The Queen's Consorts (4 page)

“It’ll help your pain. You’re gravely injured,” the attendant coaxed when Sari shook her head, refusing the offering.

“I don’t drink strange substances. It could cloud the mind.”

“It
does
cloud the mind,” Taryen assured her as he brushed her hair tenderly off her forehead. “The waters’ healing is painful when the injuries are grave. Be thankful you can take it.”

Sari stared at Taryen with his dark, soulful eyes that shone with empathy. “Will you protect me while my mind is clouded?” she asked, feeling seduced by his beauty and kind nature. “Will you keep the predators at bay until I can do it myself?”

“There are no predators here, my lady.” Taryen’s voice was entrancing. “But if there were, Calder and I would protect you. We’re well trained to protect the females we serve.”

Sari surprised herself by believing him. She leaned up in Calder’s arms, stifling a scream and choking down the horrid-tasting liquid the attendant held to her lips. “It’s awful.”

“Is it?” Taryen asked curiously, his large hand stroking her hair in a way that was calming.

She squinted at Taryen, who became fuzzy around the edges almost instantly. “You’ve never tasted it?”

“Neither of us
have
.” Calder pushed past Taryen and walked with Sari toward the pool. “As Taryen said, be thankful you can take it. This is going to be painful. I apologize in advance.”

“Not your fault.” Sari’s tongue felt thick. The drugs were obviously doing their job as her eyes grew heavy. “As long as it doesn’t kill me, I can endure.”

“All right.”
Calder waded into the waters with her.

Her feet touched the water first, and she jerked from the searing burn. Her first instinct was to tell him to stop, but she fought the urge to flee, wanting her strength back, even if the healing was agonizing.

“Fast,” she
choked,
her body stiff not just from the pain but in anticipation of more. “
Do
it fast. End it now.”

A scream burst out of her when Calder obeyed, dropping down in the water, plunging her into the steaming pool. Her entire body convulsed from the level of pain that seared through her.

“He has to obey you. Your will is his.” Taryen jumped into the waters with them, helping Calder hold on to her as she fought against the torment that was blinding in its intensity. “Breathe, my lady. Long, slow breaths. Listen to my voice and the pain will fade.”

“It’s not fading.” Her attempt at long, slow breaths sounded more like hyperventilating. “I’m dying.”

“No, no, you’re not.” Taryen cupped her face with both hands. He turned her head toward him as she fought to break free of Calder’s strong grip. “You said you trusted me. Hear me when I say you aren’t dying. Just look at me and see the truth of my words.”

Sari panted through the pain, her eyes wide and stunned as it continued to rip through her. She stared at Taryen as instructed, finding that on some level it did help. His eyes were strangely dark, with the irises hard to find even in the brightly lit room. She became entranced, feeling suddenly as if he were some sort of mirage. She stared for several minutes, following his instructions to take concentrated breaths in a long, slow manner.

It worked. The pain started to fade faster than anticipated, though she knew instinctively it was Taryen’s beauty more than his instructions on how to breathe that was distracting her. He was so alluring. Taryen almost radiated with something stronger than good looks. In the distant part of her mind not dazed by drugs and pain, she recognized an oddly healing vitality that seemed to pulse off him. His hands on her cheeks felt warm, as if exuding some sort of restorative life energy.

“The queen is very lucky,” Sari whispered in a heavy voice she didn’t recognize as her own while she studied Taryen. “I’m attracted to you.”

“Thank you.” Taryen’s voice was still soft and hypnotic. “Appealing to you pleases me.”

“It should,” she told him, lifting her eyebrows to emphasize her point. “I’ve never been attracted to a male before. I don’t crave sex—ever.”

“All Rayian females crave sex.” Calder sounded harsh and cynical. “Give yourself time and you’ll catch on.”

“I never crave it. I never even think of it except to avoid it,” Sari explained, feeling too hazy and dazed to argue more than that. “I think it’s you. There’s something strange about both of you.”

“Our life force is bound to the queen,” Taryen explained, his voice making Sari’s eyelids heavier with its lulling pitch. “We naturally release a pheromone designed to entice her. It’s very strong. It appeals to all Rayian females.”

“I don’t understand,” Sari mumbled.

“You don’t have to.” Calder held her tighter, making her feel secure and protected. “It
is
us. We apologize if it upsets you. If we could turn it off, we would.”

“It doesn’t upset me.” Sari fell lax in Calder’s arms, and gave up the battle to keep her eyes open. “It makes me feel sort of nice.”

