Love in Troubled Times

by Gayle Riley

  “God,” he panted. “If only I could have had that first.”

  Linnea had a feeling that it would have hurt but the thought of being with Carter in such a lustful way more than once made her want to recover so they could do it again. She couldn’t think of what to say so she just continued to kiss his lips, cheeks, and neck.

  “Why does fate have to be cruel,” he lamented in between kisses. “If only I were an only child so that I could have you to myself.”

  Linnea leaned back so she could look into his dark eyes. He couldn’t be serious, could he? “I think you would tire out if you could have me all to yourself.”

  Carter helped her undress the rest of the way before he pulled off his own clothes and joined her on the bed. “Do you want to make a bet?” he challenged. Then he proceeded to take her two more times before they passed out from exhaustion.

  Chapter 4

  It took a whole week for them to return to Hawke’s Nest. Linnea was ready to be out of the cold and off a horse’s back for a while. The kingdom of the Family Hawke was very different than Laurelasa. It was beautiful and extravagant as it was covered in ivy leaves and had a beautiful view of the valley below its mountain but the inner walls were dark even during the day and she had to wear furs over the shoulders of her thick dresses. The first few days after they arrived at the castle, they had her under blankets as well. Many of the native people told her that her southern blood couldn’t handle the cold, and maybe they were right. She just hoped that she would be able to eventually adapt.

  She met her motherin-law, a woman with dark black hair like Carter’s. She was very kind and Linnea had to believe it was because she had been in the same position years ago. She was a princess from a faraway province. So far away in fact that she had to travel by boat to get to the strange castle on a mountain top. She was also shared by two brothers. In the beginning, it started out that she made love with each of them on their own, and then one fateful night, they both took her at the same time. It was a night she told Linnea that she would never forget, and after that, she stayed with only the crown prince who eventually became king, Richard Hawke. She was pregnant and it all went on from there.

  As Linnea made her way around the castle, she found many thing about the queen’s story strange. Mostly, what had caused the brothers to want to use her together? Was it another one of those strange divine things that they thought God was telling them to do? Did the younger brother know it was time to bow out and wanted one last hurrah? Linnea thought about her own situation and wasn’t sure if it would be that easy to only pick one of them for the rest of her life.

  The week traveling to her new home had been new and exploratory in many ways. Not only did she learn about Hawke family customs and culture, but she spent each night with a different brother. Sex with Brendan was intimate. She felt that she could look into his eyes and see his soul as he worshipped her body. He was tender and it was obvious that he cared about her, but Carter made her feel exhilarated and insane as he kissed, licked, and even bit her all over. He did things to her that she knew that his older brother would never even ask. Instead of being offended it caused her climax again and again.

  As she got to her new home, she couldn’t imagine giving one of them up. It would obviously be Carter since he was not the crown prince but she didn’t know if she could give up that feeling of utter ecstasy when Carter had his way with her.

  The thought of having sex with both of them at same time didn’t scare her as much as it did that first day she learned of her fate. Since being with each individually was amazing, she figured being with both would be so delectable she might die.

  “Is that normal?” Penina asked her on a day that they were both bundled up in her quarters. Linnea felt bad for the other girls who would eventually be joining them and who were all used to the warmer weather.

  “I don’t know,” Linnea admitted. “I figured sex was only pleasurable for men, but it’s actually really great.”

  “A raven came from Laurelasa.” The handmaiden changed the subject, handing the scroll to her princess. “It’s from Cavan.”

  Linnea shook with excitement as she tore it open and recognized her brother’s messy handwriting. She couldn’t help but smile as she read.

  Dear Linnea,

  I hope that you are well and are being treated as good as the Hawke king said you would be. We all miss you terribly, especially Lyra who wants nothing to do with me. Father has told the people of what is to happen to us and how you helped save us from war. You are practically a hero. Your handmaidens and belongings will be heading to your shortly. I plan to accompany them so that I can see you are being taken care of.

  Lovingly,

  Cavan

  “Well?” Penina asked.

  “Cavan is coming with the rest of the handmaidens,” Linnea explained excitedly. “More body heat in this chamber,” she added with a laugh.

  Linnea decided she should probably let the Hawke family know people from Laurelasa were coming. She wandered the palace halls until she found Brenden and Carter sparing in one of the training rooms. For several moments, she watched the brothers cross swords with each another and once again she found their differences astounding. Brendan was agile and could parry blows in various angles in the time it would take Carter to match his blade one time. But where Brendan was fast, Carter was powerful. If he faced an untrained warrior, he would cut them down easily. As it was Brendan who would get pushed back when steel hit steel but he got get the higher ground in between chops. Linnea found herself transfixed.

  Brendan eventually saw her watching them and the pair stopped their exercise. Both princes made their way over and she shared what she was excited about. The rest of her ladies-in-waiting would be arriving shortly along with her brother. Linnea didn’t tell them that he was accompanying them to make sure that she was not battered and malnourished. Instead she told them that her brother wanted to see Hawkes’ Nest with his own eyes. They said they would let their father know to expect guests in several days and began to put their weapons away. Linnea found herself thinking about what their mother had told her. Even though her motherin-law was supposed to be shared, she ended up only being with King Richard.

