by Layla Pierce
"I'm sorry," I tell him.
His features soften just a bit. "We are in the same boat, Queen Sophia."
I swallow hard and ask, "Your family? Are they safe for now?"
"As long as I am in the castle and going along with your husband's plans, yes. They are safe."
"Do you have a wife?"
He chuckles and shakes his head. "That's what you want to ask me?"
"Yes, it's terrible enough that you've been forced into this, it would be a million times worse if you had a wife who had to suffer this infidelity."
"No, I don't have a wife. I have a family. A mother, father, and three young sisters. They are who I protect." He still hasn't moved. This is the closest we've been since meeting more than a week ago. "Your guards watch you too closely, m'lady."
His words are almost a whisper. I start to turn in my chair to see if they've appeared, but Damien cups my cheek and drags my gaze back to him. "Not right now, but always. The king does take notice."
I shiver. There's no telling if Damien's supposed to tell me this or if he is helping of his own free will. I can't trust him and yet I am stuck with him most hours of the day. "And your point is?"
"If I do not have anything to report soon he will up the stakes."
I have to crane my neck now to look at him, and it puts our lips mere inches apart. "I have been a loyal wife to Leo in spite of his infidelities for five years. I do not break my vows easily and even if I did, don't you think I'd make you work for it before I give in?" My eyes narrow and I see something in his smoke grey eyes. A glimmer? A challenge? He's a knight. He likes a battle. I can give him that and buy myself some time before I'm expected to spread my legs. Licking my lips, I push up closer and add. "I do not and I cannot trust you."
"That's good." His breath is ragged against my skin. I bite my lip to keep from moaning as his strong hand slides from my cheek to my throat. He grips me with a slight squeeze. "Trusting me would be a very bad idea."
As much as I hate this man he does stoke the flames inside me at this moment. "Then I guess this will be a game of wits." He moves closer, and his lips nearly brush mine. I keep my tone steady and strong. "You versus me, winner take all."
"May the best man or woman win." His words send a vibration through me, and the moan on my lips is swallowed up by his mouth on mine. His kiss is hard and claiming. The tightness of his hand on my throat adds a spike of danger to the encounter. Then is over and he pulls back from me to take his seat across from me again. "I'm sure you need your rest now. I shall await your visit tomorrow. We can resume our game then." He motions toward the chess board. A small smile plays on his lips as I stand up and head for the door he adds, "Tell your guards that I do know how to play well with others." My breath hitches and I turned to meet his gaze. He licks his lips and winks. "And I don't mind sharing my toys."
I am out the door and sprinting down the hallway like a frightened rabbit. The clanging of metal and boots behind me lets me know that Cole and Aiden are in quick pursuit, but I need air. I need to clear my head. And most of all I need to keep as much distance between Damien and myself. He is dangerous and seems to know too much that is supposed to stay private.
CHAPTER FIVE
Yule Feast
"It's nearly been three weeks." Graham reminds me, and I roll my eyes at him.
Two weeks since the new man came into my life and threw it into upheaval. Almost three weeks since my time in the garden with Graham and Aiden. "And your point is?"
I turn to see him leaning against the wall, one leg casually propped against it and his arms crossed. Leo hasn't bothered to return to our room to change his clothes. He even moved his belongings into the stables leaving me even more alone than usual. "Tonight is cold."
He's right. It is exceptionally cold tonight. My skin prickles just thinking about passing through the frigid halls of the castle. The ballroom for tonight’s Yule Feast will be warm with the hustle and bustle of bodies and libations, but the hallways and corridors will be chilly, I'm hoping to find a warm enough shawl to keep me comfortable until I get to the ballroom. "It's not that cold." I lie.
He arches a brow at me, and I can't help but laugh. "You're beautiful when you smile."
I blush, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm sure you'd say that to any queen you were in service to."
"I'm only at your service, my queen."
I like the sound of that. I've missed the feel of his hands on me since that day in the garden with Aiden. Something takes hold of me, empowering me and pushing me past my usual objections. I've been overly cautious lately. Leo makes sure Damien is with me almost every free moment of the day, and I dare not do anything that might put Moira's children in danger.
