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“I donotwant to be an exhibition,” Ria insisted.

Mehl’s huff ruffled Toren’s hair. “He’s not facing our direction.”

“Oh, sure,” she said. “There’s no chance he would look despite his orders. Anyway, with my luck, it would be time for a shift change the moment you lift my skirts.”

A streak of jealousy, hot and unreasonably strong, rushed through Toren at the thought of either Ria or Mehl being seen by others in such a way. In one swift motion, Toren knelt enough to boost Ria into his arms. She wrapped her arms and legs around him with a surprisedoof, and Mehl chuckled from somewhere behind him. But Mehl was no stranger to his possessiveness.

How would Ria deal with it?

He could only hope it wasn’t the one thing that pushed her away.

* * *

Ria’sentire body burned and ached, and for the life of her, she couldn’t remember how they’d gotten to this point. To think that she almost hadn’t admitted to the depth of her worries over the future! For somehow in the revealing, she’d unlocked a fierceness in Toren that she hadn’t expected.

He’d shown signs of possessiveness before, but there was a different tenor to it this time. More strength to his hold. More emotion in his eyes. Even now, he grumbled beneath his breath with every step—unless he was turning his hot gaze on Mehl to ensure that his husband didn’t fall behind. Toren was like a wolf trying to carry two treats back to his den at the same time.

Gods, she hoped he devoured her.

As he hurried through the sitting room straight into the bedroom, Ria couldn’t resist kissing the side of his neck. She grinned at the telling surge of his magic, but when she looked up, her eyes collided with Mehl’s. Like Toren’s, there was enough heat there for a solid devouring.

Toren dropped her on the bed a moment before his lips claimed hers. No gentle taking, either. Their tongues were dueling almost before she’d realized the battle had begun. Ah, she loved it. Ria slid her hands up his sides and around until she gripped his shoulders. The rich embroidered fabric of his formal robe dug into her fingertips, but this time, she relished the thought of wrinkling the expensive cloth.

Finally, he dragged his mouth from hers. Their gazes met and clashed over their panting breaths. “I thought I might die if I didn’t kiss you like that.”

“Glad to have saved you,” she managed to get out.

The slightest hint of a chuckle slipped out before he pulled against her hold. “I’ll not neglect Mehl, though.”

At that, Ria released him. Toren straightened, and only then could she see Mehl, his robe and tunic already gone. With annoyed tugs, he was attempting to remove the pins holding the elaborate twist of gold and silver vines atop his hair. And though Toren was clearly aroused—a glance down his robe allowed no doubt of that—he leaned over to help with patient, gentle pulls.

Why did that only make her body flush hotter?

Though her limbs felt heavy, Ria sat up to provide the same help for Toren. She could have left the silver-and-diamond circlet. But no. She wanted to dig her fingers in the fall of his long, pale hair as he claimed her. Without obstructions.

Each brush against skin and tug of hair seared through her from her fingertips to her toes. By the time Toren tossed both crowns on the bedside table with a careless clang, her heart raced to the beat of her ragged breaths. And that was before both kings turned to face her, their attention fixed on her.

“Take off your dress,” Toren commanded. “And lie back.”

With a shiver, Ria shifted on her knees until she could pull the trapped fabric free. Then without hesitation, she jerked the dress over her head and tossed it aside. But what about her underthings? Toren’s eyes narrowed at her hesitation, so she decided not to ask. Heartbeat drumming in her ears, she stretched out atop the coverlet.

Only then did the kings finish undressing.

Gods above.

Chapter39

Connections

“Remove the rest,” Toren commanded, and Mehl was more than happy to comply.

To the sound of his husband’s ragged breathing, Mehl ran his hands up Ria’s legs, his thumbs curling in to caress her inner thighs. At her shiver, he smiled. But Toren wouldn’t be in the mood for slow torment, so Mehl continued upward to loosen the thin string holding her underclothes cinched around her waist.

He wasted no time drawing the delicate fabric down her long limbs before tossing the scrap of cloth aside. Unfortunately, her chemise still covered far too much. Mehl cupped his hands at her hips this time, but when he began another slow sweep up, Toren growled low, and his palm connected lightly with Mehl’s ass to prod him on.

Mehl’s lips twitched with amusement, but he freed Ria from her chemise without delay. Then he straightened, turning to Toren with a quirked brow. “Well, my lord husband? What is your next command?”

Ria released the tiniest huff of a laugh, but Toren’s eyes narrowed on his face with deliciously deadly intent. “I want us joined.”