Nikolas gave a gruff laugh and rose from his seat.
“How can I pass such an offer up?” Nikolas grinned, taking her free hand.
She was more excited than she let on at the prospect of a foot rub. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had rubbed her feet or kept them warm. For as long as she could remember she’d complained of cold feet, even in the heat of summer. Being in the ten-below temperatures of Wolvden, she was amazed her feet hadn’t frozen.
The minute Dorin opened the doors to the library, all thoughts of frozen body parts fled. She stood in the doorway, between the two men, and simply gaped at the room in front of them. The walls were filled with books, rising all the way to the ceiling. There wasn’t an inch of wall visible as she stepped farther into the room. Above her, the ceiling was a glass dome, providing enough natural light to make up for the lack of windows along the walls. A fireplace was carved into the wall directly across from the door, but it was relatively small considering the size of the room. The space had to be the size of all three of their bedrooms combined and then some. It was massive and simply beautiful.
“I assume from your stunned silence that you like it?” Dorin asked, coming to stand beside her.
Unable to form proper words, Rianne could only nod as her eyes took in the books hungrily.
“Take your pick, danalya. I’m sure Nikolas is anxious for you to read to him,” Dorin insisted, a hand on the small of her back urging her forward.
She had no idea how he expected her to pick. She had no idea where to even start, let alone which one she’d want to read first. She doubted they used the Dewey decimal system, but as she walked along the walls, she was able to find a discernible pattern to the books’ placement. When she came across William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, she barely managed to contain a squeal of delight. Grabbing it off the shelf, she practically ran back to where Nikolas and Dorin had settled around the fire.
Dorin sat in one of the armchairs, a large tome in his lap and his feet propped up on the short table in front of him. Sitting at one end of the couch, Nikolas had left the remaining space for her to lie out. She allowed her body to fall onto the soft cushions, the book in her lap.
“Ah, a woman after my own heart.” Nikolas grinned as she flopped onto the couch.
“You like Shakespeare?” Rianne asked, putting her feet in his lap and wiggling her toes at him until he chuckled, placing his hands over them.
“He’s my favorite playwright from your world,” Nikolas admitted, beginning to rub the arch of her foot.
“Mmm. That feels good,” Rianne murmured.
“Read to me, capora,” Nikolas encouraged gently.
Opening the book to act 1, scene 1, Rianne began to read. It didn’t take her long to lose herself in the story, developing a rhythm as she recited the words on the page. Through the entire play, Nikolas kept her feet warm, his callused hands incredibly gentle as they worked the soles. His fingers danced across the scar over her left foot, barely touching the bunched skin.
“What happened here?” Nikolas asked when she paused between acts.
“I dropped a knife,” Rianne told him, putting down the book to look at the scar.
“You dropped a knife?” Nikolas frowned, paying closer attention to the white line.
“Yeah. It was just after college, and I was cooking dinner in my new apartment. I wasn’t paying attention, and the knife just kind of slipped. I didn’t move away in time, and it sliced through my foot. I had to get twenty-three stitches,” Rianne explained.
“Gods, Nik, we can’t let her near the armory. Can you image what she would do to herself with one of your swords?” Dorin teased, alerting her to the fact that he had stopped reading to listen in on their conversation.
“She’d likely be unable to even lift my swords, let alone do any damage with them,” Nikolas chuckled.
“Hey. I will have you know, I have become quite adept at handling knives since then. I have yet to drop another knife on my foot,” Rianne informed them haughtily.
“You’ll forgive us if we don’t tempt fate.” Dorin grinned, leaning across the space separating them to kiss her.
Rianne gave a huff of annoyance when he pulled away, but didn’t respond as she turned back to Nikolas.
“Do you want me to keep reading?” Rianne asked.
“Actually, I think you deserve a break. I want to discuss something with you,” Nikolas said, looking at her thoughtfully.
“All right,” Rianne agreed, siting up to be on the same level as him.
“What has Carme told you about the traditions of Laurasia?” Nikolas asked.
“Not much,” Rianne admitted.
