Valentina nips my bottom lip and then she whimpers, the sucking sounds alerting me to the fact that Theo is currently tasting us on his fingers. It doesn’t last long as those fingers return, both of us jolting forward at the sensation of Theo pleasuring us both.

  “As much as I love to watch you devour her, goddess,” Theo growls out. I’ve never heard him this needy before but I’m loving it. “I want you to watch yourselves fall apart. Up, both of you. That’s it. Brace yourselves on the sink and watch what I do to you.” I gladly obey, wanting to know where Theo is going to take this. Valentina and I both prop ourselves up on the sink, hips rocking back onto his fingers as we stare in the mirror. Theo’s eyes are nearly black, Valentina’s face flushed, and I’m trying so damned hard to keep it together. With every thrust into my pussy, however, I lose just a little more control. “Let go.”

  When his thumb moves backward to press against that tight bundle of nerves, I cry out, my fingers gripping the counter just a little tighter. Valentina is a whimpering mess at my side and watching her fall apart is all I need to give in. My body relaxes and then tenses as a warm wave of ecstasy shoots through me. I rock back on those fingers, dictating my own pace until I’m coating his hand with my release.

  Valentina bends farther over the counter as she murmurs through her orgasm and Theo pulls his hands from our sex to once again taste us. However, I’m not done.

  It’s his turn.

  And when I whirl around with that devious smile on my face, he’s backing up, hands raised.

  Valentina catches on rather quickly as we both struggle to undo the many ties and clasps along his waist before she’s on her knees and unearthing his cock. As much as I want to sit right beside her and taste him, I have a better idea. We back him up against the wall, Theo surprised when I lean forward to kiss him at the same time Valentina swallows him. I’ve watched her many times as she pleasures our man—now our king—and it’s a wonderful sight, her head playfully bobbing up and down until he’s spilling down her throat.

  He wraps a hand in her hair, the other gripping my waist as I hold him tight to my chest. Thrusting my tongue into his mouth earns me a groan, just as slipping fingers between his ass cheeks earns me a shocked mewl before he relaxes again. With none of that oil handy, I can’t do much but that doesn’t mean I can’t play, lightly tapping and pushing against his hole until he’s thrusting back and forth between us. Valentina is still mercilessly sucking his cock as he kisses me, tightening his hold when he tries to tell Valentina that’s he about to come.

  Of course, the words come out in a jumbled mess and Valentina takes every last drop like the queen that she is. We stay there for several minutes, Valentina still sucking on his cock and my fingers still rimming his whole until Theo is wiggling for relief. A few kisses and washcloths later, we’re cuddled up in my bed with Valentina pressed up against my chest and Theo facing us, his arm draped over my waist.

  Theo reaches over to tuck a stray hair behind my ear, Valentina turning slightly to kiss his arm.

  “Evie, do you remember the day you came to talk to me?”

  I snort. “I thought Valentina was joking. Thought you propositioned her with the worst come-on known to man.” Theo had sent Valentina as a messenger, relaying that he wanted to speak with me. It had taken a few messages before I finally relented. Very few words were shared in that initial meeting, not that I mind that memory in the slightest.

  Theo nods. “And I’m glad you came. I was scheduled to leave the next morning at the time and would have missed you entirely.”

  I wrap my arms around Valentina a little tighter, wondering what would have happened had Valentina not pushed so hard. A life without Theo? That would have been god awful. “Well, I am glad that Valentina kept badgering me about it.” Snuggling in closer until we’re pressed together like sardines, I let myself relax. The cucumber melon bodywash I usually use coats Valentina’s skin and tangled with Theo’s musk, I drift off to sleep.

  Chapter 14

  THEODORE

  The day passes by, my women content to sleep and cuddle in bed. They don’t notice when I slip out, Valentina turning around to tuck herself into Evie’s chest. I bite back a laugh so I don’t wake them, moving toward the bathroom to get dressed again. Queen Daniela has requested my presence, no doubt for the things I said this morning during the meeting and Evie’s proposal.

