Page 97 of In Violent Waves

As the crowned prince, any of his desires would be accommodated here—but being a frequent visitor didn’t hurt either.

“Are there any redheads tonight?”

She froze with her hand on his forearm. Her golden eyes narrowed before she shook her head.

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I don’t think I know anyone with red hair.”

Wilder scrunched his brow in confusion. Surely, red hair wasn’t that uncommon.

“That’s unfortunate,” he drawled, feeling a tightening in his chest.

“Is there anyone else you desire?” she purred. With no other options, she would have to do, he supposed. But he didn’t think her alone would be enough.

He scanned the crowded main hall and locked eyes with an elf that resembled the sun. Golden hair, golden eyes, and darkened skin. Her body was a close match to Lyra’s. He raised his chin in greeting, and she sauntered over to him.

The two of them would have to do to get her out of his system. They walked arm-in-arm to his usual room at the end of the second-floor hall. It was darker here. He didn’t care who saw him, but he didn’t like the eyes on his back. He didn’t like people to see the scars.

They wasted no time with formalities, and as soon as they entered the room, the nymph and the elf began undressing. Wilder took a seat in the armchair and watched as they showed tantalizing skin. He didn’t even know their names. Not that it mattered, but they knew his.

The golden elf caressed the body of the forest nymph, and Wilder watched as she sucked a nipple into her mouth. He couldn’t help but imagine what Lyra’s breasts would taste like.

They turned to him as he stood and slid off the jacket before placing it on the armchair. With a jerk of his chin, they got on the bed.

It was disappointing—Lyra would have argued.

They lay naked together, kissing and caressing, while they waited for him. He wasn’t ready, not yet. He pictured alabaster skin and auburn hair where he saw evergreen and gold.

Wilder closed his eyes and imagined the smell of a storm off the ocean instead of cinnamon and cloves. It was futile. But they were ready and waiting for him. He slipped off his boots and pants, and they descended on him.

Gliding delicate fingertips down his chest before the golden one wrapped a hand around his length. The forest nymph licked up his neck before kissing his mouth. The golden one sucked his entire cock into her mouth while she massaged his balls.

It was of no use.

They weren’t Lyra.

They took turns sucking him off before he could scent that they were completely aroused. He bent the golden one over the side of the bed while the forest nymph lay down in front of her. It was appealing to watch as she sucked her clit into her mouth and swirled her tongue. The forest nymph moaned and writhed as he pounded into the golden one. Her ass was close to the same shape as Lyra’s, so he focused on that to bring about his completion.

After he had brought them their satisfaction and they lay nestled asleep together, he slipped out of the room and down to the bar.

Maybe a stiff drink would work.

Lyra rose with the birds chirruping outside her bedroom window. She had slept peacefully. Stretching her arms out wide, her fingers grazed the teacup on her bedside table, and with a little nudge—she knocked it to the floor.

It shattered.

The sound echoed through the room.

Her bedroom door flew open, and two armed guards shoved into her room, swords drawn.

Covering her mouth with her hand, she pulled the sheets up to her chest.

“Excuse you!”

The blonde guard had the decency to look apologetic, but his dark-haired companion did not.

“Heart-eating siren,” he hissed.

She would have been offended if it weren’t so godsdamned funny.