A Royal Continuum

by Marie Harte

  As the king's royal guard, Lucas held a lot of power over the Dracon. He was not only the king's best friend and protector, but a good friend to all the royals--Prince Adrian especially--and nearly the entire population of horny, unmated females. Tanner could give a shit what Lucas did in his spare time. He was just happy to have finally found a place that felt like home.

  At least, Dracon central had felt like home. Tanner glanced over his shoulder at the cabin still visible through the masses of green leaves and tree trunks. After this incident... Hell, his conscience reprimanded. Call it what it was. A royal fuckfest in which you got fucked over. Bottom line, Tanner no longer felt right about staying in Dracon central. Not after he'd not only kissed, but also blown the damned royal prince.

  Chapter 5

  * * *

  Tanner's face heated, with both shame and desire. God, tasting Matthias had been a huge mistake. And Tanner still couldn't explain why he'd done it, or why he now felt like a part of the prince resided within him. Hell, when Matthias and Ava had been fucking, Tanner could almost feel himself right next to them, awash in Matthias's driving need to hold Ava and never let go. Just as he'd felt when he'd taken Ava, and truth be told Matthias--that same desire to possess. Like a damned mating instinct, he imagined, never having taken a mate.

  But at least I still like women. Thrusting inside Ava was sheer heaven. I still have that, at least.

  A sudden noise that didn't belong in the forest shook him from his reverie, and Tanner raced back to the house only to stop at the edge of the woods. Matthias and Ava sat on the porch, both rocking in the squeaking chairs that had alerted him to return.

  The prince's eyes flashed at the woman now wearing a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Matthias wore a blanket around him, probably more to protect Ava's feelings than for body warmth. The male was a firebreather after all.

  Staring at Matthias and then Ava, Tanner felt emotion well from somewhere deep inside of him, and he tried to reason away his insane longing, focusing more on Ava's womanly curves. There. His libido perked at the sight of her ass in those jeans. His hormones jerked again when Matthias shifted his arm and the blanket slipped, showcasing muscular arms and a broad chest.

  Fuck. Tanner was losing it. In lust with a woman and a man. Both Dracon, and both clearly above his pay-grade.

  Or did Lucas put you up to a handjob, too? resounded in Tanner's mind as his gaze roamed the prince's body. Tanner wanted to lash out, to show Matthias what a handjob could feel like without respect or care. Which was completely out of line. Guard the prince and put away these unnecessary emotions. Where the hell has my objectivity gone?

  "Tell me, Ava. If you were so angry about me possibly fucking Cora Venlay, why didn't you say something before?" Matthias asked Ava in a reasonable tone, his voice overly loud in the stillness around them.

  "I wasn't angry."

  Matthias raised a brow in disbelief, and Tanner had to agree with him. Ava sounded livid, and definitely jealous.

  "Look, I don't want to go back to the keep. I don't belong there, any more than you belong away from your royal protector. Where is Tanner, anyway?" She looked around, and Tanner waited soundlessly in the woodline, not wanting to be seen just yet.

  "Why do you care where Tanner went? Or is your intention to make me jealous? Do you honestly feel for a Dracon you just met, or was it that he felt so good inside you? He's a handsome male, and he's got a huge cock."

  She stared at Matthias and sputtered, and Tanner scowled. How had he never heard what a bastard Matthias could be?

  "I happen to like Tanner, which is more than I can say for you. He was gentle with me, and treated me with respect. Not like some whore."

  Oh, shit, she was starting to cry.

  To Tanner's relief, Matthias looked panicked at the tears.

  "Dammit, Ava. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I upset you. Shh." He took her out of her chair and into his arms and began rocking her. The sight of the man so tender after acting like such an asshole had Tanner wondering when the real Matthias would stand the hell up. "I like Tanner, too, okay?"

  Tanner stared in surprise.

  "Then why were you s-so mean to him earlier?"

  Good question.

  The prince sighed. "Because as much as I love Lucas, he can be a high-handed jerk sometimes. Tanner made me feel things I've never felt before. The same things I feel around you, Ava. And I think it would hurt me very badly to know I was some kind of duty-fuck, you know?"

