The uncomfortable silence between us is broken by a shout.
"Princess!"
Frost lets go of me and I step back. Tamara is running towards us, her skirt bunched up in her hands so she can run faster.
She doesn't say anything until she's reached us, and even then, she only whispers.
"Her Majesty isn't well. You need to come, now."
My mother is lying on her bed, pale and frail looking. She's still in her clothes and boots, as if she didn't have the energy to climb under the covers.
It reminds me of the night when she was almost killed by an assassin using a Summer knife, forged by King Angus. He's the only one strong enough to kill her - or so I thought. Right now, she looks like she's severely ill. On death's door, almost.
"Mother?" I ask carefully, approaching her bed. She opens her eyes, but it seems she's having a hard time keeping them open. Her eyelids are fluttering and her pupils are dilated.
"Wyn," she rasps, her voice nothing like her usual strong, cold alto.
"What happened?" I address Tamara, not wanting my mum to speak.
"She expended too much energy rescuing everyone, and then breaking through the lightning storm to get you out as well." There's no accusation in Tamara's voice, just hard, honest fact. It hurts nonetheless.
"Has a healer been called?" I ask quietly, sitting down on the bed and gently taking my mother's hand. It's cold as always, but her grip is weak.
"There's nothing he can do. She needs time to get her strength back, but now that winter is almost over, it's getting harder for her to use her powers. It could be days, even weeks."
I squeeze my mum's hand tighter. I did this to her. She had to save these people because I put them in danger in the first place.
"Is there nothing I can do? I have magic, can I give her some of it? I'm her daughter, surely we're compatible?"
"This isn't like a blood transfusion," someone says and I whirl around, launching myself at Crispin, clutching him against my chest.
"You're okay!" I half-laugh, half-shout, my emotions all over the place. Then I remember that he might be hurt and quickly step back, checking for injuries. When I can't see any, I use my magic, scanning his body, but it seems that he's fully healed.
"I am," he says tonelessly, and my laughter dies off. He's angry at me. No, not angry, furious. His eyes are blazing, and I take a step back before I can stop myself.
His expression softens slightly before turning all business. He's the healer now, not my Guardian. Not the man I almost killed earlier.
"Your Majesty."
He approaches my mother's bed and takes the hand I was holding before he entered the room. Beira slowly opens her eyes, weakly looking around the room.
"Wyn," she whispers, almost inaudible.
"I'm here," I say quickly before she exhausts herself further, and step around the bed until I'm opposite Crispin.
He's hovering one hand over her stomach, his eyes closed. He must be feeling for injuries or weaknesses. I don't even need to use my own magic to know that my mother isn't injured as such. Her energy is gone almost entirely, and it seems that it has a much bigger effect on her than it would on anyone else. As a Goddess, maybe she's more reliant on magic? Does it keep her alive? Sustain her?
I put my hands on my mother's pale arm, visualising tendrils of magic running from mine into her body. Before I can even send them through her skin, something stops me. An obstacle, a barrier, preventing me from reaching her.
"I told you, it's not like a blood transfusion where you can simply send magic to someone," Crispin repeats, but a lot kinder this time. "It's possible to syphon magic in emergencies, like we did with you during your first flares, but you can't give someone else your own magic. They're incompatible, it would create chaos and even death. She'll have to recover on her own."
"He's right," Beira whispers. "You can't help me in that way, but I need your help for something else. I can't rule like this. I will be bed-bound for weeks."
I stifle a gasp. My mother is the strongest person, being, Goddess, whatever, that I know. She's been a little weaker recently, yes, but for her to stay in her bed for that long... it doesn't make sense. Is that what summer is doing to her?
"Is this normal?" I ask, feeling very naive.
"No," Crispin replies in my mother's stead. "She's always weaker during spring and summer, before getting stronger again in the autumn, but even in the middle of summer, she still has more magic than she seems to have just now."
He clears his throat and quickly adds, "Apologies, Your Majesty, for talking about you like that. You need to save your strength, so it's better if you don't talk too much."
