Page 65 of Forged By Malice (Beasts of the Briar #3)

64

Keldarion

“Y ou can sleep,” Ezryn says. “I’ll keep watch.”

Drowsiness pricks at my consciousness, but I won’t let it take me. “I don’t want to miss a moment of this.”

Rosalina lies huddled between us. Her head rests on Ezryn’s arm, her back pressed against my chest. She’s deep in sleep, body twitching every so often in dreams. Lying here with my mate and my best friend, with the afternoon light drifting in through the curtains, is a relaxing respite I have not felt in an age. “I thought you might have been asleep yourself,” I whisper to him.

“No,” Ezryn says.

I chuckle. “Should have known. Your whole body would rattle with your snores.”

Ezryn gives a quiet laugh, and I’m struck with the bitter edge of sadness that I do not remember the last time we laughed together.

He regards me, and I can tell by the tilt of his helm, it’s something serious. “I know why you didn’t tell me about your bargain with Caspian.”

“I was ashamed.”

“More ashamed than me for what I did at my Blessing? Your parents— you , Kel—were the only ones I could tell. Your family sheltered me against myself. Shame has never been a barrier between us.”

“Ez …”

“After you defied your father and they banished Caspian, I begged you not to follow him. But you confided in me that you were going to Cryptgarden anyway. It was later that I discovered the truth of his plots, how he was working for the Below the whole time. One of his very own minions betrayed his true intentions to me. And when you didn’t return from the Below, it forced me to retrieve you with your army. The army you told Caspian came at your order.”

“If he found out you led that army, he would have killed you.”

“He tried to kill you .”

“I knew I could survive it.” I massage my wrist, still unsure if I have.

“That was the last secret you ever told me.”

I swallow in a dry throat. He’s not wrong.

“You didn’t tell me of your bargain with Caspian, nor when your own mate walked through these very castle doors.” He gives a long sigh. “You lied to him for me, Kel. But you never forgave me.”

I stay silent because he speaks the truth.

“Even though I have been proven right again and again, you will not forgive me.”

There are no words, because again, it is the truth. So often I have wondered what would have happened if Ezryn had not followed me to the Below that fateful day. Had he not harmed those Caspian held dear. If I had not taken the blame for it … Would things have been different?

No, you idiot, I chide myself. Of course, they wouldn’t. We had already made our bargain, and by Sira’s account, that had been another one of his schemes. Maybe that hurts more than the later betrayal. I’d always blamed Ezryn, thinking that his actions had caused Caspian to switch sides. To betray me.

But like the Prince of Thorns had told me when he left me on the side of that mountain, he’d been planning the betrayal from the moment he knocked on Castletree’s door, seeking refuge.

“I’m broken, Ez. You know that.”

The Spring Prince snatches my wrist, baring the twisted frosted bracelet. “Your bargain stated it would break on its own if there was no more love between you two.” His words are hushed so as not to wake Rosalina, but still cutting as a knife “It is clear the Prince of Thorns holds no love for you, so tell me why you cannot let him go. For Rosalina. For your people.”

“I wish I could, Ez. Long nights I have thought every vile thing there is of him, and the list is staggering. I have stared daggers into the bracelet, yet still it remains.”

Ezryn swears something under his breath and tosses my wrist away. Rosalina stirs at the sudden motion and curls into Ezryn, despite the hardness of his armor. Her bottom and long legs drive into me, as if she’s determined to be touching us both at the same time.

“She is very fond of you,” I say.

He runs a gloved hand through the locks of her chestnut hair. “And I of her.”

“I never thought of myself as one to share a lover, but there is great joy in seeing the pleasure she gets from all of you. And great contentment in knowing the protection you offer.”

“Or the protection she offers us,” Ezryn muses.

“That seems to become more and more true by the day.” I run a delicate hand along her brow. “You’ve saved us so many times, my Rose.”

She gives a little smile, then begins to sleepily paw at her clothing.

“Silly girl fell asleep in her heavy robe,” Ezryn says.

“That can’t be comfortable.” I eye my brother across from me, and we both shift. The thought of undoing Rosalina’s clothes sets my body blazing.

Ezryn delicately unties the knot around her waist. She rolls to give him better access, murmuring a sleepy, “Thank you.”

“How long have you been awake?” Ezryn asks.

“Not long,” she mutters without opening her eyes. “Just dozing. This was too hot.”

“Of course. Is there anything else you require?” I ask as I pull the robe off and toss it away, leaving her in only a thin pink slip.

“Thank you,” she mumbles, rolling around in a dramatic display to get comfortable before finally deciding to burrow her head into my chest and press her hips against Ezryn’s.

“Just when I think she can’t get any cuter, she does things like this,” I growl under my breath.

Ezryn makes a low sound. “I don’t think cuteness is her objective right now.”

