The Archer Queen

by Blake, Nova

  "Come on, I've got something to show you," he said, his voice husky and low. He took my hand and led me off the parapet and inside, wending down the corridor. It didn't take long for me to realize where we were heading – my mother’s chambers. The rooms I'd grown up in and then abandoned for the barracks once I joined the hunters.

  "Why here?" I asked.

  "Where else? You can't sleep in your old room now, and besides…" He pushed open the door and they were all there. Tol, Killian, Farrow. Thomas closed the door behind him and the men parted, revealing a much larger bed than I remembered being there.

  I frowned.

  "We couldn't decide which of us would get to share your bed, so we dragged in some others and made this," Farrow explained.

  "It's a monstrosity," Tol said, and then launched himself onto it and grinned. "But it's comfortable."

  There were so many pillows I couldn't count them, and layers of blankets in greens and blues and purples, strewn across the bed. It was clear that Killian had a hand in the decorating, because it looked better than it had any right to.

  And all I wanted to do was fall into it and sleep.

  "I'm so tired," I said. My voice shook as exhaustion set in, and also a niggling worry. They'd made this giant bed for us, did they want to make love to me tonight? I didn't have it in me. I didn't think I had anything left to give.

  "We know," Killian said. "Come." He urged me forward and grasped my hand, his skin so soft against mine. He sat me down on the edge of the bed and then knelt before me, removing my slippers one at a time. Farrow moved behind me, his long legs on either side of my body, and he gently combed my hair. Tol brought over a bowl of warm, soapy water, and Killian washed my feet reverently, one foot at a time, treasuring each toe as well.

  Thomas cast open the windows, letting a cool breeze in, and then Tol returned with sweet chocolates on a tray, grapes from the vineyard, and some cheese as well, offering the selection to me. I took one of each thing, my body relaxing as Killian dried my feet and then began to massage them. It had been so very long since I'd been able to rest. Fully.

  They nurtured me, each in their own way, only giving, never demanding. Fingers on my scalp, massaging my head, my neck, my shoulders. I turned to goo under their attentions and I didn't complain when they began to strip my clothes off, to massage my breasts, my belly. I burned inside, that fire reawakening. I was tired, yes, bone weary, and yet…

  "Shall we pleasure you?"

  I couldn't even tell who said the words, but my body responded immediately. I wanted more.

  "Yes," I moaned as someone kneaded at a knot on my neck. My eyes were closed, and I didn't think I could open them if I tried, I was so relaxed now. Their hands became more intent with their motions, massaging turning to something more. An arm slid under my back, cushioning me as a firm body pressed against me. Lips found both my nipples, sucked in tandem and I thought that I might die. I cried out, arching my back, needing more. Someone was kissing me, soft, firm lips. I thought it was Farrow; he even tasted like the woods, like sunlight on leaves.

  And then a tongue licked up my thigh and I shuddered, tilting my hips, trying to get closer to what I wanted. Fingers slid across my clitoris and that hot, wet tongue lapped at me. I groaned against the mouth I was kissing. Gripped the bodies near me, pressing myself against every part of them that I could. The sensations were so overwhelming I could barely focus.

  No. I couldn't focus. It was too much. The world was made of sensation, hot and hard and my breath was coming in jagged gulps, the only sound I could emit a high-pitched squeak. The pressure was building, building inside me as they worked their magic, hands and tongues and oh my gods!

  I came harder than ever before, every part of my body tensing before it released, and released. I screamed as I came, the pleasure almost too much to bear until I was done, undone, everything in me spent. I sagged into the bed with a groan, my limbs weak. There was no way I'd be able to stand. Everything felt like jelly.

  "Better?" Thomas asked.

  "Better," I said on a sigh. "Sleep."

  "Sleep," said Farrow. "Lots of sleep."

  "Mmm," I murmured, snuggling in as someone draped a blanket over me, and bodies curled in.

  "I think," said Tol. "That we are going to need a bigger bed."

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  Time seemed to have moved so quickly since I became the queen. It took weeks to hash out deals – and weeks more of discussion among my men as to who would be where and when. None of them wanted to part with me, but the queendom needed them, and I needed them to help make the transitions for each of the courts.

  Farrow's father was still heading up the Court of Leaves. He was as loyal as they could come and it meant Farrow could float between Leaves, Stone, and Lakes, helping out where he was needed. Killian was holding the fort at Lakes, while Tol's mother had taken over as the one in charge of Salt. He'd weaned her off the drugs his father fed her – exiled his father to gods knew where.

  I hadn't seen most of my men in a month or so, but today they were coming here, coming home and I couldn't wait to see them all. It had been far too long.

  I sprang out of bed and rushed through my morning rituals. My maidservant tried to help me but I waved her aside. I didn't need any pomp or glamor, I just needed to be clothed and ready for them. I ate a piece of fruit as I rushed down the stairs and bumped into Thomas.

