Page 20

Oleander

“ W e are going to seek the alliance with Larkstead as opposed to Guivre,” Lonan announces the next morning at breakfast.

“Why?” Lilac asks, frowning.

I bite my lip. We’d, and by that I mean the three of us, argued into the night about this, but they are insistent that I not contact Vale. Idiots .

I might just send him a letter anyway. If I can figure out what to say. ‘Hi, love, I’m spirit bound to the two most dangerous men in the lands of Faery and they’re going to kill my brother for me so I can take the throne; any chance we could form an alliance with your family?’ Yeah , no, that’s going to work out.

“We need Larkstead’s army more than we need Guivre’s money,” Kai says.

Korben blinks pursing his lips comically. “We need dragons more than anything.”

Lonan snorts, “They’ve never once in a thousand years involved themselves in any of the squabbles of the nobles of Faery. They sat in their halls, with their gold, while Alder’s soldiers burned Gaeba, and most of the water Fae in our world, into the ground.” His anger is obvious. “We’ll just be wasting our time, seeking their support. Larkstead is the better option.”

“You’re the boss,” Korben smiles, trying to ease the mood.

Lilac leans back. “So... Kai’s gonna take one for the team?”

“Pardon?” I ask, acerbically.

She looks at me and raises her purple eyebrows. “They only will align with marriage. Someone is going to have to marry one of them.”

Lonan makes an indeterminate noise. “Kai, send word we want to meet.”

The rest of breakfast goes quietly. Lonan updates everyone on the news from Cas and Tazi at Squall’s End.

“So they’re dug in?” Lilac asks.

Lonan nods, “No signs of attacking. Probably trying to scare them into parley.”

“Or starvation,” grimaces Korben.

As everyone finishes, I stand and scoop up plates to bring to the kitchen. Kai looks at me oddly but Lonan knows I just want some time with Cook. And away from the two of them, godsdamn . Entirely too much male ego and testosterone in one room.

Last night, when I could stand against their combined pig-headedness no longer, I had crawled into Lonan’s bed, while the two of them had a drink in the reception room. When I awoke this morning, Lonan was being spooned by Kai, his arm over Lo’s belly, and their fingers tangled together. A tiny flare of jealousy woke inside me, aggravated that I wasn’t between them.

I push open the door to the kitchen and Cook turns. She smirks.

“Well, lassie, in a better mood now that you’re getting dicked into next week regularly?”

Lu’s ears flatten to her head and she snickers but swats Cook.

I glare at her, “Enough from you. Mayhap you need to get dicked into next week, Cook.”

She giggles, “And what makes you think I’m not?” She turns and heads to the cellar as Lu and I stare at each other before we both start to cackle.

I bring the dishes to the sink and grab an apron before turning on the water to wash them. Lu’s tail is wagging, low and slow as she chops onions. She’s content, and that makes me happy.

“How are things going with him?” I ask, my back to her.

“Him?” She asks.

“Or her? Whoever you’re going to the Mabon Festival with.”

“Ohh. Well, we’re just friends. He’s one of the younger guards.”

“Not Jax? That Fae was just a week ago sniffing after my skirts!” I blurt.

Lu laughs, “Well, I understand why! But no, it’s Jonah, his brother.”

I make a noise, trying to remember him. “They’re all fire, right?”

“Uh-huh,” she replies, “Shifters. Salamanders.”

Cook returns. “Those fire Fae fuck like Gods.”

We both turn and look at her.

“What?” She giggles.

Given the way Kai made me ride him until I came, whilst saying the dirtiest, sweetest words... I could easily believe he fucks like a God.

The three of us chat as we work on the roast for dinner and make plans for what to bring to the Mabon Fest. It’s tradition that every house brings something to eat or drink. Most things being apple or pumpkin or boozey themed. I’m rather excited for it, though I need to come up with an outfit. I wonder if Tazi will be back and we can go together.

When I finally slip out of the kitchen, I feel as if I’m filled with laughter and peace. It’s almost like what having a family would have been like, I think. I head out of the keep, and a flicker of guilt hits me. Lonan didn’t want me to go alone. I push it down. I need freedom. I can’t have a guard trailing me everywhere. Ugh, that sounds terrible. Shit, what am I going to do when I’m Queen? I frown. One problem at a time.

When I raise my hand to knock on Nell and Dana’s door, it swings open. Dana is there, smiling.

“Come in, come in, try these on!”

I grin and grab a shirt and thick skirt and start to change.

“Oh, it’s so soft!” I rub my hand over the skirt.

Dana smiles, “Warm too.”

“It fits like a glove,” I compliment, and start changing into the next. “Can you give me some Mabon outfit advice?”

She grins, “I’d love to! What’s the question?”

“Well, I’m probably going on my own? So what do I wear? I was thinking maybe taking my black dress and adding some skirts under it for floof and topping it with my plum corset.”

Dana purses her lips. “Aren’t you going with the Commander?”

I shrug. “He hasn’t mentioned it.”

