Mated To The Vikens (Interstellar Brides Book 8)(21)

“You’re mine now, Sophia.” Gunnar’s words had Sophia turning to face him.

“What’s the VSS and why do they want Leah dead?” She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Don’t worry. You will.” Gunnar lowered his mouth and claimed Sophia’s lips in a display of blatant ownership that made me ache to step forward and join them.



***



Sophia



Gunnar’s kiss made me burn. Even now, three hours later, I could taste his lips on mine, feel the strength of his arms as he’d held me trapped in his embrace.

I should have screamed or kicked or something. Anything but what I did. Which was melt into his arms like a weak fool and open my mouth for his conquest.

And now? Now, I was in some kind of royal palace, surrounded by more servants than the freaking Queen of England. At least twenty women were in the bedchamber. Some cleaned, some decorated with flowers and candles until the room looked like a fairy tale in the making. I’d been soaked and fed, massaged and braided. My hair was in an elaborate set of braids and coils arranged with beautiful orange flowers. The rags I’d been wearing had been replaced with a long, beautiful gown the color of burnished copper. It draped over my body, hugging every curve as if it were made for me.

I looked like a princess. But the butterflies in my stomach would not stop fluttering about. And as the maids began to disappear, one by one, my anxiety rushed into my throat.

I knew what was coming. My three mates, who were eager to claim me. These women were making me perfumed and perfect for them.

For their taking.

Three mates. At the same freaking time.

Holy shit. What had I gotten myself into?

Even as the thought passed through my body with a shiver of panic, my pussy grew wet, my breasts heavy. Memories from the bride processing center swirled in my mind, but this time, I had names and faces to put on the men touching me, fucking me, bringing me pleasure.

I’d been matched to all three of them. It was unheard of on Earth. Sure, there were threesomes -- or foursomes -- but that was just sex. A bucket list item to check off. I hadn’t even found one man I’d liked enough to keep around on Earth. But three? Forever?

I kept thinking that, over and over, as the women had worked on me as if I were a small child being dressed for a party.

Without doubt, each of my mates made my breath hitch and my pulse race. They were huge, handsome warriors. And soon, their complete attention would be on me.

I had survived the Corellis. I’d survived the transport mix-up and an asshole a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier trying to kill me. I could survive wild, three-man sex with Viken warriors who worshipped my body, who wanted nothing more than to win my heart and bring me pleasure.

Assuming that was, indeed, what they wanted. With Rolf and Erik, I was fairly confident. But Gunnar frightened me on a fundamental level I could not explain. He made me nervous and unsure. And it wasn’t just the tattoo on his wrist. No, it was the way he watched me, the way his gaze locked onto me like a predator’s, with complete focus.

He looked at me like he owned me, could do anything he liked with my body. And as much as that scared me, it excited me, too. I was afraid of him, but even more afraid of myself. Because after that one kiss, I wasn’t sure I would be able to refuse him anything. Anything at all. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to.

Alone in my room, I walked to the balcony overlooking the royal gardens below. Leah had explained that this was the royal fortress at Viken United, an island stronghold straight out of a medieval tale of knights and fair maidens. The castle was massive, and this room and the apartment suite attached to it was now mine. Forever.

Leah assured me, even if I did not choose to accept my mates, if I were to reject the match and choose another, this place would be mine as long as I lived on Viken.

And since there was no going back to Earth, like ever, that assurance settled me more than I’d thought possible.

Having the Queen of an entire planet on my side was proving to be pretty damn nice. Earth girls stuck together, even if we weren’t on Earth.

I walked to the chest-high rail and propped my arms on the edge. Below me, vast gardens spread in the center of the castle courtyard. Completely surrounded on all four sides, the gardens were the Queen’s sanctuary. Trees and flowers similar to those I’d seen in the forest stretched out below. I was on the fourth floor and could trace the many trails and gathering places down below. It was no Central Park, but it was more than big enough to wander in for hours. To escape.

I felt them before I heard them, their presence behind me sending a shiver down my spine.

Taking a deep breath, I turned, placing my back to the railing, and inspected the three men who were now mine standing before me. Big, so big.