  "Are they here?" I asked, my voice like a young girl rather than the True Queen.

  "Tol just got in, I can't imagine the others are far behind."

  "They'll be coming together," I said with a grin. They always travelled together. "I can't wait to see them. Where is Tol?"

  "Valko waylaid him, asking about horses again."

  I rolled my eyes. My old mentor and friend was keen to get some of the coastal horses to breed with ours, but so far Tol had managed to avoid it – and his mother’s wrath. It would happen, but I didn't want to get in the way of that particular dance.

  "I'm going down, I want to say hello."

  "No grand entrance today?" he asked with a wry smile.

  I smacked him lightly on the arm. "You should know by now that I'm never going to do that."

  "I'll keep asking. Maybe one day your mother will get her wish and you'll dress in the finest gowns." He pulled me closer and kissed me. "I'll always prefer you messy, with sticks in your hair, clothing optional."

  I kissed him back, enjoying the lingering warmth of it. Even after a year together, he could still make me blush, but maybe that was because he knew me so intimately now on every level.

  "See you soon," I said. "Don't be late!"

  "I wish you'd tell me what was so important we needed a meeting for."

  "You'll find out soon enough!" I kissed his cheek and then headed down to the main floor, and along the corridor to the kitchen where I snagged one of Mayla's delicious, freshly baked buns.

  "Please never leave me," I said to her. "You're the best cook."

  "I'm not going anywhere, my lady," she said with a smile. "Did you come to check on the cake?"

  "No. I came to steal some bread, and please stop calling me your lady. We're friends," I said.

  "I'm like your Aunt now, I think. Does that give me the right to tell you off?" Her cheeks dimpled with her grin.

  I just shrugged. "You can try! Now make sure everything is perfect." I kissed her on the cheek too and she frowned at me.

  "You are strangely affectionate today."

  "I get to see my boys," I said with a smile, and then I ducked out the kitchen door and headed for the stables. The bread was still warm and almost melted in my mouth, light enough not to make my stomach feel too heavy right now, but something to ground me to the earth and the here and now.

  "Next time, old man! Next time I'll bring a stallion for you."

  "Why can't you just leave this one?" Valko asked, no, demanded. I had come around the corner now and could see him with his hands on hi
s hips, his hair wild.

  "Because it's mine," Tol said. His voice was firm, but I could tell he was starting to get cranky at Valko.

  "Quit badgering my husband, Huntsmaster," I called. "I need him."

  "Oh, my love." Tol saw me and jogged towards me, lifting me in his arms and swinging me around before he set me back down and kissed me. "I have missed you so much. You have no idea." He kissed me again and I was breathless and giddy with it.

  "I think I might," I said with a smile. I slipped my hand into his and pulled him away. "You can argue with him later," I called over my shoulder. "Queen's come first!"

  Tol leaned over and gently bit my earlobe. "Literally?"

  I gasped in mock offence, but I couldn't pretend for long. "Maybe later. We have things to attend to first."

  "You never told me why you've called us here," he said.

  "Am I not allowed to have all my husbands in the same place at the same time?" I asked innocently.

  Tol scoured my face for a clue then shook his head. "Something is going on. I just don't know what it is yet."

  I smiled again. "All will be revealed soon. We just need the others to get here."

  I hooked my arm through his and we walked together in silent companionship. Tol had turned out to be a fine leader in his own right, and despite the fact that we sometimes went weeks without seeing each other, it was always easy and right when we were together. Like we slipped right back into place with each other. I'd need to schedule a longer visit to the Court of Salt soon, I thought. I needed the waves and the salt air, the ragged clifftops. I needed him in my bed every single night for a good week.

  We rounded the castle and headed for the main entrance just as a carriage pulled by four white horses turned into the circle that led to the stairs. The wooden lattice was intricately designed and stood out in contrast to the blockiness of the Court of Stone.

  "That will be them," Tol said with a sigh. "Killian will never lose his flair, will he?"

  "I hope not," I said. "It's one of the things I love about him." I let go of Tol's hand and ran across to meet the last of my men as they stepped down from the carriage.

  "Jaelyn," Farrow said, embracing me tightly.

  I inhaled the scent of him, still managing to smell like bark and leaves even this far from the forest. "Farrow."

  "I missed you," he said, pulling back and then kissing both my cheeks before claiming my mouth with his.

  I had a feeling he knew I'd missed him too, though it hadn't been all that long since we'd last seen each other.

  "My turn," Killian said, sliding a hand between us and pushing Farrow away. "Your highness, you are looking as lovely as ever." His face was almost passive, but I could see the heat in his eyes. The longing.

  "As are you," I replied, stepping into him and kissing him softly. His hands tangled in my hair, that slow passion of his building until I had to pull back or I knew things would get a little too heated for public viewing. "Come," I said, a little breathless from the kissing and just the sheer presence of them.