The water’s healing was no longer painful. It was warm and calming, much like Calder’s arms around her as he waded over to the shallower side of the pool. Then he lay back against one of the sloping sides with her. Taryen’s fingers were still in her hair, stroking it softly away from her face. She hardly noticed the attendants bathing her while she lay in a dazed realm of half sleep, with strong, hard arms shielding her and the smell of burning herbs mixing with the enticing combination of Calder and Taryen.

Feeling comfortable and safe for the first time in her memory, Sari fell into an exhausted, drug-induced sleep nothing could disrupt.
Unusual that these two strangers were able to give her that gift when Sari rarely trusted, but Taryen and Calder didn’t feel like strangers.
The sleep brought a bizarre clarity that told her on some level her soul knew these males even if they should be completely alien to her.

The darkness was interrupted by shadows. Flickers of candlelight danced on the walls as Sari fought the heavy, drugged sedation that made her limbs numb. She blinked, finding the candlelight strange in the Sacred City where there should have been artificial light everywhere. It reminded her of camping and the captivating dance of a roaring fire billowing smoke into the night sky.

A darker, more seductive scent than before saturated the air, one obviously permeating from the dozens of candles around the room. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and was about to sit up when soft, muffled sounds made their way past the dream haze that had grabbed hold of Sari’s unconsciousness.

“Roll over, Tary,” Calder whispered and then groaned out loud. “Gods, you look good. You taste good too.”

“I like it without the herb.” Taryen let out a long, lazy sigh of indulgence. “We can take our time. Clarity is always preferred. I wish it’d stay out of our system forever.”

“You know that’s not happening. We’re useless without the herb.”

Taryen’s breath hitched with laughter. “You’re not useless right now. I find you very useful.”

“I’m always useful for you.” Calder grunted. His voice was muffled as if he spoke with his lips pressed against skin. “Tell me what you want.”

“What pleases you pleases me.”

“Don’t!”

That one word, furious and commanding, had Sari rolling on her side as quietly as possible and looking to the floor. What she saw made her breath catch in her chest. Calder was draped over Taryen, both of them gloriously naked, showing off tanned, muscular bodies that were perfect in their maleness. She let her gaze wander over Calder’s broad back, then down to his firm backside and long legs. His arms were corded with strong, powerful muscles that bunched as he cupped Taryen’s jaw in a hold that was almost cruel. Taryen didn’t notice her. His dark eyes were wide, reflecting candlelight with a mixture of lust and shock as he stared up at Calder.

“Never treat me like one of them,” Calder growled as if the words themselves were hurting him. “I’m your lifemate. You’re allowed to take pleasure from me.”

Taryen’s groan was breathy in a way that betrayed his desire. “I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”

“Don’t apologize.” Calder’s tone softened as his touch became gentle, his fingers tracing the line of Taryen’s jaw. “Just tell me what you want. Tell me what you think about when you’re with them.
What thought makes it bearable?”

“I think of you.” Taryen’s eyes filled with adoration as he continued to look up at Calder.
“Of your mouth on me.”

“Mmm.”
Calder’s chest heaved in a show of profound yearning so palpable it nearly choked the air out of the room. He leaned down to rest his forehead against Taryen’s. “I think of that as well.”

“Of you preparing me while you suck me,” Taryen went on, his hands sliding up Calder’s sides, leaving a trail of goose bumps that were reflected in the candlelight dancing over Calder’s bare back. “Getting me ready for that first thrust of your cock in—”

Calder cut Taryen off by kissing him. His fingers threaded into the soft curls at the nape of Taryen’s neck, and then jerked his head back as he owned his mouth. Sari’s breath caught once more. She had never seen such a primal display of passion. The rush of scorching pleasure that washed over her as she watched was shocking in its intensity. An insistent throb began to pulse between her legs, and she squeezed them shut in a desperate act to still the ache.

Before now she had never found any aspect of sex appealing, and two males together certainly wasn’t unique. Most Aurorian males had lifemates they were intimate with. More carnal displays than this had been common when she was training to be a pleasure maiden. The majority of those trained by the Seven Swords had been men handsome enough to get off the streets by being pleasure slaves. Many females enjoyed the spectacle of seeing males together. She just never considered herself one of them—until now.

How could she not ache while watching what was before her? These two beautiful men came together with a clash of wild desire and love that was awe inspiring. They were untamed as they kissed, thrusting against each other, their hips moving together with a grace that betrayed their skills with all aspects of sexual pleasure.

