Page 61 of Empire of Wrath and Ruin
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his hands skimming along my sides with reverent touches. "Even after everything tonight, you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Septimus's mouth found the sensitive spot just below my ear, and I bit back a soft moan. The last thing I wanted was to wake the others—this moment felt too precious, too necessary to share. His lips traced a path down my throat, pausing to lavish attention on the pulse point at the base of my neck.
Behind me, Marcus stirred slightly, his arm tightening around my waist as he woke. I felt rather than saw him take in the situation—Septimus and I pressed close together, the tension that had been building between us. There was something intoxicating about being caught between them like this, surrounded by their warmth and protection. He pressed closer, sliding his hand up to cup my now bare breast.
"Shhh," Marcus breathed against the back of my neck, his lips brushing my skin as he spoke. "We're here."
His hand moved in slow circles, thumb brushing across my nipple with maddening gentleness. The sensation sent heat pooling low in my belly, a welcome distraction from the turmoil of the day. I arched back against him while pressing forward into Septimus's touch, caught between them in the most delicious way.
Septimus's mouth found mine again, his kiss deeper this time, more urgent. I could taste the desire on his lips, feel it in the way his hands mapped the curves of my body like he was memorizing every inch. When he broke away, we were both breathing hard. He slid his hand further down, nudging my legs open. Marcus reached down, removing my robe and pulling my leg back over his, and I gasped as Septimus slid a finger inside me.
"Is this okay?" Septimus whispered, his breath warm against my ear. Always so careful, always making sure I was comfortable despite the desperate need I could feel radiating from him.
"Yes," I breathed, my voice catching as he added another finger, stretching me slowly.
Marcus's free hand slid down to join Septimus's, both of them working together with practiced coordination. They knew my body so well, knew exactly how to touch me to drive away the darkness that had been clinging to my thoughts. When Marcus's fingers found my clit, I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out.
"That's it," Marcus murmured against my neck, his voice rough with desire. "Let us take care of you."
The dual sensation of their hands on me, their mouths pressing kisses to my throat and shoulders, was overwhelming in the best possible way. I felt cherished, protected, loved in a way that made the bond between us sing with contentment. This was what I'd been missing—not just physical pleasure, but the emotional connection that came with it.
The warmth spread through my limbs like liquid fire, pushing away the lingering chill of terror from earlier. This was real. This was good. This was mine, untainted by shadow magic or the threat of losing someone I loved. Just the three of us, connected in the most fundamental way. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out, my hands fisting in the sheets as heat built steadily in my core. This was what I needed—not just physical release, but the reminder that my body was still my own, still capable of joy even after what Taveth had almost done to it.
When the tension finally crested, I had to bury my face against Septimus's chest to muffle my cry. The pleasure rolled through me in waves, washing away the fear and darkness that had been poisoning my thoughts. For these precious moments, there was nothing but warmth and love and the safety of being held between two men who would die before letting anything hurt me.
I slid my hands down Septimus’ body, my hands working at the ties of his pants. His breath caught as I freed him, his cock hard and ready against my palm, then another hand larger, settled over mine, tightening my grip and making Septimus moan. I felt the bed shift as Tarshi pressed up behind Septimus, our joined hands rubbing him up and down as he grew harder.
"Tarshi?" I whispered, feeling a flutter of surprise at his sudden presence behind Septimus. The bed dipped as he settled more fully against us, his warm chest pressing against Septimus's back.
"Couldn't sleep either," he murmured.
Septimus's head fell back against Tarshi's shoulder as our joined hands continued their slow rhythm. I could feel him trembling with the effort to stay quiet, his breath coming in short gasps against my throat. The way Tarshi's larger hand guided mine, showing me exactly how to touch, sent heat racing through my veins.
Tarshi's lips found the shell of Septimus's ear, his breath warm as he whispered something I couldn't quite catch. But whatever he said made Septimus shudder against me, his hips jerking forward into our joined grip. He pushed me back against Marcus, who groaned. He reached between us, and I gasped as I felt the head of his cock pushing into me from behind.
"God, you feel incredible," Marcus breathed against my neck, his voice strained with the effort to move slowly, to give me time to adjust. I could feel his restraint in every careful thrust, the way he held himself back despite his obvious need.
The sensation of being surrounded by all three of them—Septimus pressed against my front, his cock hard in our joined hands, Marcus buried deep inside me, and Tarshi's warm presence guiding us both—was overwhelming in the most perfect way.
Septimus's mouth found mine again, swallowing the soft sounds I couldn't quite suppress. His kiss was desperate now, hungry, as if he could pour all his love and protectiveness into the connection between our lips. Behind him, Tarshi's free hand tangled in Septimus's dark hair, holding him steady as our joined hands continued their rhythm on his length.
The bed creaked softly as we found our rhythm together—Marcus moving within me with deep, measured strokes while I worked Septimus with increasing urgency. The dual sensations were almost too much to bear, pleasure building in waves that threatened to overwhelm my ability to stay quiet. The bed shifted suddenly, and I shivered as the covers were drawn back. I looked up to see Antonius standing at the foot of the bed, he was silhouetted by the glowing fire behind him, and I watched as he slowly removed his clothes, his eyes fixed on where his best friend was slowly fucking me from behind. Marcus slipped his arm under my knee, lifting my leg and giving Antonius a better view. Antonius sank down onto the bed, crawling between mylegs, and I cried out as he leaned down and drew his tongue over my clit.
The shock of Antonius's tongue on my most sensitive flesh made me arch against Marcus, a strangled moan escaping before I could stop it. The sensation was electric, sending sparks of pleasure racing through my already overwrought system. I felt Marcus's rhythm falter for a moment as my body clenched around him, his breath hissing against my neck.
"Careful, love," he whispered, though I could hear the strain in his voice. “I don’t want to come yet.”
Antonius looked up at me through dark lashes, his mouth never leaving its task, and I saw something wicked flicker in his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing to me, how the dual stimulation was unravelling every thread of my control. His tongue moved in deliberate circles that had me arching against Marcus, who groaned low in his throat at the added friction.
Antonius's mouth worked against me with skilful precision, his tongue circling my clit in patterns that made my vision blur. At the same time, Marcus continued his slow, deep thrusts, each one sending waves of sensation through my core. Between my hands, Septimus grew harder, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Tarshi whispered encouragement in his ear.
"So beautiful," Tarshi murmured, his voice rough with desire. "Look at her, Septimus. Look how perfect she is like this."
Antonius's tongue found a particularly sensitive spot, and the sensation made my back arch off the bed, a soft cry escaping before I could stop it.
"Shh," Septimus murmured against my lips, though his own breathing was ragged as our hands continued to work him. "The others are still sleeping."
But even as he said it, I caught the soft rustle of movement from across the room, and the flare of desire in the bond I shared with Sirrax. Jalend and Sirrax were awake, I realized, theirbreathing no longer deep and even. The knowledge that they were watching that they could see everything we were doing, sent a thrill through me that I hadn't expected.
