“What do you mean ‘human weapons’? What kinds of weapons are they using?” Rianne asked, becoming worried.
“I don’t know. I’ve heard stories, though, of shifters dying without the revolutionaries getting close to them. It’s terrifying, but we’re safe in Wolvden. So far the revolts have only been happening in Livley and Siverly, the two territories that border the Tethys Sea,” Carme informed her.
“That is good,” Rianne agreed, her mind spinning at the news.
Carme opened her mouth to say more, but a soft knock cut her off.
“Come in,” Rianne called, already reaching for her robe.
The door along the wall between her and Dorin’s room opened, and the prince walked through. His eyes instantly sought her out in the dimly lit room, the dark-brown orbs burning brighter than the fire that chased the winter chill from the air.
“Rianne,” Dorin sighed, striding toward her.
He took both of her hands in his, kissing the fingers reverently before pulling her into his arms. The sound of a door closing indicated Carme had made a hasty retreat, leaving the two of them alone.
“I missed you today, danalya. Tell me all about your day. What did you do?” Dorin asked, nuzzling her neck.
“I spent it with your mother in her hothouse. It was very relaxing,” Rianne murmured, a wave of exhaustion taking her over suddenly.
“You enjoyed it, then?” Dorin asked.
“Very much. Your mother is a wonderful lady,” Rianne complimented.
“I’m glad you think so. She’s been wanting to spend some alone time with you since supper. I hope she got her fill of you, though, because I don’t intend to leave you alone for that long again. An entire day really is too long, danalya,” Dorin sighed wearily.
“Well, what did you do all day?” Rianne asked.
Dorin didn’t answer right away, instead leading her over to the chairs in front of the fire and settling into one. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his lap before he began speaking again.
“I couldn’t help but overhear Carme telling you about the revolutionaries,” Dorin started.
“How did you…?” Rianne trailed off curiously.
“Wolf hearing, remember?” Dorin smirked.
Rianne gave a slight huff and rolled her eyes at him, shifting to make herself more comfortable on his lap.
“Easy, danalya. You shouldn’t tease me,” Dorin warned, his teeth nipping at her neck.
“Oh!” Rianne gasped, liquid heat rushing to her pussy.
“Mmm, yes. Now, where was I?” Dorin mused.
“Eavesdropping,” Rianne murmured, somewhat breathlessly.
“Ah, yes. Father and I spent the morning in the village. A few of our older shifters were worried that the revolution might be making its way into Wolvden. Father and I reassured them that we would do everything in our power to keep it from happening. I spent the afternoon speaking with ambassadors from Gondwanaland and the other territories in Laurasia. The revolutionaries are pressing against the borders of Livley and Siverly, but we’re trying to stop it from destroying the territories all together,” Dorin told her, sounding incredibly tired.
“What exactly are they doing?” Rianne asked, more curious than she cared to admit.
“They’re banding together and attacking the royals. Our guards have been able to keep them back for the most part, but they’re getting more and more violent,” Dorin muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Sensing he needed a distraction, Rianne replaced his hands with her own, her fingers massaging as they ran through his thick locks. Dorin moaned in appreciation, his arms banding around her to pull her closer. She smiled as he buried his face into her breasts, nuzzling her affectionately. When his teeth bit into her collarbone, she wished she’d worn one of the low-cut shifts Carme was always trying to get her to wear for bed. She would be able to slip her arms from the sleeves, allowing the material to pool at her waist, giving him more skin to explore with his mouth.
His hands traveled across her hips up to her waist, pushing the material of her T-shirt as he went. The heat of his hands branded her skin, marking her as his as they continued higher and higher. Her shirt was discarded in a matter of moments, floating to the floor as Dorin flung it over his shoulder.
“So beautiful,” Dorin whispered, his hands moving to cup her breasts.
“Dorin,” Rianne gasped.
“Mmm, Rianne. You smell so good,” Dorin moaned, pressing his nose between her breasts and inhaling deeply.
