by Laurie Roma
Covering her was all he had intended to do, then she had moaned his name. He hadn’t been able to stop himself. He had stolen a kiss, brushing his lips against hers. The light touch had set his body on fire. When she had tried to take the kiss deeper, he’d desperately wanted to strip his clothes off and join her on the bed. Instead, he’d forced himself to retreat to the balcony a safe distance away.
He’d spent countless nights hidden in the corner of her balcony, a silent sentry keeping watch to protect her when she was most vulnerable. Hellfire, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a full night’s rest, but it was damn well worth it. He liked standing guard over her while she was sleeping. Even his own brothers thought he was crazy at times. It was a compulsion in his blood, a need he had to fulfill for his own peace of mind.
That didn’t mean Jasyn and Aeron didn’t take their own turns guarding her while she slept, though it was mostly Braden who found himself returning to her balcony night after night. It was torture watching her sleep in that massive bed and not being able to join her, but he wanted every moment he could have with her.
Even if he had to steal that time.
Whenever he snuck into her room, he usually limited himself to brushing his lips against her forehead before taking his seat. Tonight had been different. It all felt different, as if the air itself was charged with an electrical current. He hadn’t meant to reveal himself to her tonight, and he wouldn’t have if she hadn’t woken up.
He’d tried to stay away from her. She was far too tempting, and he feared that his control would break. If it did, he would end up doing something unforgivable. But he was coming precariously close to losing the battle. He felt as if she were slipping through his fingers like the sands of time, and each second that passed brought him closer to his doom. Once she was mated, there would be very few private moments spent in her presence.
The very thought filled him with rage, making him clench his fists.
“What are you doing here? The guards—”
“Did not see me. Why are you having trouble sleeping, little Lia?” he asked instead of answering her question. The nickname he called her usually made her smile, but this time she just frowned at him and huffed out a breath. The little show of irritation amused him but exposing that would be a mistake. As she stepped closer, his own annoyance spiked. He didn’t like the signs of fatigue he saw on her beautiful face. It made him want to carry her to the bed and order her back to sleep.
“Why the sudden concern with my sleeping habits?” she fired back.
“There is nothing sudden about it.”
She looked back at the sea, but he had seen something flash in her gold eyes before she turned away from him. He had hurt her. Self-preservation may have made him try to keep his distance from her, but the one thing he couldn’t stand against was her pain.
He got to his feet and slowly walked toward her. She stubbornly refused to look at him, and he had to fight the urge to grab hold of her and never let go. Wanting to shift her mood and see her smile, he drew the knife that he had tucked into his belt. He’d wrapped it in a soft cloth and had planned to leave it by her bed before he left her suite, but those plans had changed.
He’d felt an acute sense of satisfaction when he saw that she’d worn the bracelet and rings his brothers had given her to bed. Braden knew there was a chance he would never get to give her the mating torque he had created for her, but he’d made it with hope in his heart that one day she would wear it. Because he couldn’t give her the torque, he had also made her a knife since he knew she’d been hunting for one for a while now.
It was almost half the size of a warrior’s blade and was the perfect size to fit in her small hand. The blade was made of black metal, and pink metal liasha flowers decorated the leather handle. Liandra was a rare beauty just like the liasha flower, and that was one of the reasons he had started calling her Lia when she was younger.
The liasha flowers were only found in the harsh desert climate, and no one knew where or when one would bloom out of the sand. They were a favorite among their people since each stem bore three beautiful glowing pink flowers. Many trios searched for one to give to their chosen mates, and with care and cultivation, the flowers could continue to rebloom for many cycles. Since he couldn’t give her the actual flowers, he’d put them on the gift he’d made for her so that she could carry them with her.
“I brought you something.” He held up the wrapped blade. “I wanted to be the first to wish you blessings on your day of birth, little Lia.”
“You broke into my bedchamber to give me a gift?”
He smirked. “I came in through the secret entrance.”
“There is a secret entrance into my suite?” She gasped. “Why did you not tell me?”
“Because you would have used it if you knew about it,” he said with a laugh. “We were tasked with keeping you safe, so we needed another exit to sneak you out of the palace in case something happened. It took us a long time to create the pathway from your suite into the mountain since only my brothers and I know it exists. We are able to access the hidden tunnel from our old quarters. It is why we insisted that area be used for storage after we were forced to move to the other side of the palace.”
Liandra shook her head in amazement. They were far too clever for their own good. She should have realized they wouldn’t let a little thing like a mountain get in the way of keeping her safe. Of course, she would have used a secret entrance if she had known about it. Obviously, they had been right not to tell her. Thinking about how easily she could have snuck into their quarters and slipped into bed with them made her pulse race.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she remembered she’d been sleeping naked when he must have entered her room. Clearing her throat, she reached for whatever Braden was holding, but he pulled it out of reach. She raised a brow at the playful gesture, then he grinned and placed the object into her waiting hand. Tearing her gaze away from him, she looked down and pulled the cloth away.