  I take a few nervous gulps as I smooth down my hair, don my crown, and then do up every last painstaking button, making a mental note to do away with all the clothes once we return to Mubraulia. Getting naked takes entirely too much time.

  There’s no light shining in from the few windows I pass, telling me that our little nap spanned much longer than planned. Finding Queen Daniela is merely happenstance as I catch her standing just outside the gala ballroom, speaking with one of the staff as they prepare for tomorrow evening. She grins at my arrival, gesturing over to the side to speak privately.

  “You sure took your time, King Theodore.”

  I blush, bowing my head and then remembering my place. Quickly, I meet her gaze, trying not to let her see the torrent of emotions running through me. “I apologize-”

  “No need, King Theodore. You forget that Evelyn is my cousin and we do talk. She asked me if she could marry you and Queen Valentina earlier today.” Her gaze dips to the gold ring on my right hand. “I assume you said yes.”

  I nod, still keeping my poise. Speaking with Queen Daniela feels like conversing with a friend; a stark contrast with many of the other royals I have been forced to carry a conversation with. “Yes, of course.”

  Daniela’s expression hardens as she leans in. “Do you truly want this or is my cousin going to get hurt?”

  “My heart has always been hers, Queen Daniela. That will never change.” I can see the concern lingering in Queen Daniela’s eyes and that she’s only looking out for her family.

  “And Valentina? This could get messy. A three-ruler system has never been proposed before and even two-ruler systems still have a lead.”

  “I want both of them. They mean everything to me. Does that make me selfish?”

  She cracks a smile and shakes her head. “That makes you human, King Theodore.”

  I shift nervously, eyes darting through the hallway as staff pass us unphased. There’s no doubt that they all know by now, yet I’m still wary of what these rumors will do to a relationship that’s just barely started. “And the strained relations between our countries? I had a few ideas and-”

  Again, she stops me by holding up a hand. “There was never any doubt that we could bridge the gap our fathers damaged. You coming to Kusovania was for formalities, not because I required the meeting. You wanted to apologize for King Andrew’s actions and that of a country that wasn’t yet yours. Apology received; however, it’s not your apology to give.” My eyes widen at the words coming from Kusovania’s queen. “If King Andrew would like to publicly apologize, then I will accept it. However, your track record with me? We have a clean slate and knowing and seeing how much Evelyn loves you? I can’t imagine you’re anything like him.”

  “Wait, why didn’t you say all that this morning?”

  Her Majesty swoops in, wrapping her arms around Queen Daniela’s stomach as she presses a quick kiss to the queen’s cheek. Queen Daniela leans into the touch before she speaks again. “Because the royal elders will not appreciate my willingness to forgive and move forward. They don’t completely approve of my own wife, why would they approve of this renewed connection? While their words are generally helpful, many times they are set in their ways. Telling you this would have only started more arguments.”

  I’m still reeling with the information that they so readily support the three of us. “You’d let us take Evelyn back to Mubraulia?”

  Seraphina snorts. “I don’t think Evelyn would let you do anything. She chooses where she goes and what she does. Ultimately, it will be her decision if she goes. Tell me just one thing – why is it that you left Evelyn when she knew she loved you? Marrying her first love?”

  I hate bringing up those raw memories from even just a few weeks ago. “We never wanted to hurt her. It was so sudden. Valentina was promised to an abusive mate, Prince Oliver and she asked for help. My father’s only stipulation was marriage. Evie-Evelyn has known this entire time. We’ve kept in touch and we were going to meet at the gala. When that didn’t work, I offered to fix our countries' relations. However, with limited resources, our explanations were chaotic at best. I apologize. I would have never dreamed of becoming her husband though. I’m grateful, ecstatic…”

  Seraphina’s smile grows, “Then let yourself smile, King Theodore. You might be a king and you might rule a country, but letting your people see your heart is not a weakness.”

  No one has ever said that to me before. My father engrained in me that every emotion was a weakness, that our people should only see a ruler and not a human. Even with the two days I’ve spent in Kusovania, I can see that the people respect Queen Daniela and Her Majesty, Seraphina and they are some of the most wonderful individuals I know.

