Royally Yours

by Amy Brent

  I showered once we were done in the gym, choosing to visit Dad for a while. Braden was taking Mom into town for a meeting with her attorney about the estate. I looked at my weak father and pushed the thought away. He wasn’t the strong man that he used to be. He was more than likely dying, changing the order of things drastically. I leaned forward and covered his hand with mine, wishing so much that we were a different family. I’d dreamed of living in a simple flat somewhere in town and growing up in an unnoticeable life. I longed for trips to the beach with just my parents and not security tagging along. I wanted Christmases with relatives gathered together in a house full of love and laughter.

  Instead, we were royalty. We lived in a fishbowl for people to speculate about. We didn’t have a father that was devoted to us because he was the fucking king. Mom was the perfect wife and handled social gatherings and charities without missing a beat. I was closer to my nanny growing up.

  I didn’t want to marry a princess much less a socialite. When I had a family, I wanted nights in the living room together and trips to the mountains and the beach. I didn’t want to focus on anything else and the idea of two vague kids with red hair running around played through my mind.

  I blinked and looked at him again.

  “I’m not ready for you to go yet, Dad. Braden isn’t ready for it, either. You’re too damn young and have so much more living to do.” I squeezed his clammy hand and sucked in a breath. “I’m going to do it differently. I’m not you. I don’t want the throne, but I do want to be happy. I want the real deal, Dad.” I felt a twinge of guilt saying this, but it was no secret that my parents had an arranged marriage.

  I talked softly to him more the way I wished I would have growing up. When I looked at the clock and realized what time it was, I stood and made my way outside through a side door. I walked through the generous yard to a spot in the trees that offered some privacy. I’d seen Freya go here the first day and took the chance that she’d be there again. After being cooped up in that room for so long, it must be nice to get some fresh air and sun. I sat down against one of the large oak trees, dropping my head back.

  Within a few moments, I heard footsteps in the grass and gazed forward as Freya walked into the clearing. Her face fell when she saw me, but she didn’t run away as I expected her to. She clutched her sandwich in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. Freya sat down a small distance away from me and asked me what I was doing here. She sipped her water as she waited for the answer, and I took in her beautiful, pale skin.

  “I just wanted to talk to you.” I kept my voice low, and she stared at me for a moment. I pulled my legs to my chest as the sun hit my bare leg. Freya watched for a moment before looking down at the grass. “Did my brother scare you last night?”

  Freya opened her mouth to speak before blushing. She closed her eyes and breathed in slowly before she gazed at me.

  “Not in the sense of harming me. I was just taken off guard and I suspect that Braden was as well. I am sure that you boys have lots of tricks up your sleeve to seduce women. I just don’t think that neither of us expected the way that it felt.” Her eyes bore into mine and I shifted as my cock hardened.

  “How did it feel?” I asked, leaning closer as she tilted her head to the right.

  “I am not experienced like most people, but it was… like a spark. I think I can guess that it isn’t always like that.” Freya shrugged and picked up her sandwich to take a bite. She chewed thoughtfully before swallowing it down. “Are you here to plead your case? Do you want to convince me that you’re the better choice, Callin?”

  “Not better. I prefer different,” I assured her as Freya raised one red brow at me.

  “I don’t think I follow.” Freya sipped her water again, letting the liquid slide down her throat as she leaned her head back.

  “Give me a chance, Freya. See if he is the man for you or if it’s me.” She narrowed her eyes, and I gave her the smile that made women rip their clothes off.

  “Your mom isn’t into that idea. The queen made it quite clear that I wasn’t to even speak to you.” She took a slow look around and I chuckled.

  “They’re gone.” She looked at me as I nodded. “Braden took her into town. It’s her day to play the loving mother and take him to lunch.

  I snorted. “In actuality, they’ll be plagued with questions about my father and have no peace. Braden will come home grumpy. They’ll do it again in a few weeks just like she tries to do with me.”

