Page 102 of Empire of Wrath and Ruin
"All of you," I said firmly. "That's the point. I don't have to choose."
"Diplomatic," Antonius observed. "But evasive. Clearly my lessons in statecraft are already paying off."
"She's avoiding the question because she knows it would cause a fight," Marcus said, though he was almost smiling now.
"Or," Jalend suggested, "because the answer changes depending on the day. And the mood. And what we've done to earn our place in her bed most recently."
“Maybe we should put it to the test like Taveth said,” Tarshi said. He stood and, reaching for my hand, pulled me up against him. I felt the brush of his lips over mine as he swiftly untied the cord round my gown.
“Tarshi!” I scolded him, grabbing for the cord as it fell away, only to feel another body behind me. Lips moved down the side of my neck as fingers slipped under the straps of my dress, sliding them down over my shoulders.
“That’s the useful thing about our strange family,” Septimus murmured in my ear. “So many hands…”
“Who needs hands?” asked Taveth. I looked over at him where he lounged lazily on one of the couches, he raised his hand and shadows slithered out from the fireplace and the furniture, snaking across the floor and up over my body. Within moments, my sandals and dress lay discarded on the floor, and my undergarments swiftly joined them.
The shadows wrapped around my wrists and ankles like silk bonds, lifting and holding me suspended just enough that mytoes barely brushed the stone floor. I gasped as the cool air hit my skin, goosebumps rising along my arms and legs. The firelight painted everything in warm gold and dancing amber, making the men surrounding me look like gods carved from living flame.
"Much better," Taveth said, his voice carrying that dangerous edge that meant the shadows were responding to more than just conscious thought. "Now we can properly appreciate the view."
“Well, that’s effective,” muttered Antonius, as he set his wine cup down on the table and moved towards us, eyes gleaming in the firelight.
I tugged against the shadow bonds experimentally, finding them firm but not uncomfortable. They held me open and exposed, arms spread wide, legs parted just enough to make me feel wonderfully vulnerable. Heat pooled low in my belly as six pairs of eyes drank in the sight of me, their gazes like physical touches across my skin.
"Beautiful," Jalend breathed, moving closer until I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. His fingers traced along my collarbone, feather-light touches that made me shiver. "Absolutely perfect."
"I still say this is hardly fair," I managed, though my voice came out breathier than I'd intended. "You're all still clothed."
"Easily remedied," Sirrax rumbled, already pulling his tunic over his head in one fluid motion. The firelight caught the golden undertones in his dark skin, highlighting every ridge of muscle across his broad chest. The others followed suit before surrounding me. I gasped as I felt hands on me—Septimus's calloused fingers tracing the curve of my ribs, Tarshi's mouth finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. The combination of their familiar touches and the strange restraint of the shadows sent heat spiralling through my belly.
"Still think this is a competition?" Jalend asked, moving to stand in front of me. His hands framed my face with infinite gentleness, thumbs brushing across my cheekbones as he studied my expression.
"I think," I managed, my voice already breathless, "that you're all cheating."
"How so?" Marcus asked, his rough voice closer than before. I could feel the heat of his body behind me, could smell the familiar scent of leather and steel that always clung to him.
"Because you're working together instead of competing," I said, then moaned as Jalend''s mouth closed over my breast, tongue circling my nipple until I arched against the shadow bonds.
"Working together has always been our strength," Septimus murmured against my skin, his teeth grazing the shell of my ear. "Why should tonight be different?"
I felt another mouth on my other breast, lips and tongue working in perfect counterpoint to whoever was already there. My head fell back as sensation flooded through me, the shadows supporting my weight as my knees went weak.
"Besides," Antonius said, as he dropped to his knees in front of me. "The goal isn't to compete with each other. It's to worship you properly." His large hands wrapped around my thighs, pulling them further apart, and then his mouth found my clit, and I cried out.
My cry echoed through the stone chamber, mixing with the crackle of the fire and the soft sounds of appreciation from the men surrounding me. Antonius's mouth was wickedly skilled, his tongue working patterns against my most sensitive flesh that made my entire body tremble. The shadow bonds held me perfectly in place, preventing me from closing my legs or pulling away from the exquisite torment.
"That's it," Tarshi murmured from somewhere to my left, his voice thick with desire. "Let us hear how good we make you feel."
A finger slid inside me, and then another. I tried to look down to see who was doing what, but the sensations were too overwhelming, too perfectly coordinated. Mouths and hands worked in harmony across my skin, each touch building on the last until I was gasping and straining against the shadows.
The sensation of Antonius's mouth on me, combined with the clever tongues working at my breasts and the shadow bonds holding me open and helpless, sent lightning crackling through every nerve. I gasped his name, my hips trying to move against his mouth despite the restraints, wanting more pressure, more friction. Antonius pulled back just enough to speak, his breath hot against my slick flesh. "She's already so wet," he said, his voice full of satisfaction. "And we've barely started."
His words sent fresh heat spiralling through my belly, and I felt my face flush crimson in the firelight. The way they all looked at me—like I was something precious and desired beyond measure—made my heart race even faster.
"We should take our time," Septimus said, his voice that low rumble that always made me shiver. "Savour every moment."
I felt someone's thumb brush across my bottom lip, and I opened my eyes to find Jalend watching me with an intensity that took my breath away. His thumb pressed gently, and I parted my lips to take it into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the digit while maintaining eye contact.
"Gods," he breathed, his pupils dilating. "The things you do to me without even trying."
