Page 38 of Queen’s Gambit

‘I want you both, just in different ways. If I have to choose, I’ll always choose you.’ His lips on mine silenced any further explanation.

The kiss was ardent and lingering; Rey’s tongue claimed my mouth, silencing the words. Heat pooled at the apex of my thighs and, with a sigh, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

‘You don’t have to choose, my love. I am not so jealous that I’d put limits on your heart.’ His hands slid to my buttocks, squeezing them. ‘Let me remove these clothes.’

His voice was a purr when he began peeling off the layers of clothing, kissing his way down my body.

‘You said you… need to… search the court…’ I managed. He hooked his fingers in my underwear and dragged them down, grazing the flesh. ‘Rey, we don’t have time.’

‘The world can wait,’ he answered, unbuckling his belt.

His cock sprang forth, erect, as if we hadn’t been discussing politics and dragon bonds. My cheeks burned, and he took my hand and guided it down, wrapping my fingers around his length.

‘Bond with Cinared, Sanika. I can share your soul with him, but your heart and your body are mine alone.’ His voice turned guttural and raspy when I slid my hand over his cock. Whether it was the berserker in his soul or Rey himself who needed to stake his claim, I was more than ready for it.

‘Take what’s yours,’ I whispered into his ear, my teeth nipping his earlobe.

Suddenly, I was airborne. My legs wrapped around his hips, and his cock slid inside me with no resistance. Reynard’s strength was shocking. He didn’t use the wall to support us but just stood in the middle of the room, pushing inside me with sweet abandon while I moaned my desire against his neck.

It didn’t take long for the pressure in my core to build up, leaving me breathless. When it crushed me, I bit his shoulder to silence my cry; my core pulsed around his shaft as I fell apart riding my bliss. Rey continued, increasing his pace and thrusting deeper until he grunted and sheathed himself up to the hilt.

His pleasure crested, flooding me. Warmth enveloped me, and for a moment, the world was perfect, and the future was more than just survival.

The encounter was quick and needy, but I had never felt so loved.

When my legs touched the ground, they trembled, and I covered my embarrassment with a burst of laughter as Rey led me to the bed. He tucked himself in before kneeling before me.

‘Don’t use the washroom,’ he commanded, stroking my thighs.

‘What? Why?’ I asked, baffled by the request.

‘A favour for a berserker?’ he answered with a smirk. ‘It calms me when I smell myself on you, and I’ll need every ounce of my strength not to choke a few bastards tonight.’ I pushed him away, laughing.

‘Rey, are you turning into a dragon?’ I teased, and his eyes darkened as he prowled the bed.

‘A dragon? Maybe. I can promise you this, my sweet Viper. For the rest of our lives, you will be the most well-fucked and powerful queen Dagome has ever known, but tonight take pity on your king and do me this favour.’ Rey’s lips brushed my bare thigh just as the door opened and Danka strolled in carrying a mountain of dresses.

‘The servants told me you’d returned. Pick the dress you like while I draw you a bath…’ Her mouth opened, her eyes widening at the sight of Reynard. ‘Oh shit. I mean, Your Majesty, I’ll come back later.’

‘No, Danka, stay. The king was just leaving,’ I answered, my cheeks flushing crimson.

‘Fine. This isn’t over, Viper. I’ll be in the war room with Orm if you need me. If the Brotherhood finds Niersen before I do, please ask them to spare him long enough to get some answers.’

I nodded. Rey headed for the door, motioning to Danka, who curtseyed, her eyes down as he passed. Still, as soon as the door closed behind him, she burst into excited chatter.

‘Gods, you’re so lucky, my lady. The entire court is clamouring to see the king, and he’s here, pleasuring you. I wish I had a man like him,’ she babbled, spreading the dresses over every available surface.

‘Maybe one day you will. Now, tell me what you’ve learned whilst spying on the Lumivitae.’

‘That they hate the Dark Fae, and their prince has no idea what he’s doing.’ She grinned. ‘Well, maybe not completely, but he liked his Herald more than was considered appropriate and ignored his antics.’

I knew Lily’s husband liked men, but I never knew he aimed quite so high. Still, that information could be useful.

‘Anything else?’

‘There was a disturbance in their quarters last night, and after the prince stormed off, the Herald vanished. The servants’ gossip is outrageous, saying he left a parting gift “down there”. You think that’s why the prince was so angry today?’ I covered my mouth, holding back laughter as I tried to escape my maid approaching me with an embroidered green dress.

‘Danka, you shouldn’t talk like that about our allies. And green? Again?’ I scolded her.

‘Green is your colour, and it goes well with the necklace you’re wearing. As for the rest, it’s true. Someone said the Herald created a portal last night. The gossip was salacious, but there was a mention of a gift. One maid overheard another warning someone to make themselves scarce when the higher-ups found it.’

She finished fastening the little hooks on my corset and tightened the laces, but I could barely focus on her actions.

‘Do you know where the portal opened?’

‘No, only that the Herald went somewhere, and when he returned, there was an argument. Do you think this is more than a lover’s quarrel?’ Danka’s eyes narrowed as she pieced together what she knew. ‘I’ll ask the servants. Maybe someone saw something more.’

‘Good. I’ll visit Lily. Find me if you learn anything else.’ I grabbed the hem of my dress, cursing the heavy gold embroidery, and rushed across the palace to the royal bedroom.

Only to find the door locked, and soft moans behind it suggested I wasn’t the only one celebrating life in this uncertain time.