  “He’s not doing well, is he?” Freya asked as I stared painfully at the grass. I shook my head. “Are you close? It’s only my mother and I now. We’re very close.” Pain flashed through her eyes and she shook her head.

  “Not like I’d like to be. Being the royal family has its drawbacks,” I told her sarcastically as she bristled.

  “I suppose that all families have their issues.” I asked what hers were and Freya licked her full lip. “It’s just Mom and me. Dad died, and we lost everything within the span of a few months. Mama was having trouble running our shop, and I was trying to finish school. I couldn’t help her like she needed, and it closed. After that, we eventually lost our cottage. She’s staying with a friend now. I’m working to send her money to get back on her feet.”

  “The fuck?” I asked as she nodded. “That’s so selfless.”

  “She’s mama. She’s all I really have.”

  “Where is she?” I pressed, realizing that I knew little about her.

  “Paris. We moved there from Sweden when I was just a toddler. Dad worked at a graphic design company and they transferred him. I opened a boutique with Mom and we made the clothes as well as purchasing them to sell. We loved it. It did well until life got to be too much.” She frowned, and I raised a brow at her.

  “What is it?” I asked as she nibbled on her lip.

  “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this.” We talked for a bit longer and the attraction that Freya felt towards me was thick in the air. When she moved to go back to work, I joined her and reached out to cup her cheek.

  “I want to ask you if you want me.” I stared into her eyes and a pink flush washed over her cheeks. “Can I kiss you?”

  Freya paused before nodding and I leaned in to brush my lips against her mouth. Jolts flew between us and she moaned against me as I tugged her closer. The kiss deepened, and I tasted her innocence in the way that her tongue slipped shyly against mine.

  “I have to get to work,” Freya insisted, pulling back breathlessly.

  “Meet me in the room that you were in last night. Eight o'clock.” I told her as she rubbed her fingers over her mouth.

  “I’ll try.” I could see in her eyes that she’d be there as she backed away, running back into the castle. I knew that I’d planted a seed and looked up into the blue sky with a pleased grin on my face. I walked around the building and entered through the back door, disappearing quietly into our office to use the laptop for a bit.

  I joined my small family for dinner, eating all the food since I’d skipped lunch. Braden watched me with a curious look on his face, but I made small talk with the both of them. Mom excused herself to see Dad, and I looked at Braden.

  “How did it go?” I asked as Braden sighed.

  “I’m it when he goes. The accounts are handled, and it will be business as usual. I could tell that Mom was struggling through the entire meeting, but she held it together. I took her to that little bistro and got us a table in the back. We were hounded walking in despite that. They just want to know if he’s alive or dead.”

  “I don’t want to go out until they stop. I can’t talk about it.” He nodded and sipped his tea.

  “I need a fucking beer. Want to watch the game upstairs?” Braden asked, and I nodded. I followed him and we each grabbed a bottle before settling on the couch. He found a hockey game, and I tried to focus on the two-goal lead but found myself looking at my clock instead. If all went well, Freya would be here soon. Mom always went to bed after visiting
Dad and I suspected that was when she fell apart. Despite being arranged and the thought that they might have been unfaithful, Mom and Dad did care for each other. She might even love him and regret his death. Who was I to say?

  The door opened when expected and Braden looked over with a curious gaze. Freya walked inside dressed in a soft pink cotton dress and bare feet, her hair falling over her shoulders.

  “What are you doing back here?” Braden asked as she widened her eyes at him. Freya looked at me and I smiled at her, reassuring her that everything was okay.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Freya

  I saw both brothers sitting on the couch and glared at Callin, wondering if he set it up this way. He smiled, and I heard Braden’s words before moving forward. I’d taken time for this, showering once I was back in my room and slipping into one of my best dresses. I left my feet bare and allowed my hair to dry in curls around my shoulders.

  “I invited her.” Callin replied, and I watched as Braden shot him a quick look. “Sit down, Freya.”

