or the wind. Everything centered around Ronan and the way his strong lips moved over mine.
I placed my hands on his face, trailing them down his whiskered cheeks and then around to the back of his neck.
The scent of lilac filled my nose, first a light tease, and then stronger, as he made my clothes—and his—disappear.
“I want to go slow, but I don’t know if I can.”
His words filtered slowly into my brain because I was struck dumb by his beauty. Ronan was all chiseled muscles and hard angles. He was clearly a warrior, his chest and stomach and upper arms marred with white and silver scars. How many battles had he fought? How much hurt had he endured for the people he loved?
I touched one long silver scar that traveled from his shoulder to his elbow. Squirming to one side, I lifted my head and kissed it.
Ronan sucked in a breath before dropping his head to my neck. He bit gently at the spot where my neck met my shoulder then sucked the hurt away with his lips and tongue.
Goosebumps lifted over me wherever his skin met mine. We moved against each other like the waves of the loch, pillowed by the soft moss.
I wrapped my legs around his back, holding him as close to me as I could. His length glided along my folds with each rock of my hips.
Heat built immediately, as if my body had been craving his so completely that as soon as we touched, I went off like a firework.
“Ro.” Was that my voice? It was too small and breathless, but I couldn’t spare the air to speak when it was taking everything inside me to hold it together.
He leaned back, reaching between us to position himself at my entrance. I arched upward, trying to pull him inside me. I thought he’d deny me the same way he had earlier, keeping us from taking this step, but he didn’t.
With a long, slow slide, he pushed inside, holding himself deep.
It took a moment for me to adjust to his size. He was so long and thick, nerve endings rioted. But in the best possible way.
His touch was light as he threaded his fingers into my hair until he cradled my skull. Then he drew back and thrust again.
I sucked in a breath as he hit me just right, a perfect pressure that sent out tendrils of heat from my core, along my spine, then around to my stomach.
He kissed me, tongue pushing past my lips as he withdrew and then rammed inside me again. With his hands, he held me in place, keeping my skin from being rubbed raw by the moss beneath me as he rammed inside, harder and harder.
He made a noise deep in his throat, almost like a growl, and the vibration went right to my nipples. It all felt so good, I couldn’t stand it much longer.
He moved harder, faster, and the warmth turned to fire. I cried out as he pounded, once, twice, a third time, and filled me with heat.
I held him so tight. So tight. Not ever wanting to let go.
It came to me slowly, understanding of the words he chanted over and over, and when it did, I couldn’t stop from smiling and laughing.
“I love you. I’ve loved you forever, and I’ll love you forever. You’re mine, Imogen. Marry me.”
Before I could answer, Flynn’s voice popped into my head. Marry us, Genny. We love you. Be our wife.
Marry us. Killian’s voice was so proud. Be my wife. Our wife. Forever.
I nodded fast, just in case they changed their minds and laughed through my tears. I’ll marry you.
Ronan kissed me. Through my connection to Flynn and Killian, I felt the warmth of their love before they pulled away, giving us privacy.
He rained kisses over my face, holding me still when I tried to chase his lips. “My wife.” Each kiss was punctuated by the words. “My wife.”
Epilogue
One Month Later
Imogen
Maybe it was morbid of me, but I waited next to the hawthorn tree where Flynn had found me minutes after his father’s death. It had been the worst night of my life. And, yet, remembering no longer inspired pain and despair like it had for so long.
Because, as dreadful as my stint in Nightmare Penitentiary had been, the events that had confined me there had also eventually led me here.
To the happiest day of my life.
To my pósadh, my wedding.
It’s time, little one, Ronan rasped in my mind.
I squealed, thankful no one was around to hear it. On my way, my future husbands. With one last glance down at my pale-yellow dress with layers of shimmery, gauzy fabric, I took one step forward and then another.
If it wasn’t for the sensation of damp moss against my bare feet as I walked through the woods, I would have sworn I was floating. I was as light as a feather and nearly breathless with anticipation.
Despite my secret fantasies, I’d never thought this day—or anything close to it—would come. I’d believed I was destined to spend the rest of my life as most banshees did. Alone.
Killian, Ronan, and Flynn made up a much better destiny than I’d been able to envision for myself. Their love was the best part of me. Forever by their sides was more than a dream come true. It was everything.
When I stepped out of the woods, I smiled at the Folk gathered to watch the wedding from afar. They returned my smile and rang tinkling bells as I passed, an ancient tradition to keep malevolent spirits at bay.
Spotting a familiar white beard, I winked at the NP librarian, my one and only honored guest. For a year, he’d been the closest thing I had to a friend, stopping to talk even when I couldn’t do much more than nod or shake my head in response.
He grinned at me, and spotting a tiny creature sitting on his shoulder, I laughed. He’d brought my little hero with him. I waved my fingers at the mouse, and it spun in a circle on the librarian’s shoulder.
I continued walking, seeking out the tall forms of my fiancés as I approached the loch. They stood in front of the water, a magnificent arch of wildflowers magically suspended over their heads.
Though it wasn’t yet dark, thousands of lights that looked like fireflies illuminated my path. Soft, instrumental music and the scents of lavender and primrose wafted through the air. Flower petals drifted from the sky, coating the ground with a kaleidoscope of colors.
Drawing closer to my men, I admired how handsome they looked in their formal ceremonial uniforms. But their attire was the only thing that matched. As usual, the three brothers couldn’t be more different.
Killian stood to the far left, his back straight and a broad smile covering his face, which no longer displayed any signs of fatigue. Though it was taking time, his magic was returning, and he’d soon be as strong as ever. He’d changed since the throne had passed to Flynn. Until the weight of responsibility had been taken from his shoulders, I hadn’t realized how it had restrained his joy. The prince he was becoming was the person he always should have been.
To the far right, Ronan watched me with that intensity I loved. As far as I was concerned, the not-so-great parts of our past were forgotten. But he still insisted on proving his love every day with flowers and notes and, most importantly, decadent desserts for us to share.
And, in the middle, Flynn kept his grin restrained. Secret. Just for me. A simple gold crown sat atop his inky hair, signifying the position that had been official since a week after his victory in the King’s Tournament. It was still strange to think of him as king of Tuatha, but I’d have to get over it quickly. After all, in a few minutes, I’d be queen.
Me—Imogen Eveningsong. The girl who’d loved to sing and the woman who’d lost her voice only to gain something infinitely more valuable.
Who would have imagined I would be standing here, marrying not one but all three of the royal sons?
“Are you ready for this?” Killian asked.
“Yes.” I didn’t even have to think about it. Not for a second.