Page 67 of The Cursed Queen

That did not help to find me a gentle soul at all. My dragon and I both growled, but for different reasons. Or rather, for the same reason, but directed at opposite people. We both felt left out in the hug. My dragon was pissed at how quickly Sera melted in Ryu's embrace, while I was pissed at Ryu for practically throwing himself at the princess.

At the sound of my disapproval, Ryu's face contorted in anger. He pointed a finger at me as he chastised me.

"Settle down. Now!" he admonished.

I forced myself to settle down.

Ryu relaxed. "Don't mind him, Princess. Drayce has always been a grouch, but on the inside, he's a ray of sunshine."

Sera snorted. "Really? And here I thought he was born with a permanent scowl on his face."

The two of them laughed at my so-called permanent scowl, which only deepened at their mockery. Ryu rushed to my side, trying to quell his amusement.

"Come on, Drayce. Don't be such a sourpuss," he said, pouting his lips and resting his head against my shoulder.

I decided I'd punish him later, but we needed to get back to why Sera was here. "Tell us what's on your mind, Princess."

That had her smile faltering. "W-Well, it's about our fated bond."

"What about it?" Ryu stood up straighter to give Sera his undivided attention.

"Well, I'm fated to you both—plus Andriel and Ladon—and I'd been struggling to decide what to do about it. The logical solution would've been for me to pick Andriel since Ladon doesn't want me, and Andriel and I have already... y-you know. That would leave you two to be together.The problem is the time I spent with you both has made me feel things I never expected to. It's made me want to discover if something meaningful can be forged with you."

Ryu and I exchanged glances at one another in surprise.

"Are you saying you want us both?" Ryu asked.

"That depends.Ryu, our interactions together have shown me what your feelings are." Sera's gaze moved to meet mine, and those globes of liquid mercury had me frozen.

"But I don't know where you and I stand. I can tell your heart is with Ryu, and I've expressed to you before that I wish not to tear the two of you apart. So, if there's no room for me in your life, I'd rather you tell me now before it's too late."

So, she was waiting to hear where I stood on the matter. It was something I'd been pondering for a few days now. I couldn't deny the growing spark that flashed between us, or how my dragon loved being near her, though he wasn't happy to hear that Andriel already got to have her first. What was shelike beneath him? What sounds did she make when he brought out her pleasure? When she came undone. Those were things I secretly wished to know.

I looked at Ryu for some encouragement. He motioned for me to go on. To speak truthfully.

"I'll admit that, at first, I didn't know what to think about our bond," I began. "You were the druid princess; princess of the kingdom who sought to use our power for gods only knows what. I also didn't want anything to come between Ryu and I."

"I don't want to stand in the way of your relationship with Ryu, Drayce. You know that," Sera said.

"I know." I reached out and cupped her cheek. "Which surprised me more than anything else. You accepted our relationship without a second thought, even though you're fated to the both of us."

"Yeah, well, let's just say I understand what it feels like to separate because you're destined to be with someone else. It's heartbreaking for everyone involved, and I wouldn't wish that on you two."

"And that means more to us than you will ever know, sweet princess," Ryu moved to her back, so Sera was now sandwiched between us. I had to admit that our current position had thoughts roaming in my mind. The kind that had heat flooding my system, and my cock stirring. Ryu seemed to have sensed my growing arousal as he smirked at me over Sera's shoulder, right before he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.

Our mate let out a shivering gasp. Her body arched against mine, causing her plump breasts and hardening nipples to rub against my chest. Now my cock was rock hard, and itching to bury itself into her. It was so tempting to take her now. To show her what sex between Ryu and me felt like. I didn't want to stop, but I had to finish my thoughts before we continued.Sera needed to know my feelings. Then she could decide if we're worth it.

Clearing my throat to get their attention, I said, "Before we do... more, you must understand something, Sera."

Ryu took a step back to allow Sera to focus back on me and my words.

"I do feel a connection with you, as I'm sure Ryu does. I don't know what a relationship will look like between the three of us, plus you also have Andriel to think about. Being fated to more than one dragon is a new thing for all of us. I'm unsure if my feelings for you will ever be as strong as it is for Ryu, but if you're waiting for me to make the first move, I'm willing to work through this with you both."

"I agree with Drayce," Ryu piped in, his hands running up and down Sera's arms. "This is new for all of us. Drayce was the first person to love me for who I am. My love for him will always be there, but I too felt something with you, Sera,"

Sera reached up to rest her hands over Ryu's. "Thank you both for your honesty. Upon learning that I was fated to more than one shifter, I felt intimidated, especially after getting used to the idea of Andriel and I being together. I don't know how, why, or what I should do. Maybe I must choose only one, maybe not, but the more time I spend with you two and Andriel, the more I realize that choosing would be harder than I thought. In fact, it's almost impossible. My biggest fear is potentially ruining your relationship."

"You won't," Ryu cut in firmly. "Sera, understand one thing. Love is more powerful than any magic. It's infinite. You have the power to love us all as much as you wish to, just as we can. And even if we choose to surrender our heart to you, it won't take away the love Drayce and I share with each other."

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