by Erin R Flynn
I saw her flinch slightly, and that was all I needed. I let out the power of my siren, noticing then there were lots of men standing behind her throne.
“How about you get a taste of your own medicine? See how it feels when you do something so rude to your own guests?” Dain moved closer to me, whimpering… As did Elvy. I saw the Queen liked him. “Kneel.” He did immediately, and I lifted my foot up. “You are not worthy to kiss my feet, but I’ll allow it.”
“Thank you, Lady Seraphine,” he moaned, taking my foot gently and peppering it with kisses.
“Dain, my neck,” I offered, keeping Laila’s gaze as he moved behind me, kissing my neck when I tilted it. I even went so far as to take his hand and let it slip into the plunging neckline and fondle my breast. “So who shall I take from you? Dain who is underused and oh so talented? Elvy who is a brat but you seem to like? Or all of them?” I extended my hand to the dozen men standing by her, letting my power flow more, stronger. They couldn’t resist, stepping from her side and moving towards me much to her horror.
“Do not go to her! You are mine,” she seethed, but none listened. Instead, they all moved to kneel around me.
“Your queen has insulted me, tried to steal my lovers, and yet has offered not even an apology. Isn’t she a bad queen?” I watched them nod as I eyed them over. “Now which of you should I allow to take Elvy’s place, please me while begging me to be your Queen?”
“You wouldn’t,” Laila hissed, but I simply smiled, watching her reaction as I moved my hand towards different men. It was the third one that made her flinch.
“Come to me,” I told him, and he did. I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. “What would you do for another kiss? A taste of me? Would you be mine and never touch another woman?”
“I would, Lady Seraphine. Never have I seen a woman as you.” He whimpered and went to kiss me, but I guided him to the other side of my neck.
“Shall we give your queen a show? She invited us for entertainment. You are gorgeous and I bet a gentle lover.”
“You have made your point, Seraphine Thomas.”
“Have I?” I narrowed my eyes and let her favorite touch my breast over the dress. “We both know you challenged me. We both know you lost as they came to me, and yet, my men bowed but did not leave my side. Is my point made and there’s an apology soon, or should I take my winnings and leave?”
“I have information you want. Do not forget that.”
“You will give it because you used glamor on us and put bugs in my room and I’m not arresting you,” I snapped, letting her favorite move his lips down my chest, just short of revealing my breast. “Do you want to see the rest and lose him forever?”
“Alpha Seraphine Thomas, I apologize for my rudeness and childish games, playing with your men and testing their loyalty.”
“Go back to your queen,” I told her favorite, smiling when he whimpered. I searched his mind, and for all the games, he loved Laila very much. “Go back to the one you love and be good to her.” He nodded, still pouting, and went back to his queen. I met her gaze and nodded that it was true. “My allure will wear off pretty soon.”
“Thank you. And the others?”
“I think I might keep a few. You tried to take three of my men who are my pack and mine, so I think I will take three of yours. That’s how challenges work, yes?”
“Yes,” she bit out, then flinched when I gave her a hard look. “You could take them all, and I am grateful you will only take three. You are a benevolent Alpha and guest.”
“I am. I’m also a great ally. Never forget that again because I stomp on my enemies, but I’m good to my friends.”
“I will remember that, Alpha.” She didn’t say it mean, more I was something curious and new, that maybe once she got past losing to me, she would find me fun.
I shoved Elvy away with my foot. I didn’t like him. He was a dog who enjoyed tricking people and the games at court. Gross.
I searched their minds and hearts, and any who cared for Laila I released back to her. That left me with five, and I let her try to figure out what was the difference between them. I wasn’t getting involved in that one. Two were like Dain and there as a punishment but warriors. Well trained, smart—overall incredible, and she treated them like pool boys for her entertainment and sometimes her whores.
“Would you like a new life?” I asked them, purring as I had them stand. “To be free of these chains and come work for me? Dain? Is that what you want?”
