by Amy Sumida
“Fantasize about sex?” I asked in surprise. “Never; we take each other when we wish to. If something excites us, we explore it immediately. We've never denied each other.”
“Exactly,” Darc growled as he grabbed my legs and spread them wider. “I have been denied by Elaria, and it made me fantasize; daydream about her for hours. What's so very wondrous is that it drove my desire to new heights. I desired her more, and that desire has only grown. I want to explore every inch of this body with mine, and I think I may even enjoy watching other men explore it too.”
Excitement curled inside me and then sprung outward; making me cry out and shiver.
“Do you like the sound of that?” Darc asked. “Would you perform for me, my love? Will you lay down beneath them and let them fill your sex and your mouth and your hands? Will you writhe beneath them and above them? Will you cry out in pleasure and then send them away like servants so that your true lover can take you even further?”
“Darc, I don't know if I want that,” I whispered.
“I told you not to lie to me, Faene.” He bit my ear gently. “I will punish you for that.”
Darc jerked me over, onto my hands and knees, and shoved into me from behind. He pushed my head down and slapped my ass hard as he wildly thrust into me. I screamed with satisfaction, and he slapped me again. The sting carried my pleasure even further, and I shook beneath him. Then I looked back at him over my shoulder and sighed. Darcraxis looked proud, powerful, and potent. His muscles bulged as he gripped my hips tightly, and his eyes glowed with magic. His dark hair hung wild about him and a savage smile stretched his lips. He had never looked sexier.
“We will call your consorts back to us, and they will pleasure you,” Darc declared. “They will see to the needs of their goddess. They will love you and worship you, but you will reserve your greatest love for me, Faenestra. Is that understood?”
“Yes!” I screamed as rapture took me.
Darc shouted as he joined me, and we trembled through our climax together. I was still shivering with aftershocks when he laid down beside me and tucked me in against his chest. I rubbed my palm over his hot, sweaty chest. Had he ever warmed up like this during sex before? No; not my cool husband.
“Tomorrow,” Darc whispered. “I shall command them to return, and then we shall see how much delight the flesh can truly bring.”
I shivered and nestled closer; my body craving what Darc offered, but my heart sending a warning through my soul. I had a feeling that despite how much I desired this, no good would come of it.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“I accept!” Gage said immediately.
“Now, hold on,” Torin growled. “I need more information.”
“I don't care,” Gage said as he crossed his arms. “If I get Elaria back, nothing else matters.”
“You'll have me; Faenestra,” I said. “Will that be enough for you, Gage?”
“She's in there,” Gage said confidently. “I'll have my mate and that's more than enough.”
“You have questions, King Torin?” Darc asked.
“Yes; I do.” Torin grabbed Gage's arm when he tried to step forward.
“Let go of me, Torin,” Gage growled.
“You don't even want to know what will be expected of you?” Torin asked.
“No.” Gage jerked his bicep out of Torin's grasp and strode up the steps to stand before me. “Just tell me what I have to do.”
“You may stand behind my throne for now,” I said softly.
He started to move, but I grabbed his hand.
“Gage?”
“Ellie?”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Gage grinned broadly and bent to kiss my cheek. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
“Ask your questions, King Torin,” Darc said after casting a concerned look at Gage.
“What will this be exactly?” Torin asked. “Am I expected to be here at her beck and call constantly?”
“We're not trying to embarrass or demean you,” Darc said. “You have been chosen to be the consort of the Goddess of Light; it's an honor.”
“Sure; I'm honored,” Torin rumbled. “But you haven't answered my question.”
“I accept,” Declan interrupted, and Torin looked over at him in surprise. “I must see to my kingdom so I cannot be here constantly, but I will do my best to attend our goddess.”
Declan gave Torin a meaningful look.
“That's all I can ask for,” I said gently. “Thank you, King Declan. If you're available to spend some time with me now, please join Gage.”