  Slowly, I let the happiness take over my face and it feels like the most natural thing in the world. To show everyone just how in love I am and the future I’m all too excited for.

  Queen Daniela giggles with my revelation as she lays one last piece of information. “Tomorrow evening during the gala, I will call Evelyn up to make her announcement at the beginning of the night so that you three don’t have to stick around should you not want to. I’m sure there will be a few people who have things to say but you have our blessing.”

  Hoping I’m not overstepping, I nod. “Congratulations is in order, isn’t it?”

  The sweeping burst of happiness from those two is all I need to know that Queen Daniela is pregnant with the heir to the kingdom. Suddenly, images of our little ones running through the castle halls fill my head and a deep ache in my chest tells me where I want to be. With my queen and my duchess, my lovers, and the women who have my heart.

  Chapter 15

  EVIE

  I’ve been a whole bundle of nerves over the last day. Waking up next to Valentina as Theo sat propped up against the headboard watching us, was glorious. Especially when he leaned over and kissed the life out of me until Valentina was squished between us, squirming for air. Stumbling my way back to my room as I did my own walk of shame? Not as glorious. Especially when I found a mirror and saw how terrible I looked. Another glance at the clock told me that we had slept for over twelve hours and I had minimal time to ready myself for the gala.

  While the true heart of the ceremony starts well after six pm, any announcements are generally made just before the buffet is provided. Another anxiety-induced nap puts me within an hour of dinner. And now I am panicking as I slip into the gown I reserved for the gala months ago. It’s a deep, crimson red that accentuates the dark, golden tint of my skin.

  Once again, I’m looking in the mirror at a woman I’ve cultivated. She’s fierce and beautiful, confident that nothing will stop her tonight or any night after that. I’m a little worried that my father’s arrival will derail my plans, not to mention Stephan’s harbored ideas about Mubraulia and no doubt my abnormal relationship with their royals.

  The straps of my dress hang off my shoulders, drawing attention to the dip in the middle. I resituate it, trying to pull it up higher and sigh when it slips down again. My hair crowds around my face as it always does, the lack of makeup making me feel a little more grounded. I am Evelyn Winslow, Duchess of Kusovania, and third heir to the throne. I am going to be Theo and Valentina’s wife. They are going to be mine. And I will be theirs.

  “Evelyn, that’s quite the smile you have there.”

  I blink several times, confused when I find Marshall behind me, this large man cradling me against his chest as he holds onto my shoulders. He’s been absent for nearly the entire weekend and I thought he might have returned to my father. Instead, he’s here while I’m nearly dancing out of my skin with excitement. I have an inkling that the lack of Mubraulia royalty outside my room has to do with this beautiful man. Thank the goddess for him. Sometimes.

  “You ready for this?” He kneels beside me, the man’s eyes softer than they’ve ever been. I know for a fact that he’s hiding something from me. Marshall hangs his head in apology. “I’m sure you know that your father arrived this morning for the gala and asked for your whereabouts. As I couldn’t tell him, I merely mentioned that you were working on a merger with Queen Daniela, hoping that he would take to his room and wait for you to come find him.”

  “He knows, doesn’t he?”

  Marshall nods. “And he’s on his way down the stairs. I came to give you a heads up, not that it’s much of one but he’s furious with your choices. No, Evelyn, I never told him but the entire castle knows. Word travels rather fast and your father had so many plans for you.”

  I have mere minutes to either be intercepted by my father and very possibly returned to the countryside with a mate of his choice or find my way into the gala and make a very, very public entrance. Marshall catches onto my thoughts as he ushers me into the hall, his hand on my shoulder as he guides me past staff and other royals. I doubt that my father would block me from entering the ballroom, the very same one from two nights ago, but he’s done a host of strange things over the years. I can never be too sure.