His mouth moved to suck a nipple into his mouth, his teeth scraping over the delicate bud. Her fingers tightened in his hair, urging him closer until he bit down on the nipple sharply. Her gasp echoed throughout the room even as he soothed the sting with loving licks. Dorin’s hands moved down to grip her hips, lifting her up until she was turned to straddle him. She shifted against him until the hardened length of his cock was pressing right against her clit.
“Oh, God.” Dorin growled, guiding her movements as she began thrusting against him.
Rianne wasn’t completely ignorant in the ways of sex. Lynda was very big on sharing in the nitty-gritty details, but she’d been reading raunchy books since she was thirteen. In college, her roommate had been into porn and shown Rianne her vast collection one weekend they’d been snowed in together. She knew all the ins and outs of sex, but the feeling bubbling up in her abdomen was completely foreign to her. The pressure was insistent, and she knew if she didn’t ease it soon, she was going to explode.
She was sure she was going to have bruises from Dorin’s grip as he rocked her onto his cock. The motion only served to fan the flames of her desire higher, and she found herself begging for the pressure to stop.
“Please. Oh, God, please…stop. Don’t stop,” Rianne panted, completely unaware of what she was saying.
“Not yet. Damn it, not yet,” Dorin cursed, surging up to capture her lips with his.
Their tongues met as the fire inside her raged, burning her insides with each thrust and retreat of her hips. His mouth consumed her, completely wrapping her up in his taste, his smell. Even the rough feel of his unshaven jaw added to her anxiety for what was just out of reach.
“Come for me, danalya. Come for me,” Dorin demanded, his teeth nipping across her face.
Her moans seemed incredibly loud in the silence of the room, but the scream that burst from her lips as her body finally exploded echoed off the walls. Her pussy clenched deliciously, as if attempting to pull Dorin’s cock into her body despite the clothing that separated them.
Dorin shouted her name a moment later, his entire body stiffening as his hips jerked beneath her own. Completely spent, she collapsed against his chest, breathing heavily. His arms wrapped around her, encasing her in his heat and scent.
“Wow,” Rianne breathed when she finally had enough breath.
Dorin laughed lightly, his lips finding her forehead to place a sweet kiss.
“You were amazing, Rianne. Thank you for sharing that with me,” Dorin murmured, his lips still pressed against her head.
“Anytime.”
A shiver worked down her spine as the chill in the air registered. Almost immediately, Dorin had her up in his arms, striding toward the bed. In a matter of seconds, she was tucked into bed, Dorin lying on top of the covers beside her.
“Are you staying?” Rianne asked, already feeling the pull of sleep.
“Not tonight, mor danalya. If I stay tonight, I will take you, and I cannot take you until Nikolas is with us for the mating,” Dorin sighed regretfully.
“Who will keep me warm, then?” Rianne asked, pouting slightly.
“Do not tempt me, Rianne. I cannot bond myself to you without Nikolas,” Dorin practically growled.
“Will you at least stay with me until I fall asleep?” Rianne requested, knowing it was the most she could get.
“Of course, danalya,” Dorin breathed, settling down beside her.
The warmth of his
arms wrapping around her was all she needed to send her into sleep.
* * * *
Nikolas’s nose flared as soon as he stepped into Rianne’s room, picking up the lingering scents of Rianne’s arousal. Just beneath the sweet scent, he could smell Dorin as well. A fierce shaft of jealousy seared him, knowing the wolf had gotten her first climax and he had missed seeing her face flush as the passion overtook her for the first time.
Stalking closer to the bed, he looked down on his sleeping mate. Her arm was tossed out across the top quilt, as if reaching for something. The fabric was wrinkled, as though a body had recently vacated the spot. One sniff told him Dorin had lain with their mate after giving her pleasure.
As if sensing his presence, her body shifted closer, a soft sigh escaping parted lips. Her fingers curled into the quilt, the knuckles of her tiny fist turning white before she released the fabric. Nikolas couldn’t stop himself from reaching down to run a finger along the back of her palm.
