Ryker’s arms sweep outward as his nostrils flare.
“You intend to marry her, don’t you?”
“Yes, just as you do.”
With his face reddening, he begins to pace.
“I came to terms with you being her lover, with you always being in her life, but not as King, not as her husband.”
“She won’t choose either of us over the other, and if we try, we’ll end up pushing her away.”
“So, you propose we share her as Kings, both taking her as our wife?”
The vein in his neck pulses as he stops his pacing and stares at me.
“Yes, there is no royal decree that would prevent Fiora from marrying two Kings.”
He laughs, the sound on edge.
“Take a moment to think like her—several steps ahead. If we have children with her, they will all be royals and heirs to their mother’s and father’s territories. She would not have the heart to have children with you, children that would have a secure and safe future, yet leave the children she has with me without a future or security.”
Ryker drops into the chair, his gaze staring out the window as he considers this. A minute later, he rubs his forehead and sighs.
“I understand what she’s doing, for our future and our children’s. Leaving any of her children without a secure future would make her miserable. I don’t ever want her to be unhappy, especially not because of something I’ve done to hurt her.” Moving the plate back in front of him, he takes a bite, and I do the same. For a minute, his brows are knitted in thought, then he laughs to himself. “Perhaps it’s best there are two of us. She’s far more clever than we are.”
“The race was a good start. Get used to being bested by her.”
We look at each other, both of us smirking.
“I’ll give you some advice I learned some time ago.”
“I’m listening.”
“Fiora hates being controlled. If you give her the time and space she needs, she’ll always end up surprising you and pleasing you.”
Ryker sets his fork down, tilting his head as he sighs, accepting whatever thought he has.
“There’s something she wants that we’ll need to give her.”
“Yes, I know.”
“You saw how she reacted to us giving her affection in my palace and at the royal dinner last night. She wants to lay with us together.”
Taking a bite, I look out the window and watch her walking with a bouquet of mixed colored flowers, her smile brightening everything around her.
“Once we give her a taste of what it’s like being with both of us, she’s not going to accept it happening only once. She’ll want us all together often. Are you ready for that?”
Ryker looks me in the eyes, his gaze questioning.
“Are you?”
“If I’ve learned anything from Fiora, it’s to be several steps ahead. I’ve already been preparing her to lay with us.”
Ryker shakes his head, a grin splitting his lips.
“You knew back when we were all in my palace together, it was going to end up this way.”
“I knew she wanted us to lay with her, yes. I didn’t anticipate her falling in love with you.”
“I understand how you’re feeling. I fell in love with her, was planning a future for us, then we discovered you were still alive.”
“Can’t say I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“You didn’t. Don’t ever think that. I never wished anything ill of you, but admittedly, I did want Fiora to choose me over you.”
I shrug my shoulder. “It’s all right. I’m guilty of the same feelings.”
Ryker moves his empty plate aside and refills his drink.
“I think we should spend more time together, you and I, and all three of us together.”
“I do too, and for now, I’ll keep up with the appearance she’s only in a relationship with you. I don’t want to jeopardize her reign. But behind closed doors, she’s ours.”
“I agree, that’s best.”
“There’s something else we need to handle.”
“Lucian and Luther Cindora?”
I push my empty plate aside and lean back in my chair.
“Yes. I believe Lucian intends to make his son King of Fillia, Iowan, or Anauka. He won’t rest until he succeeds which means he’ll remain a threat to Fiora.”
“Then we’ll eliminate that threat.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
FIORA
As soon as my eyes open, I can’t stop smiling. For two nights Ryker and Matheas have slept in my bed. For two nights, they’ve teased my arousal, caressing and massaging my body before taking turns pleasuring me with their hands and mouths. It’s as if they’re learning their way around my body together, and it drives me wild, leaving me wanting so much more. I’d like to enjoy more of their caressing and massaging, but they’ve left early to go riding together. I pouted when they said they were going without me, but as tempted as they were to give in, they insisted they spend time alone together. I’m grateful they’re making the effort to get along so well.
Elisa enters my suite with a beaming smile and a big basket in her hands. Kaya follows behind with a breakfast tray full of plump strawberries, sweat breads, and eggs.
“Good morning, my Queen.”
They give me cheeky grins, and I can’t help laughing.
“Yes, it’s been amazing having them in my bed,” I answer their questioning looks.
Elisa sits on the edge of the bed, her nose scrunching up with a playful grin.
“Of course, it has been.” She sets the basket in front of me. “You have a present from Queen Sierra of Rakia.”
“Oh!” With excited anticipation, I untie the bow and open the basket lid. Inside is full of lotions, soaps, herbal strips, sex toys, massagers, and a digital monitor. Turning on the monitor, I watch the video message from Sierra.
Queen Fiora, I’m so pleased to hear you’re safe and have been able to return home to Anauka. Please enjoy this gift from me, Ria, and Mora. We hope you’ll enjoy them when laying with Ryker. We miss you here and hope you’ll return for a visit. Until we speak again, take care.
