by Amy Brent
What a perfect life.
I walked into the work room and closed the door, feeling my spirits sink. I didn’t want to think about the brothers looking so handsome and mingling with other women all night. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust them, but I was insanely jealous at the thought. Staff didn’t do anything but work the event and I was going to avoid that. It might make me crazy.
When I went into the man cave to see them later, I was quiet. Braden pulled me against him and asked what was bothering me. I waited a beat before describing the afternoon with their mother and what she’d told me. Both rolled their eyes.
“Moms are like that, anyway. Ours has a lot more at stake and she’s been obsessing about it since we both turned twenty. Don’t worry about it, Freya. It’s just a social event.” Callin assured me as I nodded.
“I wish you could go,” Braden said as I gazed at the floor. “I’d love to see you in a sexy dress with that hair crazy around your shoulders, dancing the night away. We’d have to fight the men off.” He tried to joke with me, but I didn’t laugh. “Freya, don’t worry.”
“There will come a time when you do meet women and marry them. You’ll have families and huge lives. I’ll just be a distant memory probably living an ordinary life.” I was sad when I said it, and someone stroked my shoulder.
“I’ll never forget you, Freya. You rocked my world.” I smiled at Callin, giving him a soft kiss for his words.
“I feel the same way.” Braden told me, and I did the same with him. We ended up having sex on the couch and I was surprised when Callin worked me closer to both fucking me. He used lube and his fingers, ending with some kind of sex toy that made my orgasm explosive as Braden took me from behind. I’d never felt that good before and I barely made it back to my room to sleep.
The entire family needed to be away the following week on business after the ball. We tried to spend every second together that we could, and I gave them a precious gift the Friday before the ball. I wanted to be in their minds there. It was Braden that was behind me as I rode Callin the first time, rocking inside to the rhythm that I had with his brother. I fought the urge to cry out as I came, knowing that everything just changed for me.
Some kitchen staff was working the dance along with hired help with the caterers, but Violet asked if I wanted to go out instead. I told her that sounded great since I was so ahead of my projects right now. I longed to stay behind with Braden and Callin, but I knew that it would just torture me. We planned on dinner and a play the Friday before the dance, agreeing to leave at three and avoid the crowds. I spent Saturday morning finishing last minute details and showered when I was done. I pulled a dress that I made for myself, something flowing in a sage green color. I slipped it on and found heels to go with it, tucking my hair into a low bun at my neck. It wasn’t ball worthy, but I felt pretty as I headed down to the side entrance to meet Violet at her car.
On the second floor, someone reached out and pulled me into a room with their hand over my mouth. I gasped and turned when I was behind the closed door, seeing Braden and Callin chuckling. They were in the midst of getting ready, sipping beers and half dressed. Callin looked me over first and stood back to cross his arm over his chest.
“Where are you going looking so gorgeous?” He asked in an accusatory voice as I giggled.
“Me? You’re going to see hundreds of women dressed to the nines tonight. I’m just going to dinner with Violet.” I tilted my head as Braden kissed my neck, closing my eyes.
“None as beautiful as you, mi lady.” Callin assured me as he pecked my lips. “Can we come see you after it’s over?”
“Of course.” I replied easily, knowing I could never deny them.
“Lock your door. Be as close to naked as you’re comfortable with when you answer it, because I am going to take you hard and fast,” Braden warned me as I shivered. “Be careful out there. You look amazing and you’re ours.” His voice vibrated through my body, laced with possession, and need.
“Yeah. I am,” I agreed as I turned to face them. I kissed them softly before leaving Callin’s room to continue downstairs. I was still jealous, but his words played through my mind on repeat. Violet was waiting for me dressed in a soft pink shift and she hugged me. “This is going to be so much fun! It will make everyone at the ball jealous.” I laughed, thinking how right she was.
We drove into the city and ate dinner at a small, dark Italian restaurant. It was charming and delicious, not too crowded at this early hour. We chatted about work and the other girls as I stared out of the window at times, thinking of the castle.
“Are you okay?” Violet asked as I blinked, coming back to the present.
“I’m great. I’m just thinking about the play. It’s been a long time for me.” I lied since I had no clue what it was about. Violet picked it and her face beamed with joy.
“It’s great. I’ve read nothing but good things about it.” She went on to talk about the actors and the awards it received in other cities and I admired her passion. It was a healthy one while I was lusting after two men that would never truly be mine, despite their words back in that room.
We finished dinner, and I blushed as the waiter brought us two glasses of wine, courtesy of another table. We weren’t even of age but neither of us argued it. We raised our glasses to the table of handsome men grinning our way. They were more than likely available and even fun but I had zero interest. We left without talking to them as Violet was shy and I didn’t want to meet anyone, heading to the playhouse as we giggled.
I got home while the ball was still going on. There were several cars lined up in the driveway and Violet scowled as she moved past them to get to staff parking. “I still think it’s boring. I don’t know why so many people wanted to work it.”
“I would just to look at the dresses. I don’t care about anything else, but everyone must look incredible.” I gushed as she laughed at me.