She pulls a face but answers, “Well, if you did black and purple, you could make a mask with some grape vines and berries decorating it.”

“Oh! That would work well, with it being a harvest holiday.”

She nods. “I have a few blank mask frames, if you’d like one.”

“Yes, thank you!” I grin at her.

She smiles back at me, “And you should drape braids through your hair, decorated with grapes or berries. You’ll look stunning.”

I pull off the luxurious gray gown delicately. I step off the podium and she pulls me into a hug. I stiffen for a second, but my arms wrap around her and my eyes close.

Friends wonderful enough that they are almost like a family. A gift indeed.

“I NEED SOME THINGS from my rooms,” I say sweetly as Lonan and Kai and I head upstairs after dinner.

“I’ll clear them, you head up,” Kai directs Lonan.

“No, I might need both of your help, carrying things upstairs.”

Lonan raises an eyebrow, “What in the world do you need?”

We walk up to my door and to end the conversation, I place my hand on the knob.

Kai grunts and places a hand gently over mine. “Princess.”

That one word is a warning.

What I find inexplicably endearing with Kai is that I can tell how delicately he’s trying to treat me. It’s adorable, if unnecessary.

He slips into the room to check it just as a thought hits me: is it because of my scars? Is he, shit both of them , being so fragile with me because they are afraid of my past? Fuck . Well, perhaps what I have in store for them tonight will help straighten that idea out.

“It’s fine, you can come in,” Kai calls from my rooms. Lonan follows me inside. I turn and shut and latch the door. Lonan’s eyebrows immediately rise and I grin at him.

“I lied, love,” I say cryptically.

“Mmm,” he responds, stepping towards me. He raises his hands slowly to take my elbows. “Kai,” he calls, “Come here. Our little mate is in a mischievous mood, I can tell.”

Kai silently slips behind me, boxing me between them. He dips his head, lips skating up my neck. “What did you lie about, baby?”

I smile at his new nickname for me. I twist a little to look into those green eyes of his. “Lonan asked me awhile back if I had enjoyed his mouth. I lied. Because I did enjoy it. Very much. As well as your eyes upon me as he brought me off.”

They make pleased noises and I feel them, both, grow hard against me.

Kai whispers, “Will you accept our bonds?”

Fuck. Why’d he have to take it there?

“I’m not ready. Yet .”

I can feel his disappointment and I twist, needing to reassure him. I place my hands on his face and his eyes close in pleasure. “I just need time, flame.”

Again, they both make happy noises at my use of Lonan’s pet name for Kai. I smile.

“Will you two do something for me?” I ask, pretty sure I already know the answer.

“Fuck,” Kai moans into my hair, “Anything princess.”

Lo nods, tilts his head down and nibbles my neck.

“ Anything ?” I reaffirm.

Lonan chuckles but lets Kai answer, lets him reassure me, given our connection is newer. Lonan has more emotional understanding than I’ve been giving him credit for , I muse.

“I’ll kill everyone who has ever known your pleasure. I want Lonan and I to be the only breathing Fae to know what your cunt feels like. I’ll gut, slowly, anyone who has harmed a hair on your head. Alder and that Ordained?” He’s out of breath, angry and obviously besotted, “Oh fuck, Oleander, I’ll burn their veins over the course of days. They’ll know a pain unlike anything else. They’ll beg for a death that will be a long time coming.”

I grab him and kiss him deeply, pressing my tongue into his mouth. Fuck, that is so hot . I love having these two murderous Fae at my beck and call. Especially since they act like my little lapdogs when we’re alone.

I pull away, hands in Kai’s dark red curls. “Perfect.”

I ease from between them and back away. Lonan turns and they stand side by side, water and fire, my mates, and my heart swells. I could love them.

When I feel my bed at my back, I say quietly, “If you’ll do anything for me, then kneel.”

They smirk. Lonan answers, “We have no problem kneeling for our Queen,” as they both sink smoothly to their knees.

The sight of them, next to each other, kneeling, for me , does wonderful, awful things to me. I tug at the buttons on the front of my dress. They are both absolutely focused on me and I adore it.

I slide the dress down my arms and it falls around me. I tug my bra off and quickly push my panties down. My men are silent, hungry.

I sit on the bed and cross my legs primly. “Crawl to me,” I command.

They drop to their hands in unison and crawl across my bedroom, eyes locked on me. I watch the sway of their bodies, both strong and deadly, and the ache between my legs only grows.

“Mmm, good boys,” I purr. “Kneel up,” I add as they get to the bed.

Lonan grins openly, but Kai is more closed off. That tracks with what I know of him.

“If you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to see the two of you kiss.”

I want to simply command it, but I truly wouldn’t want to make them feel as if they had to touch each other because of my whims.

Lonan’s grin grows wider. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

I arch an eyebrow and Kai grabs Lo’s face. I watch them kiss, intensely, well-practiced lovers of many years. Fuck . I want to be between them so badly.