King Salvatore’s mistresses pop into the screen and wave. All three women look stunning and happy. It reminds me of how enjoyable my time there was and how Sierra made me realize it’s possible to live with more than one love.
Elisa peeks into the basket, and her brown eyes widen. Giggling, I turn the basket toward her. Kaya joins us on the bed and looks inside too.
“In Rakia, they’re far more open with their bodies and sensuality. I enjoyed my time there immensely.” Pointing to the products, I share with them what each of them are for.
“What would you like us to do with the products?”
“Place the basket on the tea table. I’d like Ryker and Matheas to see what’s inside.”
Elisa removes the basket while Kaya brings me my breakfast.
“I’d like to have it outside on the balcony.”
Kaya nods, heads toward the doors, and they auto-open at her approach. Elisa brings me a robe, placing it around my shoulders as I stand. At the table, I eat breakfast while reading my calendar and the Global Journal. Kaya and Elisa tend to the room and prepare a bath and outfit for me to wear. Hearing a rover craft in the distance, I look up to find the House Cindora symbol on the rover craft descending onto the palace parking grounds. Hurrying into my suite, I call for Elisa and Kaya to gather my clothes and place my hair in an up-do. They move quickly and have me ready in minutes. As I descend the last few stairs, Pollo and several arms men are already lined up, ready to greet the visitor. Luther walks through the door, giving a polite bow. Pollo joins my side as Luther requests a meeting with me.
In the Queen’s sitting room, I offer him a seat on the couch. He sits next to me, adjusting his suit tie with shaky hands.
“What is it you want to speak with me about?”
Turning his knees toward me, he takes my hand.
“I want to be the first to tell you.”
“Yes?”
“I attended Princess Ariel’s royal welcoming ceremony as an eligible bachelor. She chose me as her suitor.”
Withdrawing my hand, I swallow the knot in my throat.
“Of course, she did. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
“I need to know, is there any chance of us having a future? I can’t move forward with Ariel if there is.”
There’s an uncomfortable churning in my stomach. The answer is no, yet letting him marry Ariel is a dangerous threat to my reign. Lowering my chin, I stare down at my hands which are now shaky. Luther gathers both of my hands in his, drawing my attention to his handsome face.
“I hear Ryker and Matheas are staying in your palace. Perhaps if I’d been able to accept Matheas as he has, we’d be in a different position.”
The pained look in his eyes tears me open. My voice cracks as my heart sinks.
“Perhaps we would.”
“I believe we would’ve made each other happy.”
Leaning closer, he raises a hand to my cheek, caressing it tenderly. The nerves in my belly bunch into a tighter knot.
“Do you care for her?”
He lowers his hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing as tightness develops around his eyes.
“I do. I’m fond of her. I understand now how you were able to have feelings for two men.”
My gaze drops to my lap before meeting his.
“You should see where your feelings take you with her.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“I care for you, but my heart belongs elsewhere. It always has. You deserve happiness, and if Ariel can offer that for you, you should seize the opportunity.”
“Coming here, I knew what your answer would be, but I needed to hear it from you, to have that closure if that makes sense.”
“It does.”
“I also wanted to be the one to tell you my intentions. They aren’t political, I genuinely want love.”
Cupping my hand over his arm, I caress it. “I know you do and I want it for you.”
Leaning forward, he kisses my cheek, lingering a moment before pulling away.
“I think you’ll always hold a place in my heart.”
“Only until the right woman fills it.”
The corner of his mouth curls, lightening his eyes. We stand and he takes my hand, kissing the back of it.
“I’ll be staying in Fillia for some time. I believe it’s best I decline membership to the Royal Faction.”
“It’ll be a loss to the Royal Faction without you in it, but I understand your decision and agree it’s best. I’ll let you inform the others as it’s your personal affairs.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Have you had a chance to speak with your father?”
“I have. He won’t be addressing you or Matheas so disrespectfully in the future. I apologize for his behavior in the last meeting.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful you spoke with him.”
“Of course.” He gestures toward the exit. “I’ll see myself out.”
He leaves the sitting room and moments later, I hear familiar voices in the grand entry hall. The sitting room door opens and Matheas and Ryker come in, their riding clothes and faces spattered with dirt. Chuckling, I know right away how it happened.
“You were racing?”
“Yes,” Ryker replies, wiping off a smudge of dirt on his cheek.
“Looks like you both lost.”
Matheas shrugs. “Or we both won.”
After I laugh, I point toward the door. “Showers, now. You’re making the rug filthy.”
They look at each other then at me.
“What was Luther doing here?” Matheas asks, his arms crossing over his chest.
“Showers first, then we’ll talk.”
They find me later in the King’s planning room, just as I’ve finished tending to business for Anauka and Iowan. Matheas orders lunch for all of us, and Ryker makes a few calls of his own. When he’s finished, he joins us at the dining table as the food is being served. With me at the head of the table, they sit on either side of me.
“What was he here for?” Ryker asks.
