11

The event was a hit. People were having a blast, and even if there was a bit more nudity than I was comfortable with given the ages of some of the hobgoblins and fairies helping, it was still educational for all of us. I was glad that it was going well but my heart was heavy.

I found Xavier talking with Lageos and realized that they were exactly who I needed to talk with. I went over there and quietly asked if we could speak privately, catching Trigger Rothchild's gaze and gesturing with my head to join us.

We walked off a bit behind the furthest tent and I put up a barrier over us.

"What worries you, Daughter?" Lageos asked quietly.

"I'm messing up with Hudson and I don't know how to fix it and I'm worried he's slipping into tunnel vision on this because he's seeing more than what's there. That sounds harsh and—"

"Back up and start over, Princess," Trigger said gently. "You're fair and forgiving, so we won't be upset. Just tell us."

I bit back a smile, thinking that I was glad I'd said basically the same thing to Hudson when he'd been upset. It really did help to feel supported when discussing something difficult.

I told them everything Hudson told me, even the parts I wasn't sure I fully understood because again, I wasn't used to dealing with this. I barely had a handle on the government aspect of Faerie and my role.

And that was a big fucking aspect. So everything went into that most days.

"First, he needs to shadow Iolas and me," Lageos said firmly. "He's been—I think he's been trying to shadow me some, but mostly he's been on vacation with you. I thought that was what he wanted?"

"He does," Xavier said quickly… Meaning he knew about this and had talked with Hudson. His gaze softened when he looked at me and realized I knew this. "He does. He's told us several times that even if he can't go on the rides with you that he's having the time of his life. That he wanted some of this easy with you."

"He's never had that as your heir," I accepted, sighing as I scrubbed my hand over my hair. "I saw that too and thought… I kind of thought he was taking like a full month off and just hanging with me too. It was a lot to renounce his claim to the throne and give it to Connor. People fucked with him at school after and—he needs to relax."

"And Lucca needed to dive in and feel like he had value," Trigger muttered.

He wasn't wrong. No, the dragon was pretty smart.

But we came up with a plan. Hudson would get another month off with me—if he wanted, but I hoped he did—and then would shadow Iolas and my dad… And my dad swore he would behave. He wanted this to work as well, and as long as Hudson didn't call him "Father" or fuck with personal stuff, he'd be good.

I wasn't the only one who smiled. Julian really hit every nerve of my dad's by doing that.

It was kind of hysterical if I was honest.

I felt like a chicken, but I asked that they talk with Hudson about this. I really didn't have the knowledge. He needed to learn everything he knew but basically in terms of Faerie? That was how I saw it, but I knew it was more complicated because I had land and cities to rule over whereas dragons didn't. They weren't the government like that too.

Yeah, so way more complicated.

I made sure to walk around and greet people, play hostess, and be visible in case there was a problem. Neldor found me after I made a good lap of the event and handed me a loaded plate, holding one for himself. He gave me a look that he wanted to talk with me, so I accepted, and we went off to the side in one of the larger tents.

I linked our minds and he asked me what was going on and I told him. I explained that I just didn't understand and felt bad I'd messed up things between Hudson and Lucca. I actually told him a lot and kind of unloaded on him as we ate, going back for refills a few times.

I had just finished filling him in on my conversation with Xavier, Trigger, and my dad when Taeral came over to us and cleared his throat. He took our empty plates which made us both frown.

"The hormones coming off of you both are starting to distract the shifters and hunt," he informed us, looking uncomfortable and a bit amused.

I jumped to my feet for some reason, mostly in shock. I shut down the mental link and glanced around, seeing all of the attention we had. I wanted to sign in relief when I saw Trigger there. "I was just telling him about our discussion! I thought he should be part of it and could have input."

Trigger's lips twitched which was a lot for him. "Princess, when I was your age and not yet with my mate, we could talk about math and still clog some noses."

I blinked at him a moment before just leaving. That wasn't any help and I hadn't been all turned on.

"Yeah, I did that too," he chuckled.

Someone else snorted. "Yeah, we all chase after our mates. That's the job of the man."

I didn't know what he meant until I was a bit away and realized Neldor was hot on my heels.

And only then did I realize I was turned on. My body was completely wound up. I had been sitting there wet even.

How embarrassing! And why? Was talking to him enough to really get me going?

