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The sight of a naked Ria trailing his shirtless husband certainly provided plenty of ideas.

“Really, Mehl? We have, what…three hours until court?” Toren asked, though there was no conviction in his voice.

Mehl shrugged. “That little bit of sleep will hardly make a difference.”

Toren let out a low groan, and Ria shivered, making her breasts jiggle delightfully. But then Mehl’s gaze narrowed in on something else—the line of dried blood along her collarbone. Oh yes, he would bathe her. He would ensure that all memory of her ordeal was erased.

“Let’s go,” Mehl prompted.

Silently, they trailed into the large bathing chamber. Two large, raised pools consumed the bulk of the space, the water filled and removed by pipes and magic, and a narrow alcove in the corner allowed water to drip from the ceiling for quick cleaning. Mehl grabbed several bottles containing soaps and oils from a shelf while Toren led Ria to the alcove.

As usual, he and his husband needed no words to be in accord.

Together, they cleansed the blood from Ria’s hair and body. Carefully. Reverently. Only when she was clean did Toren gather her against him so that Mehl could wash his own body. As he scrubbed dried blood from his stomach where it had seeped through his clothes, he trembled from the heat in Toren’s eyes as he watched each movement. With Ria nestled softly against his husband’s chest…

Already hard, his cock twitched. “The soaking pool?” he gasped.

Toren’s smile grew wicked. “A pleasant idea, indeed.”

Chapter29

Gratitude

Toren couldn’t bear to release Ria for even a moment. She was warm and safe against him, and that was where he preferred she stay. So he bent slightly until he could boost her up higher in his arms. Although she let out a softeepof surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

Over her shoulder, he met Mehl’s eyes, and they exchanged understanding smiles. Perhaps they all needed this more than sleep. Not sex, exactly, but the connection of being together. Alive and well. Toren needed to feel them both—with him, around him, inside him. That would give more contentment than a couple hours of sleep.

Carrying Ria, he followed Mehl up the short flight of stairs to the narrow platform backing the raised soaking pools. The smooth stone had been shaped by mages some generations past, and Toren sent them a fleeting thought of gratitude as he entered the water after Mehl by another set of steps built into the pool. No need to release Ria. One hand gripped her thigh and the other curled around her waist to steady her as he descended.

On the far side of the pool, Mehl settled onto one of the shaped benches, and his heated gaze only made Toren harder. Water lapped up his thighs like tiny fingers, and Ria yelped when it finally brushed her skin. But it only took a second for her to relax against him once more.

“It’s warm,” she said against his chest.

He smiled at the surprise in her tone. “This one, yes.”

The heat wrapped around them with each step until the water sloshed around their chests by the time they reached the center. This lowest dip in the pool allowed the most immersion, but Toren was more interested in the shallower edge where Mehl waited. The angle there would be best for the three of them together.

And that was what he wanted most.

Mehl held out his arms, and Toren lowered Ria to his husband’s lap. Although she settled easily enough, her fingers tangled in his hair, and she tugged him down for a kiss. Without hesitation, he let himself devour. And as their tongues met and dueled, he felt the slow glide of Mehl’s hand down his side, enflaming him further.

Toren pulled back. “Touch her, too,” he whispered against Ria’s lips.

Her gasp slid into his soul, and in that moment, he was lost.

* * *

Once again,Ria perched on Mehl’s lap, her thighs spread wide and his fingers playing skillfully at her core. Just like the throne room—but different. Now, he trailed tender kisses down the side of her neck while Toren cupped her breasts in a gentle, reverent hold. It was that softness that was different, she decided.

So sweet, but she burned all the same.

Then greed darkened Toren’s eyes a heartbeat before he bent to suck her nipple into his mouth.

The first wave crashed through her with sudden force, sweeping away thought, and her cries echoed from the stone walls. Gods, she was so ready for Toren to take her. But this time, he showed no signs of the dark intensity that had driven his frenzied claiming during their first time together. Instead, his hands trailed her body in slow, patient sweeps that had her every nerve singing and the wave building again.

Ria wiggled against Mehl, and he groaned against her skin as she rubbed against him. A wicked smile crossed her face as she shifted to the side enough to wrap her fingers around his cock. This time, both men moaned, and through slitted eyes, she watched Toren’s rapt gaze as he peered through the water at her hand on Mehl.

“I dare not—” Mehl sucked in a sharp breath. “If I release in the water…”