Page 24 of Between Two Barbarians

“If they really wanted it, they’d find a way,” Simon pointed out, raising an eyebrow in my direction. “Feigrind and I have fucked in all sorts of places. He never tells me no.”

When Jamal’s head whipped around, his eyes wide with indignation, I handed him another cup of ale and kissed his forehead to distract him. The brat, Simon, was trying to rile him up, and the only way to keep him calm was to supply him with alcohol.

Jamal took it with a scowl, spinning away from me again, but after a few sips of ale, he relaxed against me, his ire soothing as they switched topics to places around the settlement that the two troublemakers had snuck off with their bondmates for a tryst.

I’d switched between giving him water and ale to keep Jamal from getting too drunk, since I knew he’d be disappointed if we couldn’t give him the ‘dessert’ he’d asked for earlier, and Brenek would often hand him food while he was talking, encouraging him to eat without a word so he wouldn’t be drinking on an empty stomach. It seemed to be working, as Jamal was relaxed but not drunk, but I kept an eye on his intake just in case.

“So how’d you snag two anyway? I wouldn’t have thought these guys would share,” Zakai asked curiously. He’d finally escaped his bondmate’s lap, unwilling to give up the conversation just yet. He’d been ecstatic when Jamal arrived and was pleased to share a meal with him again.

Jamal shrugged, his grin a little too smug when he said, “I’m just that irresistible. Had I known you were into males, I would’ve seduced you too when you still lived in the castle. We would have had fun together.”

The reaction was instantaneous. Zakai was snatched back to his bondmate’s lap again, Uttin shooting Jamal a glare of warning, while I grabbed Jamal and Brenek turned his full attention on our troublemaker, nipping his shoulder to get his attention and ensnaring him in a kiss. I understood the urge and took my turn reminding him who he had fun with until he was dazed in my arms and no longer looking in the prince’s direction.

Simon started laughing, drawing Jamal’s attention his way. “Goddess, I like you. I don’t think when Orthorr started accepting male tributes that he realized the number of bold personalities that would join the clans. Just because we like males doesn’t make us soft.”

“Here, here!” Zakai agreed, lifting up his glass of ale.

The three shared a drink, and I started considering what options I had to get Jamal away from these two. He was going to get into trouble flirting with a clan leader’s bondmate like that.

“Sharing is one thing I won’t do with my bondmate,” Simon said once they’d settled again, returning to the subject he was curious about. “I’m selfish with his attention. How do you manage it?”

Jamal’s eyes lit up, and he leaned forward, expression eager to share his story. “Well, at first they would take turns, but last time–”

With the knowledge that all three clans that were at the settlement right now were sharing this meal, making this area incredibly crowded, I put my hand over Jamal’s mouth, leaning to whisper in his ear when he screeched indignantly. “The community fire is a gossip mill, tavi. Save these kinds of conversations for when you’re alone with your friends.”

I wouldn’t stop him from sharing, I didn't think I’d ever win that battle, but if I could encourage privacy, I would. I for one didn’t want our sex life shared with the entire clan, much less all three.

Jamal considered me with narrowed eyes, so I added, “It’s not as though you won’t talk to them again. Though, maybe it can wait until tomorrow? We still haven’t had dessert yet.”

I made my tone intentionally suggestive, and Brenek chose that moment to press a kiss against the pulse in Jamal’s neck, a sweet spot we both knew would distract him and move his attention where we wanted it.

I saw Simon’s eyes narrow as he watched us interact and hoped he’d keep his mouth shut long enough for us to get Jamal out of here.

Jamal’s eyes slipped shut, and he tipped his head, giving Brenek more room. I could feel his smile against my palm and when I released him, he tipped his head back to look at me, lips pursed for a kiss.

“Time for dessert?” Brenek asked.

“Mm. Absolutely,” Jamal breathed.

Zakai and Simon snickered, but their amusement didn’t dissuade Jamal or get him to change his mind. He allowed me to scoop him up, throwing his arms around my neck as I turned in the direction of our tent.

“Have fun!” Zakai called after him. “We want details later!”

Jamal leaned over the back of my shoulder, absolute delight in his voice when he agreed, “Tomorrow?”

“If you can walk tomorrow,” Simon replied with a laugh.

Maybe if we kept Jamal busy all night, he’d be too tired tomorrow to sneak off with those two. I just knew if I left them alone, there’d be trouble.

BRENEK

We’d been careful not to let Jamal get too drunk while socializing with his companions. Neither of us was willing to take advantage while he was in a drunken stupor, and he’d already told us how he wanted the evening to end. He didn’t even notice us feeding him and giving him water, though he’d probably notice in the morning when he wasn’t as hungover as he usually was. Eating and spacing drinks with water was how I prevented a hangover when I was needed on duty the next morning and didn’t want to be hungover while protecting my clan.

There was some alcohol in his system, but not enough to cause him to be off balance. The moment Torgrind set Jamal down in his tent, he jumped at me, pulling me down for a sloppy kiss while tugging at my trousers.

Chuckling, I toed off my boots, picking him up and distracting him with kisses while Torgrind did the same for himself and Jamal. When I laid the gorgeous male on the bed, stripping his tunic off at the same time, he arched his back, giving us both a beautiful view of the lines of his body and all that soft skin.

“I want you both,” he purred, putting his hands above his head with a sultry look that would bring any male to his knees. “At the same time.”