Declan bowed to Darc and then took his place beside Gage.
“I also have responsibilities,” Banning said. “But I can be absent from them longer than the kings. I accept your proposal.”
I waved my hand toward my other consorts, and Banning joined them.
“Thank you, Banning,” I said as he passed me.
“I accept with the right to change my mind at any time,” Torin said.
I burst out laughing and then covered my mouth with my hand in shock.
Darc lifted a brow at me.
“I'm sorry,” I said to my husband. “It's just such a Torin thing to say.”
Torin's face went slack, and then he smiled softly and rushed up the steps to me. He took my hand and bowed over it as he kissed it.
“I love you forever, little bird,” he whispered. “If this is what you need, so be it.”
“Thank you, Torin,” I whispered back.
“As you have reserved the right to change your mind, so shall I,” Darc declared with a narrowed look.
My consorts glanced at each other uneasily, but then Gage caught my eye and winked. Something inside me melted in relief.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
My consorts were each provided with a bedroom suite and servants to see to their needs. Darc and I bid them goodnight and retired to our own rooms. After we had bathed and been massaged—as was our nightly routine—Sara dressed me in a gossamer gown of layered silk and then curled my hair so that it frothed around my face like a turbulent sea. Darc led me to our enormous, round bed—a duplicate of the one on Ildathach—and helped me onto the mattress.
“I think we'll start with Torin,” Darc said. “He'll be the most difficult, and with our similar looks it will be a little like watching myself with you.”
“Okay,” I said breathlessly.
As Sara went to fetch Torin, I laid back on the mound of pillows and tried to relax. This would be the first time I made love to a man other than Darc since I'd fully become myself. Part of me felt like it was a betrayal, but a larger part of me was excited. Elaria's memories of their time together were enticing; she thought of him as a powerful and erotic lover.
“You look beautiful,” Darcraxis said as he spread my hair around me and fluffed out my dress.
“Are you primping me to have sex with another man, Darc?” I asked in an amused tone.
“I suppose I am.” He chuckled. “I'm nervous and a breath away from calling this off.”
“Come here.” I pulled him onto the bed with me. “If you don't want to do this, we won't. But if you do”—I slid my hand down his pants and started to rub him—“I think we could both find satisfaction in it.”
Darcraxis growled and kissed me; his hands kneading me through my silk nightdress. I pushed him away, and he looked down at me in surprise.
“You'll mess up all your handiwork,” I chided him. “Now, go and sit in your chair.”
Darcraxis inhaled deeply as he adjusted himself, and then he kissed me gently on the cheek before he went to sit in a chair beside the bed. He was close—within touching distance—which is how he wanted it. I wasn't sure how Torin would react to that, but if he wanted me badly enough, he would deal with it.
Then Torin walked into the room. He took one look at me—laid out across the white silk—and his eyes flashed bright blue. He didn't show any other arousal; just shut the door behind him and locked i
t. Then he stalked over to the bed with a soft smiling hovering around his lips. Halfway to me, he noticed Darc and stopped walking.
“Oh, I thought you wanted...” Torin trailed off as he looked from Darc to me. “Wait; you're going to watch?”
“And possibly join you,” Darc said gleefully. “Will that be a problem?”
Torin's jaw clenched, but then he relaxed his shoulders and shook his head. “Not at all.”
Torin started forward again; removing his clothing as he came. I glanced at Darc, and he gave me a secret smirk. He obviously thought it was a front and expected Torin to crack under pressure. But Elaria knew Torin better, and she didn't think he would. Torin had been sharing her with other men for awhile now—sometimes sharing simultaneously—how much different could it be?