"Talking in our heads is apparently more intimate than I realized," Neldor grumbled as he put a barrier up over us and moved closer. "I was listening. I swear I was, and I do have some input if you're willing to hear me."

"I am. That's why—I came for your—I wasn't—"

"Baby doll, don't lie to me. Your ears are red, so clearly you realized you're in the same state I am except you didn't fucking stand with an erection in front of everyone like a dipshit."

Okay, that was almost funny. I mean, it was but it wasn't. "What the hell is with us?"

"I'm a man? You're the most gorgeous woman in two worlds? I'm really not shocked," he drawled, flustering me even more. "Plus, this fucking outfit and short little skirt. You're killing me with it."

I felt his hand brush my ass and I turned to tell him to behave as he slid his arm around me and pulled me to him. Our bodies collided and I barely touched his lips before our feet got tangled. We went down, but he smoothly caught us so he took the brunt of it… And I was straddling his thigh.

I did not think that was an accident.

His hand slid under my skirt and panties to palm my ass as he cupped my head and kissed me. I should have yelled at him or stopped it. We were hosting a huge event and a lot was at stake.

Instead, I kissed him back and leaned into his firm body.

"You were so fucking hot when you were welcoming everyone and being so fucking cute," he said before pulling my bottom lip between his teeth. "You did great, baby doll. I know you were nervous, but everyone was impressed. You were authentic and perfect. You're always perfect."

"I know you guys are around here," Hudson growled from behind me, making us both jump. "I can smell you, Tams."

"Let him in," I said as I tried to jump up, but Neldor's hand kept me against him… Like I was caught doing something I shouldn't. I winced at the hurt on Neldor's face. "I'm not—I didn't mean—I'm worried—"

"I get it," he whispered and easily moved us to be standing before he took down the barrier.

I turned to address Hudson but kept my hand on Neldor as if to say I wasn't walking away from him.

And apparently, that was a green light for him to continue, his lips on my neck as I opened my mouth. I moaned, blinking at Hudson and glancing around.

"I moved the barrier over him. We're still protected," Neldor promised.

"Good," Hudson growled before he mashed his mouth to mine. I was pressed between them and my body was very happy about that. "There is no way I'm letting you get sexed up by another man on my family's land." He chuckled when Neldor said something I didn't catch. "Alone. I'm not allowing it alone."

"Yeah, join in," I blurted before pulling his head back down.

"Get her panties off before I rip them," Hudson instructed. "She'll be pissed if she's commando in a short skirt at this kind of event."

"Right," Neldor agreed, and I felt his fingers dance along my legs under my skirt. "Give me the panties, baby doll. I'll lick you if you do."

Fuck, take the panties. Take all of my clothes even. I realized I either said that out loud or in their minds because they both chuckled and touched me more.

Yes. Please.

Neldor knelt down as he took off my panties… And then buried his face in my pussy. I pushed up my ass and gave him more access. I was rewarded with him massaging it and saying he'd never seen an ass better than mine.

"Every part of shorty is the best I've ever seen," Hudson praised as his hand slid under my shirt. "Want me to give the girls attention?" He chuckled when I whimpered. "I love when you're all wound up. Shit, when I smelled it, I was ready to carry you out of wherever you were, and then I find you went off with Neldor."

I simply nodded and pulled up my bra for him. He wanted access to my tits, he could have it.

Actually, I wanted more than that, undoing his belt and getting his pants open. I grabbed his dick and started stroking it, moaning when Neldor added fingers with his tongue. I came when Hudson pinched my nipples, completely into this.

I ended up sucking on Hudson—much to both their shock—and Neldor kept licking me. I couldn't take that position after a bit and wanted more. Hudson spun me around and lifted me up, leaning me against Neldor before pushing inside of me. I wasn't completely ready yet since Neldor had focused on giving me orgasms instead of opening me up.

But I was relaxed and my body definitely not against him being inside of me.

Plus, Hudson would never risk hurting me. Not like this at least. Riding me until we needed healing runes was totally different… And normally, in a bed.

"Shit, nothing is fucking sexier than this, Tams," Hudson whispered as he ran his hand over my body. His other hand was more than enough to hold up my weight especially when I was leaning against Neldor.

"Agreed," Neldor murmured in my ear as he cupped my breast and massaged it. "I'm going to be inside of you soon, baby doll. You know it and I know it. Very soon."