Instantly, her eyes flew open, and she gasped in surprise. Her fingers held his in a death grip, as if he was a lifeline keeping her from drowning.
“Were you dreaming, capora?” Nikolas asked softly.
She nodded slightly, her eyes wide in the darkness of the room.
“What of?” Nikolas asked, still keeping his voice gentle.
“You,” Rianne breathed.
“What was I doing?” Nikolas pressed, sinking onto her bed.
“Fighting,” Rianne whispered as he leaned over her.
“Who?” Nikolas asked.
“I don’t know, but you were bleeding,” Rianne said, her voice trembling slightly.
Nikolas was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching hers as he pried his finger from her grip.
“Was I dying, capora?” Nikolas murmured, guessing where the dream had come from.
Rianne nodded, a choked sob escaping her throat.
“Silly girl. I would never let it happen,” Nikolas assured her.
“You almost did yesterday,” Rianne argued.
“But I didn’t. Listen to me, Rianne. I will not leave you alone and unprotected. It is my job to keep you safe. I cannot do that if I’m dead,” Nikolas said.
“You can’t control when you die,” Rianne insisted stubbornly.
“Maybe not, but so long as you need me, I will not die,” Nikolas promised, bringing her hand to his lips.
Setting her hand back on the bed, Nikolas pulled the covers back and moved between them. His arms wrapped around Rianne, pulling her back into his chest.
“What are you doing?” Rianne squeaked.
“Sleeping. You should as well,” Nikolas sighed, burying his face in her hair.
“Why?” Rianne asked.
“Because if you have another nightmare, all you’ll have to do is look behind you to assure yourself that I still live. Now sleep, capora. The morning will come early,” Nikolas told her, breathing in her scent as sleep began to claim him.
“Thank you,” Rianne whispered, her fingers lacing through his as she drifted back to sleep.
A thrill shot through him as the knowledge that, while her first climax might belong to Dorin, the first night spent with her in bed belonged to him. The soothing sound of her breath, the steady beat of her heart was the last thing he was aware of before her uniquely sweet scent caused him to release the stresses of the day and slip off to sleep.
Chapter Six
The fountain pen flew across the paper as Rianne worked on translating the journal in front of her. Silal sat at his desk, penning letters to the other six territories in Laurasia as well as the Order of Witches and the Order of Warlocks in Gondwanaland about the issue of the revolutionaries. The scratching of pen on paper filled the study, a soothing sound that lulled her into a state of contentment. The words flowed from the journal, through her, onto the paper. It was as easy as translating Latin, which had only come after nearly ten years of learning the now-dead language. To find Merlin’s language so easy to read was as astonishing as it was exciting. She was working with a language no one but she could understand. It was every linguist’s dream come true.
Merlin had written very in-depth accounts of his time spent traveling between the two realms. Each page gave further details to not only the shifter and magical realm, but also an in-depth history of the human realm. In college, she’d been taught that King Arthur was a myth, a story invented to increase England’s legendary greatness. The idea that Merlin had actually existed, that he wasn’t just some made-up character to go along with the tale, was fascinating to her.
“That’s enough. The two of you have been in here all morning. It’s time to go out and get some fresh air,” Visess insisted, sweeping into the room.
“Now, darling. You know I have to finish these letters,” Silal cajoled, though he laid down his pen and smiled lovingly at his wife.
“They can wait till tomorrow. Right now, you’re going to accompany me on a flight,” Visess demanded, grabbing her mate by the arm and practically dragging him from his chair.
Rianne laughed at the king and queen as she forcibly pulled him from the room, throwing a wink over her shoulder as they left. She knew Visess was probably right about taking a break, especially since her back was suddenly protesting from being doubled over for so long.
“Oh, I beg your pardon, my lady. I thought the study was empty.”