“Has she told you of the mating ceremony?” Nikolas pressed.
“Just about how she and Hosym came to be mates. She didn’t say anything about the actual ceremony,” Rianne answered, giving a small shrug.
“Nikolas,” Dorin cautioned, his tone obviously disproving.
“She needs to know,” Nikolas insisted, never looking away from her.
“What? What do I need to know?” Rianne asked, trepidation creeping over her.
“Easy, danalya,” Dorin murmured, standing and moving behind her to rub her shoulders.
“Traditionally, the mating ceremony takes place under a new moon, to signify a new beginning for the mated pair or triad. Usually, the male spends time wooing the female, coaxing her into the mating in a way very similar to the mating habits of our animal halves. If things were different, Dorin and I would not be permitted to spend this much time alone with you, and we certainly wouldn’t be allowed to sleep in the same bed as you until after the ceremony. Because Dorin is a prince, though, the rules can be bent slightly. Dorin and I have been talking and we think it might be best to have the ceremony sooner rather than wait for the next new moon,” Nikolas told her.
“Why?” Rianne asked, not sure whether or not she wanted to agree.
“Because, danalya, Nikolas would take the lead in the ceremony. It might offer you greater protection. If the shooter is targeting you to get to me, then by publicly declaring yourself to Nikolas as your primary mate, it might cause them to shift their target,” Dorin explained.
“But what about you?” Rianne asked Dorin, not liking the idea of putting one of them above the other.
“You and I would still be mated, Rianne. Referring to Nikolas as your primary mate doesn’t diminish our bond. Every ménage relationship has a primary mate. Primary simply refers to the ceremony and the night after. Nikolas will mark you first, but once we’re fully mated, Nikolas and I will be equally tied to you,” Dorin assured her.
“But then, how does that make me less of a target?” Rianne asked, still not getting why they wanted this.
“Because Dorin is a prince, and any member of a royal family is automatically the primary mate. By giving the right of first claim to me, the people will assume he doesn’t care for you as much as he does. It changes nothing except the way people view us. When the time comes, you will take your proper place by Dorin’s side as queen,” Nikolas answered.
“Giving Nikolas the title of primary mate is all about keeping you safe. It has nothing to do with my feelings for you, danalya. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love you, but if I want to keep you safe, I need to let Nikolas be the primary mate,” Dorin said, sounding incredibly apologetic about the whole thing.
“When would you want to have the ceremony?” Rianne asked slowly, thinking about all they’d said.
“We can have everything prepared in two days’ time if you agree,” Nikolas murmured, taking her hand.
“Oh. Okay. Can I think about it?” Rianne asked.
“Of course, capora.” Nikolas smiled gently, kissing her fingers.
“Good. Good. I’ll let you know as soon as I decide,” Rianne promised nervously.
“We don’t want to have to rush you, Rianne, but the circumstances are pushing us to go faster than we normally would. I hope you’ll fo
rgive us and allow us the chance to court you properly once this threat has passed,” Dorin offered, kneeling beside her.
“Will you cook for me?” Rianne asked slyly, happy to turn the conversation away from the mating ceremony.
“Only if you want to spend the night throwing up,” Nikolas teased, squeezing her foot.
“I’m not that bad,” Dorin argued.
“As I recall, you last meal resulted in the entire castle fighting over bathroom rights. For a whole day, nothing got done because we were all too sick to leave our buckets,” Nikolas insisted.
“All right, fine. So I can’t cook,” Dorin admitted defeat, mock glaring at Nikolas.
“Hmm. I’m afraid I can’t agree to courting a man who can’t cook,” Rianne said with playful regret.
“Well, lucky for me, then, that Nikolas can cook. He’ll cook you a meal, and I’ll dance with you all night long,” Dorin offered, leaning over her.
“Oh, now that’s an offer I don’t think I can refuse.” Rianne giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Good. Because we plan to spoil you rotten,” Dorin warned, closing in.
“Promises, promises,” Rianne sighed just before he pressed his lips to hers.
