The Queen's Line (Inheritance of Hunger #1) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,75

Owen than to me. "You've had a busy day."

I blushed and nodded, sliding out from between them, Owen raising a hand to help me balance as I tiptoed over the enormous bed and let myself down. My eyes widened as I felt the slippery release leaking out and cooling against my thighs. I'd been debauched! I glanced back to the bed and caught Owen and Cosmo on their sides facing one another and whispering, and my cheeks warmed and swelled with an enormous smile as I ran for the bath. The water was probably cold by now, but I would be back between them soon.

I paused at the tub, staring down at the hazy water, filled with my favorite oils. It was cool to the touch, and my hand skimmed just on the very surface as an idea occurred to me. Cosmo was right. I knew that I could push my magic in a direction, but I was always too preoccupied by enjoying the sex I was having to worry about what the power wrought. I studied my own body for the moment, searching for the Hunger, finding it easily even without my men in front of me. Was there still a little power in me?

I bit my lip and imagined the release of an orgasm, but this time I focused on the water, thinking of the heat that rushed through me as I came. The smooth opaque surface of the bath rippled, thin strands of steam rising, and my hand clutched, fingers skimming through warm water.

My robe fell from my shoulders, and I climbed into the tub with a sense of triumph, sighing at the warm caress of the water. Maybe I was a little sore. Not pained, but certainly stretched. My eyes fell shut, and I let myself doze for a moment. I would wash and return to the bed, but it was nice to have a few moments alone, even if the day had been blissful in its company.

The screen rustled, and I smiled as a warm hand brushed over my shoulders, my eyes opening to find Owen sitting on the floor by the massive tub.

"I haven't come to distract or tempt you. I just wanted to say that the Hunger and its magic isn't the most important part of what happens between us," Owen said softly. His hand on the back of my neck worked gently into muscle, melting me further into the warm water, my eyelids drooping.

"I know," I said, nodding lightly. "I just want to be sure—"

Owen leaned forward and nipped at my lips. "Does it feel good? Are you happy?"

I sighed and grinned. "Yes and yes."

Owen's smile echoed mine. "Me too. Today was fun."

My cheeks swelled and I nodded. It had been fun, more than fun. It had been hazy and decadent and delicious and—

I swallowed hard and glanced down to the water before I gave the Hunger too much fuel and it demanded another performance. Owen made to stand and I stopped him with a touch on his arm, looking up from the water to meet his blue eyes.

"I'm very lucky I chose you, Owen," I said. "You and Cosmo. I didn't know how to pick men out of a crowd like that, but I'm so happy that I did and it was you."

Owen leaned forward, his fingers cupping around the back of my neck, pulling my mouth up to his for a slow, sipping kiss. He leaned back and nodded, a firm kind of certainty making his face uncommonly stern. "I won't ever be your grandest Chosen, but I will be good to you. I promise you that."

My chest throbbed and my arms lifted from the tub, water cascading off so I could hold Owen closer to me, kiss him deeply until my lungs begged for breath. "Stay," I gasped, clinging to him, tugging him to the edge of the tub.

He shook his head and grinned. "Wash up. Come to bed and rest. Or more. Whatever you need."

I whined as he pulled away, and Owen laughed and ducked around the screen as I sank under the water, trying to clear the happy fog from my brain.

20

Cresswell

Something strange was going on in the palace.

I paused in my slow pace of the princess's hall as the floor creaked and the walls shuddered. Candlelight flared in the sconces on the wall, and my eyes widened at the way the hall seemed to brighten and gleam. A door threw open, two male voices hissing to