I'm amazed at how brazen he is with Beira. As rebellious as my guys like to seem in private, they all have enormous respect for their Queen, and they usually talk to her with reverence. For Crispin to speak to her like that, he must really be worried that she might expend too much energy on talking with me.
"She used a massive amount of magic to keep the Palace from collapsing while she rescued the people in the wing you were in. Normally, she conserves her magic during spring so that she has some to draw from in the summer. Now, she's left with almost none, and with winter almost gone, it will take longer to regenerate."
The enormity of it all is making me woozy. With Beira this weak, the Realm is virtually defenceless. The Morrigan is meddling in the shadows, Angus is moving his troops for all to see, and demon sightings are becoming a normality. We need Beira to protect us. If we only had one enemy, we might succeed without her, but we have several, and all of them strong.
"Wyn."
I turn to my mother who's looking at me with an echo of her usual piercing glance, her eyes heavy-lidded.
"I need you to take over. I need you to rule."
Chapter Five
My guys are waiting outside for me and I fall into their arms, letting them comfort me by their simple touch.
Crispin is staying with my mother for now. It's probably better that way; I don't know what to say to him. Sorry for almost killing you? Sorry for crushing your skull? I don't think that sounds very good.
Arc is hugging me tight, pressing me against his chest, while the other two are holding me from behind. I'm surrounded by them, and I'm tempted to just let myself go, let my feelings take over and have them hold me together. But I can't. My mother told me to rule. I'm the Princess and for once, I need to behave like it.
Still, I enjoy my men's touch and I don't push them away. On the contrary, I melt into Arc's embrace, snuggling against the soft fabric of his shirt, feeling the hard muscles underneath. I can't resist, I pull his shirt out of his kilt and slide my hands underneath, touching his bare back.
He grumbles softly, his chest vibrating against mine. I feel my nipples harden at the sensation. This really isn't the place, but I can't stop.
I lift my head and see that Arc has been waiting for me. His lips crash on mine. He doesn't even wait for me to open my mouth, already his tongue is pressing against my lips, ready to enter my mouth.
I squeeze his hips, pulling him closer, his crotch pressing against my stomach. He's getting hard, just like I am feeling tingles spread between my legs.
"Let's find ourselves a room," Frost suggests with a chuckle. I love how he automatically assumes that all three of us are going to be together. Maybe Crispin, if he wants to join us, but somehow, I doubt that.
With a pang of regret, I break the kiss, but Arc growls when I do.
"Dinnae stop," he mutters and lifts me into his arms at the same time as his lips meet mine again. I smile and return the kiss, my heart beating faster at the thought of what's about to happen.
This is the first time I'm kissing one of them since my mum died. Should I really be doing this? My mum is dead and my other one is lying in the room next door, too weak to even sit up.
But then I decide that yes, I should be doing this. I have a bond to reforge. Four bonds, in fact. I need my men for the days and
weeks to come, and not just that. I need to feel alive again.
Arc carries me somewhere, but I have my eyes closed, all my senses tuned into our kiss. It's magical. Our tongues are dancing while at the same time, his hands are gripping my arse, kneading it while holding me in his arms.
"My turn."
A gruff voice breaks through the passionate bliss filling my mind, and with one last nip at his bottom lip, I break the kiss and turn my head towards Storm. We seem to have entered a room, but I couldn’t care less where we are. Without warning, Storm’s lips are on mine, continuing what Arc started.
Hands grip my hips and I'm lifted from Arc's arms, but I'm too busy exploring Storm's mouth to protest.
I'm put back on my feet, and this time, I'm about to complain, already missing the warmth of my Guardian's embrace, but then someone is sliding his hands under my shirt, reaching around until they're on my stomach. The scent of a sea breeze fills me nostrils before Frost's lips touch the back of my neck.
