Chapter 19
Ella's POV
The next few days were kind of a blur going through all of Phillip's information. He must have had 200 boxes alone just on the black market.
"Why do you have all of this...aren't you just Merrick's guard?" I ask. They both look at me and I can see there is something else is going on, something I was not supposed to know.
"My father worked for the former Duke as a spy. He was a groom to the king in the early days of the revolution before he came to Greenvine. Merrick's father never really trusted his brother and after he took the throne it was worse. The king has always had secret dealing and shady circumstances surrounding him." Phillip answered.
"I'm surprised your father never told you about all of the rumors that circle the king, he lives up to his reputation," Merrick said still looking in the box of papers in front of him.
To my knowledge, he was a merciful king that clans from all over the world loved. "I was never allowed to go to court, my father said it wasn't a place for me. I always thought he meant it was only for the heir apparent and those with titles. I only just met the Queen at the wedding." I tell them
They both look at me before simultaneously yelling "good" and laughing at each other. It was good to see that Merrick had relaxed a little to the idea of us all being together. Over the past few days, I felt the bond between us grow stronger, it wasn't fully there but it was a start. After going through piles of papers and pictures we decided to take a break and have some lunch in the garden.
It was a beautiful sunny day and the flowers were all in bloom as we took our seats at the small table that was set along the edge of the roses. Mrs. Green had brought out plate after plate of delicious Mediterranean food some things that I had never tried before, being from the north we never had the same kinds of spices or the same kind of produce. Dish after dish we ate to our heart's content until all that was left was one single stuffed grape leaf. We all looked at each other and smiled as we raced towards the delicious dolma, and burst into laughter when all of our forks collided and the dolma rolled off the table. I'm pretty sure that Phillip still considered eating it until a heron swooped down and snapped it away.
After lunch, we headed back inside to continue our research only to be pulled in another direction when Merrick got a call.
"Hello?... Yes, this is.... of course." You could see the beads of sweat roll down his forehead as he waited for the person on the other end. "My King! Yes, we are coming tomorrow evening. Yes, the duchess will be joining me." he replied. Phillip and I looked at each other, then back at Merrick. We could feel the anxiousness in our chest as the king spoke. We had no idea what he was saying but it couldn't be good. "Thats not at all true! She would never do that, Your majesty." I could feel my stomach churn and I could scense Merrick's eyes on me. "Of course, My King as you command." he sits back in his chair his hand immediately covering his eyes as the call disconnects.
"What was that about?" I asked Merrick trying to get a feel for the situation. "Well, it seems as if Alpha Luca Barros has requested an audience with the king. Apparently, the new Duchess of Dashpointe has been soliciting herself to members of his pack while on vacation in Rhodes", he snarls. I hear a low growl coming from Phillip and when I turned to look at him his eyes have gone pale yellow.
"WHAT!!!" I exclaim, "Is he trying to suggest that I'm selling myself to those mutts? who would believe such a thing, certainly not the king. When he sees me, he'll be able to tell I'm pure." I'm still kind of shaken the king would take the word of a lowly werewolf over family, but like the boys had said he was an underhanded king.
"Well, that in itself presents another problem", Merrick says. I can see the worry plainly all over his face as he looks at Phillip and then back at me. "It's one of the few laws as royalty we must obey, and that is when a couple is mated, in order for the marriage to be valid it must be consummated." I feel my cheeks start to turn red and I bite my lower lip, I knew exactly what this meant.
I knew when getting married I would eventually have sex with Merrick. It was inevitable but never in a million years would I have thought that I had two mates and what that would mean in the bedroom. Phillip got up and poured us all a drink, we would need it for the conversation to come.
"So we have to have sex? Right.. Like tonight", I asked slamming the glass of Dalmore that Phillip had just poured for me. I push the glass in his direction. "I am going to need a few more of these before we get started", I chuckle. Merrick on the other hand looks terrified while Phillip is calm. "How should we go about this? I mean I have never had sex and I know you haven't either..." I blurted out, looking to Merrick. His eyes give away that he is more scared than I am at that moment knowing that Phillip would be there.