  “Can I talk to you guys about something?” Linnea asked. When both men said the she had their attention she willed herself to have courage. “How do you feel about sharing me?”

  Chapter 5

  “What are you talking about Linnea?” Brendan asked. “Isn’t that what we’re already doing?”

  “Well, yes,” she admitted. “But I mean for the long term. Your mother told me that eventually she just stayed with your father. It’s nothing against you Brendan, you are wonderful.” She turned to meet Carter’s dark brooding eyes to emphasize what she was going to say next. “It’s just that I really like you both and I hope to someday love both of you. And to eventually stop being with both of you seems like it would be both troublesome and sad.”

  Brendan laughed at her. “It does usually seem like the queen ends up spending all her time with the king, but if that is what you desire, then we will make it work and if you change your mind we figure that out too. Your happiness is just as important as ours.”

  Linnea felt relieved to hear that. But she still had one more question that was burning her up inside. “Your mother said there was time that your father and uncle had her at the same time. Is that a custom or something?”

  It was Carter that answered this time. “The ancient texts say that a princess or queen is more likely to produce an heir if there are more Hawkes attempting to impregnate her. While this can be done by just being with more than one lover, some think having sex at the same time brings good luck.”

  Linnea’s eyes darted to the floor. Was it wrong that she was not interested in the ritual to become a mother, but more so because she wanted to feel euphoric in ways that made her feel dirty and whore like. Was there something wrong with her? How could she possibly want that? “Oh,” was
all she was able to stammer.

  “Is there a reason why you ask?” Brendan asked.

  Linnea tried to lie, to tell them she was trying to learn about all the strange and different customs but she couldn’t do it. “I hope this doesn’t make you feel weird about me, but I’m interested in all of us being together. I mean not to have a child or anything. Not yet, I mean if it happened great but…” Linnea heard herself rambling and tried to calm herself. “What I trying to say is that I want to be with both of you at the same time, but just for the sheer fun of it and nothing more.”

  The two brothers stared at each with surprise, disbelief and excitement. What woman of sound mind would be willing do this and not because they wanted to have a baby?

  “Whenever you want, we’ll be there,” Carter replied.

  Linnea thought for a minute before she answered, “I’d like to try this before my brother comes to visit. We don’t need him walking in on anything that I’d have to explain.” She smiled at both princes. “How about tonight?”

  ***

  When Penina asked where Linnea was going to be spending the evening, Linnea thought about lying to her. Instead, she thought it was best for her handmaiden to know exactly what was going on because she knew when the other girls arrived that they would also have questions.

  “Both of them, at the same time?” she sputtered out as she helped Linnea into a fur robe and nothing else. “Won’t that be… painful?”

  Linnea shrugged. “Won’t know until I find out, now will I?” She took her lady-in-waiting’s hand and smiled at her. “Don’t worry. I want to do this.” She squeezed her hands tightly before she left the room and headed toward where the princes had their quarters. She was just about to head down the wing when Carter pulled her down an abandoned corridor so that they wouldn’t be overheard.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded and Leanna was shocked by his tone. “Are you naked under that?”

  She nodded at him with a furrowed brow. “I’m heading to where you will both have me? I thought that was our plan?”

  Carter looked conflicted before he hissed, “You don’t have to do this. I’m happy just getting you once in a while until he becomes crowned king.”

  “I want to. I haven’t known you very long, but there is no way that I am going to give up what is between us.”

  Carter kissed her. Even in the tender moment, he still smashed his lips to hers fervently. When they broke apart, he gave her the smallest of smiles before they decided to find Brendan and figure out where this ritual would take place

  It wasn’t long before all three were standing in a chamber down an abandoned hallway. There was a huge bed that could have easily fit three people, as well as candles lit in the corners and on window ledges. It gave the room a calming ambiance. It made her feel comfortable, as though no one would discover what they were about to do. It was a secret only for the three of them.

  “This room hasn’t been used in a long time,” Brendan explained as the three took it in.

  “Let’s put it to good use,” Linnea answered. She then let her fur robe fall to the floor.

  Surprised at her boldness, the princes quickly removed their clothing and joined her at the foot of the bed, taking turns kissing her with an open mouth while the other ran their hands over her soft bare skin. Linnea returned the gesture, tracing designs on their chest, stomachs and back until her hands ventured lower. Stiff erections were waiting for her and she clasped her hands around each prince and began to pump and twist in tandem. Soon the players of this strange game were in a trance. They moved without speaking but they were all in sync with the only noises being those of pleasure.