They've still not been returned. Leo or whoever he hired to kidnap them has sent word of their continued well being. They've demanded that I meet with them in one month’s time. Which give us time to form a plan. One month to figure out what Leo is up to and to get the children back safe.
The only reason Graham and I are alone this evening is that Leo is holding a private meeting with Damien. Probably checking in on whether we've conceived a child yet. My husband will be furious to know I’ve only let Damien kiss me a handful of times. I've found reasons, excuses, and with the help of Moira and my guards, my dizzy spells and sickness are always very convincing. Besides, I'm enjoying this little game of cat and mouse with the noble knight.
Tonight is special, we have this moment to ourselves. And this night is a time to say goodbye to the past year. To celebrate the coming death of winter before the rebirth in the spring and maybe I want to say goodbye to my loneliness. Turning slowly I mimic him and lean against the opposite wall, crossing my arms. I've never before felt this flutter of nerves building, and I almost don't say what's on the tip of my tongue, but I whisper the words before I can chicken out. "How are you going to service me, Graham?"
His eyes darken and I'm holding my breath. Graham pushes off the wall, stalking across my changing room like a predator eyeing its next helpless meal. Five paces and he's got me. I'm trapped between him and the wall and there's no place I'd rather be. I lift my face up and give him a challenging look. "Well?" I ask.
He cages me with his strong arms and growls, it rattles my chest and my skin erupts in gooseflesh. He's faster than I expect and grabs my wrists, pinning my hands above my head. The motion heaves my breasts up. I'd yet to get my corset tied and the loosened ties give way letting my breasts spill out. Graham smiles at his feast. His mouth is on me. Kissing and lick, teasing my nipples with bites that bring just enough pleasure to make me moan and squirm.
He moves up my neck. "The things I'm going to do to you," he whispers in my ear before he takes my lobe in his mouth.
"Show don't tell," I respond. It dawns on me that it might have been the wrong response when he pulls back and eyes from a safer distance.
I'm about to ask him why he stopped but he doesn't give me a chance. Grabbing me tight he spins me around toward the waist-high dresser and moves behind me. Heat flushes my body and wetness pools between my legs. "Graham?" I whisper but my next words are cut short as he bends me over the dresser. The cold feel of the wood pressed against my bare breasts is almost agonizing.
He flips my dress up and my undergarments come off in one quick movement to which I hear the accompanying sound of tearing fabric. If it's ruined, I don't care. I just want him to have the quickest access to me. And he does.
But it's not what I expected. Graham slides down my body and his hot breath fans over my aching sex. I hold still and suck in a breath at the first warm caress of his tongue through my folds. "Oh my god." I manage to rasp.
His tongue teases and toys with me. Darting in and stroking my walls. I can hear him and the sounds of him devouring me make my core tighten. The slow sound of his sucking and licking turn my desire into full-blown need. I push back and grind against his face. I need more, I need him. All of him. I pant a ragged breath and shiver as my
juices running down my legs. He slips a finger deep inside, then another. Working them in and out of my core. My walls clench down on them and my breath hitches when he spreads his fingers and darts his tongue inside. I ride his mouth harder and beg. "Just fuck me, please."
I glance back to watch as he rises to his feet, quickly dropping his pants. The glorious sight of him is like a gift from God and I lick my lips. The broad head of his cock presses against my entrance and I am more than ready for him. Pushing back onto him I whimper as he stretches my walls. He's only given me the tip and I'm on the verge of coming for him. I undulate on the head of his shaft, moaning and working him slowly deeper inside me. Graham groans. "You're killing me, woman."
I grin at the thought, but my eyes go wide as he grips my hips and thrusts hard and deep. An elicit cry breaks from my lips and I claw at the dresser top. Every thrust buries him to the hilt, splitting me open in sweet agony. I'm raised up on my tippy toes, pushing back to meet the poisoning of his hips. Crying out every time the head of him meets with resistance from my quivering walls.