Calder tugged Taryen’s head to the side, exposing the corded muscles of his throat. “I’m marking you.” His teeth gleamed white against olive skin as he bit hard at the curve of Taryen’s neck. “Does that please you—wearing my passion?”

“Yes.” Taryen’s hips arched up as he gripped Calder’s firm backside, forcing their bodies tightly together. Sari caught flashes of long, thick cocks brushing against each other. Taryen moaned, “In more ways than one.”

Calder’s laugh was
breathless,
obviously catching Taryen’s meaning as his lips trailed lower, brushing over the line of Taryen’s collarbone. His worship was unabashed. His tongue laved over smooth skin that glowed ethereally in the candlelight. He bit at one small nipple, his teeth tugging in a way that had Taryen arching into him while his head fell back against the unforgiving floor.

Sari studied them curiously, trying to figure out what it was that made this display different from others she had seen. It was something more than just their sheer male beauty. There was an absence of humility, making their lovemaking raw, primal, and completely compelling. Neither of them seemed to understand the concept of shame. There was no shyness, no moments of awkwardness as Calder rested his cheek against Taryen’s upper thigh and breathed deeply.

Taryen had less hair than any other male she had seen, making his already impressive cock seem even larger. He was fully hard, the length of it heavy against his stomach. Something he didn’t appear embarrassed by as his fingers tangled in Calder’s hair, stroking it softly.

“You smell good.” Calder buried his face against the base of Taryen’s cock and breathed deeply once more. “Gods, I love you. I want to stay here forever.”

“Stay as long as you like.” Taryen stroked Calder’s hair away from his face. “I love you too.”

Calder licked at the ring at the base of Taryen’s cock, his tongue moving against the glimmering gold in a strangely rhythmic way that had Taryen’s eyes slamming shut. His head fell back once more, and his entire body jerked in obvious pleasure when Calder swallowed the length of him in an impressive display. Calder rested all his weight on his forearms, his hips thrusting forward, betraying how much he enjoyed sucking Taryen’s beautiful, bejeweled cock. Sari studied them closely enough to see Calder’s tongue brush against the ring at the base of it once more.

Taryen’s hold on Calder’s hair became harsh, his fingers tightening in the blond strands as his hips thrust up into the embrace of Calder’s mouth. “Gods
be
blessed,” he cried out, no longer having a care for being quiet. “Go gentle, Cal, or I’ll fail you.”

“It’s not failing me,” Calder said as he released him with a pop. “Your pleasure is my pleasure.”

Taryen gave him a teasing smile. “I’m not one of them either.”

“With you the words are true,” Calder said with such heartfelt sincerity it made Sari’s chest hurt. “You never have to restrain yourself with me. I love hearing you let go. I love
tasting
it more.”

Taryen
hummed,
his back bowing as Calder swallowed his length again. Taryen spread his legs shamelessly and used the tight hold he had on Calder’s hair to guide the slide of his cock into his mouth. “Touch me. Please.”

In response Calder reached forward, stretching one long arm out until Taryen grabbed his hand. Taryen sucked on Calder’s fingers, appearing to savor the act as his tongue ran against the gold band at the base of Calder’s ring finger in the same rhythmic way Calder had done to his cock. Calder responded in kind, his hips surging forward, the low groan rumbling from the center of his chest muffled by the hard, wet cock in his mouth.

Once Taryen had fully slicked the length of two fingers, Calder pulled them out of his lifemate’s mouth. Taryen’s lips were parted, his breathing raspy and shallow with anticipation. He thrust his hips forward, spreading his legs farther apart in a wanton display. Sari wanted to groan with him when Calder fingered his ass, doing it in a way that had Taryen shoving the palm of his hand into his mouth, biting down hard to stifle the shout of pleasure.

“Tell me,” Calder coaxed, breathing the words against the head of Taryen’s cock. “How do you want it to end?”

“In me.”
Taryen panted as he arched into his lifemate’s touch once more. “We’ll end together.”

“The nice part about being a consort—extreme virility,” Calder teased, his voice light in a way Sari knew few heard. “You can have more than one ending if you like.”

“No.” Taryen reached down to tug on Calder’s shoulders.
“Quality above quantity.”

Calder snorted. “I’m highly skilled. My list of references is extensive. I can assure you every ending I provide is of the highest quality.”

Taryen laughed, his well-defined chest shaking with mirth. He covered his eyes with his hands as his laughter became pained.