Rianne looked to see one of the footmen bowing deeply to her. She couldn’t remember his name, but vaguely recognized him as the man who had directed her, Nikolas, and Dorin to the dining hall her first night in the castle. His thin frame wasn’t very tall, but he still had a few inches on her. He was nowhere near as tall as Dorin or Nikolas, though. Disheveled orange hair fell into his face, partially obscuring his eyes, making him look rather young. She vaguely wondered if the red hair was a trait among the arctic shifters, but then reminded herself that none of the wolves she’d met had red or orange hair. She made a mental note to ask Dorin or Nikolas about it later.
The footman shifted under her gaze, as if uncomfortable with her continued perusal of him. To put him at ease, Rianne looked to her notes when she answered him.
“It’s all right. I was just about to leave.” Rianne waved him off.
“Ah. I was sent to clear the king’s desk,” the man explained nervously.
“Of course. Go ahead.” Rianne smiled, trying to put him at ease.
He nodded once, rather jerkily, before moving to straighten the papers on the desk. Rianne stacked her notes together, using them as a bookmark in the journal before putting the book in the study safe. Silal had insisted the book be kept hidden when not in use. He worried someone might try to destroy or steal it. Rianne thought he was being a little overdramatic, but she obliged him seeing as he had given her access to the study and the safe.
Pulling the key from her pocket, Rianne unlocked the tiny door that led to a magically enlarged vault. She placed the journal safely inside before relocking the door. She turned to find the footman giving her an odd look and smiled apologetically.
“The king insists the book be locked up at all times,” Rianne explained with a shrug.
“Of course, my lady.” The man bowed, going back to his work.
“Would you happen to know where Prince Dorin and Sir Nikolas are?” Rianne asked, sensing the man would prefer she use their titles.
“I believe they were out in the lists for the prince’s weekly training,” the man answered.
“Thank you…” Rianne trailed off uncertainly.
“Fawsny, my lady.”
“Fawsny. Yes, of course. Sorry. I’m having trouble remembering everyone’s names,” Rianne chuckled.
“It’s no problem at all, my lady,” Fawsny assured her with another bow.
“Er. Right, then. See you later,” Rianne called, leaving quickly before he could bow to her again.
It didn’t take her long to make it out to the lists where it was quite obvious the two men were intent on killing each
other.
* * * *
“We need to talk about it,” Dorin insisted as he and Nikolas circled each other.
“No, we don’t.” Nikolas growled, lunging toward the prince.
“Yes, we do. This has to be done carefully, Nikolas. You can’t go into it without a plan. We can’t just go in half-cocked,” Dorin persisted, dodging the larger man.
“We don’t need to plan it down to the last detail, either. It’s natural, Dorin. Let it happen as it will,” Nikolas grumbled as they began circling again.
“Is it so bad that I want to make it good for her? You know this will be her first time,” Dorin glared.
“It will be good for her, simply because she belongs to us,” Nikolas assured him.
“Damn it, Nik! Why won’t you listen to me? She’s untouched. Her body needs to be prepared properly. If you go barreling in there like she’s some common harlot, you’ll end up hurting her,” Dorin nearly shouted.
“Don’t you dare compare her to those whores!” Nikolas roared, easily tackling Dorin.
He went down easily, being less skilled in battle than his partner. Still, Dorin did not give up the fight. Fists flew as the two struggled against each other, neither one truly gaining the upper hand. Many of the Guard gathered around, cheering them on as they rolled across the list.
Nikolas’s fist connected with Dorin’s nose, snapping his head back against the ground. Dorin responded with a snarl, sending a right hook to Nikolas’s jaw. The polar rolled with the punch, allowing Dorin to leap to his feet.
“Is this how it’s to be? The two of us fighting over how to be with her? If so, then I quit now. I thought this was supposed to be a partnership, not a dictatorship.” Nikolas spat, wiping away blood from his mouth.
“Damn it, no. I am not the bad guy here for wanting to make it good for her,” Dorin insisted.
“No. You’re just the person who won’t listen to anyone else’s opinion but your own. How do you expect to be able to run the territory if you can’t accept that someone else might be right?” Nikolas pointed out harshly.
The Journal Keeper (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 9