He pulls the blanket down over her hips to reveal her slip ridden up to waist height, revealing her milky white thigh draped over Ezryn’s leg. He runs his hand over the skin, causing her to shiver—and press her soft chest into mine.

And I know exactly what he means.

“Did I ever tell you about the time she sat on my lap and almost came on my thigh?” Ezryn growls.

Rosalina shoots her eyes open. “No! That’s way too embarrassing!”

“Embarrassing enough not to do it again?”

Rosalina gives a little peep, and he tugs her harder against his leg. Her eyelashes flutter as she begins to writhe against him. My heart increases as I watch them move together. How he seems in tune with exactly what she wants.

“Though you didn’t have this barrier last time.” Ezryn pries a finger beneath her panties.

She wiggles, legs spread on either side of his thigh. “Off. Take them off.” Then her brown eyes widen. “If that’s all right with you, Kel.”

“Watch your mate’s face as she comes,” Ezryn says. Not a question, but a demand. One I am happy to obey.

“I have seen her face in such a way only once, and that was simply beautiful,” I say. “You must not touch me, Rosalina.”

“Yes, Kel.” She nods sadly.

“Then we agree,” Ezryn says. With a quick efficiency, he yanks off his gloves then strips Rosie of her clothing.

“Fuck,” I groan. Watching him touch her, I can’t help but shove my own hand beneath the blankets to grip my cock.

The sight of them is staggering. Rosalina, completely naked, her rosy skin writhing against the silver metal, every part of her soft: her delicious curves, her full breasts, all squished against the hard and imposing Prince of Spring.

His large hand captures her entire breast and squeezes. She cries out, grinding against him.

I massage my cock, feeling as though I may come undone at any moment.

“Show me, Kel,” Rosalina gasps. “I want to see you.”

I throw the blanket off my heated body. My shirt has risen up, leaving my chest exposed. I slide my pants down to my knees and give my hard length a stroke.

“Fuck,” Rosalina gasps. “That is a nice cock.”

“There’s such a naughty mouth on you sometimes.” Ezryn shoves a finger into her mouth.

“But you have to agree,” Rosalina mumbles, saliva running from her lips as she sucks Ezryn’s finger. “It is a nice cock.”

Ezryn tilts his helm at me. “That it is.” He drags his hand down her stomach, then rubs her clit. “And one day, he’s going to fill you with it. Would you like that, Baby Girl?”

She whimpers something, eyes fluttering closed as she grinds faster and faster on his leg, gripping his arms as he works her. “Yes. Both of you.”

He chuckles lightly. “Perhaps.”

The thought of truly having her, of sharing her with my brother, sends me nearly over the edge. And I may not be able to touch her, but I can feel her—the waves of her pleasure cresting higher and higher.

“Kel,” she whimpers, sensing my urgency, eyes wide. “Over me. Over us.”

I grit my teeth, pace increasing as I angle myself. Roaring, my release explodes from my cock, splattering over her.

Rosalina cries out, body writhing as Ezryn works her clit in circles. Her pleasure erupts around him. Her fingers grasp his armor for purchase, and I watch her sigh with ecstasy before she falls boneless in his arms.

“Magnificent,” I say. “Both of you.”

* * *

After we clean up, we take an early supper, where Rosalina practically falls asleep at the table. I’m not sure where Farron and Dayton are, but my connection with the former lets me know he’s all right. Content, even. They must be together.

As we push away the last of the supper, Ezryn scoops up Rose in his arms.

“I’ll have her sleep in my room tonight,” I decide, unwilling to be parted from her, knowing she will leave for Spring in the morning.

Ezryn nods and we head through the halls to the Winter Wing.

“Tell me it wasn’t just us who enjoyed that.” I bump his shoulder with my own.

Ezryn gives a light chuckle, handing Rosalina over to me. “I am a man of flesh beneath this armor. She is not so easy to resist.”

I place a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve always trusted you with my life, but now I trust you with my heart as well. You’ll keep her safe in the Spring Realm.”

Ezryn nods. “It’s almost night. I plan to clear the Briar before I depart tomorrow.”

I don’t remove my hand. “Stay with us.”

He tilts his gaze down to Rosie, who nuzzles into my arms. “You may stay a man at night, but her touch will not stop my change.”

“Why should it matter? The bed is large enough for us all.” At his silence, I continue, “If I was granted one wish, it would be that you were her mate, as well.”

He laughs as if the concept is ridiculous. “Come on, Kel. I thought we stopped wishing on the stars when we were children.”

Ezryn steps down the main staircase, then pauses. “Kel, you know the bargain you made? It mentions giving in to your own pleasure. However, it doesn’t mention anything about giving to another.”

“What are you saying?”

“I watched Caspian at the party. The bargain takes no heed of your lover’s release … If you feel you could restrain yourself.”

“I could touch her.”

He only nods his head, then descends the stairs.