As Torin disrobed, I admired his body. He was large and muscular thanks to his witch blood, but he was still a little smaller than Darc. Gage was larger than both of them—as far as muscles went—but Darc was the tallest of the three. Darc's presence seemed bigger too, which made him appear even larger. But I was focusing on Torin, and Torin had a beautiful body; regardless of its size. I was fascinated by the way the muscles in his arms stretched as he pushed his pants down. He stepped free of the trousers in a smooth movement, and his manhood sprang free. Torin was hard and eager, despite Darc's presence, and he kept his eyes on me as he crawled onto the mattress. His shoulders tensed and rolled like a predator cat.
“Is this display for my benefit?” Torin asked as he flicked the hem of my dress up.
“For our first time together,” I said.
“This isn't our first time,” Torin growled as he grabbed my ankles and pulled me down the bed so that my skirts bunched around my hips and I was laid flat on the mattress. “I know every inch of your body.”
Darc exhaled roughly as he leaned forward in his seat, but I couldn't tear my gaze away from Torin. He ripped open the gown and bared my body within seconds. Not even sparing a moment to admire me, he dropped his head to my chest and sucked a nipple into his mouth. I groaned and held his head to me as he shoved my thighs apart roughly and settled himself between them.
“I'm not here to worship you, Faenestra,” Torin growled against my skin. “I'm here to take my lover back.”
Torin shoved himself inside me, and I cried out in pleasure. But he wasn't satisfied with that position. Torin grabbed me beneath my thighs and lifted me until my knees were beside my breasts; the torn silk of my gown fluttering around me. He held me down in this way while he slammed into me; pushing me even further open. Even at his most aggressive, Darc had never been like this. He had always treated me like the goddess I am. But not Torin. The Onyx King took as much as he gave, and it made the Fire inside me rise up in delight.
My arms were out to the sides but I slid one down to grab Torin's ass and urge him deeper. My free hand was suddenly claimed by Darcraxis, and I looked over to see him kneeling beside the bed; staring down the line of my body from behind me. Darc's gaze was fastened on my sex and the vicious slide of Torin's shaft into it. Darc groaned and slid his fingers through my hair; trailing them down to my breast. He began to massage me as Torin increased his pace.
I saw Torin's gaze flicker to Darc a couple of times, but for the most part, he kept his focus on me. So, I was surprised when he spoke to Darcraxis.
“Don't just paw at her,” Torin said. “Give her some real pleasure; rub her clit.”
Darc lifted a brow at Torin and then chuckled. “Very well. If you can't manage to make her come by yourself, I will help you.”
Torin shook his head but ignored the barb to shove himself even deeper. I cried out, and Torin looked up at Darc smugly. Actions spoke louder than words. Darcraxis narrowed his eyes on Torin as he slid his hand down my body, through the curls between my legs, and then began to rub a fingertip over my clit. The way Torin had me positioned; my hips were angled up with my ass in the air, and my sex was on a level with Darc's face. His arm grazed my nipple as he rubbed me insistently, and his breath tickled my ear.
I screamed as I came violently; my body feeling as if it were exploding into fiery ashes. I was trembling so bad that Torin started to shake with me, and then Darcraxis turned my face to his with his free hand and drank my screams down in his kiss. As I came back to myself, Torin pulled me away from Darcraxis and turned me over. Darcraxis was about to protest when Torin lifted me onto my hands and knees and slid into me from behind.
“Do you want to watch from back here or would you prefer her to suck your cock?” Torin asked casually.
Darc cringed at the crass language but also flushed with arousal. He looked from where Torin was thrusting down to my mouth. Then Darc smiled at me as he pulled his member forth.
“My love, I await the pleasure of your lips,” Darcraxis said as he pushed the hair away from my face.
I took Darc into my mouth and knew the supreme ecstasy of being filled by flesh from both ends. I moaned over Darc's silky-hard skin as he wove his fingers through my hair and held it back so he could watch me. It was a contradiction in sensations; with Torin taking me roughly from behind while Darc tenderly touched me in front. My head was spinning with confused desire as I steadily climbed back to the apex of my orgasm.
