The Heir Apparent - a historical why choose, rh, poly, MMF, spicy romance ✅

Chapter Twenty-Two

Anevay

The three of us fell into a sordid, steamy, almost dreamlike state of need and pleasure that was occasionally interrupted by long stints of study and courtly duties.

I truly was not sure I would have been able to continue to do the never-ending, often tedious, job that was ruling a kingdom if it were not for the forbidden private hours spent with Casimir and Riven.

Sometimes, me with each of them alone.

Other times, with all of us together.

But in every configuration, pleasure the likes of which did not seem possible was shared.

I knew, of course, that it was "wrong," that if it got out, I would likely lose all the respect of my subjects.

That did not sway me, however.

It could not.

My body craved them.

It refused to be away from them for more than absolutely necessary.

It was convenient, of course, that both men resided in my personal wing of the castle, a place only a select few were allowed to tread.

No one suspected anything untoward when the men walked down the hall where my quarters were situated since their own were in the same area.

Riven and Casimir were always sure to be the ones to remove the used sheaths from the room, leaving no trace of what we had done.

I had fretted when I was several days late for my monthlies, rushing to Casimir in a panic, worried that our constant lovemaking might have found me with child. With an illegitimate child. Of an unmarried queen.

The scandal would rock most of the known kingdoms.

"You have taken on an immense amount of stress," Casimir had reminded me, stroking my hair. "We have all been safe. Always. The sheaths not only catch the emissions, but they are coated on the inside with various fluids that prevent the emissions from working even if they should escape. We are safe, love. Do not worry. The more you worry, the later you will be."

I learned I should always listen to my physician.

Because directly after not worrying with Riven a few hours later, I finally had proof that our secret was still safe.

With that concern out of the way, we continued on. Days turned to weeks and weeks to a few months.

And, quite frankly, the long days and too-short nights were getting to me. The endless meetings and balls and dinners that were interrupted only by the unending hours of study.

It was all making me, admittedly, short-tempered and miserable to be around.

"What is it?" Riven asked as I stood on a balcony early one afternoon after spending the morning getting scolded by a frustrated Tolliver.

I could not even blame him for being frustrated. I had been a terrible student the past week or so. None of the information wanted to stick in my mind, making him need to repeat it several times until I memorized it. Even then, when he asked me hours later to recall something, I was coming back with nothing.

I did not know what was wrong with me. I could not seem to focus. It was all just... too much.

"Back before I came here," I said, looking over the bustling city below. "Ever since I was a little girl, all I dreamed of was getting out of the quiet little province I was raised in, and getting to see the city," I told him. "I wished to see the plays and visit the shops and eat at a tavern. My imagination ran wild with all the possibilities.