“You’re teasing me.” He lifted his hands to give Calder a long, sultry look that was obviously done out of habit but was no less captivating because of it. “Would you like me to beg? Does that please you? Hearing me desperate for you?”

“No,” Calder said, the denial sounding like a lie as he shook his head. “You don’t have to beg me, Tary.”

“But would you enjoy hearing it?” Taryen’s voice sent a shiver of pleasure over Sari’s skin. It was almost bizarre how he could seduce with just a change of pitch, and the look he was giving Calder was positively indecent. He was suddenly bleeding sexual energy, and Sari wasn’t the only one affected. Calder’s breathing became
shallow,
his gaze trained on Taryen as if he held him rapt. Taryen seemed to know he had captured his prey as he smiled. “Does it please you to know how deeply I ache for you?”

“Yes.” Calder breathed as if not realizing he had fallen under the spell Taryen cast effortlessly over him. “Hearing that pleases me.”

“Does it?” Taryen raised his dark eyebrows as if he hadn’t already known. He reached down, pushing Calder’s hand aside, and stroked his own cock, thrusting his hips forward in a shameless display that was so arousing to watch Sari was afraid she would groan out loud. Taryen’s eyes closed as he let the pleasure he was giving himself etch over his face without an ounce of shame or censorship. “Please take me. Own what belongs to you.”

“Blasphemy,” Calder whispered distantly as if the action was automatic while he remained caught up with the raw beauty of the sexual display in front of him. “You belong to the queen only.”

“That’s what others believe.” Taryen continued to stroke himself, his voice still low and compelling, forcing Sari to hang on his every word. He placed his other hand against his muscular chest, never once looking away from Calder as his palm rested over his heart. “She owns my body. She even owns my will, but my heart is yours.”

“Don’t tell anyone that,” Calder
whispered,
the emotion and desperation thick in his voice as he crawled over Taryen. When they were face-to-face, Calder stroked his dark hair away from his forehead with reverence. “Promise me.”

Taryen’s fingers threaded into Calder’s hair in response, and it took very little effort to tug him down until they were sharing the same air. He captured Calder’s lips, their tongues brushing erotically, giving Sari another glimpse of gold sparkling in the candlelight. Their tongues were pierced also, and neither seemed to mind the brush of metal as Taryen wrapped his legs around Calder’s hips, the two of them moving together in an erotic prequel to mating.

It was impossible to watch such a display of unabashed love and desire and not be affected. Since the first onslaught of puberty Sari had assumed she was one of those rare females born without hormones. Despite spending so much time surrounded by it, she had never once had a desire for sex or felt compelled by anything erotic until she had fallen into the laps of these two beautiful consorts. Now she was suddenly burning up with need. It felt like she was making up for a lifetime of disinterest as she watched their tongues brush and their naked bodies strain against each other. She couldn’t even find it in herself to be ashamed of watching such a touching, private display. The throb of repressed desire left her shamefully wet and aching. She had to use more strength than she knew she had not to reach beneath the sheet and rub herself. She was desperate for relief from the pulse driving her toward a strange sort of insanity that had her wanting to reach out to them.

“I need oil.”

Calder took a quivering breath. He tried to pull away from Taryen, who was all limbs. Taryen’s fingers tightened in Calder’s blond hair. His hips jerked up as his ankles hooked together at the small of Calder’s back. Obviously giving up on freedom from his lifemate, Calder started reaching blindly toward the bed. His hand ran over the floor until the clank of a bowl rolling over the wood was heard. His hand dipped into it—
a generous amount of the semisolid, opaque grease dripping off
his fingers when he pulled away.

“Got it.
Hold on.”

Calder’s head tossed back as he stroked the length of his own cock, greasing it liberally. When he looked back to Taryen, his light eyes were almost predatory in the near darkness. He released his cock only to run his hand over Taryen’s chest, smearing the remaining oil over it.

“I like you slick.” Calder smiled as he continued to rub the thick oil onto Taryen’s chest. “You’re shiny.”

“You are in a strange mood tonight.” Taryen laughed at him as he also dipped his fingers into the bowl and grabbed a handful of the grease. He reached up to run his hand down Calder’s chest, oiling it up to match his as he hummed thoughtfully, “You’re playful. I like it very much. The sadness has left your eyes.”

“It’s because I have you beneath me.” Calder wrinkled his nose as if guilty. “I’m a carnal beast, easily swayed to contentment by a handsome face and a tight ass.”