  Eventually Linnea backed up to the headboard and beckoned them to join her. Linnea did not know where this confidence was coming from, but she decided to throw caution to the wind and just enjoyed herself. She made the brothers both lie on their backs as she gave each special attention with her mouth. This was something that she did often with Carter but it was new territory for Brendan. She had to stop and smile up at him when he said a few choice words that were out of character for him and it was him, not his more passionate brother who sat up and begged for them to proceed. This was the part that Linnea was nervous about.

  “How are we doing this?” Carter asked.

  “I’d like to ease myself in,” Linnea answered.

  She took a deep breath before she had Brendan lie on the bed. Then she had Carter kneel beside her. She kissed both princes before she slid down Brendan’s length and filled herself to the hilt. She kissed the crown prince before she turned her attention to his younger brother, taking him into her mouth, ready to be with both of them at the same time. Then she went back to losing herself in the moment while riding Brendan’s cock as she went down on Carter. The moment was utterly surreal.

  As they performed this ritual, Linnea found herself trying to make them climax. This was not because she wanted the act of the threesome to be over, but because she wanted to show them that she was the one who was in charge. That if it weren’t for her, the Family Hawke would cease to exist. She twirled her hips while she made love to Brendan and she’d tried to use her mouth and hands together on Carter. She wondered how many times she could get them to tip over the edge, but before she could accomplish her goal, she could feel her own muscles tensing and she had to take Carter’s member from her mouth so she could tip her head back and cry out in ecstasy.

  Somehow in the midst of kissing their bodies all over and trying to have power over them, she was moved into a new position. Carter was kneeling over her, her back on the bed. While she stared at the ceiling, Brendan brought his cock over to her mouth. Now that he had a taste of what her pleasuring him with his mouth, he wanted more. They began their back and forth all over again except this time the princes were the ones who were showing their power and Linnea just lay there and let them pleasure her, her throat scratched from screaming her approval.

  Time felt like it was suspended. They changed positions, they thrusted, and licked, and touched and Linnea was a quivering sweat covered mess before the brothers told her that they could no longer curb the orgasms that they were trying to hold back. Linnea returned to the foot of the bed and sat there as the princes pumped their cocks over her and trails of their seed shot onto her face and hair. Linnea couldn’t help but feel proud that she had made them do that. She almost giggled as she thought about how she had been afraid of being with them both at the same time. It had been exhilarating. She wiped it away before she kissed each one in turn, then she lay back down on the large bed, exhaustion finally setting in.

  “Should we have Penina make you a bath?” Brendan asked.

  Linnea shook her head, her eyes heavy and she snuggled into the bed. “I don’t think I could walk all the way back. My legs feel like mush.”

  She heard Brendan chuckle through her shut yes. “Then you rest. You can go back when you are ready.”

  Linnea nodded and just like that, she dove into slumber.

  ***

  When she woke up the following morning, she was in her own chamber. Linnea sat up with a start, wrapped in the fur robe that she had worn before she had participated in the most erotic thing in her life. How had she ended up here? Her last memory was of feeling utterly spent while the crown prince told her to rest.

  Penina burst into the room and Linnea suddenly felt self-conscious. Did she smell? Was she still covered in body fluids? She pulled the covers a bit higher just in case.

  “My lady, you’re finally awake. It’s nearly midday.”

  Once more visions of the previous night’s ritual played through her mind. She was not surprised one bit that she’d slept so long. “How did I get here?”

  Penina sat on the edge of the bed. “Prince Carter carried you in here late last night.”

  Linnea found herself smiling. Of course he had. She had a sneaking suspicion that she would be falling in love with him first.

  “I’ve made you a bath. I was go
ing to wake you if you weren’t already stirring,” Penina admitted. “I’m sure you could use one.”

  Linnea nodded vigorously as she unfurled the covers and attempted to stand. Every bit of her body protested, every part of her trying to recover from the night she had. She bit her lip as she tried again cautiously. Then she limped behind her handmaiden, hoping the water would do more than just clean her.

  Chapter 6

  Several days later, Cavan and the others from Laurelasa arrived. Linnea should have held herself like the dignified queen that she would someday be, but could not hold back when she saw her brother’s familiar form. She ran down the Hawkes’ Nest stairs and threw her arms around his neck, screeching when he swung her around excitedly. The handmaidens were not as pleased to see their charge. Most had loved the milder climate of Laurelasa and Linnea could see them shiver through their thin dresses. Truth be told, Cavan looked cold too so she made sure they all had roaring fires in their chambers.

  Playing along with the idea that Cavan had come along on the journey to Hawkes’ Nest to see the splendor of the palace, the princes showed their brother-in-law every last inch of Hawke’s Nest. He was the guest of honor at a feast, and he even got to watch many of the warriors partake in a skills tournament where he sat in the stands covered in layers of furs. Linnea found herself already adapting. She already wore less layers than her brother and all her ladies-in-waiting wore. She wondered if one day she wouldn’t notice the climate at all.

  “Okay,” Cavan said one afternoon when the Family Hawke had thoroughly showed him everything and had gone back to living their lives. “Now that we don’t have our hosts breathing down our necks, how are you really doing?”