“Including the men, particularly the princes.” I laughed as we made our way to the side door, walking inside after we nodded to the security guard. She bid me good night as she headed to her room, leaving me to make my way to the third floor. I stared down towards the part of the house that held the ballroom, longing for just a look. I’d never spend any time at such an event and curiosity niggled at me.
What were the brothers doing? Were they having fun?
I jumped and ducked into the kitchen as two girls dressed in silver and gold walked towards me. They were talking the way girls did after a few drinks. They tried so hard to talk softly but ended up echoing through the room. “Callin looks so hot tonight. I tried to ask him to go to his room during a dance, but he turned me down. I don’t remember that happening the last time! What’s going on? He never turns sex down.” I frowned at her words and pressed myself against the wall.
“Braden gets better looking the older he gets. I wonder when he’s planning to choose a wife. They must want grandchildren before too long. I’d love to birth his babies.” This was the other girl, and I sighed. I felt the same way, but it wouldn’t happen. “I need to try to dance with him again, just to be pressed against that body.”
I sighed and made my way to the opposite entrance to sneak up to my room. All curiosity was stifled now, and I just wanted to hide. I didn’t want to know anything about what they were doing. Considering ignoring them later if they even came, I double locked the door and dropped to my soft bed. I could end this before it hurt any more. I could walk away and start another life.
I changed out of my dress and into a lace bra and matching underwear that I’d bought away from Violet one day. I was a sucker. I dropped to my bed and turned on a movie, curling up against my pillows.
I came to when there was a soft knock at my door, looking at the clock to see that it was midnight. I frowned as I considered even answering it, but my body was much stronger than my mind. I stood and stretched, walking over, and asking who it was.
“Open the door,” Callin growled as I giggled and
unlocked it. They were both in their shirts and slacks as I looked out. They pushed their way inside and closed the door as I ran to the bed. I dropped down and started to crawl up as hands grabbed my legs and pulled me back. I felt my legs spread wide and a mouth on my thighs as I sighed.
Hands held me still as a mouth covered the lace of my underwear, teasing me mercilessly. I felt someone else move in front of me and latched on to the hard cock eagerly. My mouth wrapped around Braden as he grasped my hair tightly, guiding me. I felt a tongue stroking my clit and moaned as the pressure started to build.
I came just after Braden and struggled to keep him in my mouth. Callin turned me to my back and opened my bra to release my bare breasts. He moved over them, sucking my nipples hard as I moaned. They switched places and Braden slipped inside of me as Callin moved to my mouth, coming on my chest as I bit my lip not to scream. I lie still on my damaged sheets, overwhelmed by this all as I closed my eyes. My ears were ringing, but I did feel a warm cloth on my skin, cleaning me. I felt them settle beside me and lips on my skin as I smiled.
“How was the ball?” I asked, pretending I never heard the girl’s conversation.
“Stuffy and boring. It was great seeing Dad back in action, but the rest was the usual shit.” Callin told me as I sighed. “How was your night?”
“We had a lovely dinner at Anthony’s and saw a play. I think it was good, but I don’t remember details. There was a lot of singing but Violet loves that stuff.” I smiled at how happy she’d been again.
“Did anyone try to talk to you?” Braden asked gruffly as I opened my eyes to stare at him in disbelief.
“You’re asking me that? You were just at a royal ball with who knows how many women that actually fit into your world.” I accused before covering my mouth.
“Freya, you fit into my world better than any woman there. I thought about you all night, not them. How do I have to tell you that for you to believe me?” Braden asked as Callin pulled me against him.
“I feel the same way.” He told me as I stared at him. “We made a decision tonight, Freya. We want you.”
“What?” I asked as Braden pressed his lips to my mouth.
“We want to talk to Mom. I don’t know how well it will go over for both of us to approach the subject, but we want something. I was thinking you could say that you’re with one of us for now,” Callin told me as I shook my head. “I love you, Freya.”
“I love you, too.” Braden told me as I closed my eyes for a moment. I’d been falling for them for a while now and this was what I wanted.
“I love you both, but I can’t see us working out as a threesome. It’s not conventional in the normal world and you’re royalty. You will be out there in the public eye. I will look like some kind of slut,” I murmured as I stared at the ceiling.
“You can be the princess if you marry Braden. We can keep everything else secret.” Callin told me as I looked at him sadly. “I can play the young bachelor for a while.”
“I want everything out in the open.” I said softly as I thought about how well my job was going. This started as a fresh start for Mama and now everything was twisted around. I felt tears in my eyes and closed my eyes as they slid down my cheeks.
“Freya, what’s wrong?” Braden asked as he stroked my cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to ruin things. You were living your lives and likely to end up with a beautiful woman and have a perfect family. You were supposed to make your parents proud.” I looked at him. “She told all of us not to get involved at all. I can’t imagine her reaction to all of us being involved.”
“We can’t help that we fell for each other. We can’t help that this works,” Callin protested as I covered my face with my hands.
“Get out. I need to think about this.” I closed my eyes and stilled, feeling nauseous.
“Freya,” Braden whispered as I shook my head.
