by Blake, Nova
I felt empty. "More," I whimpered, arching back into him again. He responded instantly, slipping the finger back inside me, in time to the rhythm that Killian had set, a slow and steady pace, filling me and then emptying me out, leaving me wanting more. I was squirming now, needing more than this. More than just a finger. I whimpered, pushed their hands away from me even though their bodies were still pressed to mine.
"Can we…" I panted, my body still feeling tremors and twinges where I wanted – needed – more. "I need…" I looked between Farrow and Killian. "I've never done that before but…"
"Oh, gods yes," Farrow murmured. He moved away from me heading for one of Killian's drawers and returning with a vial of lubricant. He dragged me to him and kissed me full on the lips, stroking my hair. "I'll go slow. Tell me if you want me to stop."
I nodded, nerves rushing in to fill my body. Killian reached for my hand though and pulled me down onto the bed, stroking my body and kissing me deeply. My lips felt bruised and everything inside me was taut with anticipation. Killian lay flat on his back and rolled me so that I was on top of him.
This, I knew the mechanics of. I dug my knees into the bed, but kept myself above him, hovering, waiting. He slicked himself up and pulled me down onto his cock, the exquisite sensation of finally having more inside me than just fingers made me groan, and I slid up and down, up and down, enjoying the feel of him inside me for the first time. Killian's hands reached for my breasts, holding them firmly and squeezing the nipples as I rode him, feeling my body ease at the pleasure. He drew me down and kissed me, and as my ass tilted into the air, I felt Farrow press against me with his thick, hard cock.
My brain went into overdrive and I tried to sit up, but Killian bucked his hips into me, eradicating any thought but a desire for more. He rocked gently, kissing me the whole time, his arms wrapping around me and stroking my back.
I wasn't sure what I was meant to do with my hands, so I tangled them in his hair and melted into him.
A wet, slippery finger slid into my rear and I tensed. Farrow's hand moved to the bottom of my back, stroking me gently as he inserted another, making the exquisite sensation grow. I could hardly believe anything more than this would fit inside me as he thrust in and out, slowly working my asshole. I couldn't deny that it felt good, that I wanted more, that the two of them, the push and pull of sensation was going to drive me over the edge.
"Ready?" Farrow asked.
"Yes." I moaned as he slid in a third and then pulled out, leaving me feeling bereft. "Please," I choked out. "I need you."
I froze as I felt the tip of his cock at my entrance, and then Farrow and Killian linked hands, their other hands still on me, as if forging that connection between the three of us once and for all. Farrow slowly moved, pushing deeper inside me, my body burned but it felt so damn good. As Farrow entered, Killian slid out, giving the other man more room inside me.
Farrow took his time, getting deeper inside me with every slide until I could feel the full length of him there, filling my intensely. He groaned with pleasure and gripped my hips, pulling me tight to him. Killian pushed too and I couldn't believe they fit like this, a thin wall between each cock, sliding in and out, in and out, alternate rhythms until all there was, was pleasure, unyielding, unending sensation firing through my body.
Fingers found my clit and I couldn't tell whose they were, didn't care, they rubbed that nub and I couldn't think any more, could barely tell what moved and when, could do nothing but ride the incredible wave of pleasure in my body as it focused down to my core, breaking me apart in a scream I was sure even the queen would hear.
And still, it didn't end. My orgasm rose and fell again, and again as my men thrust inside me until each of them rode their own orgasms to the end and we collapsed in a sweaty, messy pile on the bed.
I lay there panting for a minute, and then I elbowed Farrow.
"Get off me, you're too hot," I said.
"Not as hot as you," he murmured, finally slipping out of me, leaving me empty and sore and sated, and so sensitive all at the same time. His hands stroked my back, my thighs, and then he placed a kiss gently on my lower back. "You are incredible."
"Incredible," Killian agreed, his voice barely a whisper. "I... Gods, that was amazing. You're amazing."
"We are all amazing," I confirmed, flopping over onto the bed, my legs feeling weak. I could have curled up and slept all night, but then it hit me with a start.
We had a mission. And we had to get on with it if I wanted to prevent the queen from seducing Thomas.
21
Jaelyn
I felt disheveled. Totally undone and then put back together hastily. I could still taste my men, still feel their hot touches on my body, the ache, the tremble in my legs.
I smiled. They'd done an amazing job of distracting me. But I needed to focus now. I needed to get my mind on the mission.
Killian led us through back passageways, and then up a disused staircase. The halls were mostly empty aside from a few staff carrying food or drink, or linen. I didn't utter a word as we went, though I tried to keep track of every turn we took, hoping I'd be able to remember my way out if things went badly.
"Here," Killian said, pushing a door open. Farrow and I entered, and Killian closed it, making sure to turn the lock. I took in the room, noted the large bed and the light tapestries on the wall. Large windows spanned one wall. It was lovely, but far less regal than I had expected it to be.
"Where is the bow?" I asked, stroking my fingers along the blade of what I could only assume was a Vulcan sword. It was so beautiful. I'd never been so close to one of their finely crafted blades, but here I could see all the delicate work done to create such a stunning item.
