Page 157 of Mercy & Her Devils

I try not to laugh.

Yet Lark hasn’t looked away from the other man on the bed.

Antonio is tied by rope next to Gabriel. His hands are bound above his head, and he’s gagged with one of his own silk scarves.

He’s also naked and oiled.

He looks like a beautiful sacrifice.

Kai points at Antonio. “The fiercest fighters like this one need to be tied up, of course. He’s a demon in the arena. Out of all the men in the gladiator school, he’s the wildest. Be careful, prince. I’m sure, however, that you have methods to tame him.”

Lark stalks around to the other side of the bed closer to Antonio, then his hands twitch at his sides like he’s desperate to untie him but is stopping himself.

“I’d never want to tame such a beautiful Beta. The rope looks rough.” Lark sounds caught between turned on and concerned. “Is he okay?”

Instantly, Kai drops the act. “This scene was Antonio’s idea. I told him about the way in ancient times in Scotland, as in Italy, successful gladiators would be pampered and selected by royal Omegas. Sometimes, they even bonded. There are famous love stories between gladiators and princesses. It’s become a popular roleplay in Scotland. Antonio’s become obsessed about giving you the chance to be in charge through this. After all, Gabe and him are fighters.”

I fucking love these men.

Lark’s shoulders relax.

He leans forward, cupping Antonio’s cheek. “Do you want this? Do you consent?”

Antonio nods, before arching his eyebrow.

When Lark leans even closer, until his lips graze Antonio’s, his look becomes feral. “I want this. I want you like this. And you, good Beta, aren’t going to look so fierce when you’re under your Omega prince, are you?”

Antonio’s dick twitches.

Lark smirks with satisfaction. But then, he runs his finger between the rope and Antonio’s wrists, checking for himself that it’s not tied too tightly or bruising him.

I trace my finger over Gabriel’s plush lips. “And you want to be mine too? We’re the great love story, bonded princess and gladiator.”

“I’ll always be your guard, warrior, and protector,” Gabriel replies.

He means it.

My heart speeds up.

I can’t stop myself.

I kiss him, hard and fast.

When I draw back, I’m panting.

Fuck, I want this.

“Are there still gladiator schools and amphitheaters in Scotland?” I ask.

“Aye.” Kai runs his hand through his hair. “But it’s not like it was in the past. It’s a sport to impress the Court Omegas. Most Alphas do it for the hookups. I trained there one summer under Da’s orders in the hope that it’d impress some well connected Omega. It didn’t. I hated fighting and deliberately lost each match.”

I grasp Kai’s hand, caressing across his knuckles. “I’m not dynamic appropriate according to society either. I know people can be assholes about this bullshit. But you don’t need to battle in an arena to prove anything. You’re smart, a journalist. You’re so fucking brave. Plus, you’re the kindest person I know.”

“And a rebel,” Lark adds. “Losing can be as much a rebellion as winning.”

I glance across at Lark who’s already stripping off his suit efficiently, even though his hands are shaking and he can’t stop himself from darting glances at Antonio’s bound form.

In turn, Antonio is staring avidly at Lark.

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