“Closure and to be the first to tell me Ariel chose him as her suitor. He wanted me to know his interest in her isn’t political, it’s for a genuine relationship. I believe him.”
Ryker and Matheas glance at each other, and I frown. They’re getting too good at these silent conversations.
“What is it you two want to say?”
Matheas moves the rolls closer when I reach for them.
“His intentions might be genuine, but Lucian’s aren’t.”
Ryker moves the butter closer, and my stomach flutters at how attentive they are to me.
“Matheas filled me in on how the last Royal Faction meeting went. I’d like to be at the next one.”
“You’ll have the opportunity. The transfer of membership ceremony is coming up. You’ll get to meet any of the members you haven’t already. But let’s talk about something more enjoyable… Queen Sierra sent me a gift basket.”
Ryker’s eyes light up, his expression knowing. “Have you already opened it?”
“I have.” I grin.
“We’ll need to make good use of it.”
Ryker leans toward me, placing his hand on the nape of my neck as he kisses me. Matheas waits until we’re finished and raises a finger, curling it for me to come to him. I do, and he kisses me, fueling the desire Ryker ignited.
“I’m looking forward to discovering what’s in this basket.” Matheas winks.
“New ways for us to pleasure her,” Ryker tells him.
“No wonder she’s giddy about it.”
“Have you ever had the Rakian herbal strips?” I ask Matheas.
He takes a bite and smirks. “Yes.”
“When and where?”
“During one of your father’s trips to meet with King Salvatore.”
The fork stops on the way to my mouth. “Did you lay with a Rakian woman?”
In my periphery, I see Ryker shaking his head at Matheas. I slap his arm, and they laugh.
“Don’t tell her if you did, Matheas. She won’t let that go quickly.”
Matheas chuckles. “I think it’s best Ryker and I never share any information about the women we’ve laid with. You agree?”
“Mm-hmm.” Ryker takes a bite, an excuse to keep his mouth shut.
“You two are insufferable when you’re together.”
“You love us.” Matheas winks, and my heart skips a beat. Hearing him say that wipes away all thoughts of whether or not he laid with a Rakian woman. I look back and forth between the two of them, my body warming, my cheeks feeling flushed.
“I do love both of you, so much. I’m grateful to have you here with me for as long as you’re able to be.”
Ryker takes my hand in his, caressing his thumb over it.
“Neither of us are leaving anytime soon.”
Matheas caresses along my arm, his touch tingling my skin.
“If we had the choice, we’d never leave.”
They seem to read the sorrow I feel thinking about them leaving. Ryker dips his chin at Matheas.
“I think we should go upstairs and take a look at what’s in the basket.”
When I stand, Matheas places his hands on my hips, kissing my neck before urging me forward. We enter my suite, and Ryker goes to the basket, flipping the top open. Matheas takes a look inside, makes an interested noise, then grabs the oils and lotions.
“I’ll start a bath for her. You order wine and dessert.”
Matheas disappears into the bathroom, and Ryker motions his finger for me to spin around. Coming up behind me, he unfastens the back of my dress, feathering kisses along my neck as he works each button, letting the fabric fall from my body. When I turn around, he places his hands on my ass, giving
it a squeeze as he brings me to him. As he kisses me, he backs us to the basket. Reaching into it, he withdraws an herbal strip and motions for me to open my mouth. I take it and he kisses me, sharing the herbal strip as it dissolves on our tongues.
Matheas comes up behind me, surprising me with his presence. He kisses along my neck, massaging my breasts in his hands. Ryker reaches for another herbal strip and places it in my mouth. Matheas tilts my head toward him and kisses me, sharing the herbal strip. Ryker touches between my legs, and I moan into Matheas’s mouth. When another digit slides into my opening, I recognize the sensation of both their hands. Passed between them, they take turns kissing me into delirium, my head foggy with lust. Wanting to pleasure them, I point to their clothing.
“Off.”
There’s a sexy rumble of laughter as they undress, allowing me to admire their statuesque, muscled bodies. Curling my finger to them, I have them follow me into the bathroom. Stepping into the water, the oils enhance the pleasure I already feel. They climb in, and Matheas places my back to his chest and massages my shoulders as Ryker fills his hands with my breasts and my mouth with his kiss. Sliding forward, I give myself room to stroke their thick cocks in my hands.
Their kisses travel all over my skin, biting and nipping as their hands caress my body. The more vigorously I stroke them, the more fervent their foreplay becomes. Matheas slides a finger into my backside, and Ryker joins him, massaging two fingers against my clit before entering me, working my G-spot. My moans echo in the room as my head falls back, and my mouth makes the shape of an O.
My orgasm rockets through my body, an eruption and total loss of control so blissful, I’m already greedy for another.
“She wants more,” Matheas whispers, his tongue trailing the shell of my ear. “She wants our cocks deep inside her, her body overwhelmed with pleasure.”
“Yes,” I breathe.
“Is that what you want, Fiora, to be ours?” Ryker sucks my nipple into his mouth, letting it go between his teeth before taking the other.
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