Chapter 41

Keir

She was lucky we had somewhere to be. Walking in on Lillian between my brothers had been unexpected, but it was captivating, watching her body used as she shattered under the pressure of her orgasms. Our telepathic connection had never had a more erotic use than in that moment.

Knowing she could see what I was seeing—her mouth around Aiden while Nicholas pounded into her from behind—was unlike anything I'd ever felt. The usual feelings of jealousy and possessiveness I felt when the twins doted on her were missing, replaced by a pure, carnal desire to watch her find euphoric pleasure, and that she did.

Lillian put the dragon on her nightstand in our room, as I'd offered. I felt a little guilty for keeping everything separate, but I wasn't ready to fully share her, not when there was still such a big secret hanging between us. I knew she probably wanted to keep it in her room, the one she shared with the twins, but I was thrilled when she agreed to leave it here.

The glassblower had been more than happy to fulfill my request when I visited, having owed me for helping him restore his shop to its former glory. He'd used my money well, and according to him, he was doing even better than before.

Once Lillian was dressed in a rather revealing, tight-fitting little black dress and a pair of dangerous-looking heels, we met the twins at the elevators.

"Damn, baby," Nicholas whistled.

"You look amazing, little one," Aiden followed up.

She blushed, and the smile that adorned her face made my chest swell. Seeing her happy made me the happiest man alive, and if it took all three of us to accomplish that, then that was what our girl would get.

"Dressing up for us, baby?" Nicholas asked as he grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it before gracefully pulling her in for a kiss. He even topped it off with a dip. I fought rolling my eyes, but I knew she loved his sweet gestures, which she proved with her adorable laugh.

"Is it too much?" she asked us once she was upright.

Aiden grabbed her hand and pulled her to him for a kiss of his own. "Not. At. All."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "I want to look powerful and sexy." She looked at all of us. "Don't let me fall, okay? I am not used to these… torture devices," she said as she lifted one of her heel-covered feet off the floor.

"We won't let you fall, princess," I assured her before grabbing her waist and kissing her hard enough to bruise her lips.

Ouch! she yelled at me in my head.

So that you'll be thinking of me all day , I replied, keeping my lips sealed against hers.

Nicholas cleared his throat.

"Hail Satan, it's like we've all swapped spots," Aiden said. "I know it's hard to keep your hands off our girl, especially looking like that, but we can't be late."

I pulled away from her reluctantly, knowing he was right. We had places to be, and as much as I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to our room so I could bury myself inside her, we needed to leave.

Lillian's eyes were sparkling as we loaded into the elevator. She was much more confident and bubblier, even though we were headed into the lion's den, talking our ears off in the car on the way over. None of us minded. We were happy to listen to her talk about dirt if that's what she had on her mind.

The air was charged when we exited the elevator in the office building. Lillian didn't need us to lead her to the conference room this time. This time, she walked fast, her heels clicking down the hallway, the three of us right behind her, as if we were her loyal guard dogs, ready to bite anyone who so much as looked at our woman the wrong way.

She paused for a millisecond at the doors before shoving them open— hard , making two guards scramble to grab them before they slammed into the walls. They held them open for us, Lillian leading the way to the four cushioned chairs sitting side by side like we'd had set up last time.

I fought a chuckle as every single councilman gave her the side-eye. I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd all been subjected to my father's foul mood these past few days, thanks to her completing his first trial.

Lillian sat in one of the seats and crossed her legs, making a point to look every councilman in the eyes as she scanned the room. It was a total 180 from the first council meeting, and to be honest, it was fucking hot watching her demand the attention of everyone in the room without uttering a single word.

I took the single seat to her left side while the twins sat on the other, Aiden on the end. I fought the urge to put my hand around her or on her thigh, not wanting to ruin the image she'd clearly set her mind on portraying today. I was content to sit beside her; I'd be the one taking her home and making her moan my name as I took her from behind anyway.

"You're lucky there are people in here. That's the only reason I'm able to keep my hands off you," Nicholas whispered to her, though he was loud enough for all three of us to hear.

