by J. J. Lore
“Come join us,” Edem muttered, his hands clutching at Mal’s broad shoulders. With a wriggle she drew close, gathered in between them. Mal’s erection bumped at her buttocks and Edem’s poked at her belly, and she had a shaky moment of wondering what it would feel like if they both pushed into her sex at the same time, or one entered her rear as the other…
“Corrine, such lovely thoughts,” Mal whispered in her ear as he ran his broad hand down her back. Edem chuckled as she started.
“You don’t mean you can read my mind,” she huffed out, the idea of losing that last bit of privacy in her thoughts hard to bear.
“No, but your ideas were writ plain on your face. Our bonding is too new for such sport.” Mal cupped his hand around one of her buttocks possessively.
“Your body would require preparation, and we did not bring along the properly-sized implements to ease our way,” Edem said as he nuzzled at the veins throbbing along the inside of her wrist. Her breath was short as she cuddled in even closer to them. “It takes time for such pleasures.”
“I don’t even know how to curtsey,” she said, the earlier worry rising up in her. Edem laughed and nosed at her ear as he cupped one of her breasts in his hand, his thumb moving leisurely across her already hard and aching nipple.
“A queen curtseys to no one, my bondmate.”
“Right, see, I didn’t even know that much.” Corrine’s eyes fluttered shut as Mal nipped at her shoulder. “I’ll be hopeless, useless—”
Edem stopped her worry with a kiss. “Lovely one, could you please bring your attention back to our current undertaking? There’s no sense worrying over something that may never come to pass.”
The lust and affection overlaying his voice caught at her heart, and she nodded mutely, her sensitized body more than ready to join in this reconciliation. Wordlessly they moved her between them until she was somehow crouching in front of Mal who’d risen to his knees while Edem lay underneath her spread thighs. She braced herself on one hand and reached forward to grasp the base of Mal’s erect cock, not waiting for an invitation or pretending a shyness she no longer possessed. In response, he threaded his fingers into the tangled hair at the base of her skull, and she leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the head of his cock, relishing how warm he felt against her lips. His musky, spicy scent filled her nose, and she breathed before opening her mouth and drawing him deep inside. Shudders wracked her as Edem leaned up and pressed his mouth to her quivering pussy, some unspoken communication flowing between them as he imitated the caresses she was giving Mal. Every lick, lap, and suckle she bestowed was repeated on her most sensitive flesh. Her legs shook as she tried to hold her position.
Edem clamped his strong hand to her hips and nuzzled along her folds, even pressing his mouth to her rear hole for one intense moment. Her pussy flooded with moisture, and she moaned around the thickness of Mal’s cock. Edem moved away from her, and it was almost a relief for now she could concentrate on pleasing Mal. She sucked him deep and slowly let him withdraw as they worked together in setting a rhythm. Edem moved underneath her, and she felt his hands guiding her lower, urging her to settle on his body. Releasing Mal’s cock from her mouth for a moment, she looked down to see his bondmate, her bondmate, had shifted so that her pussy was directly aligned with his erect cock, his muscular legs beneath her. A pleased smile curved her lips, and she let out a huff of amusement. These men were very resourceful. She barely had to think about what to do when they were making love to her.
Mal rubbed his fingertips along her cheeks as she looked up at him. “Take him in and tell us how it feels.”
Oh, they wanted her to talk. Licking her lips, she glanced away from his darkened eyes and focused on Edem’s hand guiding the head of his cock to her opening. “It’s pressure, pushing where I’m so sensitive, it almost hurts, but I want it, want to feel it stretch me and fill me.”
As she spoke she slowly impaled herself with Edem’s length, finally taking her place on his hips, her thighs tucked along his side. Her position made it impossible for her to see more of him than his legs, but she could feel him running his hands up and down her back.
“It feels that way to me as well,” Edem gasped.
Mal crowded forward, and she again began to lick at his cock, fairly sure he wanted her to use her mouth for a purpose other than speech now. He laid his palm against her jaw and angled her head to allow him to push in deep, to the base of her tongue. Edem shifted under her, and she rocked her hips, anxious to help stimulate him.