It was getting harder and harder to deny that, so I didn't say anything, letting them touch me however they wanted. Neldor ended up pulling out his dick and letting my body stroke him off as Hudson moved me. It was kinky as fuck and hot.

Honestly, I wanted to go about five more rounds when the three of us all finished and I could tell they felt the same… Except there was an event going on that we were all hosting.

Shit.

"I'll go first and portal to another spot there like I had to take a call," Neldor said gently, kissing my neck. "You go get cleaned up with Hudson and wait a bit longer."

"Smart," Hudson agreed, pulling me up to lean against him.

"Wait," I whispered before we might have gone our own way. I reached for Neldor and pulled him closer, giving him a long kiss.

"Fine, I won't keep your panties in my pocket," he grumbled and handed them over to Hudson.

Then the asshole opened a portal and walked through to wherever to get cleaned up.

"He really is good at pushing your buttons," Hudson chuckled. He was smirking when I looked back to him. "Your pussy clenched around me. You liked the idea of him trying to steal your panties."

I blinked at him as if to say there wasn't a lot of thought going on at that moment, so I'd just believe him. He found that amusing.

I teleported us to my bathroom and we hurried to clean up. It felt awkward though and I realized what was going on. "I'm sorry I chickened out and let your dad and my dad talk to you."

He frowned at me. "I'm fine with that. It was a tricky topic and I'd been talking with my father about it." Understanding filled his eyes and he moved closer, cupping my cheek. "My head was—those were some intense hormones I was smelling from you, shorty. In another tent."

"Jesus, I wasn't that bad," I grumbled. "We were—I was telling him what happened and we talking about how to fix things." I hurried on when he frowned. "Not about our relationship, but he's the middle ground. He's had a castle and grown up with it like you have and in Faerie. Plus—"

"I get it," he assured me. "And you guys got that hot and bothered talking about that? You get why that would make me worry, right?"

I realized what he was saying, and I failed in swallowing a snort. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings, but I did from the look on his face. I rubbed my hands up and down his chest. "Beastie, you are the last person that needs to worry about our chemistry and me getting wound up with someone else more. I crave you. No one could ever take that place."

"I wasn't being jealous," he muttered. "It's just if you have something more with one of them over me, I worry I'm not enough."

"You are always enough. I know it's hard for you guys, but it's not like scales. You give me lots Neldor never could and yeah, there are things he can only share with me as a fairy. He couldn't ever take your place. I swear it."

"I might need to hear that now and again," he admitted.

"I can more than handle that," I promised with a wink.

And I could. I could more than swing that for Hudson after all he'd done for me and helped me with. I couldn't even imagine what they went through with me having other mates.

I couldn't have handled it and they accepted it.

Crazy men.

We arrived back and people didn't say anything or make comments about what happened since I came back with Hudson. They could think what they wanted—and from the looks my dad gave Hudson, he had lots he thought—but no one touched the topic. Which was great and I appreciated it.

The event went well, and the shifters were over the moon that they got to either hunt animals from Faerie, be part of the kill, or at least eat them. Some came just to eat the food we put out and enjoy the party atmosphere. I appreciated that too.

Lucca's mom was the one who took down one of the biggest bucks we'd brought and seemed very happy about it. To each their own. I liked Mrs. Von Thann, a lot even, but I would never understand that.

But I caught some cute moments between her and Lucca's dad. I thought she could do better, and I would never be able to forgive Mr. Von Thann for all he'd done to me, but if he was who she wanted, I wished them the best. I truly did. She deserved to be happy.

"Thanks, cream puff," Lucca muttered under his breath when he caught me watching them. I wasn't sure what he got off of me, but I was glad he probably understood where my mind was. I simply winked at him and went to help start cleaning up.

And was immediately told future queens don't clean up events. Brats.

So I was a brat back and reminded them that I was still only a princess, and a princess helped with the events all the way to the end. I batted my eyelashes at the gobsmacked people and carried the empty trays and platters to the cart.

If nothing else, it made room for more dessert to be brought out.

Nice.

I received a lot of praise for the event, but I made sure people understood that it was Lucca and Neldor mostly. That I just gave the approval and orders so it could happen. They seemed shocked that I would be so fair? I wasn't sure but I tried not to take offense and simply accept they were used to people in power being hungry for praise.

It made sense in my head.

Such was life.