Lillian didn't acknowledge him outright, but she was fighting a smile, biting down on her lip while her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink.

Aiden leaned in from his seat. "Agreed."

I tipped my head to the side, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I doubt they'd mind the show, princess. I've been dying to be inside you all morning."

That one broke her. She shook her head, her tongue coming to the top of her open mouth. "I cannot believe you three. I am trying to intimidate people here. I can't do that when I am thinking of you all fucking me." She said the last part even quieter than the rest of her words, making sure no one could hear her.

"So you do want all of us to fuck you?" Nicholas asked her, a cheeky grin spreading on his face.

"At the same time?" Aiden added, sporting a similar smile.

Instead of answering them, she looked over at me, as if she wanted me to answer for her. My heart pounded hard against my ribcage. I was caught off guard, not intending for the teasing to come to a discussion about me actually sharing her during sex.

Before I could attempt to voice any type of answer, the doors swung open, silencing the whispers of everyone in the room.

Father.

He arrogantly strode into the room, greeting each of his councilmen with a nod before acknowledging us. His eyes lingered on Lillian, which irritated the fuck out of me. I didn't like how he looked at her, like she was nothing.

But she was everything, and she would be his undoing.

"I've got places to be, gentlemen. Let's move this along. As you all know, the second trial must be decided today." He motioned to one of his men, who handed him the bag he'd used at the last meeting. "For everyone's convenience, I kept the notes from the previous meeting, so I shall draw the trial now."

He wasted no time reaching into the bag and withdrawing a piece of paper. He handed the bag back before opening the note, and I wanted to shout at him to hurry up and read it.

I felt my entire world halt as we waited for him to reveal the next trial. A million scenarios of what horrors he could announce ran through my mind.

I didn't realize I'd been wiping my hands on my pants nervously until Lillian's hand landed on mine. She wrapped her fingers around me, her thumb stroking the back of my hand. I squeezed her fingers, the feeling of her bringing a calmness over my body.

Breathe , her voice sounded.

I should be telling you that , I teased.

She squeezed my hand tightly, and I clung to her like my life depended on it.

Father cleared his throat. "Can you swim, human?" he directed at Lillian.

At first, she seemed caught off guard at his question, but then she composed herself and said, "I can, Your Majesty ."

I held back a snort, amused at how she addressed him, wondering where this woman came from and if she knew what she was doing. He was not one to be trifled with.

His jaw ticked as he worked to keep his poise. "Good," he said with annoyance. He flattened the paper out in front of him. "The second trial is to dive into the Lake of Hell and retrieve a seahorse egg from its nest."

Lillian looked confused as she processed his words, not that anyone could blame her. Not letting the confusion remain too long, she gathered herself, gave him a smug smile, and nodded.

She fucking nodded at the king of Hell.

I was under a spell, unable to look at anything but her with my beating heart in my hand, falling more in love with her by the minute. The expressions on the twins' faces assured me I wasn't the only one. They were staring at her too, watching her face off with Satan himself as if she was looking at a random person on the street who dared to look at her .

Watching this once timid, apprehensive woman look at Satan like he was a nuisance did unexplainable things to my body. I wanted to throw her up against the window and claim her body right here, right now, not sure I'd have the patience to clear the room first. It was intoxicating watching her handle herself like this.

I'd spent so much time being afraid she'd get too independent to need me, I didn't stop to consider just how hot it would be to watch her hold her own while I sat back and enjoyed the show. I wanted to sink to my knees for her, beg for her attention like it was the oxygen I needed to breathe.

My attention was stolen by my father, who was walking around the table, headed right for our girl. Instinctively, I stood, ready to protect her. The twins did the same. Nicholas stood next to me, Aiden back with Lillian, his arm wrapped around her.

Our father laughed while he shook his head. "I'm not going to kill her… yet ." He motioned for us to move, but our feet remained glued to the floor. I snarled at him, ready to tell him he could fuck off for all I cared. He wasn't getting close to Lillian.

