Page 72 of Warrior Princess Assassin (Braided Fate #1)

“Slow,” he says gently. He rubs at me slowly, never going farther than an inch, and it’s torture.

When Asher puts a finger against my back entrance again, I make a guttural sound and push back against him.

“Not yet,” he says, kissing my neck again, stroking me there, a careful dance of push and release that’s driving me crazy. “Not the first time, Jory.”

The king shifts his fingers, stroking just a bit deeper. I’m so warm between them. A pressure is building in my lower abdomen, and I sink harder against his hand.

“Never?” he says, and I think he’s talking to me, so my eyes flick open. But his eyes are looking past me.

“Never,” says Asher.

Ky’s hand slows, just a little, and then he withdraws to look at me. I feel open, exposed. My body wants him back.

“Your first time doesn’t need to be tonight ,” he says.

“Please,” I whimper.

At my back, Asher laughs under his breath.

“Don’t worry, lovely. We won’t leave you like this .

” He lifts me a little, his knees kicking mine wider.

Then he hitches my skirts, until I feel the swirl of the night air again, and Ky’s hand slides against me.

I’m slick and ready, and his fingers slide right in.

He grabs my knee and lifts it, giving him more access, and suddenly his hand is deeper. Suddenly Asher is pushing at my back entrance just a little more firmly.

Ky makes that primal sound again, and I look down to realize Asher has taken hold of his cock, and he’s stroking it right against my hip, right beside Ky’s own hand going in and out of me.

He’s not just stroking it, Ky’s thrusting into it.

The sight triggers something inside me, because I buck against his hand, seeking the friction, imagining his cock instead.

The whole time, Asher keeps stroking my tight little hole with his free hand, every brush of his finger driving me wild.

Everything inside me clenches tight, heat building everywhere.

Ky grunts, his own momentum building, and begins to thrust harder, both with his hand and his cock.

I feel each penetration deeply, and I begin to cry out, because the pressure is intense, bordering on painful.

But then he cries out and thrusts against me so hard that it drives me back onto Asher, and his finger slips right inside my ass.

That pulls the guttural sound right from my throat. A cool fire washes through my abdomen, my insides pulsing so hard that I cry out again. I keep grinding against their hands, seeking more, and I feel like a wild animal, shameless and wanting to mate.

But my quivering eventually slows, and their hands withdraw from my body. I’m trembling, sweaty, exhausted, exhilarated. They’re holding me so tenderly, and now it’s my head that falls against Ky’s shoulder.

And then, suddenly, I begin to cry.

The king gathers me in his arms, and Asher presses up against my back again, holding on to me. He kisses my shoulder. “Hush, lovely,” he says gently. “Hush.”

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” I say, weeping.

“You’re just a cryer.”

“Is this going to happen every time ?”

“Maybe?” he says, and that doesn’t help stop the tears.

“Enough of that,” says the king, and there’s a slightly amused note to his voice. “Your tears are an honor. Because you, Princess, are exquisite.”

His arms are so warm, but I shiver and look into his golden-brown eyes. Those words summon more tears. I blink and he goes blurry, but he strokes at my hair until my tears dry. I’m worn out and exhausted, and the night has gone nowhere I thought it would.

Eventually, the king tucks my head under his chin. His voice is low. “Are you well, Princess?”

I nod, drowsy. But then I realize I haven’t heard Asher’s voice, so I turn my head to look to him. “Asher?”

He brushes another kiss on my shoulder. “Still here, Jor.”

There’s a note in his voice that I can’t quite parse out, but he presses his cheek to my shoulder, and my heart settles, content.

After a while, Ky draws back. His hand strokes down my cheek. “Both of you, come with me. Again, I know what you need.”

THE KING TAKES us to his quarters, which are down a different hallway from where he left us earlier.

His rooms are large and well-appointed, which isn’t a surprise, along with the same fascinating lines of fire that trace the walls and leads to the hearth.

My heart skips a little when I see the bed, but Ky simply brushes a light kiss against my temple, then glances at Asher.

“Rest,” he says to us. “I have limited guards tonight, so I want to see to their stations before we sleep.”

Then he’s gone, leaving me with Asher.

I glance up at him. His eyes have gone a bit cool, but he’s so beautiful in the flickering shadows. I can’t seem to look away from him. I’ve wanted him for so long; there’s a part of me that can’t believe we just did...that.

The side of his mouth turns up. “I know that look. Come on.”

Asher tugs me to the bed, tucking me under the lush blankets, then curling himself around me the way he did days ago.

Silk sheets and velvet covers are between us, but his breath falls warm and steady against my hair.

His arm comes around me, and when I take hold of his hand, he doesn’t pull away at all.

I’m warm and drowsy, but I don’t want to sleep. Not yet.

“Do you think he left us alone on purpose?” I say to Asher.

He’s quiet for a moment, as if considering that. “I think he wants to make sure you feel safe.”

That makes me shiver a little—in a good way.

“He’s very kind,” I whisper, like it’s a secret.

Asher says nothing to that, but he presses a kiss to my neck through my hair. “ Do you feel safe?” he says.

I nod and give his hand a squeeze. “Is it...is it always like that?”

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he shakes his head. “No.”

There’s a heavy note in his voice that I can’t quite make sense of, but he draws the hair back from my neck to press a kiss to my skin. “There’s plenty more to discover,” he says, the words almost wicked.

It makes me laugh and shiver again.

Then he whispers, “I didn’t even get to use my mouth on you .”

My laughter cuts off. My pulse leaps. Heat swells in my belly at once.

Now it’s Asher’s turn to laugh, the tone low and sultry against my skin. “Sleep, Jory. There’s plenty of time.”

“Promise?” I say.

Again, he’s quiet for a beat too long. But then he nods against me. “Promise.”

He’s so warm, and I feel so cherished in his arms. To my surprise, I find myself longing for Ky, too, wanting him to complete this circle of safety and contentment.

After a while, Asher’s breathing turns slow and heavy. Against my will, I begin to drift to sleep as well.

But then I realize what he said, how the king wanted to make sure I feel safe.

He didn’t say a word about himself.

“Asher,” I murmur, turning my head slightly. “Do you feel safe?”

He must already be asleep, because I wait, but he doesn’t answer. So I sigh and close my eyes again, pulling his hand to my heart.

He’s here. He’s with me. For now, that’ll have to be enough.