Page 4 of The Final Battle

“Yes, rest and food would be good, but I think I need to check in with Queen Catharine and King Thomas first,“ I answered, my shoulders slumping at the thought.

“Don’t worry about them, Gavin is handling the situation. I’m sure their royal highnesses will be able to manage until the morning,“ Izel countered. “You and Vasin are the priority right now. Seeing as we have Vasin settled and being looked after, that just leaves you.“

“Are you sure you can’t talk to Vasin?“ I teased, letting Pax tuck me under his arm and lead me to the entrance. “He said pretty much the same thing to me.“

Pax handed me off to Zan, who was already up on Ifra’s back and reaching down for me. Climbing up, Zan placed me in front of himself so his arms were wrapped around me holding me securely. Zan and I hadn’t been as physically close as I was with the others, but I knew that I wanted him in my life and by my side. Our bond was more emotional, understanding what it meant to be underestimated and defying all the odds. Who would have ever thought a blind man could be a strong warrior and dragon rider? Of course he had the help of Ezzu, his little dragonette female, who was his eyes when he needed them.

“I’m so glad you’re safe, I’ve just found you and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you before we got the chance to really begin,“ Zan whispered, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

Shifting, I turned my head to face him and searched his cloudy silver eyes. “I couldn’t agree more, this is just the start for us,“ I answered and pressed a quick kiss on his lips, startling him.

He recovered quickly enough as a smirk bloomed on his face. “Come on Ifra, let’s head back. I think we’ve all had enough excitement for the day.“

The flight back to the castle was quick and Zan had Ifra drop us off at the access point to our chambers on the third floor. The last king of the castle had known that I would be coming and had the insight to understand that I would have eight lovers and two other female guardians, Becka and May, who kept an eye on me when the men couldn’t. Without me even having to say anything, Zan handed me off to Abbott who led me to the bathing chamber, steam from the pool of water curled around me, pulling me to indulge myself.

Becka had to help me into the dress I’d been wearing but Abbott anticipated my needs just as he always has, offering me his support and calming nature without ever needing to ask. The feel of his hands releasing the laces down my spine made my body ignite with desire. Ever since Jade and I slept together, it was like my body had awakened to a new world and it craved to explore it further. Over the years of listening to our maids talking about their conquests, I always thought they were exaggerating their experiences but now I knew I’d been so sheltered from the truth I just hadn’t been prepared for what had actually happened. The dress fell around my feet, leaving me in a simple white floor-length chemise that you could absolutely see through. Turning, I face Abbott, and being the gallant man he was, his eyes never strayed from my own.

“Will you join me?“ I asked, my voice unsure even to my own ears.

Abbott raised a hand letting his fingers trail down my neck until it came to my shoulder. He let his finger trace the edge of my chemise until it came to the tie in the front held tight with a simple bow. Tugging on the end of one of those strings he unwound the bow, stepping closer until his lips brushed my ear. “Do you really mean that invitation, little phoenix?“

I shivered, reaching out to place my hands on his chest, pulling at the ties on his leather, jerking until I could shove it off of him. “Every word of it.“

Without further hesitation, Abbott seared his lips to mine, hooking his fingers on the chemise and tugging it off my shoulders until it joined my dress. His calloused hands, from training with his sword as much as he did, scuffed along my skin, making me suck in a breath. Trying to catch up, I tugged his shirt out of his pants and slipped my hands under it so I could shove it up. We broke the kiss long enough for him to tug the shirt off and toss somewhere to be forgotten. Over the year that I’ve known Abbott, I never allowed myself to dream about touching him like this, he’d been someone I leaned on and trusted with my whole being. Now as I traced the mark over his heart claiming him as mine, I smiled, knowing I didn’t have to hold back any longer.

Abbott pulled back and tucked a finger under my chin, raising my head so I looked him in the eyes. “You are one of the most stunning women I’ve ever laid eyes on. To be chosen as one of your guardians and now as your consort, I couldn’t think of something that brings me more joy. I’d been struggling with trying to keep my feelings for you to myself, unsure if you’d allow yourself to choose more than one of us. I prayed that you would, but hope is such a double-edged sword when it comes to love.“

“Funny, I was thinking something similar, only I was reveling in the knowledge that I don’t ever have to hold back how I feel about you or any of the others. I know I was scared and wanted to wait for the right time to make things happen between us, but if tonight showed me anything, it’s that you never know how much time you have,“ I shared, as my hands worked at his pants. “Now, as your queen and lover, it’s not nice to leave me as the only one standing here naked.“

“My apologies, I shall remedy that this moment,“ Abbott teased, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before he kicked off his boots and yanked down his pants, revealing himself to me.