Corrine could only moan at this point, as her whole body seemed to tighten all her awareness on the two cocks pushing into her body, twisting her into a tense bundle of anticipation. The men’s breathing quickened as their movements sped up, and it was all she could do to maintain contact with them both as they strained. She knew her release was coming, knew they would never leave her unsatisfied, and her heart sang.
****
Mal’s breath rattled in and out of his body as he gazed at the naked, writhing bodies of his bondmates. Corrine’s warm, wet mouth lapped at his corona even as her hips bucked over Edem’s groin. Knowing his crisis was imminent, he urged himself to wait for them. This first coitus after the bites was the most meaningful they could share. A searing thought burst through his mind. Corrine had no tesak, so she could not take in their essence. He’d been too muddled to think of it before, was nearly too overcome now. The urge to share everything with her overwhelmed him, and he drew his hand away from her soft cheek to bring his wrist to his lips. His tesak were already throbbing, and as he brought his pulsing veins to his teeth, they descended with a searing pain, tearing through his palate and plunging into his flesh. Blood trickled over his tongue, and he could sense Edem’s familiar taste along with the exotic and luscious nuances of Corrine. She was already a part of his blood, his very cells. Drawing his wound away, he lowered his arm alongside his cock, the bright red of the tear in his skin a stark contrast to Corrine’s soft, pale cheek.
With a gentle suckle, she drew away from his staff and took in what he was offering. Her grey eyes, shadowed by arousal, sought his. Edem thrashed under her body, moaning out entreaties as if he knew what might happen if only Corrine would partake. It was the last of what he could give her. She licked her swollen lips.
“You want me to suck your … take in your blood like you did mine?”
He nodded mutely, his aching staff yearning for her to finish him, his culls filled to near pain by the seed he wished to jet into the welcoming haven of her mouth. She took in a breath and wrapped her slim fingers around his forearm, aligning her mouth to the beading blood at his wrist. At the first soft touch of her lips and tongue, a shock jolted through his muscles, one he could feel echoing through Edem’s rocking body. His release barreled through him with the force of a laser bolt, and he cried out. White spurts of cum erupted from his throbbing staff and spattered along Corrine’s cheek and jaw. She lapped at his essence as Edem convulsed underneath her, and then her whole body stiffened as she arched, head flung back as her own climax hit her. He gripped her shoulder as she shook and stared raptly at her face, her features tight in a primal display of unstoppable ecstasy. She bucked her hips unsteadily and moaned as the last waves of pleasure filled her.
His heart pounding, Mal tried not to sway as his own muscles relaxed with sudden fatigue and contentment. Corrine grabbed at his hip to steady herself and looked up at him blearily.
“What just happened? I feel like something exploded in my head.”
“We’ve completed the bond.” As Mal said it, the finality and wonder struck him, and his throat closed up with emotion. Unable to speak, he watched as Corrine shifted from Edem’s lax body. She turned and bent to kiss his cheek. His eyelids fluttered as he accepted her caress. Her body was a beautiful collection of curves Mal couldn’t tear his gaze from.
“Not quite yet,” Edem spoke up in a muffled voice as Corrine sank to his side with a sigh. “My blood next, then we are complete
. Just give me a few days to recover.”
Mal looked them over, his two bondmates, both on the border of satiated sleep, and felt his heart swell with love and dire responsibility. He had to keep them safe, serve them well the remaining days of his life. He couldn’t wait to take on the task.
Chapter Nine
It might seem to be an inauspicious omen to arrive in a mist of sleet, but Edem was glad to be home, glad to have the soil of Alpha under his boots once again. Though he would miss the blissful interlude his bondmates and he had shared on board the ship as they’d journeyed back, it was time to take up his responsibilities here, both old and new. He glanced toward Corrine and Mal at his side, and the contentment of knowing his family was complete nearly eliminated his burgeoning nervousness. Soon they would exit the ship, walk across the tarmac, and meet his father in the terminal. The courtiers had undoubtedly set up a temporary royal reception hall suitable for the reunion, and the thought of once again being confined by protocol and refined expectation clamped around him like links of ever-tightening chain.
