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But hadn’t they hated each other only moments ago? Hadn’t Areanel herself flinched away from his touch just last night?

It was all so confusing, and the sensation she felt with both of them on her wasn’t helping at all. Yes, she’d had felt something for Caius in the past. But now, now she was in love with Rymedur. Only Rymedur. They shouldn’t be doing this. It was the alcohol. It had to be.

Not a moment later, Caius’s head dipped to her neck. He breathed in deeply, taking in her scent, then hummed slowly. His nose brushed the skin of her neck before he pulled away.

She shouldn’t be allowing this. She hadn’t forgiven him, not for last night, and not for before… not entirely. She was supposed to be mad at him. Right?

But the euphoric feeling in her head was dizzying. The way their touch worked together was disorienting.

‘Tell me to stop.’ Caius’s gaze flitted between her lips and her brilliant blue orbs. ‘Say the word, Nelly,’ he whispered, so close their lips grazed. All she had to do was lean forward slightly, and his lips would be on hers.

‘Nelly.’ He said with desperation. It was almost as though he was begging, wanting her to tell him to stop. Because if she didn’t, this time, he wouldn’t be able to pull away.

Areanel felt Rymedur’s warm hands on her shoulders. He gave her a reassuring squeeze and a soft kiss on her temple—his way of telling her that if she wanted this, he would give it to her. He would do anything for her. The thought caused something to bloom in her soul. She could feel his chest rise and fall evenly against her back. The action steadied her alcohol addled mind.

Areanel looked between the two. The room spun, and the lightning still coursed through every atom in her body, but she realised she wanted this. That wasn’t something she wanted to deny herself.

For once in her life, Areanel wanted to be selfish.

So, she nodded.

‘Words, little demon. Use your words,’ Rymedur encouraged, his lips lingering on her temple. She focused on the feeling of his soft lips.

‘We need to hear you say it,’ Caius added, his voice low. His eyes were hooded with desire.

Areanel squinted at him. Where had that consent been last night?

But that wasn’t what mattered right now; fire burned a path along her body, and Areanel needed release. Her breath was laboured, but she managed to verbalise her consent with a breathless, ‘Yes.’

As soon as the word escaped her already parted lips, Caius crashed his into hers. His lips were soft and tasted like spices and tobacco, but she didn’t mind the taste; it reminded her of an autumn day by the bonfire during the Ostara festival they held for Edre the Eternal at the palace.

Caius was eager, almost desperate in his actions. His hands grabbed her waist, the cold metal of his rings nipping at her skin as his hands travelled to her breast, then her back and to her waist again as he tasted her. Sending her into overdrive, her body burned against his cold touch. She felt feverish.

Areanel held onto the lapels of his blue jacket, pulling harshly, bringing him closer as she opened for him. She needed more, much more. Rymedur held her steady. Still positioned behind her like a solid pillar, his warm hands gripped her hips.

When they both came up for air, Caius leaned his forehead against hers, taking in deep breaths. ‘Nelly,’ he panted, closing his eyes, almost like he was holding himself back. ‘I’ve missed this… feeling alive.’

Finally, he opened his eyes and moved back slightly. Cupping her cheek with one hand, he stroked the soft flesh with his thumb, looking into her bright eyes like he was committing her features to memory.

Areanel breathed in deeply, turning her head slightly into his palm and nuzzling it before turning back to Rymedur. She pushed herself onto the tips of her toes, her heels lifting off the floor, and placed a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth.

‘Together.’ Rymedur gave her a soft smile and returned the gesture.

Caius watched the exchange silently. When Areanel turned back to him, he placed the hand that was cupping her cheek against her head and over Rymedur’s shoulder, so that she was caged between their bodies.

Her breath hitched when Caius used his other thumb to tilt her head to the side. ‘Princess,’ he whispered against her skin. For a moment, Areanel thought his tone sounded almost… obsessive. ‘My sweet Nelly.’

His mouth trailed light kisses down her neck. His free hand gripped the flesh at her waist, pinning her in place. His right leg pushed her knees apart, settling between her thighs, holding her there. The friction was torture. She ached with need. His touch was cold, sending an exciting shock through every nerve.

Rymedur gently moved her hair, down in loose waves, out of her face and pushed it behind her to expose a shoulder. His lips grazed her earlobe as he left a trail of featherlight kisses from her jaw to the tip of her ear. The kisses were gentle but burned her skin beautifully. When he reached the very sensitive point of her elven ear, he closed his mouth around it and sucked gently, using his teeth to tug at the tip before allowing it to pop from his mouth. She tried to clench her legs together as heat pooled low in her belly, but with Caius’s thigh forcing her open, all she could do was stay still. The action elicited a breathy moan from her lips. It sounded sinful.

‘Gods, Rymedur’. Areanel’s hips bucked forward, moving her core against Caius’s thigh.

Rymedur followed Caius’s lead, trailing kisses down Areanel’s cheek, then her jaw and finally her neck. Her skin burned wherever they touched. They were both familiar—aware of what would elicit the right responses from her, sending her pleasure into overdrive.

All thoughts and hesitation evaporated. This is all she wanted. All she needed. This feeling, here and now. And when Rymedur reached her neck, he let his fingertips move over her skin, teasing her, before he kissed the spot lightly. His hands moved down her sides, grazing her bare skin. His right hand rested on her hip, but his left went back underneath the scandalous slit of her dress. Giving him full access to her. The contact of his large, warm hand touching her flustered skin caused her to lean her head back against his shoulder, exposing her long, enticing neck—a gesture which bore her to them voluntarily. A gesture of carnal want and desire.

Just as Rymedur’s hands slid down her body, Caius pushed his hips into Areanel, pressing her back into Rymedur. ‘Such a good girl for us. Aren’t you, princess?’ His deep voice was alluring. His thigh nestled between hers, and she rocked her hips forward, and both men let out a deep growl.