  I walked in and noted that there was some space between them. Was I brave enough to sit there? Something hummed in the room as I dropped into the soft sofa between the brothers, pressing my skirt over my legs. I remembered the surprising kiss with Braden but also the slow passion I’d shared with Callin. They were different, and I didn’t know who I wanted.

  “Is this how we’re playing this?” Braden asked as lust washed through my veins. I would feel it without the kisses and I shivered.

  “Is it a game, Freya?” Callin asked as I breathed in slowly. “I don’t think so. We had a nice chat today, Braden. I’d like to get to know her better.”

  “This isn’t a game.” I spoke up and licked my lips. “I don’t know what I want right now but I do know that I can’t stay away.” I heard a click and watched as Callin locked the door. That gave me less of a chance of getting caught and fired.

  We talked for a while and the pressure lessened in the room. I found that I could talk to both and they could do the same with me. We were at the third period of whatever game they were watching, and I glanced at the screen. It was hockey, making me smile weakly. Dad loved hockey. I remembered nights where he’d try to explain it to me and it never clicked.

  “My dad liked hockey,” I said softly as they looked at me. Callin moved closer to me and stroked my hair as I looked down. I reached for Braden’s hand and felt their comfort in the room. “He was a good father. I tried so hard to understand this but never did.”

  “He’s gone?” Braden asked as I nodded.

  “A few years ago.” Callin moved his fingers to my neck and I let out a groan. “I’ve never spent any real time with any man. I had to help my Mama work, and I never had time. I guess I was attracted to some, but I always had something to worry about.”

  “You’re a virgin?” Braden asked as I nodded. He squeezed my hand and leaned in to kiss my cheek as I closed my eyes. I turned my head as he pulled away, pressing my lips to his. Braden moaned and reached around to cup my cheek as Callin’s fingers tightened in my hair. The feel of Braden’s mouth and tongue on me soothed me as the slight pain of my hair being pulled made me aroused. I felt Braden tilt his head and deepen the kiss as my mouth followed his every movement.

  I felt a hand slip around my waist and a warm body behind me. A hand slipped down between my legs and I groaned as he squeezed, and Braden nibbled on my lip. I was so turned on and I spread my legs as Braden kissed down my neck.

  “Oh, god.” I whimpered as lips and teeth teased my sensitive skin and fingers traced the edge of my lace underwear. It was moving fast, but I wanted more. I dropped my head back and spread my legs as two hands stroked my soft thighs and wet pussy. One man was kissing my neck and the other my lips as I felt a hand sliding up my dress, cupping my breast. I’d been nervous about sleeping with one man but here I was letting two touch me.

  What was I doing?

  The air was thick with the scent of desire as hands stroked my bare skin. My nipples were hard, and I jerked as they were pinched and pulled. My underwear was off, and hands were stroking me as I rocked my hips up.

  My job. My job. My job. I needed to think about that and not this lust taking me over. I cried out as a finger slid inside of me and closed my eyes as it pressed into my tight walls. It hurt, but I needed this and I felt it move deeper.

  “Are you okay?” A voice asked me, and I opened my eyes to see Braden staring at me. I looked down my body to see his hand on my stomach as Callin thrust his finger inside of me.

  “Yes.” I replied, watching as he kissed me. His lips were soft as he moved his hand down to stoke my clit, making the pressure inside of me threaten to burst. I moaned as he circled it, stroking the moisture around as Callin continued to fuck me with his long, thick finger. I cried out as I came, the sensation taking me over as I rocked into their hands. I dropped back, breathing heavily as I closed my eyes and relaxed. I didn’t have any intention of taking this further with them. I needed to process what was happening as it was.

  “I’m so tired,” I murmured as I curled up into a ball.

  “I hope so.” Callin said as I smiled. “You’re gorgeous when you come.”

