by A. J. Wynter
“Then it’s settled.” Olysia said firmly. “Let’s all plan to meet up by the indoor pool around eight tomorrow night then, shall we?”
“Sure” Kat murmured, not wanting to seem difficult.
10.
The night of the party, the palace was bustling with sequined and masked partygoers. There were three guards at the door handing out masks to anyone who didn’t have one.
Daman had seemed annoyed by Olysia’s gesture, or threat, but there wasn’t much he could do, considering his circumstances. He would do anything to spend more time close to Princess Kat.
However, doubt had begun to creep in. Perhaps he should turn his attentions to someone else. He had intense feelings for Kat, but being with her was complicated with Sergei in the picture. Sergei had so much more to offer her, and Natalia was pushing for their marriage. The more he thought about it, the more he realized it might be easier to bed Olysia.
He technically wasn’t a suitable mate for courting Olysia either, but he could definitely seduce her. He could smell the lust in her.
Olysia and Sergei arrived first. Kat was preoccupied in the ballroom talking to what her mother referred to as, ‘important people’. Finally, when she was able to slip away, she whisked off towards the indoor pool, excited to see both Daman and Sergei. Kat was pleased with her evening look—a long turquoise gown with a low-cut back. The front was demure and suitable for a future queen, but the back portrayed a more playful side. She was also wearing a bright blue mask with peacock feathers fanning out around her face. She had never felt more beautiful, and her stomach was full of butterflies of anticipation for how the night would unfold.
She burst into the humidity of the pool room to see Olysia and Sergei standing with their bodies pressed tightly against each other. Sergei was stroking Olysia’s long blonde hair. She cleared her throat loudly.
“What the hell?” she yelled. “Sergei?”
“Is there a problem, Princess?”
Kat was lost for words and she turned and ran out the room. As she made a left, she ran straight smack dab into Daman’s chest.
“Where are you running off to?” he asked. “I just got here.”
“Sergei and—and Olysia...." she couldn't finish her sentence before tears starting running down her cheeks.
“Why does it bother you?” he asked, confused. “I thought you wanted me here tonight? You have me so confused.”
“I don’t know! I’m sorry! I have these intense feelings and I don’t know what to do with them. One minute I have feelings for you, and the next I’m lusting after Sergei. Is it even possible to be in love with two people at the same time?”
“I don’t know,” Daman said kindly. “But I’m sure your heart will help you figure it out. In the meantime, let’s go for a walk so you can clear your head. I’ve always wanted to check out that enormous telescope everyone in the town is always talking about.”
She nodded and followed him silently down the hall, biting back what was left of her tears. Daman was right; she needed to count on her heart to sort things out. But what was she supposed to do when her heart wanted both of them at the same time? They were like her two dark princes, always there for her when she needed them. And now, one had been taken from her.
When they reached the astronomy room, Daman froze in astonishment. Inside, was an enormous glass dome showcasing the night sky. The room, though dark, seemed brightly lit from the thousands of bright stars shining through it—an almost other-worldly glow.
“I can’t believe this place is real,” Daman murmured. “Although I don’t know why I’m surprised. You do live in what is essentially a castle, after all.”
“Estate, or palace, if you will.” she corrected him.
“Kat, I have to ask you, something important,” Daman said suddenly, turning towards her and taking her hands into his own.
“What is it?” she asked, bracing herself for the worst.
“Will you dance with me? We never got to dance together that night that we first met.”
She laughed, bowing her head towards him. Now that they were away from the echoing hallways and cluster of people, they could hear the soft jazz spilling into the room. Combined with the starlight, it was the most romantic place for a first dance. She allowed herself to forget everything that was happening in the world around her—including Sergei and Olysia—and leaned her head on Daman’s chest for comfort as they swayed to the melodic beat.
11.
“What is going on here?” screamed Natalia. Kat nearly jumped out of her skin. They had been so caught up in the music and romance of the moment that neither had noticed her enter the room.
