by Laurie Roma
A pretty blush spread across her cheeks. “I just...that was...” She huffed out a breath when he laughed at her. “Asks the male who spies on me every night.”
He grinned. “I do try to cover you up whenever you kick off your blankets.”
She let out an embarrassed groan.
Chuckling, he stroked his fingers over her cheek, then down her neck and between her breasts. He could see her nipples were tight buds through her thin robe, and he couldn’t wait to taste them. He leaned down and pressed his lips lightly against hers before trailing kisses down her neck. “Someday, I will place my mark here.”
“Do it.” She tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
“Soon,” he promised, kissing the base of her throat. He planned on doing so at the earliest opportunity, but this was not the time to stake his claim on her so publicly, no matter how much he wanted to. He trailed his lips back up to meet hers, kissing her lazily as he let a purr rumble deep within his chest.
She quivered beneath him. “I love that sound.”
“You mentioned it to Jasyn earlier, but he thought it was too soon to tell you that usually only mated males and females purr for one another. The sound can be soothing or arousing, depending on the circumstances. Consider it an audible caress that conveys a deep sense of contentment and love. You have been purring for us for a while now.”
She looked startled by that revelation, then she laughed weakly. “I guess I have not hidden my feelings very well.”
“You never have to hide anything from us. We have never doubted you cared, but we did not dare hope you would want us as much as we want you,” he murmured as he pulled on one of the ties holding her robe closed.
“I do,” she swore, then she nibbled at her lower lip nervously. “I know I should not feel shy about you looking at me, but it is difficult. I mean, I want you to look at me. I have dreamed of being here with you like this, so I do not know why I am so nervous. Besides, you have seen me sleeping nude countless times, which is something I do not want to think about right now. I know I am just being silly. Other females are excited when they are allowed to wear more revealing clothing when they come of age, though the very thought makes me uncomfortable.”
“There is nothing wrong with being private, Lia,” he assured, cutting into her rambling explanation. “And it is a good thing you feel that way. The thought of other males seeing your body fills me with rage.”
“I do not want any other male looking at me,” she agreed breathlessly. “Just you, Jasyn, and Aeron. My mates.”
“Your mates,” he repeated proudly. “Now, we just need to get you comfortable with our touch.”
“We?”
“Aye. We,” Jasyn repeated as he stepped out of the shadows with Aeron by his side. “As your mates, your first taste of pleasure belongs to all of us. And we are here to claim it...together.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Braden shifted off of Liandra and helped her sit up so she could see Jasyn and Aeron clearly as they strode toward the bed. He had reached out to his brothers while he’d been out on the balcony with her, knowing that he couldn’t take this next step without them.
Jasyn and Aeron had been woken from a deep sleep, but they certainly hadn’t minded being disturbed. They’d thrown on soft, dark-gray pants with matching tunics before they made their way across the palace, fighting the urge to sprint down the hallways. Thankfully, the guards that had been patrolling the corridors had only given them cursory nods as they’d passed. Their eagerness to be with Liandra after she had made it clear she had chosen them wouldn’t have allowed for any interruptions.
Jasyn laughed when she let out a cry of joy and launched herself at him. He caught her and spun her around, elated at finally being able to have her in his arms. Before she had time to say anything, he took her mouth in a scorching kiss. His tongue thrust deep and stroked against hers, taking and tasting. Overwhelming need surged through him, so potent and visceral he had to struggle for control.
By the gods, she tasted like love, like happiness...like his forever.
He had never known true joy before he’d met her, and having the chance to spend the rest of his life with her was a gift beyond compare. It was almost impossible to stop the storm of emotions raging through him, but he could not give in yet. Before he completely lost himself in her, he gentled the kiss. “You have made me so happy,” he murmured against her lips. “I love you, Liandra.”
“I love you, too, Jasyn. So much,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Forgive me for not telling you sooner.”
“There is nothing to forgive.” He wanted to curse himself for asking, “Are you sure about this, little one? There could be consequences for choosing us as your mates.”
He could feel his brothers glaring at him, but Jasyn felt the need to lay it all out there before they went any further. He wanted to be sure she understood that her family would not be pleased with her decision. That was the reality they all had to face. Hearing her say that she loved him was enough to make him want to dismiss whatever obstacles that stood in the way of claiming her. Still, he couldn’t let his own selfish desires stop him from doing what was best for her, no matter how much he wanted her.
Wanting her had never been the problem, though. Whether or not they deserved her was. Their mother and fathers had been simple merchants before they had been killed by rogues while they had been traveling to a neighboring city. Because of their bloodline, having a princess as their mate should have been an impossible dream. However, when it came to Liandra, he hadn’t been able to stop himself from wanting to claim her.
“There will never be anyone for me but you,” she declared with fervor.
“If you are willing to face those consequences, so are we. Whatever happens, we will face it together.”
If she truly wanted him and his brothers as her chosen mates, there was nothing that would keep them away from her now. Not even the kings they had pledged their loyalty to or the princes who were their closest friends.
They were willing to risk the wrath of the gods themselves to have her.
“My turn.” Aeron plucked her out of Jasyn’s arms and into his own before kissing her passionately. When he pulled back, he grinned. “How is this for a birthday surprise?”