She gasped as she saw the beautiful knife secured in a black leather sheath. The sight of the liasha flowers warmed her heart. The metal flowers secured to the black leather handle were smooth to the touch and made it easier to grip. She slid the dagger free from its sheath and admired the silver, gold, and bronze design that had been worked into the bottom half of the black blade.
“It is beautiful. Thank you so much, Braden. It is truly a work of art.”
He shifted on his feet, looking uncomfortable with the praise. “It might look nice, but it is still a weapon. I will have to teach you the proper way to use it before I will be comfortable with you carrying it.”
His gruff announcement made her smile with gratitude. “I would like that.”
“Now, tell me why.”
She battled with herself, trying to figure out what to say, then went with honesty. “I have not felt safe since you left me.” When she saw him flinch, she wanted to take the words back. Perhaps that was a little too honest. “I did not mean—”
“You did.” His fingers brushed the hair back from her face, then gripped her chin to hold her in place when she tried to look away from him. “Explain why you need a weapon.”
“I wish to learn how to protect myself.”
“Have Zavier, Calix, and Makari done something to make you distrust them?” His voice lowered to a menacing growl that made her shiver.
“Nay, I barely know the Vortox brothers.” She slid the blade back into its sheath with barely a hiss of sound. “I have realized how foolish it is to leave my peace of mind to others. I know they are my guards, but...” Her shoulders slumped as she said, “They are not you.”
“Sweet little Lia, you have no need to fear. We will always keep you safe,” he murmured softly. “You may feel like we have abandoned you, but we have not. We never will.”
Her spine stiffened as her temper ignited. “I never even see you anymore!”
He stepped closer and wrapped his hand around her nec
k, and she shivered at his touch. The move should have scared her, but his hold was gentle. She knew he would never hurt her. At least, not physically. The heat of his large palm felt good against her cool skin, and she wished she could wrap her arms around him and share his warmth.
“You do not see me because I am here every fucking night,” he snarled.
His bold admission made her breath catch. Had he really just said that? Her heart started pounding so hard she was sure he could feel it through his palm. “Wh–what?”
“You have never been without us. Jasyn and Aeron share duties during the daylight hours, trading off so they can remain close by in case you need them. But that is not enough for me. I do not have as much control as my brothers.”
“Oh, Braden—”
“I need this.” He gripped her shoulders, almost desperately. “Do you understand? I sit on this balcony watching you sleep because I cannot stay away from you. Once you are mated to a trio of kings—”
She shook her head. “I will not be mating any kings.”
“You do not have a choice. That is why your fathers invited all of these damn kings and princes for your birthday celebration.”
His expression was fierce, but his glowing silver eyes were dim with sadness. She reached up and gently stroked her fingertips over his beloved face from his forehead down to his jawline. He grabbed her wrist, though he didn’t pull her hand away.
“You know who I want as my mates.”
He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. “You should not say such things to me. We cannot always have what we want, no matter how much we wish it were so.”
She wanted to beg him to love her enough to fight for her, for them. Hearing the desperate longing in his voice gave her the courage she needed to finally confess what was in her heart. “I will only mate with males I love...no others. It is you, Jasyn, and Aeron. It has always been you, Braden.” She swallowed hard before whispering, “I have loved you my whole life, and will continue until I take my last breath. There will never be anyone else for me. If you want me, I am yours.”
“You are already mine, Lia. You always have been,” he growled as his control snapped and he jerked her into his arms. Wrapping her long hair around his fist, he pulled her head back and took her mouth in a brutal, claiming kiss.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Braden captured her moan of pleasure as his tongue shoved past the seam of her lips. Kissing her was a revelation. It was the fulfillment of every wish and dream he’d ever had, but the reality of tasting her was so much better than he ever could have imagined.
As soon as his lips touched hers, he’d become lust-drunk. Passion clouded his head until it was impossible to think straight. He knew he had taken advantage of the situation, crossed the line. Hellfire, he hadn’t just crossed it.
He had fucking obliterated the line until it no longer existed.
What he’d said to her was true...she belonged to him. Back when they’d first met her, Aeron and Jasyn had instantly felt a connection to their little charge, but Braden had been wary. Somehow, he had sensed that she would become too important to them, and he’d been right. Even as a youngling, she’d had them wrapped around her little finger, and that power over them had only grown stronger.
Now, she owned them completely.
He knew he should proceed with caution. Actually, he should stop what he was doing and leave before he did something even worse. Touching her was akin to a death sentence. If he were caught in her bedchamber, he would not only damn himself but his brothers as well.
But she was worth it.
That was something all three of them were in complete agreement about.
His tongue stroked against hers, coaxing her to respond in kind. Feeling her pressed against him made his cock harden to stone, and his thick length strained uncomfortably within the confines of his leather pants. He fused their mouths together, needing her more than he needed air. He didn’t want to frighten her with the intensity of his need, but he couldn’t stop himself from feasting on her like a starving male.