“Yes, Lady Seraphine,” he moaned, his other hand slipping into my dress as well. The two others nodded but stayed where they were.
“To see a siren bed a man is a rare sight,” Laila muttered once the last two I released were at her side. I didn’t pick her favorites, so apparently she recovered quickly.
“You knew what I am, and that’s why you challenged me. You wanted to see who had more… Charms,” I surmised, rolling my eyes when she nodded. “I really came for work, but I’ll take these three for the rudeness and challenge. Can we start over now? Hi, Laila, I like your clothes.”
“I will have dresses and more clothes than you can imagine sent to you if you will allow me to see what is so rare. Bolts and bolts of our fabric along with so much information on the city above for your cases, proof of it because as you say, we are superb at blending and leaving our bugs in the right places.”
“An interesting offer, one that would normally be horribly disrespectful to ask another leader, so I would sweeten that deal.” I debated that and stared at the men in front of me. “Do you want to leave here?”
“Yes, Lady Seraphine,” they said together. They told me their names, Alok and Tasar. I told them to go stand by the others and glanced around the room.
“Cameras? Anything recording in here?”
“No, we would never want what happens in court to ever be recovered,” she assured me, a bit of mischief in her eyes. “I will send the others out besides my favorite, and it will be no more than some fun between new friends like you shared with those at the lagoon pool.”
When she put it like that, it was hard to be a prude. “Do I at least get a chaise lounge or something?”
“Of course. Bring Lady Seraphine something comfortable and then leave us.”
I thanked the two men who carried over some luxurious chaise bed and then watched them all leave. I turned in Dain’s arms and pressed my lips to his ear. “Put on the show of your life so I can easily save you and your friends, okay?” He nodded. I had never used my influence on him, simply my pheromones draped the room. I yelped as he swooped me up into his arms and carried me over to the bed with no arms or sides to impede us.
When he set me on my feet, I pushed down the shoulders of the dress and watched his eyes as it slid back off. He instantly got hard, and I moved to undo his pants as he took off the cloak. Once he was naked before me, he reached out with only his finger and teased one nipple. “How does My Lady like her attentions best?”
“Aggressive, passionate, but not any pain, as I always start especially tight, and you’re not tiny,” I praised, leaning in so he got the idea I wanted more. He smiled at me and instead, pushed me down to the bed and moved over me, kissing me silly before working his way down my body. When his head buried between my legs, I noticed something… My men were still staring at Laila. “Hagan, come.”
He did, his eyes on Laila. “Yes, Alpha.”
“I’m here, naked and in the throes of passion, and yet you look at her?”
“She’s done something to me, but you never influence us.”
“Then kiss your Alpha and return to normal.” He did, and halfway through the kiss I felt him snap out of it, fondling my breasts as Dain kept working. “You okay now?”
“Yeah, Sera, I’m good.” He kissed my forehead in thanks and then traded with Reagan.
When he went to kiss me, I fell into an orgasm and he got aggressive. Which I loved. Then Noah, and once he was back to himself, I couldn’t take oral orgas
ms anymore. I fisted Dain’s hair and pulled him up to me. We kissed, and he moved to spread my legs, but I shook my head, wanting something else. I glanced at Laila and made sure I had her gaze. “Your word you never breathe which position you saw?”
Her eyes went wide. “You like to be mounted?”
I smiled as Dain sucked on my nipples. “I like the orgasms my body gives me that way. I take a time out in dominance when it comes to bed because I’ll always win.”
“Then by all means, please show me. I have never allowed a man that pleasure, but you intrigue me. I will never breathe a word of it. Nor will my lover.”
I rolled under Dain so I was on my knees, gripping the back of the chaise bed and staring at my men. He let out a few shaky breaths and moved behind me, starting with his fingers. He was astounding. I had been very right about him.
When I felt Dain pressing against me, I stared down my men, done with the teasing. “You looked at another woman, preferred her to me. This is your punishment. Never stray again.” Yes, my siren was pissed, but what I said was more for Laila and acting like my men were drones as hers were.