I'm so close, the bunching nerves inside me are ready to explode when his pace quickens, turning frantic. I can't even speak. I want to tell him to go harder to do whatever he wants with me as long as I get to feel him come, but my words can't escape and then the sting hits me. My ass burns where his hand just struck me and my world unhinges. My back arches and I send his name to the heavens. My body clenches his cock, quivering and milking him. And he gives me what I wanted. His hot seed fills, the warmth spreads over my body. I grind against him riding out the last of my orgasm. I don't want this to end, but my body shivers from the release and cold rushes back in as he recedes from my sex and slumps against me.
After several minutes he pushes off and lowers my dress. I don't know if I should look at him, or what I should say when I turn to face him. In the end, it turns out I don't need to say anything. He cups my cheek and draws me close, kissing me softly at first but then slipping his tongue past my lips to war with mine. I inhale sharply tasting the mix of wine on his lips and my juices. His kiss deepened as he drags me against him and I can feel his cock starting to harden as he presses against me. When we break I look up at him through dark lashes and say, "That was worth the wait."
It's a brazen move, but tonight I've resolved myself to be bold. Tonight is the death of the past, and I mean to enjoy it while it lasts. He nips playfully at my lips. "I promise you there's more to come and you will know pleasure of all kinds."
My eyes light up. I'm not sure what that promises but I definitely like the sound of it. "And what of Damien?"
Graham shrugs. "We'll find time like we just did."
I nod and finish dressing in a hurry knowing that Graham will keep his word and he will find a way for us to be together again.
The hall is full of noble families. All mingling and trying to find new ways to advance their wealth or power. My eyes stay trained on Graham across the room. He is standing guard near my throne. Stephen is next to me and I know he's looking at me. We pass by Aiden who gives Stephen a smug smile and I watch as Stephen glares at his comrade. As soon as we are far enough away from any eavesdropping ears I stop and ask, "What was that all about? I thought you all are friends."
He chuckles and runs his hands through his blond hair. "He's just rubbing some salt in a wound."
I arch a brow and motion for him to follow me into the secluded chamber nearby. "What wound?"
"I'd rather not say, my queen."
Any smile I had slips into a frown. Stephen refuses to meet my eyes and I feel a surge of protectiveness for my protector. Odd as that might sound. "Stephen, please. Tell me what's going on." He tries to hide his hurt pride as he steals a glance at me but I can see it there. I reach out and lightly touch his cheek. "What is going on?"
"It's nothing really, my queen. It's just--"
He shakes his head and I've had enough. "Stephen, I demand you tell me now."
"Aiden told me the full extent of your time in the garden."
My mouth opens. I'm furious at Aiden for betraying my confidence although truth be told I never told him it was a secret. At the same time, I'm also just a little pleased that Stephen is bothered or jealous. I shouldn't feel that way, but after years of loneliness to know more than one man wants me is a bit exhilarating. Finally, I find my voice, "That's the salt he's rubbing in your wound?" He nods and I can't help but laugh. That makes him look at me and I cover my mouth, "I'm sorry, it's just... Well, you've slept in my bed, not to mention our time in the village, so it's sort of the same thing."
"It isn't remotely the same." He blinks as if he's shocked himself by speaking so abruptly. I, too, am surprised, but I kind of like it.
"It is. You've been naked pressed against me." Just thinking about it makes my core ache.
"But I was on my best behavior. I didn't kiss you, I didn't squeeze you, touch you, taste you."
"But I have had my hand on you," I remind him with a wink. I hold up my hand to keep him quiet and step closer. "But--"
He swallows. "But?"
"You want to kiss me? Touch me?"
"God, yes. You know I do."
I glance around at our quiet corner and lick my lips. "Then what's stopping you?"
He kisses me before the last syllable leaves my lips. His tongue is warm and claiming and I moan as my body melts against him. He's not like Graham or Aiden, he's just a bit timid, but once given permission, he takes charge.
I find myself being walked back against the wall. Stephen's erection presses into me as he hikes my leg up and rubs against me. My mound throbs at the feel of his cock, slick friction begins to build and I push him back. "I'm bare tonight, Stephen and if you keep doing that you'll have my juices coating the front of your pants for the rest of the evening.
He gives me a heated look and adjusts himself. "I wouldn't mind that."
I smile. "I wouldn't either if half my kingdom weren't right on the other side of the door."