“Mother, it’s just a dance,” Kat tried to explain.
“Just a dance? But where is Sergei? And who is this man? I’ve never seen him before.”
Kat was at a loss for words and couldn’t think up an appropriate story for Daman, especially on the spot.
“Come to think of it, he looks strangely familiar,” Natalia muttered, as she carefully scrutinized the stranger that continued to hold her daughter in a close embrace.
Kat shrugged her shoulders. “Mother, could you give us a moment, please? Sergei is off somewhere with Olysia, and Daman has been a comfort to me.”
“No. You will march out of this room and find Sergei, and ask him to forgive you for whatever it is that happened. And then you two will start planning your wedding. Come now.” She reached out her thin, bony hand and grabbed her daughter’s arm.
“NO!” screamed Kat, feeling brave for the first time in her life. But Natalia wouldn’t listen, and she dragged her out of the room by her arm, leaving Daman alone, unable to help.
When Natalia was like this, she was inconsolable, and Kat knew that there was nothing she could say or do to make the situation any better. But the memory of Daman’s face as she was dragged away would be forever cemented in her mind. As they had danced in the moonlight, she had dared herself to dream about a future with Daman. Maybe Sergei wasn’t the best choice, and with the way she had been feeling lately—brave and adventurous for the first time in her life—was all because of Daman. She wanted to tell Daman she would abandon the inheritance for him, and had been working up the courage to ask him to run away with her, when they were interrupted by Natalia. Of course, it was fast and they hadn’t slept together yet, but the passion was there. And it gave Kat something to look forward to.
“What in Heaven’s name are you thinking about now?” her mother asked.
“What are you talking about?” Kat asked. “You’re dragging me by my arm like a child; what do you think I’m thinking right now?”
“Oh, Katerina, why can’t you see that you are making a terrible mistake?”
She didn’t know how to respond to her mother. It seemed better to remain silent, and to allow her to be dragged along like a rag doll.
When they reached the pool, they found Sergei and Olysia perched on two teak lounge chairs, sipping martinis. Olysia had her toothpick in her mouth and was seductively sucking on the olive. When Olysia saw Kat, she grinned a sly grin that was more tigress than sheep.
“You,” Natalia said, pointing at Olysia. “GO. And you two, stay. I think there is a conversation that needs to take place,” she said, nudging Kat towards Sergei.
Olysia got up to leave, but as she did she leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on Sergei’s cheek. He whispered something to her and she nodded, before sauntering out of the room. Olysia was both beautiful and malicious.
“Hi,” Kat mumbled to Sergei. He smiled at her.
“Hi, back.”
Natalia left the room, leaving them completely alone.
“I don’t understand what happened,” Kat said, honestly. “I thought that everything was going well between us.”
“Well now, sweetheart, we aren’t exactly in a committed relationship, are we? I mean, who do you want—me or Daman? You keep teasing and toying with the two of us, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to do the s
ame, and hook up with whomever I want?”
Surprised by his candor, Kat struggled to find the right words.
Because I’m selfish and I want both you and Daman at the same time? What is my problem? Say something, Kat. Don’t just sit there in silence.
But when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came out. She realized Sergei was right. It wasn’t fair for her to string along two men who both cared equally for her. She would have to pick one of them. It was impossible for a Queen to have two Kings.
“My mother asked for me to forgive you,” Kat said, quietly.
“Forgive me? Whatever for?”
“You must know how much it hurt me to see you with Olysia earlier, and even just now. You can’t deny that.”
“I don’t.”
“Then what happens next?”
They stared at each other, an unspoken desire filling the room, until Sergei finally broke the silence. “Do you want to go for a swim?” he asked.
“No. I should go find Daman and apologize.”
“That’s all you do!” Sergei yelled, losing his cool. “Constantly apologizing to him for running away again and again? When are you going to realize that you two just aren’t right for each other?”
“Like you’re right for me?”