The warmth of his kiss spread throughout her body, causing her blood to turn into molten lava. Her nipples tightened and her pussy moistened, both anxious for his touch, for some sort of friction. As Dorin dominated her mouth, his tongue sliding in to tangle with hers, Nikolas’s hands slipped beneath her skirt, dancing up her legs to caress her thighs. She moaned when he pressed a finger to her throbbing clit, circling tantalizingly slowly.
“Fuck,” Rianne gasped when Dorin let her up for air.
“Not yet, danalya.” Dorin chuckled darkly before claiming her lips once again.
While Nikolas worked his fingers beneath her panties, Dorin’s hand slipped beneath the front of her dress, finding a nipple and tweaking the taut bud until she cried out.
“Damn, she’s wet,” Nikolas groaned as he slid a finger inside of her.
“How does she taste?” Dorin asked, breaking their kiss once more.
She tried to clamp her legs together to keep Nikolas’s finger where it was, but he pulled out anyway, bringing the finger to his lips and sucking her juices.
“Spicy,” Nikolas told Dorin, licking his lips as he watched her.
“Please,” Rianne whimpered, shifting restlessly.
Nikolas shot her a devilish smirk and returned his hand beneath her skirt. She cried out as he slid two fingers instead her, stretching her in a deliciously painful way. She thought for sure she would fall apart when he began pumping his fingers in and out while his talented thumb played with her clit.
“Tell him how good it feels, Rianne. Tell him what you want,” Dorin ordered, pinching her nipple to gain her attention.
“Oh, God, it feels so good. So good,” Rianne panted, arching against them both.
“Do you want to come, Rianne? I know you’re close. I can smell how much you want to come,” Dorin taunted her.
“Yes. Oh, yes, please,” Rianne practically begged, her head thrashing against the sofa as she reached for the climax they were keeping from her.
“Soon, we’ll come with you, your body between us. We’ll fill you up until everyone knows you’re ours by scent alone. We’ll be imbedded in your very pores,” Dorin told her.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Rianne chanted, feeling her climax coming.
“You should rest up now, danalya, because once we get you between us, we won’t be letting you sleep,” Dorin warned, his teeth moving to nip her neck at the same time Nikolas curled his fingers and pressed down on her clit.
She screamed as her body was ripped apart at the seams, no longer able to control the passionate torture they inflicted on her. Nikolas’s fingers milked her for all she was worth, not satisfied until she had given him everything and lay slumped against the couch’s armrest.
“You’re so damn beautiful and taste so fucking good.” Nikolas growled, licking his fingers clean.
She whimpered at the visual, her pussy clenching desperately for his fingers. Dorin had yet to remove his hand from her breast, and his finger drew circles around the puckered nipple he’d been abusing.
“I can’t wait to watch him make you come on our mating night. You’re going to look so beautiful all spread out for us to take.” Dorin hummed, leaning down to kiss her hungrily.
“No more. Please, no more,” Rianne breathed when he pulled away.
“Shh. Hush, now. I know,” Dorin soothed, removing his hand from her dress to brush her hair away from her face.
She swallowed at the tender gesture, her emotions escaping her after what they had done. Looking between Nikolas’s ice-blue eyes and Dorin’s chocolate-brown eyes, she knew they had the power to either save or destroy her.
Chapter Nine
Rianne walked into her bedroom to find Carme already waiting for her, breakfast set out, and a dress thrown across the bed.
“Waiting for me, were you?” Rianne asked, stripping from her pajamas.
“I wouldn’t have had to if you had been in your bed this morning,” Carme scolded good-naturedly.
“Neither one of them wanted me to spend the night alone. Besides, the window hadn’t been fixed,” Rianne pointed out as Carme helped her get dressed.
“Hmm. They behaved themselves?” Carme asked as she laced up the back.
“For the most part.” Rianne grinned, feeling the blush creep across her cheeks as she remembered their hands on her.
“Can’t say I’m surprised. Those two can barely keep their hands off you,” Carme commented, shaking out Rianne’s skirt.
