Page 90 of The Princess's Chosen

But that was never really true, was it?

Aric hissed as I continued to move, and Owen's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me off him and dragging me back down to the bed, rolling me onto his chest, ready for my next insistent wave.

"It's all right, we can take a break," I said, even as I squirmed against him, lifting my chest toward his lips to encourage him. My skin was red and scratched from stubbled chins, my legs actually sore from riding Aric. And still there was a persistent, painful hollow sensation inside of me.

Owen huffed and bit gently on my nipple, glancing up at me with a wrinkle of laughter in the corner of his eyes as I twitched and gasped.

"You say that like you think I've had enough of you."

I relaxed under his stare, and then we both stiffened as the door opened. Cosmo appeared, stained with charcoal and plaster, frowning in surprise at the three of us, and suddenly I knew exactly what I wanted, or rather, what that anxious animal in me needed at this exact moment.

I scrambled out from under Owen, leaping from the bed as Cosmo chuckled at the sight of us. His eyes widened as I ran for him, and when I collided with his chest, he let me tackle him to the floor. My hands took his face in a fierce grip, pulling his mouth to mine.

My Chosen. Mine. Safe. I needed the others too.

I whimpered into the rough, clumsy kiss, and my arms twined around his neck, holding him tightly.

"Aha," Aric said from the bed, still winded.

Fabric shifted and footsteps approached as I nibbled on Cosmo's jaw and he arranged me on his lap. When the steps grew closer, my head turned and I growled in warning, frowning at Aric. He just smiled placidly back at me.

"I said your magic was reacting protectively, didn't I?" Aric said. "We need to work on your instincts."

"I'm not an experiment," I snapped, cuddling closer to Cosmo. Aric cocked an eyebrow, and I sighed and forced myself to settle. "Fine. You were right."

"Do you want to be alone?" Owen offered.

I shook my head, and then Cosmo lifted me effortlessly from the floor, holding me carefully as I attacked his shirt, trying to reach more skin. "I want you, all of you. I want Wendell and Thao too."

Cosmo kissed my shoulder as he deposited me back on the bed, settled between Owen's thighs. "Lay back with her, hold her gently."

I sighed, my hands itching for Cosmo as Owen drew me back against his chest, shifting us back toward the headboard. Cosmo undressed, watching me with a smile.

"Do you forgive me?" I whispered.

"Oh, little muse. Yes. I only hurt for you." Cosmo crawled forward as Owen's fingers drew over my skin, circling around my overly sensitive nipples and back up to my collarbone.

"I'll call for the others, and then I'm getting a bath and doing some magic," Aric said, winking at me. "You two have it from here."

Cosmo and Owen made twin grunts of agreement, and Cosmo pulled my hips forward, hooking my knees as he lined himself at my entrance.

"Aric!"

He stopped and turned, grinning as Cosmo slowly slid himself into me, letting me feel every little stretch and point of connection as I shuddered and my eyes almost fell shut.

"Thank you," I said, trying to hold onto one last little bit of sanity to meet Aric's eyes.

"Always, princess."

I slid one hand back to clutch at Owen, and the other reached for Cosmo, drawing him down in a deep kiss, reassuring myself that we were all whole and safe and together.

28

Bryony

“As long as Bryony has her mother's—"

"Really Grandmother's—" I corrected.

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