Page 71

A hush falls among the four of us. Eryx, Zareth, Vaelith, me.

My men, my lovers, my partners in forging this future.

I sense the swirl of desire hovering at the edges—after all these tense negotiations, a raw craving for closeness emerges.

But the courtyard is still bustling with watchers.

Instead, I let a sly smile cross my lips, leaning in to murmur, “I owe you each a private moment once we’re finished here.

We’ve accomplished something monumental. Let me show my appreciation.”

Eryx chuckles softly, a wicked glint dancing in his eyes. Zareth’s lips curl in a half-smile, while Vaelith’s stoic features soften. “Name the time,” he says quietly.

Before we can indulge in that allure, Ai appears at the courtyard’s entrance, slipping past a group of purna. She hurries over, bright eyes scanning for me. I kneel, welcoming her. She links her small fingers around my arm. “Selene,” she says softly, “the King wants to see me too?”

I shake my head. “He’s recognized you’re under my guardianship. You won’t be forced to talk to him unless you want to. For now, I’d like you to rest, or explore the city with some older purna who can guide you.”

She nods, a timid grin crossing her features. “I’ll do that.” Then her voice drops. “Is it truly over? The city won’t attack me anymore?”

I brush a gentle hand through her silver hair. “No one attacks you, not with me in the council. If any do, we’ll stop them. You’re free to remain in Orthani or travel if you wish.”

Her eyes mist with relief, and she hugs me quickly before scampering off, trailing behind a pair of older purna who beckon her. My chest tightens, a swirl of maternal protectiveness blending with pride. Another step forward—Ai can live without constant fear.

A subtle cough draws my attention back to Eryx and the others. He motions to the keep’s side entrance. “Seems the King’s men have left. Our business is done here, for now. Shall we return to Vaelith’s estate or your new refuge?”

I tilt my head, considering. “The refuge is just a cluster of safe rooms so far. Let’s return to Vaelith’s estate for a moment of privacy. I suspect we all need to breathe away from prying eyes.”

They nod in agreement. We navigate through the hectic courtyard, slipping into the labyrinth of corridors leading to Vaelith’s domain.

Guards stand sentinel, bowing as we pass.

Whispers echo: “That’s her… the purna in the council.

She commanded the men.” I sense a mixture of awe and suspicion.

Let them whisper. My vow with Vaelith and my alliance with Eryx and Zareth are no secrets now.

We arrive at Vaelith’s estate, the halls less battered than the central keep.

A hush greets us. The estate staff is uncertain how to address me, though they offer polite bows.

Zareth quietly disperses them, ensuring we reach a more private wing without an entourage.

Inside a spacious antechamber, the four of us pause, letting tension melt from our limbs.

Eryx drops onto a cushioned seat with a groan.

Zareth leans against a column, arms folded, while Vaelith stands at my side, posture protective.

I sink onto a velvet sofa, finally indulging in a moment of rest. “It’s surreal,” I murmur, feeling the day’s weight. “King Rython yields. The city bows, in a sense. And we… we have actual space to build a purna refuge.”

Vaelith nods, voice soft. “You earned it. None can deny your role in saving Orthani.”

Zareth’s dark gaze lingers on me. “Enjoy the triumph, but remember the King might still try cunning maneuvers. You’re forging purna enclaves inside a city once sworn to kill your kind. Suspicion won’t vanish overnight.”

I exhale, acknowledging the truth. “We’ll watch carefully. Eryx can gather intel from the streets, you from the council halls, Vaelith from the guard. If anyone conspires against us, we cut them off quickly.”

Eryx’s grin widens. “And in the meantime, we enjoy this new status. After all, you stand at the apex, dear queen. Your men are here to serve.”

A spark of mischief ignites in me, remembering my earlier promise of private celebration. “I recall saying I owe each of you a show of gratitude. Perhaps we should find somewhere more comfortable.”

They exchange eager glances, each stirring with the same hunger that fueled us in the nights after the siege. My heart thumps, pulse quickening. “Yes,” I say, standing with a languid stretch. “Let’s not waste time.”

The corridor leading to Vaelith’s private rooms is deserted.

My footsteps echo softly, my three men trailing behind with a predatory awareness that sets my nerves aflame.

I sense Zareth’s intense psionic aura brushing the edges of my mind, Eryx’s cunning presence reading my every movement, Vaelith’s protective dominance simmering just behind me.

The tension between us crackles like a distant storm.

Finally, we slip into Vaelith’s chambers—a wide space of polished floors and heavy drapes.

The bed stands in the center, crowned with a carved frame.

I shut the door, my breath catching in the hush that follows.

They surround me, each reflecting different facets of desire.

Eryx’s dark grin, Vaelith’s intense gaze, Zareth’s controlled hunger.

I tilt my chin, a teasing edge to my voice. “You’ve followed me faithfully through war and negotiations. Now I want you to surrender your burdens. Focus only on what I desire—and trust me to guide you.”

Vaelith’s eyes flash with a spark of recognition. “I am yours,” he murmurs, stepping nearer. Zareth stiffens with excitement, nodding once. Eryx rubs his neck, smirk deepening. “I always love it when you take charge.”

