Page 103 of A Pact of Blood

Raul must be able to sense my arrival. It’s only a moment before Lorenzo’s illusionary voice resonates inside my head.

“All’s clear on this side, Rell. We’re the only ones in the gardens, and I’ll be conjuring an illusion so it’ll look as if there’s no one here at all if anyone glances out. Bastien can carry you over. Knock if you’re ready, then stand still and straight.”

My heart thumps faster. I rap my knuckles against the stone surface, just loud enough that I’m sure the sound will reach the other side.

I’ve just drawn my posture taller when a forceful wind whirls around me. It whips through my loosened hair and catches under my armpits. As it tugs my feet off the ground, a strong gust pushes at the soles of my feet.

My breath hitches with a gasp. The moving air solidifies around me as if it’s the supplest of cushions. It lifts me right up over the wall in its invisible embrace, so swiftly and smoothly the sensation isn’t remotely frightening, only exhilarating.

In the dimness on the other side, the three princes gaze up at me: Raul grinning with a pale glint of his teeth, Lorenzo’s face set with determination, and Bastien followingmy descent with so much intensity in his dark eyes that my pulse wobbles giddily.

The prince of Cotea lowers his hand to direct the currents of air he’s shaped with his gift. I glide down with them as if I’m some sort of godlen entering the realm of mortals from on high.

The moment my feet touch the ground, the solidified air wisps away from me, teasing across my limbs as it does. The heat between my legs flares.

I didn’t need a reminder of how much worthier of my trust Bastien is than the unpredictably cruel man I married, but this one act couldn’t have served as a better one.

I propel myself forward and yank the prince into a kiss.

With a rough sound, Bastien kisses me back, tugging me tight against him. My arms twine around his lean frame, one hand delving into his rumpled hair as if I could pull our mouths even closer together. For those first fleeting seconds, all I want is to drown in him and welcome him just as deeply into me.

Could we couple right here in the gardens—on a bench or up against a tree or down on the earth?

The thought sends a thrill through my veins. To let go of all the control and caution we’ve needed over the past several weeks and give ourselves completely over to passion…

I recover enough sense to ease back and glance around. My roving gaze picks out every sheltered alcove and sturdy trunk that could support such wildness.

But it also catches on Raul’s massive form where he’s watching us with just as much passion blazing in his bright eyes. On Lorenzo, his mouth curved in a dreamy smile even as his posture stays tensed with the concentration needed to work his gift.

A different sort of desire clangs through me more loudlythan the call of my body. I want all three of my men with me. It’s been too long since I felt any of their touches.

I can’t resist claiming another kiss from Bastien where we’re still entwined. Then I ask, a little breathlessly, “Where can we go that Lorenzo can relax too? We should all be able to enjoy this night.”

Bastien beams at me without the slightest hint of jealousy that his foster brother’s happiness matters to me just as much. “Whatever our signal star wishes, she should have. I think his chambers are the closest to the doorway.” He glances toward the other man. “Can you keep us out of sight the whole way to your rooms?”

Lorenzo nods, his features tightening a little more. He flicks his hand through a few signs.And back here when Aurelia has to go.

In careful silence, we find the nearest path and hustle along it to one of the doorways into the palace. Bastien keeps his fingers tucked around mine, his thumb stroking over the back of my hand, sending fresh tingles up my arm with every tiny caress.

Raul steps closer to rest his own hand on the small of my back. The protective gesture stirs even more heat beneath my skin.

The burn of desire builds and builds until Lorenzo is opening the door to his chambers. The second it shuts in our wake, I pull Bastien back to me, crushing my mouth against his.

Raul chuckles and teases his fingers down over my hip. “So eager tonight, Shepherdess. Your needs have been neglected for too long.”

My cheeks flush. I can’t stop my body from swaying with his touch, seeking out all the contact it can get.

“I— The fertility potion I brewed. I think it’s… fanned certain flames.” A little growl escapes me. “You have no idea how hard it’s been towait.”

Raul laughs again, low and full of promise. “You don’t have to wait any longer, Lamb.” He tugs my chin up so he can capture my mouth for himself.

I do feel more lamb than shepherdess right now, wanting nothing more than to be ravaged. I grope at Bastien’s shirt and then Raul’s.

Before I can turn to soak up Lorenzo’s attentions too, he brushes a kiss to the back of my neck. His deft fingers work over the lacing I hastily tied down my back.“We’ll make sure you’re every bit as satisfied as you could imagine. You have all of us, always.”

As the gown’s bodice loosens, I spin to meld my mouth to his. A rush of Bastien’s conjured wind ripples beneath my dress.

His even voice takes on the commanding air that often emerges when our meetings turn intimate. “Our empress needs us immediately, and I think she should have all of us at once. Did you bring the oil we talked about, Raul?”

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