“Give me some space.” I pleaded, feeling the bed move. I knew that were leaving when they kissed my hair and closed the door, clicking the lock. I waited until I was alone and began crying, so frightened of my future now. I came here wanting to build a name as a designer and save money for my family. I didn’t think that I’d end up falling in love with one prince, much less two. I curled up as I sobbed, feeling my heart break into pieces.
I hid in my room the following day. I wanted to be alone for the rest of my life right now, but I’d have to work on Monday. I showered in the morning after my alarm went off, throwing on my uniform and walking into the work room. I wasn’t hungry, and no amount of coffee would get me through the day. I settled in at my desk to start hemming some more pants, in between dresses at the moment. I’d finished everything.
I turned to see who was coming in shortly after I started, surprised to see the queen.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Braden
I hadn’t moved much since Freya kicked us out of her room. Once I decided during the ball that she was it for me, adrenaline surged through my veins. I was hopeful for my future despite how my family might react. I didn’t have to have a wife arranged for me any longer. I could choose love and Freya would set an example for royalty all over the globe.
She was compassionate and warm. She worked hard though that would change when we were together. If she wanted to design clothes, I’d find a way, but life changed being royalty. I knew that she’d be a wonderful mother that supported her kids and taught them well along the way. I didn’t need to worry about attraction at all. We were all in tune to one another and the chemistry was explosive.
I knew it was unconventional. The bigger part of me didn’t care, but I knew it would be an issue.
I turned in bed and stared at the wall. I didn’t think that she would throw me out. I was going to sleep with her that night and plan our lives.
Instead, I ended up alone in my room with Callin going to his in the same mood. After the ball, we usually had breakfast with our parents and discussed it. This year, we both claimed that we were feeling ill and stayed upstairs. I didn’t know how I was going to face my days without Freya being a part of them, so I avoided life entirely.
Mom came up to my room a few days into this overwhelming depression. She sat on my bed and looked closely at me, feeling my face. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t feel like you’re sick.”
“Just a bug. I’ll bounce back.” I assured her, taking the tea that she offered. Mom didn’t usually check up on us. When we were younger, we had nannies that did all that maternal stuff because our parents were busy. The time with them was rare, and we took advantage of every moment. I looked at her today, wondering what the difference was now that we were adults.
“Your brother seems to have that same one. I wonder if you picked it up on Saturday,” she mused as I shrugged. “There were a lot of people there. Once you feel better, we’ll plan some dinners with friends. I always forget how many people that we don’t see enough until big events like that.” She smiled, and I sensed the reason she wanted to plan these dinners.
“Let me guess. You want to invite some women for us to meet with,” I told her bitterly as Mom stared at me. “We told you that we wanted to wait on that. Or just let it happen.”
“Braden, you’re not getting any younger,” she reminded me as I raked my hand through my hair.
“I will end up married with a family, Mom. That’s what I want but I want to go by my own heart. I don’t need some stuck-up socialite or princess from another castle to make it right.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and I reached out to cover her hand with mine. “I want to have a family that I experience life with. I want a wife that’s more compassionate than she is part of high society. I guess I want more normal for my kids. I can still do everything that I’m going to do and have that.” She looked down for a moment. “Things change with time and Callin and I will be just fine. You need to stop trying so hard.”
“I’m your mother. I’m supposed to rush you for grandchildren They’ll be the heirs to all of this.” S
he sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “I think this thing with your father scared me good. I didn’t want to lose him and have nothing. I didn’t want to not have an heir lines up to carry on his legacy.” She looked at me as I smiled weakly. “Are you in love? It sounds like you have someone in mind.”
A part of me wanted to tell her all about Freya and what we had. I wanted her to know that I felt things for this woman that I never imagined before. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, but I held back. It wasn’t time yet, and I’d rather sit down with them together.
“No, Mom. I just want to keep my options open.” I assured her as she nodded. She stood and asked if I needed anything else and I shook my head. Helen was keeping us well-fed and checking on us regularly.
“I’m good. Helen is spoiling us.” I smiled as she nodded, turning towards the door.
“I’ll check on you tomorrow. Your father misses you boys so get better soon.” She smiled and left, and I heard her greeting Callin.
Freya had a right to be upset. I didn’t tell my mom at what might have been a great time. We were older and closer to them now. She might see things our way in part. Instead, I denied her and made things easy for me. I closed my eyes and wondered if I could fall into Mom’s plan. I could marry a young woman in my world and raise kids. It would make sense on so many levels, but then I pictured Freya. There was a simplicity about her that I loved and the way that she loved her family was something that I admired. She’d be amazing with kids, whether they belonged to Callin or me. I didn’t care because it would bring me that much closer to him. Was I wrong thinking this?
By the end of the week I was working out again in the morning. I was running every other day to keep myself on a schedule and busy. We had the party the upcoming weekend, and I was finalizing plans for that. I didn’t see Freya around the house and didn’t try to. She needed her space and someone that would stand up for her. Not even Callin was willing to do that yet. We were both torn between doing what was right versus what our hearts wanted.