Dain pushed into me hard since he’d taken the prep time. I cried out in pleasure, instantly coming again.
“My gods, I have never felt anything like this. I will not last.”
“Then don’t but recover because now I’m seriously wound up for a marathon,” I growled, feeding off of him when he leaned in to kiss me. He spasmed inside of me, his dry orgasm relieving some of his tension but keeping him hard so he could continue.
And continue.
And continue until my voice went hoarse from all the screaming. Finally he couldn’t take anymore and finished, slumping over me when he was done. He recovered enough to pull out and plop onto the floor… Except someone took his place. I glanced over my shoulder to see Hagan standing there with tears running down his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Sera. We failed you again. I’m so sorry. I love you. Please don’t cast us aside.”
“Never,” I swore and held out my hand to him. I moved him so he sat on the bed, and once I had his pants open, I lowered myself onto him. I smiled at Reagan and Noah when I saw them both equally upset. Suddenly it wasn’t scary the idea of them with me at the same time like it had been before because of Igor. I’d had some kissing and sex at the lagoon.
Now I wanted more. I wanted to soothe their hearts and worries. I held out my hands to them as I worked my hips. They didn’t even hesitate, rushing over to me and helping Hagan take the best care of me. There were so many hands and lips I couldn’t keep them straight, losing myself in the pleasure.
When I felt a finger teasing my other hole, I knew who and what was going on. I met Reagan’s hopeful gaze and mouthed “soon.” I didn’t want our first time doing that with the twins to be a public or challenge thing. No, I wanted that private and just for us.
But him knowing that I was okay with it now and would give it to them drove him nuts. The moment Hagan finished, Reagan pulled me off of him and took over in a super aggressive way that started to hurt after so much sex. I heard Noah mumble that, reminding him how much I’d had already, how I was still recovering, and instantly Reagan slowed down, crying against my neck as he made love to me. When we finished, I held him tight, promising I loved them both too.
At least I finally said the words and not simply “me too.”
I could see in Noah’s eyes how much he wanted to go next, and I gestured for him to go ahead, frowning when he shook his head.
“Sera, you’re hurt again,” he explained, lifting me up gingerly. “I can smell the pain. You’re babying your leg, and your arm isn’t moving right along with your head tilting funny. Light duty doesn’t include sex marathons you never have in your normal life.” I sighed, leaning into him and not even thinking of arguing.
Dain knelt down in my view facing Laila. “My Queen, I hope my part pleased you in showing our new and powerful ally some of what fairies can offer her and why we are best to be friends. I would beg you for your mercy in healing her in the baths, as she is my new mistress.” He lifted his head, and since he was on an angle, I could see there was more to the request in his eyes. “It would give her a chance to spend time with you in private so she may come to learn the power our leader wields.”
She studied him and gave a slight nod. “As always, your counsel is wise, and I did ask for something selfish when she was injured. Dain, bring our new ally to the baths and help her, and I will join you shortly.”
And just like that, I was switched to Dain, touching his chest to get images and finding out he was scared for Laila after I’d blown her power away like that, hoping a lot could be fixed privately because as much as he wanted out of court, he wanted her to rule. Honestly, he was terrified at the idea of anyone else.
So much for the games being over. At least a healing bath sounded good.
17
The healing bath was amazing. From the moment Dain lowered me into it, I instantly felt better… But it did have side effects. It pushed the healing but left me starving as my body would feel if it had done it itself. I think that was part of why I was such a bitch when Laila slid in and joined me.
Plus, I had a theory.
“Who told you I didn’t like women?” I asked after a few minutes of us soaking quietly alone.
She shot me a smile. “Fairies cannot tell lies, but that does not mean we speak the truth.”
“Meaning you don’t have to answer or be forthcoming. Yeah, I’ve caught onto that.” I let my power out, my siren hungry and knowing Laila was powerful. She flinched, feeling it as her eyes glazed over. “Maybe I don’t enjoy women publicly? Or I’m really picky and you are pretty?”