Corrine shifted on her feet, shrouded in a borrowed cloak, a water-repellant hood not yet covering her smoothly brushed hair. Her grey eyes met his, and he read nervousness in them as well as sensed it through their bond.
“It will be all right, my love. We won’t be out in the rain for long.”
“It’s not the wet that worries me, Edem.” She pressed her lips together and squinted at the hatch. “What if he doesn’t like me?”
“How could he not love you on sight?” Mal spoke up as he circled and arm around her shoulders. She sighed and relaxed into the embrace. “Edem and I were smitten from the first.”
“Yes, but you wanted to get me naked.” Her eyes widened. “He won’t think about that, will he?”
Edem felt a scowl crease his features. “Of course not. I don’t think my father has considered copulation in decades.”
Mal snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”
Unsatisfied by the course of the conversation, Edem gave his head a brief shake and pressed his finger to the hatch release. He wasn’t going to wait any longer for an invitation to debark and be escorted to the reception. This was his home, and he could arrive when he saw fit. If the courtiers hadn’t put the finishing touches on the wall hangings or arranged the chairs just so, he didn’t care.
The metal-plated panels slid apart with a hiss, and he was confronted with the view of wet metal decking and a low, tan building a hundred meters in the distance. Mist from precipitation softened the edges of it and nearly obscured the stark mountains rising beyond. Ah, home.
Several uniformed officers collected in front of them, clearly startled by his appearance. Edem strode down the landing and stepped onto the surface, sparing the assembled men a courteous nod before turning back and holding out his hand to Corrine to lead her to her new home. She pulled her hood up and stepped to his side, her eyes glancing around, taking in her surroundings with what seemed to be wonder. Mal followed close, his hand touching her hip as he glared at the men surrounding them, warning the young fellows from moving too close to their woman.
The young officers lowered their heads deferentially. One bowed deeply then spoke up.
“Your Grace, we were not alerted it was time for you to debark. The arrangements—”
“It is not a matter for concern. I know my way around the terminal.” Edem made a move to walk past the young officer, but he shuffled to block the way. Edem drew up short, surprised. No one impeded his path, ever.
Mal hit his comm to summon their escort, and Corrine huddled close to his side, her small hand seeking his as she apparently picked up on the sudden tension.
“I will walk to the building now. My bondmate grows damp, and I wish to move her from these inclement surroundings.” Edem hated that he had to explain something so obvious to an underling, but perhaps this one hadn’t been fully briefed on how to deal with royalty. Forbearance was in order. Corrine’s first moments on Alpha should be filled with excitement and anticipation, not a petty disagreement over etiquette.
Edem glanced at Mal and found his bondmate scowling first at the young officer blinking at them as if he expected to be struck at any moment, then back to the ship where none of their own officers were emerging. “Durant, where are you and the men?”
“Sir, we’re being detained. We are not yet restrained. Do you wish us to put up resistance?”
Mal’s features tightened, and he ordered Durant to stand down with a frustrated growl. “See here, centurion, what is your intention here? Do you realize you are impeding Prince Edem? That his father the king awaits his arrival?”
With a hard swallow, the young officer nodded his head rapidly. “Yes, sir, I’m well aware. I’m acting directly on His Majesty’s orders.”
“My father orders you to halt us here in the rain?” Edem couldn’t keep the scoff from his voice. “Stand aside.”
“Your Grace, I’m sorry, so sorry, you have no idea how sorry—” The young officer shook his head and held up his hands in a placating gesture.
“Enough of this blather,” Mal said as he reached out to shoulder the centurion away. As a man, the other centurions drew their weapons. Edem was frozen with shock for a moment, and Corrine drew in a breath as she burrowed into his side. Mal made a gruff sound deep in his throat and lowered his hand. “Who is your commanding officer?”