He presses tiny kisses on my skin and goosebumps run down my spine and straight into my core. At the same time, Arc is fumbling with my pyjama bottoms, trying to open the knot in the cord holding them up. I hadn't even realised I was still in my bedclothes, but of course, I've not had any chance to change since I woke up. I don't think I'm wearing underwear, either. I blush at the thought of them undressing me after they brought me back from Blaze's cave. Such a pity I was unconscious. Although I wouldn't have appreciated their attention at the time. But I do now.
Arc's become too impatient and a moment later, rips my pyjamas apart. Silly Guardian. Hot Guardian. My torn trousers sink to the floor, pooling around my ankles. Then his mouth is on my right arse cheek, nibbling on my sensitive skin, and I moan against Storm's mouth.
All of them are kissing me at the same time and it's almost too much to bear.
Arc hugs my thighs from both sides, pulling my hips back so he has better access to my naked arse. Frost is gliding his hands upwards, leaving my belly and reaching the very edges of my breasts. He's slow, far too slow, and I moan again, wanting his hands on my boobs.
"Who are you moaning for, Princess?" Frost asks seductively, running a finger over the skin just beneath my left breast. Tingles are spreading all over my body and my legs are beginning to shake. Every single one of my four Guardians is intense, and together, they're incredible. Overwhelming. Amazing.
Finally, Frost takes my left nipple between his thumb and index finger and squeezes it gently.
"Do you like that?"
What an idiot! Who wouldn't?
Arc chooses that moment to slide a finger into me from below and this time, my legs really buckle. If Storm wasn't holding me, I would have collapsed to the floor in a heap of pleasure.
"Or do you prefer what Arc's doing?" Frost is teasing me, but Storm's kiss is preventing me from answering. My hard nipples and moans should be enough of an answer, though.
Storm growls, apparently not happy that he's not been mentioned yet. Frost chuckles and takes my other nipple between my fingers, squeezing harder this time.
"Or is it Storm who's making you moan?"
Ironically, Storm breaks the kiss right then, leaving me panting. My lips are swollen and tingly all over, desperate for even more attention from the guys. So is the rest of my body. I need them all, their touch, everywhere.
"I am," Storm says in a voice that allows no protest. He lifts me up, removing me from the other two. I'm about to protest, but stop when he lies me down on a bed - we seem to be in one of the guest rooms - and pulls off his jeans. I lift my head to watch as he slides down his boxers, revealing his hard cock. If I thought I was wet before then, I really am now.
I spread my legs, ready to take him in.
"Why is my brother always the first?" Frost complains jokingly, but he's too late. Surprisingly slowly, Storm presses against my entrance, giving me a moment to prepare, before he gently slides in. I should be used to his size by now, but every time, I feel like I'm tight as a virgin when I take him. He gives me the time to adjust, looking down at me with eyes filled with love and desire. I never thought I'd have one man look at me like that, but now I have four.
Arc is sitting down on the bed from the other side, also naked, also very, very ready for me. I stretch out a hand, gripping his cock. He groans and adjusts his position so it's more comfortable for both of us. Frost kneels next to my hips, his knees touching my skin. Even this simple, accidental touch makes my skin burst into flames. He's supposed to be the water Guardian, but his touch is full of heat.
He leans forward and takes my right nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. I gasp as pain mixes with pleasure, and he takes it as encouragement to do it again. With one hand, he massages my breast while the other has somehow made its way down and is gently rubbing my bud, sending tiny shockwaves deep inside, making my inner walls contract around Storm.
His thrusts are getting harder now that he's made sure that I can take it. Every time he slams into me, I slide my hand along Arc's cock, his groans mixing with mine.
Storm grips my thighs and pulls them up, widening his access. His eyes are half closed and he's breathing heavily, just like me, just like the others. All of us are united in the pleasure that's lifting us away from reality and into a state of blissful separation from our duties and worries.
"What are you doing to me!" Storm suddenly shouts and I look at him in shock, wondering if I did something wrong. But he's smiling at me when he sees my confusion. "I used to think I had stamina, but you... I can't hold out much longer."
"Then let go," I whisper hoarsely. "Don't hold back."