He rubs himself through his pants and groans. "You can't expect me to stay like this all night?"
I shake my head and push off the wall. It's my turn to take control of a situation. I point at the nearby chair. "Sit." Comes my harsh command.
He obeys and I feel the rush of wetness drip down my thigh. I love having control. I like having him at my mercy. "Pants off."
Again he does as he's told and his cock springs out bobbing and waiting for attention. My mouth waters and my legs quiver. I lower myself to my knees in front of him and lean forward. His cock twitches as I blow over the tip already beaded with liquid arousal. Stephen grips the chair and stares at me. I dart my tongue out, catching the droplet of cum on my tongue and moan at the taste.
Stephen jerks and growls. "For fuck's sake, please."
"Please, what?" I purr.
"Suck me, please."
I lower my mouth to him. He's too big to take all the way in, but I still bob my head to push the tip of his cock a little further down my throat each time. I use one hand to stroke the length of him I can't fit into my mouth and he bucks his hips. I moan with him partially down my throat and he makes a strangled noise that sets my body on fire. My other hand cups his heavy balls, rolling them in my palm and giving them a slight squeeze every time he makes a noise that leaves me wet and aching.
I'm rocking against nothing. I need to be filled but I need him to come even more. I want to taste him. My sucking grows deeper, harder. Scraping my teeth against his length, Stephen responds every time with grunts and groans. They satisfy me, for now. But when I score his inner thigh with my nails my guard's cock swells in my mouth, I suck him greedily and do it again and again.
His hands tangle in my hair, pulling it tight as he thrusts into my mouth, showing me exactly what he will do when he gets to fuck me properly. My eyes water, god I love this, the pain and pleasure. I think I might come just from him thrusting into my mouth.
"I'm gonna come." He whispered with a ragged breath. "Pull ba
ck."
I shake my head and moan.
"Oh, god. Don't fucking do that."
I moan again and suck him harder. Willing him to give me what I am dying for.
"I can't hold back any longer."
Again I moan, sending vibrations through his thick cock and he explodes. Ribbons of hot seed shoot down my throat and I swallow him greedily until his cock goes limp in my mouth. Even then I lave him with my tongue, kissing the length and getting every last drop in my mouth. He is exhausted and I feel a surge of accomplishment. My guard is sated and content and if we were anywhere else I'd curl up with him and wait until he was ready for me to ride him, but the music from the other side of the door reminds me that we are not alone and we have no time to enjoy our private moment.
Even worse I'm well aware that my body is on fire and in need of sex. Standing up I brush my dress down, getting out as many wrinkles as I can. Stephen is eyeing me with hooded baby blues and I shake my head at him. "Get dressed. We have people to entertain."
He snorts a laugh. "You have people to entertain, I've been entertained enough..." his words trail off and he offers a warning, "for now."
I smile and check myself in the mirror. My lipstick is smudged in a way that is a dead giveaway that I've just had my mouth wrapped around some man's cock and every person in the ballroom will know it's not Leo's. I do my best to fix it with my finger and finally focus on my hair which is now in tangles thanks to Stephen's hands. I whip my hair up into a messy bun, distinctly different from the hairstyle of long curls I had before and give myself a shrug. It'll have to do.
We finally make our way out to the room full of partygoers and I see Stephen give Aiden a smug smile causing my other guard to flinch. As we make our way past he gives me a deep bow and I lean in to whisper, "Next time don't be so smug."
His jaw clenches and I can hear his teeth grind. I steal a wicked glance back at him and revel in the ghost white color his face has changed to. I feel strong tonight, this night of death has given me power that I'd never considered welding and my men seem more than game to play along. Innocent eyes catch my attention from the across the room and I come to a stop. All but one of my men that is. Cole watches us and heat flushes my face. I'm guilty of treating him as if he may be fragile. He's younger than the rest but still more than an adult. He's seen horrors in his life, suffered immeasurable loss as a child and yet still retains a youth-like glow about him. He's quiet, soft-spoken when he does speak, but our night in the carriage he'd shown me a glimpse of his vigor and the thought of it has me squeezing my thighs together. I need someone to ease my tension.