"This isn't her room," Killian said, crossing to a tapestry that depicted the great waterfall of Nashira. It hung from the ceiling to the floor, but Killian pulled it aside to reveal a secret door. He fiddled with it, and then it popped open and he beckoned us inside.
When the tapestry was dropped and the door was closed there was no light at all. Killian pulled a stone from his pocket, Auvan in origin, it lit the small space up, revealing a narrow passageway.
"This is how she conducts her more clandestine affairs," Killian explained. He moved ahead, and then slid open a viewing window and peered inside. "Clear." Another jiggle of latches and he pushed the door open. We stepped out into a small space protected by a privacy panel. A few more steps revealed this to be the queen's private bathing area and my mouth dropped.
Everything was bright white and speckled with glittering jewels and mirrors. It was pristine, like it was never used, though I could just imagine doing so, bathing in the deep pool, using one of the cleansing liquids in the beautiful bottles which lined the bathing area.
"She really knows how to go all out, doesn't she," I whispered. I could never have imagined such a space, not in my wildest dreams.
And it brought back to me how unfit I was to be queen. I could never live up to this. Never present myself in the right way or be regal, beautiful enough to wear the crown.
But Anya could. She would. It didn't matter whether I was interested in ruling or not; if I wanted to stay alive, keep my men alive too, I would need to give the holy relics to her.
"She is nothing if not decadent," Farrow said wryly.
"It's a shame she doesn't spend more money on protecting her people," Killian added. His tone was harsh, and when I looked at his face, I could see the same lines of disapproval there. "Come."
He checked at the partition to the rest of the room and then led us through. This room was ten times more luxurious than the one we'd entered through. Every surface gleamed like the lake on a good day. All light and blue and a reflection of everything about this court. Everything about her, I assumed. Though I hadn't so much as laid eyes on her yet.
Hoped I would never need to.
"Where?" I asked, scanning the walls for any sign of the bow. Sure that she would have something like that on di
splay, not hidden away. Yet another testament to her power and prowess. But Killian led us to another alcove, this one a home for all of her clothing and jewels. A large window looked out over the lake, but I dared not look, still imagining the sirens, though now that memory was tempered with the feel of Farrow and Killian's skin on mine, of kisses and flashes of fish in the water, gliding past those windows.
I'd barely had any room in my head to worry about the crush of water against glass with what my men had been doing to my body…
"It's in here," Killian said, opening a cupboard.
And there it was. Like the quiver, just an ordinary looking object. Something I could have taken on the hunt without fear of damaging, because it looked like any other basic bow. No jewels encrusted the wood, and the string was pragmatic, nothing fancy, not a shimmer of gold thread in the mix.
I reached my hand towards it, feeling the instant draw. The heat. Like I had with the quiver. I was just about to grab it from its spot when voices filtered through from the bedroom.
"Thomas?" I whispered, dropping my hand and moving back towards the bedchamber.
Farrow gripped my shoulder and Killian shook his head furiously, raising his palms to stop my movement. I raised my own and relaxed my shoulders, showing him that I wasn't about to barge on in.
But I did need to hear more. See more. Find out what the hell was happening.
A feminine peal of laughter filtered through the air and my gut clenched. Was she putting that on? Or was she truly that much of a twit? I wanted to lunge forward, but I let Killian lead the way, hanging back until he showed me where it was safe to listen from.
"As you can see, some of the finest things in my court are here, safe in my chambers." The queen's voice moved closer, and then there was the rustle of what I assumed were blankets as she sat on the bed. "Come and sit beside me," she purred.
"Ah…" Thomas' voice sounded squeaky and I could tell that he wasn't enjoying this. "Why don't you tell me about this… What is it?"
The bed rustled again and the queen's heels clicked over the tile floor, and then onto a fabric covering.
"This is the last pot made by one of the greatest craftsmen of Vulcan. He found a way to mesh metal and clay. If you look closely…"
I could imagine her leaning into him, forcing him to move closer, to see where she was pointing.
"His signature is here. He always blended it into the glaze like this."
There was no sound for a moment and I longed to peek, to see what was happening.
"Very interesting," Thomas said with a cough. "Ah, is there something to drink here? I'm quite thirsty."
"Here," she said. That single word was followed by more steps and I closed my eyes, trying to remember where there had been drinks in the room, but I hadn't seen enough, hadn't taken in all the details. I felt a grip on my arm and opened my eyes to see Killian looking at me firmly.
"You good?" he whispered. I nodded back and clenched my jaw. I had to be. The sound of liquid being poured hit my ears and then there was quiet as I presumed they drank.
Not being able to see was killing me. Not being able to go out there and assert myself on the situation was grinding at my guts as well.
"You look uncomfortable," the queen said. Her voice was dripping with seduction, almost like she was actually drooling over him. "I've got something that can help you with that."
The sound of skin on fabric. Dammit, it was like I could suddenly hear everything, even things I shouldn't be able to. And I didn't want to hear or imagine her touching him.