Laughing, she stroked a hand over his cheek. “It is the very best of surprises.” Her smile faltered. “I am afraid that all of this is a dream. If it is, promise to never wake me.”
“This is very real. You are stuck with us now.”
She leaned in to kiss him again. “I love you, Aeron.”
“I love you too, princess, and I always will.”
“Then bond with me. Mate with me now,” she whispered urgently.
He groaned as he leaned his forehead against hers and shook his head. “We wish we could, princess. Before we mate with you, we need to inform your mother and fathers that we intend to claim you. We also need to tell your brothers. We owe them that much.”
She swallowed hard. “And if they say nay?”
“It will not change our decision.”
“The only thing that could do that is if you stop loving us,” Braden asserted as he moved to sit at the end of the bed.
“That will never change. I will love all three of you until my last breath.”
Aeron closed his eyes, savoring her promise. “We also need more than a few stolen hours to make you ours the way you deserve. Braden will need to check in with the night watch soon, and Jasyn and I are on duty early since we have more guests arriving. We will speak to your family after your birthday celebration, then we shall have the rest of our lives together.”
“Until then, it will be our pleasure to leave you thoroughly sated before you go back to sleep. We smell the scent of your need, mate,” Braden growled as he pulled her between his parted thighs after Aeron set her down on her feet. “Tonight is all for you, love.”
Liandra’s pulse quickened as he pulled at the r
emaining ties holding her robe closed. Her voice lowered to a husky whisper. “I would be more comfortable if I was not the only one without anything on.”
Aeron grinned as he stripped off his tunic. “We are yours to command, princess.”
Her hungry gaze feasted on his bronzed skin, then she pouted a little when she noticed his thick erection tenting his loose pants. Even if they couldn’t claim her tonight, she wished she could touch them and explore their bodies.
Her gaze tracked back over to Braden as he dropped his leather vest to the floor. She stroked her hands over his bare chest, and his pectoral muscles flexed and danced beneath her palms. There was movement behind her, then she flinched when Jasyn’s strong hands settled on her shoulders before he pushed the robe down her arms.
Nervous energy hummed through her system, making her tremble in a way that made her feel like she was going to vibrate out of her own skin. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted them, yet standing in front of them with her robe pooled at her feet, she was left feeling awkward and exposed. When she felt the heat of Jasyn’s body against her back, she leaned against him, seeking comfort. Trying to settle her nerves, she focused on the intensity in Braden and Aeron’s glowing silver gazes.
“You are so beautiful,” Aeron said reverently.
Jasyn slid his hand over her bare stomach. “And your skin is so soft,” he murmured near her ear. “So perfect.”
“We are pushing her too far, too fast,” Braden warned his brothers through their bond. “I have an idea. Aeron, go stand next to Jasyn.”
She let out a shriek of surprise when he jerked her off her feet and pulled her onto his lap. He arranged her so she was facing Jasyn, keeping one arm wrapped around her waist to hold her in place while his other arm hid her breasts from view.
“You must be quiet, princess,” Aeron reminded as he walked over to stand beside Jasyn at his brother’s request. “What are you up to, Braden?”
“Sound is contained in the suite by magic. Princess Allie and Queen Raven put up the shield this evening. Only calls for aid will penetrate the barrier,” Braden explained.
Liandra’s head turned as she tried to look at him. “How did you—?”
“You were thinking about it. Remember, we are bonded by blood now,” Braden kissed her neck as he spoke to his brothers through their bond again. “I know we planned on giving her pleasure without seeking our own, but she is nervous and feeling anxious.”
“We must be making her feel like we are a pack of wild animals ready to pounce on her. No matter how connected she is to us, we are still unknown to her in this respect,” Aeron surmised.
“If we want her comfortable, then we need to help her get there. She needs to see us, to truly believe we belong to her.” Jasyn reached out to stroke a finger down her cheek. “Our little mate is curious. Aeron, take off your pants.”
“By the gods, you are trying to kill me,” Aeron groaned even as his hands eagerly moved to the ties at his waist.
Jasyn mentally scoffed. “You have never minded showing off before.”
“And I am too on edge for it to be me,” Braden admitted. It was sweet torture having her ass rubbing against his erection, and he feared his hold on his control would completely shatter once he was naked.
Liandra let out a loud gasp as Aeron’s pants dropped to the floor. He kicked them aside and stood before her, unashamed of his nudity. Stars above, he was truly magnificent. Her fascinated gaze drifted down to the throbbing length between his powerful thighs, and she let out a low purr that had his hard shaft growing impossibly larger before her eyes. When she forced her gaze back up, she relaxed a little when she saw the amused smile on his beloved face.
“Do you like what you see, princess?” Aeron reached down and stroked his cock with his large hand. When she just swallowed hard and nodded, he let out a low chuckle. “I believe the sight of my impressive form has rendered her mute.”
“That one has enough ego for the three of us combined,” Jasyn said dryly.
“I want...” She licked her lips, and Aeron groaned in response. “May I touch you?”