“Mallet, the order is valid. Collect yourself.” The king’s voice rang out, and Edem straightened instinctively at the familiar tone of unquestioned command. The officers gathered in front of them parted, and in strode his father, clad in a long waterproof cloak enhanced by a wide band of golden embroidery at the hem. His craggy face was held in severe lines, the same expression he used whenever speaking to the council about a particularly irritating issue. A gust of rain washed over them, but the king didn’t even flinch. After all, even the weather was his to command on Alpha.
Edem inclined his head, momentarily befuddled as to why his father wished to meet Corrine in such a casual circumstance. “Father, I would like to present our bondmate, Corrine—”
The king’s raised hand stayed the rest of his sentence. “That is not possible. Men, please retreat out of earshot.”
With that order, the centurions surrounding them retreated a discreet distance, but remained on alert for any threat to their regent. Edem’s stomach twisted in a knot. This was not how their return should be treated, was not the proper way to usher Corrine into their family.
His father stepped closer and peered at her, his brows furrowed slightly. “So you are the human female who bewitched a prince of the royal blood. Young lady, you have caused quite the discord amongst my people. It’s surprising that one so slight could do so much damage.”
Edem felt her draw up, sensed her rising agitation, and he squeezed her hand to quell her. “Father, this was none of her doing. She was an innocent, unaware of what we thrust upon her.”
Mal’s mouth twisted and Edem realized his choice of words was poor, but he was too agitated for finer expressions. Corrine drew in a breath as if to speak, but his father continued.
“You have put me in an impossible position, Edem. Mal, I depended upon you to temper my son’s rebellious nature. You disappoint me.”
Edem watched as Mal, normally so proud and sure, drop his head and accept blame. With a hot wash of anger, Edem decided he was having none of it. Enough with the guilt, the restrictions, the traditions ruling him more firmly than any parental edict ever had.
“Mal did nothing wrong. Neither of them did,” Corrine’s soft voice broke in, her tone tinged with a firm resolve. “They told me the bonding instinct was more powerful and more respected than any law made by man. Isn’t that true?”
Edem was shocked to see his father flinch at her words, even if only slightly. It was still a hugely telling gesture from one who always behaved with complete certainty. “There is more complexity in this situation than you realize, human. You canno
t possibly hope to understand the calamity your presence has ignited. Things were much simpler before we discovered your troublesome world.”
From the corner of his eye he saw her lift her chin, defiance lighting up her eyes and flushing her cheeks. “I understand enough to know you aren’t willing to acknowledge me, aren’t willing to fight for what makes your son happy. What makes him complete.”
Silence fell at her bold riposte. Mal’s eyes went wide, and Edem knew his were equally open with surprise. His adoration of her grew even more. She was brave and willing to defend her men against the ruler of a planet. Truly a mate worthy to bear royal sons and daughters.
“Being of the blood means personal inclinations and impulses are cast aside for the good of our people. That is the first lesson to learn in our house, not that you will be part of it.” His father glared at her, but she refused to be cowed.
“What do you mean?” Edem had to ask, although the sinking feeling in his gut was a good indicator of what was coming.
“What I mean, Edem, is that you are to be exiled. There is no support among my council for this new mate of yours or any progeny you might get upon her. The dukes have voted. I have no choice in the matter. They would tear apart the monarchy if I force the issue. You are well aware there are many factions seeking power, searching for weakness within our house. If they decided to band together in protest of this union, I could be deposed in favor of a different, more malleable line of the family. I cannot risk this, so therefore must remove the issue of discontent.”
Edem’s throat tightened, and his stomach clenched when he realized he and his mates were mere issues of discontent.
“What about the generals’ parliament?” Mal’s quick question caught the king off guard, and he blinked again.
“Split in the vote, so at this point, I have to consider them neutral.” His father drew in a breath, clearly uncomfortable with having to explain his reasoning. “At least I don’t have to anticipate a military coup at this point.”