"I can leave if you'd like", Phillip says swallowing the rest of his whiskey. I grab his hand and pull him closer to me, "I would like you to stay since you're the only one with experience." I nervously let out a giggle but I know that statement wasn't for me. I look over at Merrick who was on his 3rd glass and was beginning to slur his words. "Please dont leave...we want...I want you here with us...I want you to make love to m....us", he slurs.
"This doesn't feel right" Phillp said looking at Merrick's drunkard state.
"Plleaaasseee" Merrick pouts
I count help but laugh at Merrick. I think he really did like Phillip but too much of what our society had taught him, told him he was wrong for feeling that way. Either way, it was adorable to watch him pout when Phillip said he'd have to sober up before we could start. That gave me plenty of time to get intoxicated and relax.
Tonight I would be fully mated to Merrick and Phillip and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat excited.
A few hours had passed and Merrick finally started to sober up, which made him appear more nervous. We had all gathered onto the bed in Merrick's room and Phillip had just decided to put on some music. I heard the steady strumming of a guitar before strings joined in and a deep voice followed with 'I watched you change' his voice melodic and sultry. As the song played, I felt my hips sway to the rhythm and my skin feel electrified. Phillip who was also dancing grabbed my hand pulling me into his arms. We swayed each other's embrace as we danced to the singers' words; occasionally Phillip would join in. When he sang it gave my whole-body goosebumps and I felt my heart beat a little faster with each note. I glanced at Merrick noticing he was watching us, at first thinking he was jealous. After a few minutes of careful study, I realized it was the most content I had ever seen him.
After the dance, we joined Merrick back on the bed trying our best to break the awkward tension that had now built back up once the song had ended. We sat quietly for a moment trying to gather our courage before Phillip finally set up and suggest we play a game.
"I'm not sure how that is going to help right now," I say looking at the both of them. Phillip pulls out a pair of dice I had seen him playing with earlier. They weren't regular dice, but I couldn't tell what was written on them. Taking a closer look one dice had words like kiss, rub, suck, lick and the other dice had different body parts on it. I know I didn't have any experience with sex but even this was new to me.
"We could try this" Phillip suggests. Merrick examines the dice, his eyes going wide looking at all the options. "I got them that summer we spent in the Denver Clans, and they might make things easy for you two to start off. At least with getting turned on", he laughs.
At this point, I was 4 drinks in and I felt ready, so I snatched the dice from Merrick's hand. "Let's see what I am going to do to you two". I slyly smile and let the dice loose from my grasp. The first one lands: Kiss. The other dice rolls, bouncing off the edge. I dive to catch it before tumbling off the bed myself. I see the boys sit up looking worried. I burst out laughing, "I'm fine, just a bit tipsy ," I tell them before searching for the dice. When I see it under the edge of the bed I look to see what it has landed on: Neck.
I crawl back into the bed showing the dice to them. 'Fuck it" I think to myself, my Lycan was practically drooling at the thought. I climb up and straddle Phillips's lap, his hand supporting my back and I got comfortable. I unbutton his shirt, my face turning dark shades of red as my lips prepare for touch. Bending down I take in his scent, gods does he smell good. It drove me wild and when I could no longer resist my lips pressed against his neck. His whole body felt like fire and I got distracted by the soft moan he lets out. I gently suck on the side of his neck before I take a breath. I could feel myself get aroused at his moans and when I look back up his eyes had turned that familiar yellow, I had grown to love.
I looked over at Merrick who had the same glow in his eyes and I shift myself onto his lap. I do the same unbuttoning his shirt and kissing his neck. I felt his hand grab my butt and pull me closer into him, pulling my head away from his neck. Looking into his eyes, I can feel him stiffen beneath me as he presses his lips into mine. He bit my lip instead and pulled away clearly embarrassed. I smile grabbing his face and kissing him deeper and deeper. His moans driving me wild.