“Well. I’m rich.”
“I can’t believe you,” she cried. “When we first met, I thought your obtuse attitude was just an act to push me away. But I’m beginning to realize more and more that it isn’t an act; you’re actually a superficial person, Sergei. And I don’t want to be with you, let alone forgive you or marry you.”
“Kat, wait—” he pleaded. But it was too late; she’d already left the room. It wasn’t worth her time to hear Sergei beg for her to stay.
Kat stomped down the hall on a mission to find Daman. If there were a chance he was still there, then she would find him.
Women in sparkling dresses flitted up and down the hallways and there were small children darting in and out of the crowd, wearing whiskers and cat ears.
She rushed back to the astronomy room but her heart sank when she saw that it was empty. She sighed and began to sulk away, when she heard faint purring—no, snoring—coming from a dark corner. Venturing into the darkness, she found Daman curled up in an enormous armchair, a book spread out open on his lap. On closer inspection, Kat noticed it was a full-color version of The Divine Comedy. She’d always loved Dante’s Inferno, even though it had shocked and disturbed her.
There was a part she especially loved, when Dante meets up with Beatrice. In real life, she had been his true love, but she had died at a young age. He wrote about her in his work of fiction, and she was turned into an angel of sorts. Kat always thought she sounded like the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Dante could barely even look at her without squinting, for she was brighter and on a higher plane than he was.
Why had no one ever looked at Kat that way? The closest she’d come was the way Sergei had looked at her while pinning her to the bed. Like a butterfly with her wings on display, all her emotions and thoughts had spread out from her face and into her arms and legs. Daman still hadn’t dared to look at Kat that way, at least not to her face. He had only watched her from afar, as she was a beautiful and curious thing to him, a treasure of sorts—yet another way that he was different from Sergei.
As if he could read her thoughts, Daman slowly opened his eyes, smiling as he noticed Kat’s presence.
“I can’t believe you’re still here,” she whispered.
“Where’s Sergei?” he asked, still smiling.
“He’s off with Olysia doing God knows what. I spoke to both him and my mother. She really wants me to forgive him. He thinks that because we aren’t exclusively dating, that he should be allowed to do whatever he wants.”
“Are we dating?” Daman asked.
“You and I?”
“Well, I guess all three of us,” he laughed.
She sighed and sat down gently on his lap, leaning her head back against his neck. “I honestly have no idea anymore.”
He chuckled and began to run his fingers up and down her collarbone. She sighed and leaned back against him, grinding her hips into his.
From across the room, she could hear the large heavy door creak open. Daman pressed his strong hand over her mouth. For some reason, Kat found this to be a huge turn on, and she pressed her ass harder into his lap, feeling his erection press against her womanhood. If she couldn’t have both of them, she was happy to have this moment with Daman. She could hear silent padding around the room, and was tempted to peak over the armchair to see who it was, but that would blow their perfect hiding place.
Kat knew of a secret doorway built into one of the nearby bookshelves. It led to a small library—a perfect spot for her and Daman to explore each other’s bodies for the first time. If the ghost in the room would only leave, she and Daman could run off together.
Kat’s breath caught as the footsteps did just the opposite, turning in the direction of the armchair. Her heart climbed into her throat as the steps came closer and closer, making it hard to breathe. She was so worried they were going to be caught by another guest, someone who would know for certain that Daman didn’t belong there. Finally, a hand appeared around the edge of the armchair, followed by a body. It was Sergei, and he looked distraught.
“What are you doing here?” asked Kat, surprised.
“I thought I should come and apologize to you. I don’t know what came over me back there—I definitely wasn’t thinking straight. To be honest, you make me nervous, princess. I’m not used to having such strong feelings about anyone.”
Daman and Kat didn’t say anything, though they knew exactly how Sergei felt. It was a complicated love triangle, and they were all having trouble keeping track of their emotions. Kat could hear Olysia calling out for Sergei from down the hall. Sergei leaned further into the armchair, pressing into Kat and Daman, attempting to hide. Daman protectively put his arm around Sergei and pulled him in close, sheltering him from the glow of the room.
