King of Diamonds (13 page)

Annie was intensely aware of Karn as he seated himself at the opposite side from hat-man, on the only remaining seat cushion, but she still couldn’t look at him.

She was also incredibly aware of the two naked women to either side of her, and how comfortable they seemed to be in their nakedness. Annie’s clothing was revealing, but at least she
had
clothing.

“I’m Lia,” said the blonde woman as she extended her hand and smiled as Annie took it. “We are Munchfolk from near Lord Kir’s realm.” She released Annie’s fingers and gestured toward hat-man. “That is Derk, our mayor.” And then she pointed to mouse-man. “Ront, our constable.”

Both men nodded to Annie and said almost as one, “A pleasure, Milady.”

“A pleasure.” Annie returned their nods and tried to keep her face straight. In her mind was a vision of
Alice in Wonderland’s
tea party, and the thought almost brought an absurd giggle to her lips.

Beya appeared with a tray full of pastries and cookies, along with a tall tea pot, a bottle of what looked like oil, and a bowl of starflower petals that she set before Karn. In just a matter of moments, everyone had been served and tea poured into the teacups.

“Enjoy the sharing tea,” the sprightly woman said with a wink before vanishing into so many sparkles.

Before they started eating the goodies, Karn retrieved a small votive sized candleholder with his magic. Once he set it on the table, he placed the bowl of red starflowers atop it, then poured in oil that smelled of cinnamon and spice. After he lit the candle with his magic, he stirred the oil and starflower petals.

Almost immediately the sweet smell of the blooms and spice filled the room, and Annie instantly relaxed. All tension in her body faded, and for the moment she no longer felt any of the pain that had been in her heart since she heard Karn’s words.

The “sharing tea,” as Beya had called it, was actually quite enjoyable between the delicious treats and good conversation.

The cookies tasted like chocolate mint and the pastries were filled with exotic fruits that tasted as though they’d been fermented, and warmed Annie’s belly. The tea itself had an unusual taste to it, like a mixture of licorice and caramel, and its warmth added to the slow burn in her stomach and the slightly woozy feeling in her head.

Annie hiccupped and clapped her hand over her mouth, but no one seemed to notice. Between the starflowers and tea, she felt so relaxed and uninhibited, like she could try anything in the world.

By the time the Munchfolk took their leave and vanished in a glittery puff, Annie was feeling positively delicious and so horny she didn’t care if Karn did just consider her a willing lay. Her nipples were hard and aching and her pussy tingled. She found herself staring more and more openly from Kalina to Aleana and back. One of her deepest fantasies had involved a threesome with another woman, and right now she was loose enough to try it.

Karn waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and the table, dishes, and leftover food vanished. Only the two men and three women and the cushions they were sitting on remained.

“Relax,” Kalina murmured near Annie’s ear, the feel of the sorceress breath against her cheek sending delicious shivers throughout Annie. The next thing she knew, she was partially reclined back against the cushion and Kalina was lightly circling her nipple through the thin material of her dress. Aleana took Annie’s glasses and laid them on a corner table.

Kalina slid her finger down the curve of Annie’s breast. “The
da’mea
tea will only enhance the desires that already exist within your heart and soul.” Annie caught her breath as the sorceress slid her finger near Annie’s mound. “Have you always wanted to enjoy a woman’s pleasures, along with a man’s?” Kalina asked.

“Yes.” The word came so easily to Annie’s lips that it surprised her.

“Good.” The sorceress smiled. “That is the purpose of a sharing tea. To share one’s mate.”

So that’s what this was all about—Karn wanted to share her.

Although if he intended to screw one of these women she’d kill him. Right after she fucked him.

But first she intended to drive him out of his mind.

“I have fantasized about being with a woman while a man watched.” Annie turned to look at Karn as Aleana lowered her head and flicked her tongue against Annie’s still clothed nipple.

The look on Karn’s face nearly caused her to smile. This time she could read his gaze and she could see deeper into what truly lay in his soul. It was turning him on to watch the women touch her, but at the same time it was driving him mad.