  Tanner couldn't believe his ears. Matthias had to be kidding. The guy was on every female's most wanted list, not to mention the males with a craving for male Dracon. He had wealth, family and friends who loved him, and the respect of an entire people. What the hell did he have to be worried about?

  "Oh, Matthias." Ava stroked his cheek. "You're so full of shit."

  Matthias looked startled and then grinned, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, so you aren't falling for that one, hmm Ava? Can't convince you to come back with me out of pity?"

  Ava chuckled and placed a hand inside Matthias's blanket. "No. But I might let you try to work your wiles on me. We still have a lot of ground to cover, that is, if you're serious about wanting me the way you do."

  Matthias grinned wider, his teeth bright. "Oh, I'm serious, Ava. And I'm serious about Tanner as well. Okay with you, bodyguard?" he called out, staring at Tanner's hiding place.

  Swearing under his breath, Tanner stalked out onto the open ground and bounded up the steps. "My prince." He nodded his head, as much acknowledgement as he'd actually given anyone in the royal family. Prince or not, Matthias was just a man.

  "You know, Tanner, you have a real temper." Matthias smiled, his lips curled with humor that this time reached his inky black gaze. "We're going to have to work on that if you're going to be able to handle Lucas and Adrian when we get back. Ferin's much easier to deal with, now that he's mated. But the others are a handful."

  Tanner didn't plan on remaining there long, so he nodded just to make Matthias happy.

  Matthias narrowed his gaze. "Weren't you curious that I said I recognized you in the bar? You're fairly new to Dracon Mount. You've been with us what, a month?"

  "Just under that, actually."

  "Which is probably why Lucas assigned you to me. He thought I wouldn't notice you." Matthias laughed. "As if. I know a lot more about what goes on at home than they give me credit for. And I definitely noticed you."

  Tanner shifted on his feet, uncomfortable. Matthias radiated sexuality, and Tanner simply wanted to forget everything that had happened and take everyone back home, so he could finally leave.

  "I can see why," Ava added, staring at Tanner from his head to his toes.

  "Okay. I'm noticeable. Great. Now can we have some breakfast? I'd like to leave soon, before anyone from last night starts showing up asking questions. Ava, that sound good to you?"

  She frowned and would have argued, Tanner thought, when Matthias put his fingers to her lips.

  "That sounds fine," Matthias answered. "Thank you, Tanner. If you don't mind, I have a few more things to discuss with Ava. We'll be in the bedroom. Can you cook?"

  "Yeah."

  Ava sighed. "There are eggs and bacon in the fridge. And I just bought a bunch of Red Delicious apples that are in there as well."

  Matthias had to push her inside, and his blanket parted as he followed her, allowing a long, muscular leg to show.

  Tanner deliberately ignored the throbbing response inside his pants and looked away, following the pair after a moment.

  * * * *

  The minute they entered her bedroom, Ava pulled away and Matthias groaned. He had to at least bring Ava on board, as he thought she'd be the easier of the two to persuade. The woman was already in love with him, or at least she had been. She has to still love me. She does, he tried to convince himself. Everything rested on her feelings. And God knew it had taken him long enough to see how much he needed her. Now to convince her that Tanner would be a
part of the package, and that Matthias would love them both, equally.

  "What is going on? I told you I'm not leaving with you."

  Matthias stared at her, wondering. Ferin would have dictated her actions to her. Lucas would have done whatever he wanted, to hell with Ava's feelings. And Adrian would have charmed her. Matthias, however, had always considered himself a master strategist. And the one thing he'd learned about Ava was that she had a big heart.

  Her compassion allowed her to stand up for others when she wouldn't stand up for herself. It had kept him away all these years because he'd wanted her strong to live at home amidst the backstabbing and infighting he and his brothers occasionally dealt with concerning Dracon from each and every clan. And it was that huge heart that had been stepped on when he'd tried to distract himself from Ava by growing an interest in Lea's human sister, a woman he inwardly knew wouldn't fit.

