Page 29 of Emergence of Fire

“I thought the whole point of this meeting was to convince Maddox this ball was a bad idea. He is determined to make it happen. I understand what’s at stake but not at the cost of Cordelia,” I say as we make our way out the room.

“We keep our eyes and ears open. If anyone gets too close to our queen, they die.” There is nothing but steel in Torin’s voice. He might not consider himself our leader, but the times when he’s like this he would get my vote.

“Fuck an alliance?” I raise my eyebrows in question as I walk next to him. I was readying myself for a speech about the importance of diplomacy, but he floors me.

“Fuck an alliance. Cordelia is too important to worry about anything other than keeping her safe. We can apologize later.” I stop and watch my brother in disbelief, his eyes are taking in every detail as the distance grows between us. I run and hurry to catch up.

“Now, you’re speaking my language.” I nudge him and smile.

* * *

I could smellher arousal from the hallway. Cordelia’s screams are like music to my ears, her pleasure shooting straight to my cock.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Torin groans before opening the door to our room. I smile as he opens the door slowly for the most delicious reveal. We both stop and watch. I try to adjust myself, but my cock has a mind of its own.

“Fuck, Gale!” Cordelia shouts. She has her hands entangled in his hair. Her head is tilted back hitting the wall as she repeats his name. Her legs are draped over his shoulders in a vice grip as he laps at her clit. How he managed to get her into this position so fast is pure magic. Torin crosses the room and heads straight for her, taking her face in his hands, claiming her mouth in a brutal kiss. Cordelia moans loud and he takes it all. My cock is screaming for release as I take in the scene before me. I thought we had serious things to discuss. I guess Gale has the right idea. Torin breaks their kiss; they lock eyes as Gale inserts two of his fingers inside her. Her juices run down his hand and he licks her like she’s his favorite ice cream. I love to watch her fall apart. I know the moment he’s hit her in the perfect spot. She reaches out for Torin but right before their lips collide, he holds back.

“Come for Gale, baby.” Is all he says before she screams her release. Torin kisses her as Gale continues to lick her clean as she comes down.

“That was hot, beautiful. You have three very hard mates. I’m about to blow my load in my jeans. Damn.” I adjust myself again, walking slowly across the room to take a seat on the bed.

“Well, we can remedy that.” Cordelia bites the bottom of her lip and damn, I want to take her up on the offer.

“We wanted to talk to you first, Cordelia.” Torin shoots Gale a scathing look before he steps away from them. Gale wipes his mouth with the back of his hands, smiling the entire time. He reaches for Cordelia’s discarded pants and holds them out for her to step into. He then takes his time to help her into her boots. She looks down at him with adoration, stroking his cheek in thanks.

“Can’t it wait? I wanted a shower first, but someone interrupted me with talks of a reward for doing so well with Twyla today.” She doesn’t sound the least bit put out by the interruption and it makes me laugh when she attempts to pout.

“You’re clean, I made sure of that.” Gale shrugs unapologetically and pulls up a chair beside the bed.

“Hopefully this won’t take long.” Torin pats a spot on the bed between us for her to sit but she opts to climb into my lap. Oh, sweet torture, and she knows it, looking back at me with a wink she wiggles her ass, and I groan.

“Watch it, gorgeous, or I’ll have you sitting on my cock throughout the entire conversation.” I growl in her ear. Her sharp intake of breath is all the answer I need. “You like the idea don’t you, Cordelia?” She shakes her head; her delicious scent fills the air. I know I shouldn’t start something I can’t finish, but she started it.

“Adrian.” Torin nudges me. I can tell he’s struggling but he clears his throat and shifts slightly away from us. Cordelia grabs his hand in hers and keeps him from moving further.

“Cordelia, you know we spoke to King Maddox about the ball this afternoon.” Torin jumps right into the matter at hand and Cordelia instantly sobers in my arms.

“Does he agree with you? Is he going to call it off?” She asks, her voice sounds small to my ears, and I can sense her hesitation.

“No, he doesn’t agree. The ball is happening tomorrow night. Maddox thinks we have no reason for concern.” Torin sighs. There is plenty to be concerned about.

“Vivyn?” Cordelia looks back at me to answer.

“House arrest with her mates. Somehow Thaddeus got to her. What she stood to gain from betraying her father we will never know.” I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer to me, seeking comfort from the feel of her warm body.

“That explains my aunt's mood these past few days. She hasn’t been herself.”

“Well, she’s been reinstated as her father’s heir. I don’t think that is what she wanted. Especially after all this time,” Gale says. We only came here because this was the only safe place for Twyla to take us. She came back here for Cordelia, not her father’s throne. There is a lot more to the story, I’m sure we only know a fraction of it.

“I’m sure she will tell me how she feels about it when she’s ready to talk. It must be overwhelming, especially after you find out your sister is in cahoots with the bad guys.” Cordelia rubs her hands down her legs, a sign of her growing nervousness.

“Is that all? The ball’s a go, my aunt is back in the line of succession, and her sister is a super villain.” She attempts to laugh but there’s no real mirth behind it.

“No, Cordelia, look. We didn’t know this for sure and technically we still don’t. This is just speculation—”

“Cordelia, we think you may have another mate.” Gale cuts Torin off, his impatience flooding our bond as Torin scrambles to find the right words.

“Wait. What?” Cordelia sits forward in my lap to look at Gale, then to Torin.

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