Even though he’d said what he did, he still wanted her for himself.

Lord Kir let out a low rumble of satisfaction as Kalina and Aleana stroked Annie’s body. Annie gave herself up to the sensations of the women touching her. It satisfied her immensely to know that it was driving Karn mad to watch the women, and to have another man watching them, too.

Kalina’s small fingers slipped between Annie’s thighs. The sorceress lightly kissed Annie and stroked her clit. Kalina’s lips were soft and her touch so sensual. She tasted of tea and the sweet flavor of the fruited pastries.

Annie’s head spun from the kiss and from the
da’mea
tea, but it wasn’t like being drunk at all. It was more relaxing, yet freeing her mind and thoughts from all societal restrictions.

While Kalina kissed her, Aleana slid the fine material at Annie’s neckline aside, freeing her breasts. The beautiful woman flicked her tongue over Annie’s nipple, causing her to arch her back and moan. Kalina gave a soft purr and moved her mouth to Annie’s other nipple.

Annie’s dress was up around her hips and both women were stroking her pussy now. Kalina fingered Annie’s clit while Aleana thrust three fingers into her core. She was so close, so close to coming.

“Remember, you cannot climax without Sire’s permission,” Kalina murmured.

But Annie didn’t care. Her eyes were heavy-lidded but she saw both men watching—and both were now naked, their cocks standing at rigid attention like military sentinels. Lord Kir had a fierce and predatory expression while Karn clenched his jaw and looked ready to tear the place apart.

As Annie neared climax, Karn’s dark gaze met hers. The hunger and jealousy in his eyes threw her over the edge into a powerful orgasm. Heat flushed her from head to toe and her body rocked against the women’s mouths and hands.

Karn had never felt such desire, lust, and fury all at once. He could only fault himself for arranging the tea and sharing Annie, for trying to force himself back to a place where Annie meant less than she did—but he’d be damned before he would let Lord Kir near his woman.

Even as Annie’s body still quaked from her climax, Karn glared at Aleana and Kalina. “See to Lord Kir’s needs,” he ordered.

Both women slipped away from Annie and immediately went to Kir.

Karn moved to Annie’s side and growled. She kept her face away, ignoring him. He growled again, moved between her thighs and caught her face in his hand. He was determined that she would know who she belonged to. “Look at me, kitten,” he demanded. “Watch me fuck you.”

Her brown eyes were wide as he thrust his cock into her core and held still. She gasped as she stared up at him, her body trembling beneath his.

Behind him he heard the sounds of sex from Kir and the women, soft moans and sharp cries.

Karn focused his entire attention on Annie. “You are mine, kitten.” He growled and was tempted to release his
tigri
pheromones to ensure she would scream with need for him. “No one is to ever touch you again.” He gritted his teeth. “Do you understand?”

Annie seemed to struggle with herself for a moment.

Karn expected a lash from her tongue, full of anger for his insulting words earlier. He steeled himself, trying to decide about punishment versus silent acceptance—but even as he watched, Annie’s face changed.

It was as if she had squeezed her anger into a fine diamond, then released the hardness, leaving only light radiating from the soft lines of her face.

She writhed beneath him as though trying to take him deeper. “I understand you,” she whispered. “And I need you, Karn.”

Stunned, intrigued, he began moving his cock in and out of her tight channel. While he fucked her, he sucked on first one nipple, then the next. Annie cried out with one orgasm, then another, but still he drove her on. He wanted her to only remember the pleasure
he
had given her and none other.

“I can’t take anymore,” she said, her voice trembling from yet another orgasm.

“You can and you will.” Karn increased his strokes, his bollocks slapping her ass as he fucked his woman even harder.

His eyes locked on Annie’s—

The orgasm that slammed into him took him by complete surprise. He hadn’t intended to climax yet, but the way she was looking at him drove him over the edge. A roar rushed from his chest and his bellow filled the room as his come filled her core. She came again, her soft cry making his orgasm even more powerful.