  "Lead on, fair lady," Tol said, his tone half mocking, half serious.

  With a sigh, I set off up the stairs, trusting that they would follow. I led the way into one of my favorite rooms in the castle. I had no idea what it was used for before, but now it was a reading room, or just generally the place I came to when I needed some space. No one was allowed in here unless they had my express permission; not even my husbands.

  Today, I'd had Mayla make an assortment of snacks, and the most decadent chocolate cake I'd ever seen. Farrow eyed it up as soon as he got inside the room, but I gave him a look and pointed to one of the chairs. He slumped down on a sofa beside Killian, while Tol took a chair to the left of them.

  "Where is Thomas?" he asked.

  "I don't know. He should be here."

  Just then the door bust open and he arrived, a bunch of flowers in his hand. He extended them to me, puffing. I laughed and took them from him, confused.

  "What is this for?"

  He shrugged and kissed my cheek, finding a seat. "I just felt like it."

  "Okay then…" I set them on the table, thinking that I'd ask for some water shortly, but now that everyone was here, I was feeling a tad nervous. I threaded my fingers together in attempt to stop them from shaking; to stop me from waving them around in the air when I talked.

  "So…" I swallowed.

  "What is it, Jae?" Killian asked, leaning forward.

  "Yes, you're making us nervous," Farrow said.

  "Speak for yourself," Tol threw in.

  "Just shut up, will you? Let her speak." That was Thomas, always the one to settle the bunch. "Come on, Jae. It's just us. We love you. There is nothing you need to worry about here. You're safe."

  "I am. I know. I just… I've never done this before." My hands had found their way into the air, despite my attempts to keep them under control. Why was I so damn nervous? "I missed you all, and I've called you here to tell you something very important. We're having a baby."

  There was silence in the room.

  "A baby?" Thomas asked.

  "And who is we?" Tol asked.

  "Wait, a baby?" Farrow said. "Like, a living, breathing, baby?"

  "Yes," I replied. "A baby."

  Farrow leapt from the couch and then rushed to me, wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me tight, and then he loosened his grip, looking worried. "I didn't hurt you, did I? This is wonderful news. Wonderful! Father is going to be so happy."

  "No. I'm not fragile, I'm just pregnant."

  "But…" Tol looked confused, like he wasn't sure how this had happened. And yet… I had four husbands, it was bound to happen eventually.

  "How long have you known?" Killian asked, coming towards me and reaching for my hand.

  "How did I not know?" Thomas rubbed his temples, looking from my face to my waist. "I should have known."

  "But…"

  "Tol, get over here," I said, my voice firm. He was caught in some kind of loop, his brain not working. Of all of them, I hadn't thought it would be him who would freak out over the news. He did as he was told and I reached for him with my free hand. "Thomas, you too."

  He nodded and he came in behind me so that I was encircled by the men I loved. I looked at each of them, felt their love and nerves through every place where their skin touched mine.

  "It's my baby, and it's yours. All of yours. This is the deal. We're a package. We're in this together, and this baby is going to be the luckiest baby alive with father's like you."

  "I think we need a central court. Where we all live, all the time," Tol said. He was still frowning, as though this was a puzzle he needed to solve, but that he couldn't quite work out.

  "Four Court's isn't enough?" I asked with a laugh. "What if that means the next True Queen has to have five husbands?"

  Thomas kissed my shoulder, his arms going around my waist to settle on my belly. "Would that really be so bad?" he murmured.

  "Four is enough," I said. "Four is perfect."

  The End

  Enjoy the rest of the set here

  The Royal Celestials

  The Forge Queen

  The Horned Queen

  The False Queen

  The Pearl Queen

  The Sun Queen

  The Virgin Queen

  The Balanced Queen

  The Scorpion Queen

  The Archer Queen

  The Goat Queen

  The Storm Queen

  The Trident Queen

  Also by Nova Blake

  The Envy of All series

  Hexes & Vexes

  Sekhmet’s Desire

  About the Author

  Nova Blake is a writer of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and cozies, though she dabbles in other things from time to time. She was raised on a healthy diet of horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and despite many attempts by various English teachers has refused to budge on her position that these are the best genres ever.

&
nbsp; When she’s not raising her horde of wonderfully creepy children, or dreaming of the day she’ll have an army of ninja kittens, she’s writing, reading, or playing games.

  You can sign up for Nova’s newsletter here for updates, cover reveals, and other fun things.

  Note from Nova

  I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Jaelyn and her men have stolen my heart – she is not your typical Sagittarius (but then, neither am I!). If you’d like to check out some of my visual inspiration for the book, you can find that here on Pinterest, and if you’d like to check out the Spotify playlist for the book, you can find that here.

  Oh, and if you did like the book, please consider leaving a review. Thanks!