Kai pulls away and looks to me. “How was that princess?” He cracks a little grin and I adore it.

“Perfect,” I praise. “Now take your cocks out.”

I’m dying to see them both up close, to touch and inspect and play with them but not now. I’m setting a precedent tonight.

They do as told, both palming large dicks. I sit still and study them from my position. Kai’s is girthier, and has that water tattoo along the side. Lonan’s slit is dripping with his need. Both are long and heavy and will feel incredible when I finally get to ride them. I lick my lips and Kai chuckles softly.

I slowly spread my legs, watching their faces.

Their eyes are locked on my core, which I’m sure is glistening with my arousal. I place my feet on the cross beam of the bedframe and lay back. I lean and put a thick pillow behind me, so I can still see my men. My men .

I use both hands to cup my breasts, fingers caressing. I tug a nipple and a fight back a moan. I let my other hand slowly skate down my belly.

My eyes are upon them, watching how focused they are on me. I use two fingers to run along either side of my clit and a noise escapes Kai. My hand goes lower and I use my fingers to spread my slickness up. I pinch my nipple again and start to circle my clit. I rub it hard, making my spread legs twitch, before dipping down and sliding two fingers inside me.

“Touch my legs,” I command, “But no higher than my thighs.”

They lurch into action, Lonan kissing the arch of my foot as his hands start to knead my calf. It feels incredible.

Kai’s hands are both high on my thigh, his fingers skating over my flesh. I catch him pause as he feels the smoother skin of my scars, his anger flaring, but he continues touching me gently, teasingly.

I moan, the combined feel of their hands and my playing with my pussy getting me close. But when I feel one of Lonan’s hands come off my leg, I focus on them. Lo’s hand is wrapped around his cock.

“No,” I say flatly. “You’re not allowed to touch yourselves. Touch me.”

Kai’s hands glide higher, testing. I growl, rubbing my clit in slow, hard circles still, and Kai smiles and slides his hands back to somewhere acceptable.

“Oleander,” Lonan’s voice is pained. “Let us help, sweetheart.”

Kai adds softly, “Let us taste you princess.”

My fingers don’t slow. “Beg.”

“Fuck,” Kai curses. “Please, Ollie. Let me use my tongue. I need you to cum on my face, baby. Please.”

“My little Queen, please do us the honor of tasting your pleasure,” Lo murmurs. Hmm, not surprising he’s the better beggar.

My body tenses, I’m right on the edge. I look down again, both their hands now on my calves and they lean in as one and both start to kiss and lick my chain scars. The look of devotion and the gentleness in their touch sends me over.

“Fuck! Yes, oh fuck, yes,” I whimper, hips rocking up onto my hand as my fingers circle my clit firmly. I slowly relax back, and their kisses continue softly. I look down, meeting their eyes. Their faces are awestruck, endearing, focused.

I slide both my hands down between my legs. They turn from watching my face to watching my cunt. I take the middle two fingers of my right hand, and press them inside me. Both Kai and Lonan groan.

“Mmm,” I purr, then, leaving those fingers, I press the middle two fingers of my left hand into my pussy. “Will one of your cocks feel like this?” I whisper, slowly thrusting my fingers. “The thought of you has me so wet.”

They moan. I make sure my fingers are nice and slick and I pull them out of me slowly. I can feel the need flowing off Kai and Lonan. It makes me grin.

I sit up and hold my hands out to them.

“Clean them.”

They exchange a look and suddenly both their mouths are around my fingers. They both suck and rub their tongues over my fingers, in their own ways. Kai reverently, slowly, savoring each taste of my essence. Lonan hungrily, needily, sucking me down as fast as he can.

“Good boys,” I purr, “Now stroke yourselves, and don’t let go of my fingers.”

They moan around my fingers and now it’s my turn to watch them devotedly, eyes locked onto their hands as they pleasure themselves. I kind of want to see them play with each other, but maybe next time. They can focus on me this time.

As they both play with themselves, I find myself getting worked up again, much faster than I’d expect. Fuck. Not what I intended. Mental note for next time to make them cum first.

When Lonan cups his balls with one hand, other hand stroking steadily, I ease my fingers out of their mouths to shove them back inside me.

“Oh fuck, baby,” Kai purrs, voice tight.

“Please,” Lonan simply says.

I offer them my fingers again and they take them, moaning loudly. Kai’s hand is slick and he uses it to pump just over his wide, flared head.

“Cum for me, my mates,” I whisper.

More noises emerge around my fingers.

“Oh fuck, what good boys I have,” I grin down at them.

Lonan gives in first, his seed spraying up near my arm. Kai must see it for he groans again and his eyes close. I see his cum jet up, even as Lonan’s pleasure still spills out over his hand.

“Yes, that’s it, so good, you two. Just what I wanted to see. Fuck,” I purr.

I slip off the other side of the bed, grab my flannel dressing gown, and head upstairs to Lonan’s room.

Just as the door shuts, I hear Kai yell, “Fuck, neither of us checked upstairs yet.”