  I managed to make my way up to my room later after telling the guys good night. It was later than I would normally prefer to go to bed but I was feeling the adrenaline rushing through my body. I knew that my sleep would be restless thinking about it all. I didn’t want it to ruin my job, but I wanted my guys in my life as well. I wanted the best of both worlds and I needed to accept things if they ended. I couldn’t let that change things.

  I woke up to my alarm and blinked in the dark. I shut it off, rolling to my side and sighing. I was still tired, but I also felt like I could make it through the day. I rose and rinsed the men off me, dressing in a clean uniform and braiding my hair. I added some gloss to my lips and hurried downstairs to pour a bigger cup of coffee. Helen smiled as I walked out and hurried up to the sewing room, glancing towards the bedrooms of Braden and Callin as I hit the second floor. It was quiet, and I knew that they were probably sleeping. We’d stayed up late last night.

  I pushed my way into the room and set my coffee and phone down before looking around. I always had a plan in the morning. It helped me to stick to a schedule and not fall behind and always had. I knew that the garden party was in a couple of weeks and worked on the bodice of that dress for a while, using a solid purple. Quest Katherine was slim, and I made it to fit her tight around her chest with a bow that tied around her neck. The skirt would be done in a floral pattern that would swirl around her legs. I worked on stitching some pants that got torn in a fall in town, one in which everyone rushed to her side and took pictures. She had her security with her and they helped her, but Braden said it was a mess.

  I still spent time with them. We worked around the queen’s schedule and usually did it at night. When I was finished working for the day, she left me alone. I was a very attentive employee and kept her trusting me. I did everything I could to please her and even worked a little harder on getting to know the staff. Some of them were very kind and welcomed me. I knew there were others that were certain that I was sleeping with the brothers as women had in the last. That was their thing.

  I wasn’t sleeping with them yet. We spent time together touching and pushing the boundaries. I learned that I could come just from my nipples being played with. I knew that I was more likely to do so with my clit being touched. The guys learned my every need.

  Braden was in my room one night as I hung my uniforms to dry over the shower. He came up here a lot to let me get ready for the night. We all worried about me screwing up on the job. I was sending Mama money as I could while still getting the things I needed. I went shopping in town with one of the girls in the kitchen one Sunday when I was caught up on work.

  Violet drove me in her small car and we chatted on the way. She was a reserved brunette that was sweet once you got to know her. She opened up more as time went on. Sh
e was making me laugh as she told me how she messed up a cake one afternoon, leaving Helen to clean up. Helen was like a mom to everyone from what I was told. She was firm but caring and made everyone feel special unless she didn’t like your work ethic. In that case, she was as eager to find better help as the queen was. Helen had been with the family a long time.

  We parked and walked down the streets, peeking into windows, and walking through a few shops. I had a good amount of money to spend on some new things. I was just raised to find a deal or a way to make something expensive on my own. I had picked out a new dress and some skirts in one cute shop that reminded me of my store with Mama. I was leading the way out when I noticed Callin and Braden standing at the door of a pub with a few girls. I paused and remembered Violet behind me. I moved down the sidewalk, looking at the bar without moving my head too much. One of the girls was leaning on Braden, slipping her arm through his as she said something close to his ear. The girl was a pretty blonde, and I felt jealousy prickling over my skin.

  Callin was talking to the brunette by his side but not touching her. Neither of them noticed me and pain sliced through me. When it was just us, there was so much heat and connection between us that you could touch it. I was closer to giving myself to them each and every time we were together. Tonight, they didn’t even seem to notice I was across the street. I walked slowly, allowing Violet to join me as I tried fiercely to focus on the shop ahead of us.

  We never discussed what we were. It had only been about a month of sneaking around the house. There was no going out or even being seen together in the house. How could I ask them not to see anyone else outside?

  We got home after grabbing some dinner at a cute Italian place and I carried my bags upstairs. I had a small closet set up in the corner of the room and I hung everything up carefully. I couldn’t get the image of the woman hanging on Braden out of my mind and I jumped when I came out of my bathroom. Callin was sitting on my bed and I blinked.