Like Loch feels when he’s holding me in bed, safely imprisoned in his arms, so I won’t sleepwalk. Or when he’s swiping guacamole on my nose while we dance in the kitchen. Or when I swear he’s built an altar between my thighs, worshipping me all night.
Loch’s the sun, rising over the shadows of my life; I’m blossoming in his light.
While Michael feels like one of those shadows. Like an aloof force waiting, should I ever need his protection.
“Thank you.” I answer his praise softly before taking my paper bag from the counter. I turn back to Michael. “I gotta go. I’m having a spa day with Nadine.”
He knows who she is. Everyone knows Nadine.
“Have fun.” His ice almost melts with a warm smile. “You deserve it, Alena.”
It’ll take a fiery woman to melt him one day, but I know she’s out there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LOCH
Raising a round of vodka shots,we toast our newest queen.
Albeit he’s a queen in a fine black designer suit, with the height and muscles to fill it, and a Texas drawl that’s even finer.
“Why, thank y’all.” Zar entices us with his drawl. “I’m fit to be tied over this.” Wrapping his arm around Nick’s waist, he nibbles my brother’s neck. “Right? Y’all tie me up for my initiation?”
“If you want.” Nick kisses Zar, their tongues meeting, and something in me stirs.
Maybe it’s the memory of our last initiation years ago—Delphine’s. I lost my virginity, right there on my brother Axel’s behemoth boardroom table.
He uses this massive room in his stately law office for meetings, while we use it for initiating queens.
It begins with a warm gathering, anointed by a sacred ceremony, consummated by an erotic bond.
Together, we made Delphine a queen. First, we watched Grant become her king, then I, her second king, then mybrothers, all but Nick, shared her. It’s what Delphine moaned for. And we always give our queens what they desire.
Or maybe I’m feeling Nick and Zar’s love. It’s more potent than their lust. As an NFL player, Nick isn’t out. It’s been a lonely place for him. I used to go to his home games so he’d have someone who loved him cheering him on. Then he found Zar. He found a love he’ll fight for, come out for. It’s a matter of time until they’re finally free to love publicly.
But maybe what stirs inside me is the void. The fact that my love, Alena, isn’t here. She’ll never be initiated. I’ll never be like my brothers; a king, making his queen.
Not that I’ll share Alena.
Not that I want to fuck anyone else.
But it’s the bond we form, the kings and queens. I wish Alena could feel it.
It’s sacred. Unspoken. Unquestioning. Like the bond I formed with Delphine to protect her and any children she may have with Grant.
It seems like an erotic fairy tale, not a dark reality, until you’ve survived it. Or in our case, escaped it.
What Maxim did, giving his life for my mom, my brothers, and me so we could escape our father, I’d do it for Delphine.
But who’ll do it for Alena if something happens to me? Sure, she’s Nash’s daughter. He’ll protect her, but she’ll never have a second king.
We’ll never be like Sire and Wren.
I hear Wren will be next. Once Sire marries her, she’ll pick her second king, and she’ll be initiated. She’ll belong. She’ll feel it, trust it, thrive with the kings and queens who love her.
But what about Alena?
I want her to have this too.