  Compassion was the key, and staring at the closed door between them and Tanner, Matthias knew just how to play Ava to his advantage. He'd stick with his original plan. It would work. It had to work.

  "Look, I couldn't say this out there because Tanner might hear. Turn on your radio, would you?"

  She stared suspiciously before turning it on. "Now what?" She placed her hands on her hips, and he sighed at her sheer perfection. A stubborn chin, pert nose and a mouth made for loving. God, those ripe lips would suck him so hard, would make him feel so good when he finally came in her mouth. And those tits. He loved her breasts, her ass and her pussy, that cream he wanted to lick all night. As Tanner had done.

  "Matthias." She blushed and crossed her arms, her nipples tell-tale points of desire.

  "I'm not bullshitting you, I swear." At least not about this. "I feel things for you, Ava. I know, you don't want to hear it. Fine." He swallowed. This would be more difficult. "I'm sure you've heard from Emmaline, if not from rumors when you visited the keep, that Lucas and Adrian share a special relationship."

  She nodded, her expression contained but not dismissive. He could only pray she had an open mind, that she would be able to share her love with two men, and accept that her men would share their love with each other.

  "Well, I never thought I'd say this. I mean, I've been with Lucas and my brothers when we helped Lea through the bonding. And I've done a few things with Lucas." Shot into his mouth while Adrian fucked his ass. What a night that had been. Matthias cleared his throat and his mind when Ava's eyes darkened with unintentional lust.

  "Go on." She coughed and looked away, composing herself.

  He stifled a grin. He did so love her open responses, and the fact that she read him so easily told him she hadn't totally closed herself off from him. "I find myself feeling for Tanner the way Adrian feels for Lucas."

  Her eyes widened.

  "I mean, I feel for you, too, the same love and affection, but you don't want to hear about that. So I need you to help me, if not for what I have in my heart for you, then for Tanner."

  "Matthias, so help me, I am not falling for your bull--"

  "He's of mixed blood, Ava," he said quietly, wanting to see her response. "Human and Dracon. He hasn't had an easy time of it, and I'm afraid I made a mess of things earlier." On purpose, but she didn't need to know that.

  "Oh." Ava studied him, chewing her lower lip in thought. "I don't care what he is. But there are too many out there who do. You'd think because of the way humans have treated us we'd treat our own better."

  His heart lifted as she fell into his plans. God, he loved Ava. Now he just needed to work her and Tanner back to Dracon Mount, where he could convince them both to stay with him, to mate in a ceremony that hadn't been used in over two hundred years. Another hurdle he'd get to when he reached it.

  "I agree. When Tanner first came to us I noticed him right off. Not because of his status, or because he's so damned sexy." She grinned with him. "But because of that distant, almost hurt look he wears in his eyes when he thinks no one is looking. I had Adrian do some quiet checking for me. Tanner was born to a human mother and an absent Dracon father. He's been on his own since he was just fourteen, and he's wandered from place to place, never settling anywhere. Seems like the longest he'd stayed was with a clan down south, until one of them found out about his parentage."

  "But that shouldn't matter."

  "No, it shouldn't." And once Matthias had his way within Dracon Mount, it never would again. "But I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I don't pity Tanner. I want him with me, whole, to stay. He seems to really like you, Ava. And he has a job to see us safely back to the keep. Come with us and help me work on him before we return. You're so warm, so caring. And I bumbled it with my embarrassed feelings earlier."

  Actually, he'd been testing Tanner's patience and loyalty, and the man had passed with flying colors. But in the process, Tanner had been hurt. And Matthias desperately wanted to make amends. But more than that, he wanted this family unit to work. And to that end, he needed Ava, his heart, and Tanner, his soul, to join with him.

  "Why were you so rude to him, Matthias?"

  Time for some more honesty. "Ava, I've never been with another man, sexually, besides Lucas. And he's clearly bonded with Adrian. My part with him was only ever really about Lea."

  She nodded, comfortable with the natural bonding between the queen and the royal line, thank God.