Seeing him, I couldn’t help but lick my lips, this time I wanted to give as much pleasure as I was given. Becka and May had explained how it worked, for a woman to take a man into her mouth, but I still wasn’t sure what the appeal was. They made it seem as if it was enjoyable for the woman as well as the man. Guess the only way to find out was to just do it. Slowly, I sank to my knees before one of the men I loved with all my heart, and looked up at him as I reached out and placed a hand on his dick, stroking from the tip to the base gently. I didn’t want to hurt him and when he hissed I yanked my hand back, scared I’d done something wrong.

Abbott took my hand and returned it to where it’d been. “Please don’t stop, I love that you want to touch me so badly. I wasn’t hissing in pain but pleasure, little phoenix, you could never hurt me.“

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I appreciated his confidence in me as I slowly stroked him up and down, making him toss his head back and moan.

Chapter three

Abbott

My brain couldn’t comprehend the fact that the woman’s hand wrapped around my cock stroking it like it was her beloved pet, was Cassarah. The shy noble lady that I’d met when she first came to the clan was gone. Now kneeling before me, was one of the most powerful queens that had ever been in existence. Cassarah, of course, didn’t see herself that way but that’s what she had us for, to remind her each and every day what her value was in the world.

When I’d escorted her to the bath this outcome hadn’t even been on my mind. After almost losing her, I couldn’t stand to let her be anywhere without one of us close by and I knew Zan wasn’t ready to be alone with her in this setting. They were working on their relationship, just as she was with Pax, each trying to figure out where they fit in the relationship as a whole.

Her tongue flicked over the tip of my cock, making me grunt as I thrust into her hand, completely caught off guard by the action. How did she even know about something like that? It must have been Becka or May, because I don’t think any of the guys would have had the balls to explain it to her. Jade hadn’t mentioned anything about her going down on him, so I don’t think she’s done it before, and the hesitation before she decided to take me fully into her mouth told me this was all new.

“Little phoenix, that feels so good,“ I managed to voice somewhat coherently as the feel of her hot mouth wrapping around me caused my mind to go blank.

I slid my hand into her hair and helped her find a rhythm that worked for both of us. Leaving my hand there more to feel connected to her than to control her, also reminded myself this wasn’t a dream. It didn’t take her long to gain confidence, letting her hand rest on my hip while the other wrapped around the base keeping it steady for herself. Much to my disgrace, I was reaching my limit far more quickly than I would have liked. While I was no virgin, it had been many years since I’d had any kind of physical intimacy with anyone. That, combined with her skill that she shouldn’t have with this being her first time, I couldn’t fight the inevitable.

“Cassarah, if you don’t stop I’m going to finish in your mouth,“ I warned, but she ignored it and proceeded to move faster and suck deeper.

Mere moments later I exploded, gripping her hair tightly as I thrust deep into her mouth, making her gag, but I couldn’t stop what was happening. Cum shot down her throat and she swallowed every drop of it, along with my soul, leaving me a panting mess as I pulled her off of me then dropped to my knees in front of her. Before she could say whatever it was she wanted to, I slammed my lips to hers, letting my tongue delve where my cock had just been, unphased as I could taste myself as I tasted her. She met me with the same energy, not even pausing as I scooped her up and carried us into the pool, hot water enveloping us as I seated myself on the ledge.

As we kissed and explored each other, I leaned her back to feast on her perfect breasts that had taunted me for so long. Licking up the column of her throat, I felt the primal need to leave my own claiming mark on her, just as she had done to us. Dropping to the swell of her breast over her heart, I nibbled, licked, and sucked the flesh until my mark was clearly visible to the eye. Male pride rose up in me seeing it there, knowing each of the guys would know what we’d done in here. Not once had I been insecure about the others, I’d always sensed that I’d have to share her with at least Cole. What’s the difference in sharing her with one or seven other men? If she was happy, safe and looked after, then I didn’t care how it happened as long as I got to be a part of it.

“I love you, Cassarah, my little phoenix,“ I murmured as I worked my way back to her lips, my hand sliding between us. “There will never be a day that goes by that you don’t hear me say that to you, I never want you to doubt my feelings.“