When he had emptied himself into Annie, Karn scooped up her limp body and held her tight to his chest. Without a backward look to the man and women still in the tea room, he exited and carried Annie through the mansion, up the staircase, and to her room.

His jaws ached from clenching his teeth. His muscles felt banded, and his heart ached and rattled in his chest. Such sensations distressed and angered him.

He was losing control of himself.

Something he absolutely could not—would not—
must
not do. Not now, and not ever. A childish part of him wanted to blame Annie, but he knew where the true fault lay. Even more, he knew whose responsibility it was to regain that safe, careful control.

After all, his will protected Annie as well as himself, didn’t it?

Besides, our time together has become too distracting. I am a King first, above all things, loyal to my realm and my brothers. Yes. It is too distracting. Problematic, messy, dangerous—I will only break her heart, hurt her worse than I did today.

Distance was the only answer.

Karn knew he had to put space between himself and his future Queen.

Chapter Nine

Karn was gone.

When Annie woke the day after the tea party, Beya had informed her that he’d left and the housekeeper hadn’t known when the King would return.

That was two Tarok days ago, and Annie was miserable. Today she was wandering through the mansion, its shadows and darkness only adding to her bleak mood. She was wearing the most conservative clothing she could find, which happened to be one of Karn’s black shirts. Even though she had a generous figure, his shirt was so big on her that it fit like a dress, but was far more concealing than any of the sheer outfits in her trunk.

The only problem was the shirt smelled like him, the warm musky scent making her heart break just a little more.

After the “sharing tea,” she’d fallen asleep, alone in her own bed once again, but hoping Karn had realized he did care for her.

So much for hope.

Where had he gone? She hadn’t seen Kalina since he left, and a part of her felt sick inside at the thought of the sorceress sharing his bed. It may be the way of his world, to have a mistress or two, but it would never be a part of hers.

Annie trailed her finger along the dark wood-paneled wall in a section of the mansion she hadn’t explored yet. It was darker in this wing, with no candles burning in the wall sconces. A large window was at the end of the hallway, but with the constant dreary rain outside, only gray light spilled into the corridor.

As she walked along the flagstone tiled hallway, Annie made no sound at all. The tiles were cool beneath her bare feet and she wished for the thousandth time that she knew where her clothing was. She could sure use her jeans and her own T-shirt.

Yesterday Beya had told Annie this wing was an unused portion of the mansion, but Annie still knocked before opening each door to peek inside. She’d seen several bedrooms, all with dust covers over the furniture, hiding whatever lay beneath them. She’d also come across a room with fine swords, daggers, and lances displayed on its walls, and it had a couple of leather packs in it that were similar to the backpacks she used to cart her books in while she was going to college.

When she reached the end of the hallway, she peered through the pane and saw a magnificent view of the ocean at the foot of the black cliffs. Like in her painting of the mansion, waves pounded the imposing cliffs in a relentless battle of water versus stone.

The memory of her walk along the beach made her heart ache even more. She turned her thoughts to the great body of water that reminded her of home. After Karn had taken her with her hands braced against the rocks, they had walked along the sand barefoot. She had been delighted that the water was warmer than the cold ocean around San Francisco.

A knot twisted in her belly as she watched wave after wave crash against the cliffs. Surprisingly, she had enjoyed her stay at the mansion, up until the sharing tea. Now she was homesick, missing Awai, her apartment, the classes she taught, and her art. Her cousins.

Several times Annie had considered leaving the mansion and searching for her cousins on her own. The only thing that made her nervous about the journey was the stories she’d been told about the marsh. Likely the tales of a marsh monster were meant to intimidate and keep her from leaving the mansion. Other than the boggy-man stories, no one seemed to want to give Annie any information about much of anything at all, and it was driving her crazy.

But what was driving her the most insane was the way that her body craved Karn’s touch.

Annie closed her eyes. She could see so clearly his strong angular jaw, the passion in his ebony eyes, his large muscled frame and powerful chest. Even the scars across his chest made him even more striking. She shifted and the tunic she was wearing rubbed against her nipples and she bit her lip to hold back a moan.