  "I love women, one in particular," he hurriedly added when her gaze turned frosty. "But last night I wanted you and Tanner in the worst way." He could so easily see them both, the beauty and the passion. And he wanted to take them both right here, right now.

  "I can't believe you saw that."

  "I saw it." His voice was thick, and he had to forcibly restrain himself from throwing her on the bed and fucking her until she screamed. "So, you don't mind, the thought of me and Tanner, I mean?"

  The look in her eyes said much more than no, but showed an excitement he hadn't dared hope she would feel.

  "Mind?" She laughed. "No, I don't mind." She didn't elaborate, and he didn't press her.

  "Right, well. My point in all of this is that my, ah, attraction to Tanner made me uncomfortable. Especially after seeing the two of you together, and wanting you the way I do... I know I'm supposed to be the prince who never says a wrong thing or makes a mistake, but around the people I care about I make them all the time."

  She blinked at him, stunned, and gave him a shy smile. "I like this Matthias so much better than the one who tries to tell me what to do."

  Well, that might be tricky considering he and that Matthias were one and the same. But she had plenty of time to learn the truth of the matter once he brought her home, bonded, mated and claimed.

  "So will you help me? Please, Ava. You can leave after we return to Dracon Mount if you want to. I'll even make the arrangements. But Tanner needs us, even if he doesn't know it yet."

  She stared at him, then glanced at the door. "Tanner's handsome and really sexy. But he's also gentle and caring." She flushed. "I know I only just met him, but he...I..." She swallowed hard. "He took care of me, in a way I haven't been cared for in a really long time." The glare she sent him told he she hadn't yet forgiven him for Cora. "I don't want Tanner to be hurt."

  "I don't either." Matthias wrapped the blanket around his waist and took Ava's hands in his, holding them tight. "I want him to stay where he'll be loved. Where he can finally belong. I think we all want to belong somewhere, don't we?" He stared into her dark eyes, bemused by the spark of color and the flash of passion that danced through.

  "Yes. We do." Ava sighed. "Okay, if you're serious about helping Tanner, I'm in."

  Finally. He breathed easier.

  "My guess, and it's just a guess because I don't know him that well, is that he's probably more open to sex than emotional bargaining." She gave him a wry look. "He is a male, after all."

  Matthias grinned. "Good point."

  "So if you want him to hang around after he gets us back to Dracon Mount, you might want to start by seduc
ing him. And I shouldn't have to tell you to do it slowly. He might want you, but he's uneasy about it."

  "Do you think it's because I'm a man, or because of my brothers?"

  "Because you're royalty, you mean?" At his nod, she cocked her head, thoughtful. "That's a good question. Adrian didn't dig up any info on his sexual preferences, hmm?"

  "No. I didn't think that prudent to ask."

  She grinned, laughing at him. "Didn't want to tip Adrian off, hmm? Or is it you wanted to keep Tanner all to yourself?"

  He allowed her the amusement at his expense, knowing the answer was a little bit of both. As much as he'd teased Adrian about Lucas, he now had to admit to his own case of "man love." Adrian was going to have a field day, not to mention Lucas's reaction.

  "So you'll help me with Tanner? It's going to be a battle, and it's going to involve a lot of sex. I can tell that right now, especially if you're right about him." Say it, baby. Say yes.

  Ava took a deep breath and looked at him, really looked at him. The fire of desire burned bright in her eyes, but her voice was calm when she answered. "Yes, Matthias. I'll help you to seduce him--so that you can love him. He deserves it.

  "You could start right now if you wanted. Hell, just go out there and drop your blanket. It works for me--I mean, it would work for me, if I was running from you, which I'm not. I'll help you with Tanner, but then I'm gone." Her cheeks were a rosy pink.

  Matthias nodded soberly, inwardly cheering. "Thank you, Ava. I treasure your advice, and I can't wait to set our plan in motion. Maybe while I'm working on Tanner, you could help find me some clothes to wear? I can't go home like this. And though I wouldn't mind shifting and flying home, I don't think it would be safe to go as dragon back to North Carolina."