Heat pools low in my belly, reminding me how deeply we needed a moment of raw intimacy amid the chaos. I spin toward Eryx first, trailing my fingers along his collar. “You were my cunning blade in the streets, turning Red Purna infiltration aside. Let me reward you.”

He shudders at the promise, lips parting for a quip, but I silence him with a firm kiss, my hand tangling in the folds of his tunic.

His breath hitches, and I sense him leaning into me, letting me dictate the pace.

I deepen the kiss momentarily, tasting the salt of his lips.

Then I break away, turning to Zareth next.

I press a palm to his chest, feeling the tension thrumming in his heartbeat. “You overcame your old sadism for me, forging alliances in the council, unraveling wards that once caged purna. Let me see that submissive side I love to provoke.”

His eyes gleam with that mix of resentment and fascination. “You know exactly how to break me, Selene.” His voice is nearly a growl.

I smile. “Yes, I do.” I brush my mouth against his in a fleeting kiss, then pivot to Vaelith, who watches with simmering hunger.

“And you, my disciplined commander, you helped me face the King. You stood by me as an equal in the vow. Now I want to remind you who truly wields power behind closed doors.”

He exhales sharply. “I yield.”

A flush of heat surges. I back toward the bed, hooking a finger at them. “Come. Show me your devotion.”

They close in, each unburdening armor or tunic.

The tension sears my veins, a wicked thrill that after all the high-stakes diplomacy and mortal dangers, we still find time to indulge.

I slip out of my garments with deliberate slowness, letting them watch.

Eryx’s eyes darken with arousal, Zareth’s jaw clenches, Vaelith stares intently.

I want them enthralled, to remember that for all my forging alliances, I’m still queen to their devotion.

We tumble onto the bed, a chaotic tangle of bodies, moans, and whispered commands.

My mind spins from the sensations—three men with distinct touches, each responding to the subtle power shifts I exert.

Eryx’s teasing kisses roam my throat, Zareth’s skilled hands grip my hips, Vaelith’s strong arms hold me with protective fervor.

A swirl of primal desire wraps us together, bridging the lines between politics and raw intimacy.

Time dissolves. I push them, test them, let them worship every inch of my skin.

Their hushed groans fill the chamber, fueling my own rising lust. The bed creaks under our entwined forms, the warm lamp casting a flickering glow on sweat-slick flesh.

My breath catches as Eryx nips my shoulder, while Zareth’s psionic aura flutters at the edge of my consciousness, and Vaelith’s low growl vibrates against my spine.

When I finally rise above them, breath ragged, I see their gazes fix on me—sated, enthralled.

The tension of leading Orthani, of forging this new path, briefly evaporates.

We are only flesh and heartbeat, passion ripping away any semblance of caution.

I press an open-mouthed kiss to Vaelith’s lips, tasting the tang of exhaustion and longing.

Eryx smirks from behind me, trailing lazy caresses across my thighs.

Zareth’s breath warms my ear as he murmurs a half-apology, half-plea for more.

Finally, we collapse in a sweaty sprawl, hearts pounding in unison.

My eyes half-close, euphoria washing over me.

For a while, no words need to be said. I relish the stillness, the comfort of their bodies pressed against mine.

Sleep beckons in the aftermath, but I fight it, listening to each of them breathe, reveling in the calm after so much strife.

After a few minutes, I shift, propping up on an elbow. My voice emerges soft. “We did it,” I say, stroking Vaelith’s chest, glancing at Eryx and Zareth. “We negotiated a future for purna in Orthani. Now, we build it.”

Zareth’s eyes remain closed, a faint smile on his lips. “You shape it, we follow your lead.”

Eryx chuckles, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “And we keep you satisfied along the way.”

Vaelith rests a hand against my hip. “We stand ready for whatever new challenge arises.”

Warmth blooms in my chest. “Then rest now. Tomorrow, the real work begins. A seat on the council, a refuge for purna. And we ensure no one undermines it.”

Eryx smirks. “And I ensure no bored noble tries to scheme behind your back. Should one appear, they find a scimitar at their throat.”

Zareth’s voice turns wry. “I’ll handle any mental sabotage or old wards that threaten. We vow it.”

Vaelith simply squeezes my hand. “I’m yours, Selene. Always.”

My throat tightens. I ease down, nestling among them.

Outside, Orthani is far from healed. But for the moment, we hold a precious respite.

The flicker of flames in the lamp casts dancing shadows on the walls.

I close my eyes, lulled by the steady rhythm of their breathing, the knowledge that we’ve carved out a future from chaos.

No, I don’t want the throne or to subjugate the city.

But I’ll shape Orthani from within, forging a sanctuary for my kind and proving we can coexist.

Sleep steals over me, images flitting through my mind: the King’s cunning smile, the battered city gates, purna stepping from shadows into open sun, humans daring to hope for freedom.

And in every vision, my men stand at my side, unwavering.

We are not parted by tradition or jealousy.

We stand as an unbreakable quartet. That thought warms me as I drift off, certain that tomorrow we’ll rise anew, ready to guide Orthani into the era we crafted from its own ashes.