  Just as I step through the archway, Marshall lingering at the entrance, I’m met with a very handsome prince, one I recognize but can’t for the life of me remember his name. A grin slides over his face as he opens his mouth to speak but doesn’t get much farther when I’m yanked backward into a hard chest. I look up, only to see a fierce expression on Theo’s face as he hands me off to Valentina.

  “She’s spoken for.”

  The prince frowns. “By who?” His gaze darts between the three of us, realization growing until he decides announcing it is the best idea. Even though I’m about to do the same in a few minutes, it feels wrong for him to spoil the surprise. I press a hasty kiss on Theo and Valentina’s cheeks before racing toward the royal thrones set along the back wall. I’m not late; I know that much, however, I feel out of sorts as I take up my place at Seraphina’s side. She twists toward me, holding back the need to laugh at my uncoordinated movements.

  “Glad you could make it,” she jokes. “Be careful. Your father is here and he’s been speaking with Stephan for the past several minutes.”

  That makes my anxiety worse as I shoot her a dirty look and then fix my face. Leaning forward, I chance a glance at Daniela who is sitting forward on her throne, rubbing a very prominent belly that I haven’t seen before. Her royal purple gown is much more form-fitting than usual, a testament to the announcement they are going to make this evening, right alongside mine.

  My hands twist and turn as I wring them in front of me, trying to calm my nerves as I search the faces in the crowd. Many of them I recognize in some part, either from school or visiting royals I’ve met over the years. Staff, friends, and the unfortunate family member whose disgruntled expression tells me that I won’t exit this gala without hearing his disagreement.

  Seraphina leans a little closer. “Ready?”

  “No.”

  She chuckles as she stands and helps Daniela to her feet, the two of them moving forward a step. The chaos of the gala hushes, helped by the two guards standing at our sides, stomping their spears on the tiled floor. Everyone turns to face the thrones, smiling as Daniela caresses her belly and addresses her people.

  “Tonight is a special night for many reasons. It is a night where many of you will find your mates, the ones you will spend your lives with. A night when I found my forever and was given the opportunity to take an unprecedented chance. Seraphina might have been the royal seamstress but she has always had my heart.” There’s a chorus of excitement before it dies down so that Daniela can speak again. “Tonight is also the night that we reveal another present, a child. A royal heir and a son. I would like all of you to unofficially meet Cecil.” Her hands settle on her stomach as more cheers and glass clinking erupt through the hall.

  I’m so incredibly happy for my cousin and her wife. I never knew if their love would pan out but seeing this? I’m all too excited to see where it goes. That happiness soon turns to pure adrenaline as Seraphina holds her hand out, gesturing me to join them so that my announcement can be made. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for–a moment to reveal my lovers and where my heart lies.

  A moment where everyone will see as I show that love is love regardless of how it transpires.

  Daniela smiles at me as Seraphina wraps an arm around my waist and squeezes. The queen then addresses her people again. “Tonight is also a night of unprecedented actions. We have met with Mubraulia royalty to once again open our borders to them. Their king and queen came to us personally to ask forgiveness for the previous reign and while many wounds still need to be healed, I believe this is a step in the right direction. Furthermore, it gives me great joy that as a result of fixing our strained relations, I can now present to you the future Duchess of Mubraulia.”

  Silence meets her words as confusion fills the space. No one knows what to make of that declaration until Theo and Valentina approach and each take one of my hands to stand at my side. They both lean in to press a kiss to my temple before I address everyone inside the ballroom.

  “I, the Duchess of Kusovania, have asked King Theodore and Queen Valentina of Mubraulia to marry me.”

  In chorus, my lovers respond, “We have accepted her proposal.”

  Again, more silence. I stand firm, waiting for a response from the attendees. Is the shock on their faces because I have promised myself to not just one but two mates? Or is it that my proposal is with a country we’re still trying to heal from? Is it something else entirely?

  There’s a small commotion to the left before a voice I’ve dreaded hearing speaks out. My father steps forward, angrily pointing at Daniela. As the former Duke of Kusovania, his disrespect toward her is dismissed. “I will not allow her to do this!”

 

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