When her knees buckled, he lifted her feet off the ground with ease. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her robe parted. A low groan rumbled deep in his chest as he felt her rub against his erection. A pulse of pre-cum leak from the tip of his cock as she rocked her hips against him. Her movements were instinctive, and he wasn’t even sure she was aware of what she was doing.
Pressing her back against one of the large, stone columns that acted as a partition between the balcony and her bedchamber, his hips flexed against her. He cursed the layer of clothing that kept him from feeling her against his skin. However, the barrier between them was a stark reminder that he needed to take things slow.
She was completely innocent and had only experienced her first kiss earlier that day. Despite her lack of knowledge, she had an innate sensuality that nearly drove him out of his mind. Each time she moved, it felt as though she were stroking his cock, forcing him closer to climax.
When her arms wrapped around his neck, the dagger she still held smacked him on the back of the head. He was damn grateful she had put the blade back into its sheath, or she might have done some serious damage. Even worse, she could have hurt herself. That sobering thought was enough to knock some sense back into him. Breathing hard, he pulled back to stare down at her as he held her hips in a firm grip to stop her from moving. With her full lips swollen from his kiss and her glowing gold eyes dazed with arousal, she had never looked more beautiful.
By the gods, he wanted her to the point of madness.
“Be sure,” he growled in warning, even though it was already too late. There was no way he could give her up now that he’d gotten a taste of her. “If this goes any further, there will be no turning back.”
Liandra felt a little lightheaded as she panted for breath. After he’d kissed her, she had forgotten to breathe, and now her lungs burned from lack of air. Nothing had mattered but the addictive taste of him and the feel of his hard body pressed against her. She wanted his mouth back on hers, wanted to lose herself in the pleasure he gave her. She had been so close to finding release just by rubbing against him, and she’d wanted to curse when he had pulled back.
His words had barely registered, and she fought to clear her head enough to reply. Now that she knew that he wanted her as much as she wanted him, she wouldn’t let anything stop her from claiming Braden, Jasyn, and Aeron as her mates. Wanting to show him exactly how serious she was, she slowly leaned forward. His silver eyes flashed with heat as her lips hovered close to his until they were breathing the same breath.
“Why would I want to turn back now that you are finally mine?”
“I have always been yours, Lia. And I always will be.”
His fervent vow had her throwing caution to the wind. She kissed him lightly, then surprised him by sinking her fangs into his lower lip deep enough to draw blood. His unique taste exploded on her tongue, making her want more. He snarled, not in anger but in primal triumph. She felt it as she drank his essence in. His emotions flooded into her mind, and her senses were overwhelmed by the intensity of his desire for her. She saw all the erotic things he wanted to do to her, and her body quivered in anticipation.
She wanted to do it all with him.
To experience everything life had to offer them as mates.
She licked his lip and closed the wounds, then she took the next step in bonding them together. She bit down on own her tongue until a small amount of blood broke the surface. Her tongue swept into his mouth, and she shared her own essence with him. His breath caught, then she felt his shock as their blood bond snapped into place, connecting them mind to mind.
Suddenly, they were moving.
As he swiftly carried her into the bedchamber, he took the knife out of her hand and tossed it onto a table on his way to the bed. When her back hit the mattress, he followed her down, completely covering her with his massive body. It felt glorious to feel him on top of her, yet he
was careful not to crush her beneath him. She didn’t think she’d mind feeling his full weight on her, though it was probably useless asking him to do something that could potentially harm her.
There was so much love in his gaze that it brought tears to her own eyes. “Braden...”
Leaning down, he kissed her tears away. “Do not weep, my love.”
“I feel you inside of me,” she told him using their new bond. “It feels so right, so perfect. I dreamed of being with you like this for so long...”
“As have I,” he said softly. “I never thought I would have this, have you. Now that I feel your love inside of me, I do not know how I ever existed without it. You are my life, my light. I cannot ever face the darkness without you again.”
“Never,” she swore. “I will always be with you, from now until the end of my days.”
His hand sank into her hair as he kissed her with a hunger that stole her breath. Her pleasure merged with his as their tongues tangled together in an erotic dance that set her blood on fire. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to spread her legs to settle him between her thighs, but he held her in place.
Despite his joy at being bonded with her, she still felt his hesitation. He didn’t want to push her too quickly, but they had already waited far too long. Opening herself to him, she invited him into her mind, giving him access to all of her thoughts and memories. She felt him merge with her, and in return, he shared every part of himself with her. It should have felt like an invasion, but with him, it seemed as natural as breathing.
Distracted by the pleasure he was giving her, she only caught snippets of his life through his memories. Her heart ached when she realized how much he had sacrificed for her over the many cycles, but through it all, he had loved her even when he thought she would never be his.
And not just him. The depth of Braden, Jasyn, and Aeron’s love for her was humbling, and she made a vow to find a way to prove she was worthy of their devotion.
Braden gentled the kiss even though her need fanned the flames of his own. Being connected to her felt as if he’d finally found a vital piece of himself that he hadn’t even known was missing. He pulled back enough to give her a teasing frown. “Exactly when were you in my chambers while I was naked?”