“Couldn’t let anything happen to our Thorn Prince, could we?” Duke said with a lopsided grin. He helped Quincy to his feet, letting the injured knight lean on him for support.
“Why did he let us live?” Hudson asked, staring at where Lord Onyx had stood moments ago.
“I’m not sure.” Briar handed his dagger to Anton, as if wanting to rid himself of it as fast as possible. My heart wobbled when I remembered he’d killed the monstrous worm. It might’ve been a demon, but he’d taken a life. I knew it weighed on him. He then pulled me close, burying his face in my hair. “But I’m grateful for it.”
“I’d save that gratitude, physician.” Maddox picked a leaf from Briar’s hair before touching a cut on his cheek. “The demon lord isn’t known for his mercy. We’re in his debt now.”
“And he will one day return to claim that debt,” Lake said as he slipped his arms around me.
“I suspect we’ll meet again.”
What had Onyx meant by that? Why would I see him again? I was too tired to think about it. I slumped against Lake and pushed my face into his chest, closing my eyes. He nuzzled my hair. Another set of arms then came around me from behind.
“That’s a worry for another day,” Maddox said, picking me up. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Nineteen
Home Sweet Home
Coffee, muffins, and sex with the men I loved made for one hell of an awesome morning.
Maddox sucked on my earlobe as he pumped into me, our bodies slick with sweat. Briar reached between us to stroke my cock, meeting Maddox for a sloppy, but perfect, kiss.
It had been four days since we returned from the dark wood. And in those four days, the men who owned my heart had barely let me out of bed. Outside of work hours anyway. Even then, the three of them fussed over me, making sure I didn’t work too hard. I was allowed downstairs in the morning to cook breakfast and prepare a few batches of desserts before they ordered me back upstairs.
Fortunately, Peter, Alice, and Miles had kept the café afloat. They’d also insisted I take time off to rest. I guess being kidnapped had made everyone overprotective of me.
“Let me hear you,” Maddox murmured, snapping his hips harder. “I want to hear how good I make you feel.”
Good thing the café was closed that day, otherwise all the customers in the dining room would’ve heard my moans as he railed me hard and fast, the bed creaking and thumping against the wall. I fucking loved it. Just like I loved him.
Like I loved all three of them.
Maddox and Briar had me now, but Lake had been with me earlier that morning after we’d woken. I had slept in his bed last night. He still wasn’t comfortable being intimate with me around them, so when we had sex, it was only the two of us. The time with him was special. Just like it was special with the other two.
“Fuck.” I threw my head back against the pillow as Maddox hit my sweet spot. When I came, it was loud and hard.
“Such sweet sounds, love.” Briar lowered his face to my neck and kissed my necklace; the only thing they’d let me wear, stripping me of everything else. He then peered up at Maddox, his light-brown bangs falling over his eyes. “You too, Captain.”
Maddox tossed him a shaky smile before groaning deep. His hips jerked before he came too.
Yeah, it was a perfect morning. One made even better after I bathed and went downstairs, finding Lake in the kitchen. He had cooked us lunch. Well, brunch, I guess, since it wasn’t quite afternoon yet.
“You made omelets.” I grinned as he plated them. Four. One for each of us. “They look great.”
Lake’s tail wagged once before he forced it to still. “I had a great teacher.”
He had also prepared sautéed spinach leaves with cherry tomatoes and sprinkled cheese on top. I helped him set the table before starting a kettle for tea—Lake and Briar’s preferred morning beverage. While it steeped, I made coffee for me and Maddox.
Maddox and Briar came downstairs a short while later, freshly bathed and dressed. Since our return, they had worked every day but had left later in the morning—after fucking me senseless—and then returned in the evening.
As much as I wanted them home with me, the kingdom, being in the state it was, needed them. Dealing with the bandits and the conflict with Haran took priority.
“I hope Prince Sawyer is okay,” I said as we all sat at the table together. “Do you think he’s still under house arrest and forced to stay in his room? I wish I could bring him some cupcakes.”
Maddox placed his hand over mine and gently squeezed. “He’s safe. That’s what’s important right now.”
“I can’t believe they’re still holding the autumn ball with everything that’s happened,” I said.
