All the more reason to keep her locked up and safe, he thought to himself as he flew back to Dragon’s Keep. He knew Dareena was unhappy about it, but the situation was only temporary. Far better for her to go a bit stir-crazy for a few months than be killed. Dragonfell had suffered enough with one mad king at the helm. The last thing the kingdom needed was to be ruled by three of them.
When Alistair finally landed in the courtyard several hours later, Dareena was waiting for him, her ladies and several guards at her side. Her eyes shone with joy and relief as Alistair changed back into human form, and she flung herself into his arms before he could reach into his pack and put his clothes back on.
“I missed you so much,” she said, and kissed him fiercely.
Alistair held her tight to him as he kissed her back, his blood singing with the need to claim her. He groaned as he slid his tongue into her mouth, saturating his senses with the taste and smell of her. The beast inside him wanted to take her in his arms and march her straight to their suite, but he doubted it would be very kingly for him to walk through the Keep naked, his hard cock sticking out for all to see, so he reluctantly released her.
“I missed you more,” he said with a teasing smile, nipping her on the nose. Over her shoulder, the ladies had averted their eyes, their cheeks flaming red with embarrassment at his naked form. “I see I’ve made quite an impression.”
Dareena laughed, then turned around and shielded him with her skirts. “Cover yourself then, before they go up in flames,” she said. Alistair obliged, pulling on his tunic and trousers. “It’s all right to look now,” Dareena told the ladies as Alistair fastened his boots.
The ladies turned around, then curtsied as one. Lyria had a bit of a smirk on her face—of the three of them, she was the only one who had not blushed. Alistair imagined he was not the first naked man Lord Hallowdale’s daughter had seen. He wondered if Dareena was getting along with her at all, or if she still intended to send Lyria packing. Yes, the two of them had bad blood, but he rather liked the idea that at least one of her ladies was not a wilting flower.
“Come,” Dareena said, taking his hand. “Let’s have breakfast. You can tell me all about the raid.”
Dareena dismissed her ladies, and the two of them went back to the royal suite. “I gather Drystan has not returned yet?” Alistair asked as they walked through the halls.
Dareena shook her head, looking a bit worried. “I thought he would be back late last night, but perhaps this is taking longer than expected.” Alistair noted she was careful to be vague with her terms, in case anyone was listening who could not be trusted.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Alistair said, though he was a bit worried too. He hoped his brother had not run into any trouble on the way there or back. It was a good thing Alistair had come back when he did—he didn’t like the idea of leaving Dareena alone in the castle without one of them with her.
Once back in the suite, Alistair and Dareena ordered a large meal. As they ate, Alistair noted that Dareena’s bosom had grown larger, and there was a healthy glow in her cheeks.
“Pregnancy seems to suit you well,” he said.
Dareena smiled. “Aside from the morning sickness, and my sudden aversion to cheese, I am doing quite well so far.” She leaned in a little and placed her hand on his. “I wonder if the babe sensed you returning. I didn’t have any sickness at all when I woke up this morning. In fact, I’m feeling quite…energetic.”
Alistair grinned, catching the meaning in her voice. “Perhaps food is not the only thing I’m hungry for this morning,” he said, tugging on her hand. He pulled her into his arms and carried her into their shared bedroom. Dareena’s hands were already working on the buttons of his tunic when he laid her on the bed, and Alistair sucked in a breath as her hot mouth trailed kisses down his bare chest. His cock swelled, making his trousers impossibly tight, and he quickly pushed them down to free it. Dareena palmed his length in her hand as she licked and nipped at him, driving Alistair mad with need.
“You’re making me crazy, woman,” he growled, pushing her back onto the bed. He bunched her skirts up around her hips and buried his face between her legs, wanting more of her. Dareena moaned as he licked her folds, rocking her hips toward his mouth, and Alistair closed his eyes, losing himself in the moment. Every time he did this, she tasted even better than he remembered.
“More,” Dareena urged, gripping his hair as she moved against him. Alistair swirled his tongue around her clit, pressing hard, and she came, her body quaking beneath him. He pushed her dress, loose and flowing, and the underlying chemise over her head. In seconds she was fully naked, her breasts spilling into his waiting hands.
“I think this is my favorite thing about your pregnancy so far,” he said, leaning in to taste her nipples.
“Me too,” Dareena said breathily as he flicked his tongue over the bud. “Oooh…they’re much more…sensitive…than before.”
Alistair grinned. “I can tell.” He ducked his head to take one in his mouth, sucking gently while he massaged the other with his hand. He loved the way she writhed and moaned beneath him, as if his touch drove her mad. But then again, she had a similar effect on him as she reached between them and closed her fist around his cock. Pleasure rolled through him as she slid her hand up and down his length, scattering his thoughts and filling him with primal need. Growling, he batted her hand aside, then nudged her legs open and sank himself all the way inside.
“Yes,” Dareena hissed, clutching him closer to her. He pulled back, then surged inside her, hard and fast, losing himself inside her. She felt so damn good, so hot and wet and tight, and the way her nails dug into his backside as she urged him on only made him burn even more for her. Part of him wanted to slow down, take his time, but her green eyes blazed, a silent rebuke, and he gave himself over to the savage desire clawing at him.
He was pounding into her when he sensed Drystan enter the room behind him. The lust in Dareena’s gaze deepened as she locked eyes with his brother, and she curled her fingers, beckoning. Alistair slowed a little, turning to watch his older brother strip off his clothes. He looked a bit weary and travel worn, but the hunger in his gaze rivaled Alistair’s own. Alistair did not protest when Dareena gently pushed him away, then reached for Drystan.
Drystan pulled Dareena into his arms and kissed her, his hand slipping between her legs. Alistair felt himself grow even harder as he watched his brother fuck their mate with his fingers, and he closed his hand around his cock, stroking himself. Dareena let her head fall back, a flush spilling across her cheeks as she rocked herself against Drystan’s hand. It only took a few minutes for his brother to bring her to a climax, and when she did, Alistair had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from coming himself.
“Come,” she said when she caught her breath, beckoning toward Alistair. She gently grabbed Drystan as he prepared to move away from the bed. “I want both of you.”