Her eyes bugged out as she realized what was happening even as she moved towards me. “No, you bed only men.”
“Maybe your glamor has changed my mind?” I taunted, cranking up the power. I pulled her onto my lap when she was close enough before yanking her head down to mine, taking big gulps until my siren was full. Then I moved her hands to my breasts. “I want you to touch every inch of my body before you lick it and—”
“No, please don’t make me,” she screeched, and instantly I shut it down, shoving her away.
“I knew it,” I sighed, taking in the way she shook, her eyes wild. “What were you forced to do, Laila? Who forced you?”
She cleared her throat and got herself back under control as she moved away from me, and I raised an eyebrow at her, letting her know I wouldn’t leave this alone. She let out a heavy sigh. “My uncle. He was regent after my parents died until I was old enough, strong enough to take power. Power he didn’t want to let go of and did everything he could constantly to humiliate me in public and show I was too weak to rule. I spent hundreds of years enduring that and his sick games.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, feeling bad at what I heard but not at the same time. “You mean the ones you play now on others?”
“You do not understand. You are new to our world,” she snapped.
“I am, but I also know victims and fear, Laila. You lash out and step on others as you were in fear so no one will ever try for you again. Have you at least learned that there will always be someone more powerful or who can turn the tables on you?”
“You are the first,” she grumbled, glancing away.
“But there are those I fear, so you know there are stronger out there.”
“Yes, and if they hear how horrible my court is, they won’t risk toying with me.”
I changed my tone to something gentler when I saw her emotional scars. “Laila, that is your fear talking. I have those that would protect me because I would never treat them that way. You have men who love you in your group, but you hurt them. What do you think that love will become? Did you love your uncle once and it became hate?”
“No, I always hated him,” she chuckled bitterly, raising her hand when I opened my mouth. “I understand what you say. It is also not as simple as you say. I am alo
ne, many furious there is no law to ban a female to rule instead of be queen to someone’s king. There are even more pushing me to mate and threatening to withdraw their backing if I do not choose their pick. It is why I wanted to speak to you, as my cousin has many backers pushing him at me so it would be the same bloodline but a king to rule then.”
“One, eww, incest much?” I realized how judgmental that was of what could be their ways, but her expression let me know she shared the opinion. “Two, I actually do understand where you’re coming from. I’m the only female wolf Alpha in North America. I’m an endangered siren over here without the protection of others like in Europe. I was sold out and endured horrors recently too. People don’t want a bitch in power and certainly not in a large place like Chicago.
“I’ve had one assassin already and more crazy circling me like prey constantly. But I do have the head of my bloodline to help as well. She is a powerful ally. You need allies, Laila, not fear and stomping on people. If I had listened to Shaw and not come because people are terrified of your court, you would have lost making me an ally, and I’m a pretty damn good ally to have. I have one of the best allies at my back.” She raised an eyebrow at that, and I smiled. “The FBI is a damn good ally when in a jam.”
“Your badge cannot save you from all foes and certainly not the games paranormals like to play.” She let out a heavy sigh when I shot her an accusing gaze. “Yes, yes, even my own.”
“No, it can’t, and I learned the hard way to not trust just anyone and always have help at my back because none of us can survive this harsh world we didn’t set up if we’re alone.” She bobbed her head, but I wasn’t done. “We can, however, do better than our predecessors, can’t we?”
She let out a slow, shaky breath as tears filled her eyes. “I have been so alone for so long, kicked and beat down at every turn, I do not think I even know how or where to start.”
I understood being overwhelmed, I truly did. It made me realize what had kept me above water when even the worst issues tried to swallow me. “Fairies have legendary warriors, Laila. Start there. You’ll feel more in control if you feel safer.” She opened her mouth, and it was my turn to hold up my hand. “If there was a king, he would be expected to be badass and able to lead armies, right? Why should that be different because you are queen?”