Suddenly, I felt Lillian's hand land on my shoulder. "It's okay."

We parted for our queen, and she stepped forward, only a few feet separating her from one of the most dangerous creatures in Hell. Her face was stone-cold, glaring him down, but I could feel her. I could feel the small flame of fear masked by a stubbornness to appear strong. It was working.

He looked beyond pissed off, his usual intimidation tactics not working as well as they had before. He couldn't read her, had no effect on her. He had the disadvantage, even though she was the one he was trying to sentence to death.

"How did you do it?" he asked her quietly, his lips pressed into a tight line once he finished speaking. His heavy breathing was audible.

"Do what?" she asked him, amusement lilting her voice.

You're getting to him, princess, and it's comical, but tread lightly. We are in his playing field right now , I warned her. I loved seeing him get all worked up, but I also knew we were outnumbered should he decide to attack.

His eyes blazed with an unbridled fury, jaw ticking. He pointed a finger at her, nearly poking her face, but she didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. "You cheated at the last trial, girl. I want to know how you did it."

Don't tell him anything , I thought to her.

Duh , she answered. Do you think walking out now would be going too far?

My face cracked, and my father took notice. He diverted his attention to me, confused and angrier than before. "What's so funny, son?" His face was turning red, and before I could react, he grabbed Lillian by her throat.

I took hold of his wrist and twisted it, wrenching him away from Lillian. She fell back against the twins, gasping for breath. I wanted to check on her, but I couldn't turn back. An unexplainable rage had bubbled over. He'd fucking touched her, hurt her. I wanted to kill him.

His guards rushed behind him, swords drawn and ready to protect their king. I kept my hands down at my sides, squeezing my fists tightly, trying to reign in my shadows.

"Don't ever fucking touch her again," I spat in his face.

His eyes narrowed. "This is not like you, Keir. You're letting that girl get to you. This is why you'll never be a good king. One stupid human girl waltzes in, and you're just as weak as she is."

I couldn't bear the insults he threw her way. "She's so much more than that," I gritted out, instantly regretting my words.

His eyes widened, and he smiled as he looked past me at Lillian and then to me again. "I see." He considered something for a moment. "I'd wondered why she looked so well today, considering how she was when you carried her useless, limp body back home." He chuckled. "You bonded with her, didn't you?"

I didn't answer him, refusing to play his game. He found hilarity in my silence, laughing even harder. His guards and councilmen began to laugh with him. Rage was now spilling from me, coating my skin and pooling at my feet. I had to get control of myself before I got us into trouble.

"That won't do," my father chided. He snapped his fingers at his guards as he said, "Grab her. I'm done playing games."

She screamed, and the twins stepped in front of her as they protested. I stepped in front of them before the guards could get close to her, not daring to glance back in case they tried to catch me off-guard.

"You can't hurt her…" I half-yelled, half-pleaded.

My father looked intrigued. "And why not?"

I took a deep breath.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you , I thought to Lillian.

What are you tal —

"She's my destined love," I said with a heavy heart.

I heard her gasp, and the twins cursed under their breaths.

"You idiot," my father spat at me. "You bonded with your human destined love? A human who is going to die in a few short days? Do you realize what her death is going to do to you? How much it's going to destroy you?"

"She isn't going to die," I said as I backed up closer to her. She was standing between the twins now, a mixture of hurt and confusion on her face. "She's going to destroy you, and there's nothing you or your army can do about it." I took great pleasure in the expression that crossed his face, too many emotions to pick out just one. I laughed an evil, wicked laugh, knowing his end was coming soon, and it was going to be by the hand of my destined love.

"GET OUT!" he shouted, anger taking its hold of him.

"Gladly," I said before spitting on the floor in front of him.

Our girl had given me the courage to stand up to the man who'd ruined my life, and it felt freeing to grab her hand and lead her out of his fucking building. Things were changing; I was changing, and it left me with a drunk, euphoric feeling.