see it’s time to enter the stadium. His hand takes mine, and we leave the preparation room for the event room. Inside, I await the green light to flash and the automated door to open.
“I’ll see you after,” Matheas promises.
The evening sun has lowered, making visibility much clearer. I wave to the crowds, and they cheer with enthusiasm. The sweet scents of pastries are thick in the air as I walk to the bow and arrow stand. Ahead of me, I get my first view of the targets. With a long sigh, I look them over. There are nine targets, some on moving tracks, some with people holding obstacles like a circular ring I have to shoot through to the target behind it. One has a man standing below a small circle target that touches his head.
In front of me is a long, rectangular wooden table with bows of different sizes, strengths, and speeds. A man wearing the symbol of House Nevari is standing at the end of the table.
“Can I use them all?”
“No, Princess. You can only choose one.”
“Do I need to do the targets in order, or can I shoot in my own order?”
“In your own order except number nine. It explodes, releasing fireworks to add to the audience’s excitement.”
“Understood.”
Touching the bows, I examine their build for distance and accuracy. Finding one which will work well for close and long range, I point to it.
“This one.”
“Good choice, Princess.”
The man removes all others, placing them in cases while I lift the bow, checking the string, sight, and cable guard. With an adjustment made to the sight, I eye a practice bag and line up. Releasing the arrow, it hits my mark in the center of the bag. Two more arrows into the same target and I feel warmed-up.
The first targets I go for are the moving targets. Keeping steady, I aim for the makeshift man moving quickly to the right, pausing for a second or two before quickly sliding back across the track it came from. Holding the arrow in wait, I aim for the chest just before it stops to transfer left. The arrow flies and slams into the chest, making a loud thud as it pierces through the solid object. The crowd goes wild, but I ignore the applause, staying focused.
Searching for the next moving object, I look low and see a square that slides right, drops and disappears, pops back up, and moves left. Aiming, I release and put an arrow in the track, stopping the square from dropping and disappearing. With another arrow, I pierce the square.
The crowd noise increases all around me. Searching for the last moving target, I see a large square target moving left across a rope. When it reaches the end of the rope, I put an arrow into it.
Feeling good with the results so far, I move onto the targets with live men as part of the targets. Having seen my performance on the moving targets, I hope their nerves have settled some. I go for the man holding out the circular ring I have to shoot through. With ease, the arrow flies through it, hitting the wall behind him. With a breath, he lowers the circular ring and walks off. Next, I go for the man who has the small target above his head. Tension pulls his face tight, his hands held in fists at his sides. With a wink to him, I raise the bow with a fresh arrow, take a moment to ensure I’m lined up, and release. The sound of an arrow piercing wood echoes, and the man relaxes his body, rushing off the trial grounds. The last man is laying on his back with a target balancing on his stomach. This target is challenging as the way he is lying is lower than the aim of my arm straight out. To lower my aim, would increase the risk of piercing the far side of his body. Squatting on one knee, I take aim, and the square box on his belly flies off and is pinned to the wall behind him.
“Thank you, Princess,” he calls out as he scurries off the field.
The last three are the easiest with stationary targets in differing ranges. I go for the closest, then the middle, and save number nine for last. With the arrow hitting its mark, the bag explodes, shooting an array of colorful fireworks into the air. With all shots made, I look up, enjoying the remaining show of fireworks
as I relax, finally noticing how loud the crowd around me has become.
Returning to my preparation room, I’m out of my outfit by the time Matheas enters.
“You truly aim to please, Princess. Your people were in awe, just as I am now.”
Approaching behind me, he kisses the column of my bare neck.
“You did amazing.”
“Thank you. Unfortunately for House Nevari, the trial wasn’t as challenging as they had hoped.”
“A shame, they’ll have to endure dinner without glory.”
“They’ll still find glory in my performance.”
“They will.”
Strong arms wrap around me. Hands cupping my breasts, he massages them, teasing each nipple with the graze of his thumbs. Giving in to the pleasure, I lean my head on his shoulder as he nips and licks at my neck.
“I’ll behave myself this time. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“Don’t stop. When I’m alone with you, it’s the only time I get to feel free.”
A trailing finger tantalizes my skin on his way down to my lower abdomen. Hand between my thighs, he rubs my clit in lazy circles. Knees weakening, he holds me steady below my chest.
“The sooner we get through this evening, the sooner I can have you.”
Moaning, my body arches to the euphoric sensation rushing through me. Tongue to my ear, he taunts my need with erotic kisses.
“Matheas…”
“You must get dressed, Princess.”
Withdrawing his hand, my breaths are quick and needy. Turning to face him, I pull at his uniform, bringing him to my mouth so I can ravage it.
“I love these visits you’ve given me today. It’s kept me wanting more.”
“I admit, that was my plan all along.”
“I know, and I’ve enjoyed it.”
With another kiss, I release him and walk to the table to collect my dress. Sliding into it, I watch Matheas admire my body as I raise the dress over my hips and up to my chest, putting my arms through each strap.