“Sergei?” called Olysia, her high heels echoing on the hardwood floor. It sounded like she was close. “Where did you go?”
Sergei didn’t respond, but Kat could feel his hot breath on her ear. As she leaned her head back against Daman, she could see Sergei’s lustful stare from the corner of her eye. With a smirk, he leaned in and licked her neck. After a few minutes, Olysia seemed to give up, and disappeared back down the hallway.
“That was a close one,” Daman said.
“Agreed,” Sergei responded.
“I have an idea,” Kat said, feeling emboldened after almost being caught by Olysia. Somehow, she managed to tear herself away from the comfort of the armchair, and walked over to the bookshelf, frantically pressing and pulling on anything that might open the passageway. After what felt like countless failed attempts, she tugged on an old hardcover that was decorated in Latin. The bookshelf slowly swung away from them to reveal a cobblestone pathway into darkness.
“What is this?” Sergei breathed.
“When I was younger it used to be a library with controversial books from the revolution. I guess we’ll have to go exploring to see for ourselves.” And with that she grabbed both of their hands and pulled them into the darkness.
Sergei and Daman looked at each other and shrugged.
The tunnel fed out into an enormous library, and it was just as Kat remembered from her childhood. There weren’t any doors or windows, only enormous golden chandeliers from the turn of the century. The room was full of plush red velvet couches, smooth wooden tables, and a huge fireplace.
Daman set to work lighting a fire to take away some of the dampness from the room, while Sergei plopped down lazily on one of the couches.
“So, what do we do now?” Sergei asked greedily, pulling Kat towards him.
“I was thinking we should finish what we started,” Daman responded, walking in behind Kat, so that she was sandwiched between the two
men.
“Isn’t it funny how fate works,” he whispered in her ear. This wasn’t the Daman she was used to.
Daman slowly ran his hands up her bare back, pausing to kiss the nape of her neck. Sergei pulled the straps of her gown down around her shoulders and bent his head to lick each of her nipples. They hardened from the warmth of his breath and the cold of the secret room. Kat had goosebumps all over her body, partly from the temperature of the room and from the excitement and anticipation of the two men kissing her.
Sergei grabbed her breast and kissed her roughly on the lips, while Daman continued kissing and nipping at the nape of her neck. She gasped and reached one arm over her head to hold Daman around the neck, and slipped her other arm around Sergei’s waist, arching her body towards his.
Sergei grabbed her ass and held it tightly, and on the back of his hand he could feel Daman’s cock straining at his pants. Sergei started rubbing Kat’s ass vigorously and Daman pressed himself against Sergei’s hand. Sergei took this as a cue and met Daman’s lips with his over Kat’s shoulder.
Kat found herself wetter than she’d been in her entire life. Here were the two men in her life embracing her and each other. She bit at Sergei’s neck while he was deeply kissing Daman. She slid down in between their two bodies and pulled at the button on Sergei’s tuxedo pants, letting his cock spring free. No underwear, classic Sergei. She quickly took Sergei’s manhood in her mouth in one breath. She heard him groan into Daman’s mouth as she took as much of his cock as she could into her mouth. She then turned and freed Daman’s throbbing member. She licked up and down his shaft before also taking him fully in her mouth, while Sergei’s throbbing cock sat rested on her shoulder.
Suddenly, Daman could take no more. In one move, he pulled Kat up from her knees, grabbing frantically at the hem of her gown and pulling it up over her head. He pushed aside her black lace panties and thrust into her causing her to inhale sharply. He held her hips, slowly increasing the tempo of his thrusting. As Daman continued his hard thrusts, Kat grabbed onto Sergei’s hips and took his manhood in her mouth. Using the rhythm of Daman’s thrusting, she sucked and deep throated Sergei.