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And oh, the look on his face as he did it! She met his gaze—amber eyes gleaming with an irresistible mix of hunger and amazement—just as he slipped a second big finger inside her, inexorably testing the pressure he’d already wound within her to breaking point …

And Lorelei detonated against him. Gold sparkles filled the air as she ripped at his uniform, pulling off that last obstacle between them and letting his buttons fly. She couldn’t stand any distance for even a second longer. She needed him—not the Empire’s famous Golden Beacon but Gerard, her beautiful, ethical, stubborn lover—now, his skin bare and hot against hers, burning her up as she pulled him to her.

She tipped her head back to meet his gaze as she yanked him that final distance—and as he surged inside her, she wrapped her legs tightly around him to seal him in place.

Birdsong sounded, high and joyful, like the pealing of bells. Somewhere in the distance, Lorelei could have sworn that she felt the whole house shudder, as if even its longstanding magical shields had felt the impact of their union …

But she could only focus now on Gerard’s wild eyes, his pupils dilating more and more as she tightened around him, until all she could see was a thin rim of amber circling that desperate black. Lorelei couldn’t look away—could barely even breathe—as he shifted his hips to move inside her with a steady, powerful rhythm that carried the resonance of holy ritual.

His hands reached for hers—and she reached up to wrap her fingers around his without breaking his gaze for an instant.

Sylvana, I beg You to forgive me. I’m no longer only Yours.

Her fingers tightened around Gerard’s as she cast up the prayer … and then all words were lost.

A long time later, she came back to herself, her body filled with golden light. Still shuddering with pleasure, she clung to him with her arms and legs, holding him close. His softly furred chest worked like a bellows against her cheek as he panted for air, his warm weight pressing her down to deliciously prolong the moment.

No worries or distant dangers could intrude in their illusory green bower …

Until the sudden rap of a fist against wood sounded much too close nearby. Lorelei startled, Gerard stiffened into a defensive crouch above her—and although Lorelei couldn’t see her bedroom door, Katrin’s voice sounded clearly through it, sharp and urgent.

“Lorelei! Your shields are down, and we have visitors approaching.”

26

“Darlings!” Lorelei caroled less than five minutes later.

It had taken a frantic scramble behind the scenes, but she was ready for her public performance just in time, sitting with her skirts spread about her on a plush, rose-velvet love seat by the fire in her favorite parlor while Ilse sewed placidly on a sofa across the room and thick, plum-colored curtains held out the winter cold. Standing just behind Lorelei with one strong hand resting atop the love seat’s gilded frame, Gerard had buttoned his uniform jacket over his irreparably ripped shirt and looked as calm and composed as if nothing extraordinary had happened to him at all.

As Katrin opened the parlor door for the intruders who’d smashed through her magical walls, Lorelei clapped with a perfect approximation of delight … and prayed that the illusion that kept her hair seemingly in place—and the grass stains off her gown—wouldn’t drop before she could rid herself of her two closest and most valued political allies. “How wonderfully unexpected to see you both!” she exclaimed. “Why, I’m so happy, I can’t even recall inviting you.”

“Ha!” The Witch Queen of Kitvaria stalked into the room, her long black hair pulled free from its usual plait to hang thick and wild about her shoulders, tangled with sticks and leaves from her own magical journey. Saskia’s crimson gown swished with every impatient step as she glowered at Lorelei in the low light. “We invited ourselves.”

“… Because you left us no choice,” finished the third Queen of Villainy. Raising a single, elegant eyebrow, the Ice Queen of Nornne looked from Lorelei to Gerard and back. “Really, Lorelei.” Sighing, Ailana slowly shook her head. “Do you have no impulse control whatsoever?”

Just like a disapproving older sister! Biting back a groan, Lorelei batted her eyelashes and sent rainbow sparkles floating through the air. “Oh dear. Was the journey here terribly difficult without any of my lovely portals to carry you? Don’t worry, I completely forgive you both for being so grumpy. Perhaps once we’ve all enjoyed some cake—”

“Lorelei!” Magic crackled like a building storm in the air as Saskia threw out her arms. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused everyone with your nonsense?”

Ugh. Behind her, Lorelei sensed Gerard stiffen. No doubt he was already lashing himself with worry over whatever was happening in the Empire without him now—and feeling damnable guilt over having actually dared to enjoy himself, for once in his life, with her.

Couldn’t they have had a few more minutes of happiness before the world came crashing in to taint everything?

Leaping to her feet, she stood before him like a shield. “Perhaps the three of us should retire to speak separately and…”

Gerard spoke at the same time, his voice a low rumble. “Ahem. Your Majesties, you may be interested to learn that Queen Lorelei has been working to all of your benefits over the past few days.”

Wait. Eyebrows shooting upwards, Lorelei twisted around. Was that what had made him stiffen up? Irritation that they were chastising her?

Gerard kept his watchful gaze on the queens across the room, but he reached across the love seat to extend one hand—and as Lorelei took it in hers, Ilse stopped sewing to let out a muffled squeal. “I knew it!” she stage-whispered to Katrin across the room.

Standing sentinel in a corner by the door, Katrin didn’t respond in spoken words … but her lips stretched into a knowing smirk.

Neither of the other two queens responded with the same cheering enthusiasm.

“Oh, gods.” Saskia groaned and clapped one palm to her forehead. “Lorelei, has it even occurred to you that the high general of our greatest enemy is not a sensible toy for you to play with and discard?”

“Gerard is no toy.” Lorelei’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as her fingers tightened protectively around his. “And—”