“I’m starting to think that’s not such a bad thing,” Rianne admitted with a smile.
“Of course it’s not. Do you have any idea how many women would love to be in your shoes? Mated to the prince of Wolvden and the best warrior in the Wolvden Guard? Mmm, let’s just say Hosym’s lucky he got me while he could,” Carme teased, causing Rianne to laugh.
“They left early this morning. Nikolas wanted to talk to the Guard about making sure they keep their eyes out for the shooter, and Dorin was supposed to talk to his father about…setting up the ceremony,” Rianne told her, whispering the last part.
Carme froze, her blue eyes wide as she turned them on Rianne. Rianne met her gaze nervously, unsure whether she’d done the right thing or not, but a moment later Carme had her arms wrapped around the taller girl.
“Oh, I’m so happy for you. I know those two will make sure you never regret staying here,” Carme insisted tearfully.
Seeing the other woman start to cry caused Rianne’s own tears to fall, and the two held on to each other as they shared in tears of happiness and mourning. It hadn’t taken long for Rianne to come to terms with the fact that she would never see her family again. She had never been particularly close with her parents in any case. Once that hurdle had been jumped, choosing to stay had been easy.
“Now I just have to learn how to be a queen,” Rianne said with a watery laugh, wiping at her cheeks.
“I’m sure the king and queen would be happy to help you,” Carme assured her.
“I hope so. Dorin told me his parents are anxious to retire and pass the throne on to him,” Rianne told her nervously.
“No matter what, you’ll make a wonderful queen. You were made for it,” Carme said earnestly.
“In two days’ time it won’t really matter. I’ll be mated to Nikolas and Dorin, and that’ll be that. They’ll never get rid of me,” Rianne teased.
“Not that they’d want to,” Carme added with a giggle.
Rianne joined in her laughter as the two of them moved to sit in front of the fire. The tray of fruit looked incredibly good, and Rianne dug in hungrily as Carme kept her company.
“Is there any news on the shooter?” Rianne asked, munching on a piece of melon.
“Not that I know of. Hosym was working in the smithy when the shot
went off. He and the other blacksmiths looked, but couldn’t see anything. They’ve promised to keep an eye out since they’ve got a clear view of your window,” Carme told her.
“When do I get to meet this mate of yours?” Rianne asked, leaning toward her.
“Well, seeing as you’re not really allowed outside of the castle walls…” Carme trailed off thoughtfully.
“I’m allowed outside. I just have to have some muscle with me,” Rianne corrected her.
“‘Some muscle’? Are those Dorin and Nikolas’s words, or are you paraphrasing?” Carme giggled.
“Paraphrasing, of course. They said something more like ‘at least four guards, more if possible.’ They’re so panicked about this. Not that I blame them, but I don’t see what we can do until the shooter shows himself again,” Rianne shrugged.
“Well, lucky for you, there happen to be four guards stationed outside your bedroom door,” Carme informed her.
“No,” Rianne breathed, feeling her eyes go wide in disbelief.
“Oh, yes. I think they were serious about that,” Carme said, giggling harder.
“Not that I’m against the protection, but good grief.” Rianne groaned, thumping her head against the back of the chair.
“Don’t worry. They’re nice men,” Carme assured her.
“I don’t doubt that, but I’m sure they’d rather be training,” Rianne said.
“I don’t think so. They get to follow around two pretty women. What could be better?” Carme teased.
“We might as well make good use of them, then,” Rianne decided, popping the last bite of fruit into her mouth before standing.
“You want to go to the smithy?” Carme asked, surprised.
“I want to meet your mate,” Rianne insisted, pulling her up.
“All right,” Carme agreed slowly, following her out the door.
Rianne pulled up short when she saw the four large men standing outside her door, all of them with furious expressions. They could’ve been brothers with their various shades of brown hair and golden eyes. They all towered over her five foot five, and their muscles practically bulged from beneath their tunics. She vaguely wondered what all that muscle would do against a bullet, but didn’t think Nikolas and Dorin would appreciate her pointing the fact out to them.
The Journal Keeper (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 14