Page 19 of Quest for her Knights (The Lost Souls of Dyconia #5)

“Princess, we’re leaving,” Draven growls, gently grabbing my hand and turning me toward the door .

“Wait! We’ve never read that! I swear!” Jonathan exclaims, taking a step toward me, but Draven pulls me behind him just as Arrow draws his sword and holds it up, halting Jonathan’s advance.

“No? Well, what about this one?” Blaze asks, bending to pull another book off a lower shelf. He reads the title aloud: “Corporal Punishment : A Guide to Disciplining Your Wife .” He tosses it to Ranger, who again throws it into the fire.

I mean, I’m totally here for some BDSM in the bedroom. Just thinking about one of my knights spanking me makes my core tighten. But that book? That was something much darker. Physical punishment to control a woman? That’s fifty shades of no.

“Someone must have planted those to make us look bad,” Aaric says, stepping forward.

I raise an incredulous eyebrow. Really? Who would even have access to do that?

And the other titles were just as bad, if they weren’t about training women, they were about gaining power and wealth.

These men clearly just wanted me for my title, and maybe my body. I had zero interest in men like that.

“This isn’t going to work out. I think we should leave,” I say, pleased my voice is steady.

Aaric’s expression shifts, from worried and pleading to angry and disgusted.

“You think you’re too good for us, is that it? Us lowly lords not good enough for the cruel Princess of the North? We’ve heard the rumors. We know you need a firm hand. We could have given you what you needed. Someone needs to control you. You’re a wreck.”

I almost laugh. Because yeah, I am a wreck. Just not the kind he thinks. I’m not some tyrant who needs knocking down a peg and leashing. I’m a free-spirited, love-drunk wreck who just needs someone, or someones, to keep me safe and loved.

I narrow my eyes and step up beside Draven.

“Look, you jackass, I’m all for a little spanking and bondage in the bedroom, and lord knows I’d love me a good dom. But if you think I’m going to let you lock me in a closet and whip me, you’ve got another thing coming.”

I turn on my heel and slam the parlor door open so hard it hits the wall. I stomp into the hall, my heart racing. When I hear the door slam shut again behind me, I glance over my shoulder. It’s just me and my four knights.

The moment I turn to Arrow, I collapse into his chest, and of course, he catches me.

He lifts me easily, letting me bury my face against him as he silently storms through the castle toward our suite.

Once there, I feel him sit down, and I lift my head, realizing we’re on the sofa.

I’m not crying, but I’m definitely emotionally charged.

I’d thought the lords were interesting, fun. Now I see, it was all a mask.

“Can we leave?” I ask, looking up at Arrow’s concerned eyes .

“It’s too late. The sun has set, and it’s too dangerous to travel at night,” Ranger says as he paces. “We’ll leave at first light. You won’t have to see them again.”

“Are you okay?” Arrow asks softly, his thumb stroking my cheek. He’s so handsome. The concern on his face makes him even more irresistible.

“Why are you so perfect?” I blurt out. His eyes widen in surprise, his body freezing.

Ranger steps in before Arrow can respond, guiding me off Arrow’s lap and into the empty cushion beside him. “Princess, answer the question, are you okay?”

I scrunch my nose. I’d rather sit on Arrow. Did that make me weak?

“I’m fine. Just… annoyed.”

Ranger nods as Blaze speaks. “You liked them.”

It’s not a question, but I feel compelled to answer. “They seemed interested. That was nice.”

“Princess, you can’t choose someone just because they’re interested. Everyone will be interested in you,” Ranger says, running a hand through his hair.

“Because I’m a Princess,” I reply, trying not to frown.

“Because you’re you ,” Blaze says softly.

I glance up at him and hold his gaze. I remember that conversation in the washroom, weeks ago, when he told me he wasn’t worthy of love because he was an only child.

It had been the craziest thing I’d ever heard…

but it made me realize these guys we re just like me.

We were all being judged by the roles society forced us into.

Opposite ends of the spectrum, same aching problem.

We just wanted to be loved for who we really are.

Ranger and Draven drop into armchairs across from me, and Blaze sits beside me, sandwiching me between him and Arrow. I sit back so I can see them all, my eyes bouncing between each of theirs as I feel some strange tension fill the air.

Ranger leans forward, his elbows resting on his outstretched knees, as he watches me with an intense stare.

“What?” I ask before nervously biting my lip.

I see him watch the movement as he takes a deep breath and asks, “What’s a dom?”

My whole body freezes. No, not freezes, it does the opposite. Heat rushes through me, and I swear I must look like a tomato as I stare at him in shock, wondering how I can get out of answering this.

“Princess?” he prods after a minute when I just stare at him, unable to form words. Why did I have to blurt that out?

“Umm,” I start, licking my dry lips. How do I even explain this to men who live in a world without BDSM and casual relationships?

“A dom…” I trail off, swallowing nervously, hoping they wouldn’t judge me too harshly.

“Refers to a particular type of man and how he acts in his relationship with a woman.”

“Explain,” Ranger commands, and that word alone sends a bolt of lust between my legs. I rub my thighs together thinking about how much Ranger fits the daddy dom role perfectly. I avoid eye contact with him as I explain.

“He would provide a protective and nurturing role in their relationship. He might set rules or boundaries for her to follow that are driven by care and protection. He might… uh… discipline her for disobeying him, but it’s done in a way to help her grow rather than as pure punishment and is normally…

sexual in nature. He would provide her with a sense of security and emotional support, balancing authority with affection. ”

My eyes finally move back to Ranger, and I’m sure I can see the heat there. Does he like the idea of being a dom? Cause fuck… What I would give to have him be that for me.

“And this… dom, is something you’re looking for… in a husband?” he asks. I swallow the lump in my throat and shrug, not sure I can admit it again after explaining it in such detail.

“Is that what you’re looking for in all of your mates?” Blaze asks from my side, making me glance at him.

I slowly shake my head before I respond. “No, just one.”

“What else are you looking for?” he asks before his eyes dip to my lips then back up to my eyes as I bite them nervously.

“Well… I love your cinnamon roll energy.”