His eyes burned bright like silver stars as he stepped closer. “Anything you need or want, we will provide. Touch me, princess. Explore what belongs to you.”
Tentatively reaching out, she stroked her fingertips over his well-defined abdominal muscles. He was a warrior in his prime, and she could spend hours studying him without ever getting tired of looking at him. Forcing herself to be bold, she moved her hand lower and took hold of his shaft. She felt his heartbeat through the soft skin of his cock as it twitched and throbbed in her hand.
He was so large that her fingers didn’t meet around his thick stalk, and she would have found him intimidating if he wasn’t standing so still as he allowed her to examine him. When she rubbed her thumb against the trio of ridges underneath the head of his cock, silky liquid pulsed from the tiny slit on the top of the crown.
“It is pre-cum,” Braden explained. “When we mate, each pulse of fluid will help ease your body so that we may take you without pain or discomfort.”
“Use it to stroke me, princess. Slide your hand over my cock.”
Doing as Aeron had instructed, she slowly stroked him from base to the tip. Using her other hand, she cupped the sack beneath his cock. Her studies had given her the basics of male anatomy, but that was nothing compared to feeling the real thing. She enjoyed the heavy weight of him in her hand, and his growl of pleasure made her own body pulse with need. His reaction to her touch thrilled her, making her feel more powerful than she’d ever felt before. She let out a soft whimper as she squirmed on Braden’s lap, trying to ease the ache between her legs, but it wasn’t enough.
Breathing hard, Aeron stepped back and fisted the base of his cock. “Someone distract her. I am far too close to coming all over her hand.”
Braden swept her hair aside and pressed his lips on the side of her neck before nipping her with his fangs. The pressure was not enough to break the skin, but he felt her shiver in response. He cupped her breasts, teasing her nipples until they tightened to hard buds. “I think we can distract you,” he growled near her ear. “Do you want that, mate?”
“Aye,” she breathed.
Jasyn was relieved to see that her unease had been replaced with desire and the spark of excitement. He got to his knees on the floor in front of her as he watched his brother turn her head to claim her mouth. The scent of her arousal was driving him insane, and he could no longer wait to taste the nectar spilling from her untouched pussy.
Without warning, he pushed her thighs apart and pressed his mouth against her pussy. He swiped his tongue over her slit in one long lick and growled at the sweet taste of her. Her legs jerked, but he wouldn’t allow her to close them. Instead, he hooked them over Braden’s legs. His brother spread her wide, giving him complete access to her, and he drove right in.
The sweet taste of her was addictive, and he lapped and sucked at her pussy before he stabbed his tongue into her tight, hot hole. Her muscles fluttered and clenched around his tongue. Her breathless whimpers made his own dick throb, but his own need was secondary at the moment. He wanted to claim the honor of being the first male to ever make her climax, to know that he had given her that ultimate pleasure.
“Do you like my brother’s mouth on you, Lia?” Braden asked harshly. “Is Jasyn making you feel good?”
“Aye! Oh, gods...Jasyn!”
Hearing her cry his name made Jasyn stop teasing her. He moved his attention up to her clit and circled the tight bundle of nerves with his tongue. When her hips bucked against him, he growled and let the sound vibrate through his lips as he wrapped them around her clit. He sucked harder and heard her scream his name as she came.
“That shield better hold,” Aeron muttered darkly.
Ignoring him, Jasyn continued to suck and lick at her sensitive flesh as her entire body shook with the force of her climax. She writhed in Braden’s hold, but Jasyn trusted his
brother to hold her in place. Once the last tremor faded, he placed a gentle kiss on her clit before moving his mouth over to the inside of her thigh. Love for her surged through him as he lapped at her soft skin once, twice, then he sank his fangs deep. She let out a muffled cry as he drank down her essence, and he had to fight the need to come as he felt her pleasure through his newly formed connection with her.
Rising to his feet, Jasyn licked his lips, savoring every drop of her blood and sweet cream before he took her mouth in a heated kiss. It pleased him that she wasn’t shy about tasting herself on him as he stroked his tongue against hers. He growled when she pulled away from him, then he let out a hoarse shout as her fangs sank into his chest. He cradled her head and closed his eyes in bliss as she completed their blood bond.
Aeron was done waiting.
As Liandra drank from his brother, he dropped to his knees between her parted legs and sank his fangs into her thigh. The taste of her blood sang through his system, and he felt all the love and passion she felt for them through the bond. He quickly closed the wound and went straight in for the kill, latching his mouth on her clit as he thrust a finger into her tight, hot hole. She cried out as he stroked his finger deeper, and he swirled his tongue around her pussy to collect her sweet juices. She was intoxicating, the taste of her utterly addicting, and he couldn’t get enough.
“Fuck, you are going to make me come if you keep moving like that,” Braden snarled. “Do you want that, Lia? Do you want to force me to come in my pants while you slide that sweet ass all over my cock?”
“Please!”
Her desperate cry made Aeron lash at the swollen bundle of nerves faster. He felt how close Braden was to losing control and knew he didn’t have much time before his brother snapped. Tasting her and thinking about sinking his big cock into her tight pussy was enough to make Aeron leak pre-cum all over her discarded robe on the floor.