As Darcraxis emptied into me with a violent shout, I cried out around him, and Torin soon followed us; groaning as he bent over my back and hugged me. I licked my lips as Darc slid onto the mattress beside us, and Torin moved away.
“You did well, King Torin,” Darc said dismissively. “Goodnight.”
Torin frowned as he realized he was being dismissed, but he didn't protest. He nodded sharply, moved off the bed, gathered his clothes, and strode from the room naked. My heart hurt a little to watch him leave—especially after such a powerful session—but Darc was already moving between my thighs, and I dearly wanted my husband to be okay with this. So, I focused on Darc and made him feel as if I were perfectly fine with treating Torin like a breeding stud.
But I wasn't, and neither was Elaria. She soured my stomach with her sadness. I knew that we needed to harden our heart if we wanted this to work so I pushed her down and let my desire for my husband inflame me. Instantly, I was writhing for Darcraxis, and he was looking very pleased to have suggested our arrangement.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Have you considered what will happen to Kyanite?” Declan asked me the next morning.
I had breakfasted with my husband in our private dining room, and we were just leaving it—on our way to receive some visitors in the throne room—when Declan joined us.
“What about Kyanite?” I asked him.
“Who will rule it in your place?” He asked. “I know you have a steward, but he isn't fit to look after the kingdom indefinitely.”
“Oh.” I looked at Darc. “Perhaps we should rule from Kyanite and keep the temple for...”
“Worship?” Darcraxis asked. “As it should be. But you are more than the Queen of Kyanite now.”
“Being more does not do away with her lesser responsibilities,” Declan pointed out. “I've never heard of a monarch stepping down, but if Ela... Faenestra means to do so, then Kyanite will have to be released somehow so it can choose a new ruler.”
I'm not giving up on you that easily, Kyanite snapped in my head.
You're still with me? I asked in surprise.
I'm still with Elaria, he huffed. You; I'm not so sure about.
“Kyanite will not be released,” I said. “He wishes to stay with me.”
“He does?” Declan asked in surprise. “Then what shall you do?”
“I suppose we could move to Kyanite,” Darc said. “Our true home is on Ildathach so it hardly matters where we live here. As long as our temple remains as it is; a reminder that we are the gods here.”
“I don't think anyone will forget that,” Declan said dryly.
“We'll make the move,” Darc decided. “Is there anything else you wish to speak to us about, King Declan?”
<
br /> “How did things go last night?” Declan asked casually. “Torin mentioned that he was summoned, but he didn't elaborate.”
“Things went well,” Darc said with a smirk. “We'll let you know when we wish to receive you.”
Declan bowed and started to walk away.
“King Declan,” Darc called after him.
Declan paused and looked over his shoulder.
“Join us for lunch,” Darc said. “Ask the others to attend us as well. We might as well get used to each other's company.”
“As you say,” Declan said with a grin.
“Get used to their company?” I asked Darc as Declan left. “I thought you wanted them to be silent until summoned?”
“That seems rather harsh in light of the intimacies of last night,” Darc noted. “Some respect may be warranted.”
“I think you're right,” I said as I pushed down Elaria's eagerness. “They are men, not beasts.”
“Well, most of them are,” Darc teased. “Or have you forgotten the griffin already?”
“I haven't forgotten,” I said softly. “But he is no beast. Demanding on occasion, but not beastly.”
“Speaking of beastly,” Darc segued as we strolled down the hallway, “you seemed to enjoy Torin's behavior last night, as barbaric as it was.”
“As I recall, you did too.”
“It was... enlightening,” Darc said. “You've always tried to push me to such extremes, and after seeing your reactions to Torin, I'm beginning to wonder if I should have accommodated you.”
“Isn't that one of the reasons we're doing this?” I asked him. “To expand our understanding of sexual intercourse? In that regard; you should be delighted that our very first attempt has offered you insight.”
“I suppose I should,” he murmured. “If only I wasn't feeling inadequate by comparison.”