Firm fingers gripped my shoulders as Farrow held me. "He only has eyes for you," Farrow whispered, and I knew he was right. This was all an act, a ploy, a way to get the bow. But for that, we needed to get the queen out of here and Thomas too.
"These are the finest of delicacies from Tauri," the queen said. "They are such a sensual people… I had a lover from there once and he taught me a thing or two."
"Oh," Thomas said. And then he gasped, and I strained against Farrow, wishing I could see what was going on. "I, ah, I should go."
"No," she said, her voice firm. "You should definitely stay. In fact, you should come closer."
Thomas made a strangled sound, and then said, "Really, I don't think we should be here. What would your court think? I'm just a lowly hunter."
"My court knows that I do what – and who – I please, and that their opinions are irrelevant. Now get on the bed."
There was movement, and then the thud of a body. Thomas, I presumed, pushed down onto that luxurious mattress, with those fine linens, and thick fur blankets.
"Do something," I hissed, glaring between Killian and Farrow. "Save him, and I'll grab the bow."
The two looked at each other, some secret conversation passing between them, and then the next thing I knew, Farrow had tugged his shirt over his head, Killian was mussing up his hair and kicking off his slippers, then dragged some of his mother's jewels from their places and draped them around Farrow's neck.
And then they were kissing, hard, lips locked together, fingers digging into flesh in the most over the top, heated display of lust I'd ever set eyes on.
My body flushed at the sight, and at the memory of when the two of them were doing that, but with me in the middle…
They broke apart, and Killian banged against the wall and then broke out into laughter.
"Who is in my room?" the queen roared.
"Be safe," Farrow hissed, kissing me quickly on the cheek before he grabbed his shirt and rushed Killian from the dressing room.
"Mother," Killian gasped. "I thought you'd be at the ball for longer…"
"You brat! What are you doing in my room?" The queen's heels clattered on the floor as she rushed across the room, and then there was the sound of a slap, hard and fast against skin. I wasn't sure if it was Killian or Farrow who gasped. Or maybe it was Thomas… "Take off my jewels and get out! You've got your own home to commit your tawdry acts. Get!" It sounded like one of the necklaces snapped, pearls spilling across the tile.
"Oh, Mother, so dramatic," Killian exclaimed.
"Yes, Mother," Farrow added. "We were just having a little fun. Come on, Killian. You too, Thomas. If we can't play then neither can you." Three sets of feet trudged across the room and I smirked. Those wonderful, crazy men. They'd done it. And without giving away that I was here too.
I used the sound of their retreating steps – the sound of the queen fuming at them – to rush back to the cabinet where the bow was. Wasting no time, I reached for it, felt that fire burn through my fingers as they settled around the grip. A jolt smashed through me and I lurched backwards, tugging the bow with me. I barely managed to stop myself from falling to the floor, the noise of which would surely have made the queen come running.
Freezing, I stopped to listen. The door had closed, but it sounded like she was fumbling around, muttering to herself. Perhaps collecting the fallen pearls.
As if sensing my attention, I heard her stand and stomp to the door and holler into the hallway.
"Someone come and pick up my pearls! And run me a bath!" Then she slammed the door and headed—
In my direction.
Crap.
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to figure out what to do. I couldn't just charge out into the room and then the hallway, and really, there was nowhere good to hide here – everything was on display, as though she needed the constant reminder of just how amazing she was.
Then I turned, took in the only other exit.
The window.
I rushed to it and peered down. The water was so dark right now. Dark and deep and I knew that life teemed beneath the surface. Yet, they'd assured me there were no sirens. Nothing awful that would devour me. And I had to get out of this room before she came in here. The footsteps were getting closer so I threw open the windows. I couldn't make myself step out onto the ledge though.
Wind whipped through the open window and I was terrified it might crash
something else to the ground and give away my location so I slung the bow across my body, hoping it wouldn't break on impact with the surface. But in the next moment it began to burn, to flame against my clothing, to melt into it, through it.
Into my skin.
I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle my scream and then took off at a run, pushing against the window sill to leap into the night.
22
Jaelyn
The air was cool on my skin as I plunged through the night, though the shape of the bow burned against my skin, pulled taught like an arrow was nocked, like I was the arrow, fired from the queen’s chamber and into the water.
I pierced the surface with my hands, felt the shock of cool water on my body, tried to push back the memory of the river and the sirens, clamped my mouth shut, desperate not to let the air flee my body, not to inhale the cold liquid and let it drag me down.
Everything was darkness here. So black that I couldn't tell which way was up. My body dragged, clothing weighing me down. I wrestled out of my longer tunic, watched as it hovered in the water like a ghost of myself. And then I saw it. The moon. Gleaming like a beacon. I pushed towards it, forcing my body to work through the water. I'd never swum in anything so deep, so immense. Never even laid eyes on such a vision as this lake before we had arrived here.
The chill was seeping deep into my body, but then it was pushed back, like there was a fire inside me, an ember sparking to life, flaring through me with a heat I'd never known before.