He looks deep into my eyes, his pupils shrunk to pinpricks surrounded by fire. Then he nods, as if he's giving permission both to himself and to me, and plunges back into me with one hard thrust, making me arch my back and grip Arc's cock tightly.
My other hand is suddenly gripped by Frost's and he holds me tight as his brother fucks me. Storm really is letting go of all restraints, gripping my thighs so tightly it hurts. But it's a good pain. One that I welcome as it mixes with the sensations of all three Guardians loving my body. Loving me.
With one final thrust, Storm comes in me, making my inner walls shudder and contract hard against his cock. He releases my legs but stays inside me, quivering. He's looking at me with a strange expression, but before I can think any more about it, he leans forward and pulls me up, his lips meeting mine. His taste is salty from the tiny beads of sweat that have collected above his upper lip. Somehow, that makes it even better.
I kiss him hard, wrapping my arms around him, holding him close.
"I wasn't sure if... " he whispers when he breaks the kiss. He doesn't continue, but I can guess what he means. I pushed them away, and they must have had doubts that I'd let them in again. Time to prove that particular side of me is gone and banished.
"Kiss me," I ask. No, it's more of a demand. He gives me a surprised look but does as I said. I let my tongue slip into his mouth, gliding along his teeth before intensifying the kiss, staking my claim on him. I put all the love I feel for him into that kiss, showing him exactly how much he means to me. How much they all mean to me. I'm not going to let them go.
Arc groans and I notice I still have my hand wrapped around his cock, but I've stopped stroking him. I playfully nudge Storm's tongue one last time, before breaking the kiss and letting myself fall back onto the mattress.
"I think Arc needs some relief," I chuckle and Storm steps back, leaving me feeling empty.
But not for long. Quicker than I can see, Arc has moved around the bed and has taken Storm's place between my legs. This time, it's easy to take him, now that the other Guardian has already stretched me inside.
Still, I can't stop a moan escaping my lips as Arc fills me completely, reaching even further than Storm did. Frost's mouth is back on my nipples, but this time, I nudge his hips until he gives me access to his cock, expecting to feel cloth but instead get smooth, velvety skin. When did he change?
Has he been naked the entire time?
I gently begin to stroke him, doing the same to Frost as I did to Arc. I lift my head to see Storm watching us with a satisfied smile. It seems like he's hard again already. Well, there are two other men to satisfy first. Then we can start at the beginning again.
Arc is pumping into me, his face and chest flushed. Together with his red hair, he looks adorable. If only he was still wearing his kilt. One day, I need to ask him to do that. I want the whole sexy Scotsman experience.
But for now, I’m happy with the way he moves in me, the sounds he makes, the euphoria he brings me. When he comes, I do too, contracting around him, making our connection even more intense. While I’m still in the rush of the climax, Frost takes Arc’s place, starting slowly, moving in and out at a steady pace.
Arc lies down beside me and his lips meet mine, hungrily kissing me while his hands are playing with my breasts.
Storm joins us on my other side.
“Never leave us again,” he whispers when his brother does his last hard thrusts and my body begins to shake in yet another orgasm. “You don’t know what it does to us when you’re not around.”
I nod, breaking the kiss with Arc. He groans in disappointment but I ignore him for the moment.
“Never again,” I promise. “I’m yours.”
Chapter Six
Reality hits me far too quickly. I managed to sleep for a few hours after exhausting myself with my men, but as soon as I wake up, I know it’s time to take on my responsibility.
Just before I drifted off to sleep, Tamara came in, letting me know that there had been no change in my mother’s condition. I felt guilty for not sitting by her bedside, but what good would that do. It was far more important to reinstate the bonds with my Guardians, whose help I’ll need now more than ever before.
I’m to rule. I have no idea how to do that. I’ve tried learning more about the Realm, about how my mother keeps everything going, and how she deals with her Council. I’ve been to most Council sessions, so that will definitely help. I know them all, and I know some of their weaknesses and strengths. I’m sure there will be members of the Council who will not approve of me taking over while Beira is sick.
Winter Queen: A reverse harem novel (Daughter of Winter Book 3) Page 4