Free Tempted By The Knight (Medieval MFM Menage Romance) by Kalena Lyons Page A

allied clan—and that you would then find cause to leave us behind. And as much as it saddens us that the woman we love so dearly is about to leave our beds, we hope to remain forever by your side as your most loyal servants, warriors and guardsmen.”
    “Forever,” Eirik echoed, voice low and choked as he agreed with his brother’s proclamation.
    Astrid shook her head.
    “Aye,” she released on a sigh. “Why do you warriors always have to be so bloody dramatic about everythin’? I’m not about to marry a king of another clan—someone who in all likelihood would like to usurp my power, overtake my clan and relegate me to the role of baby maker,” she spat out this last word as though it was venom. “Nay, I wish only to marry someone who will share and enhance my power, not seize it outright, and who will treat me as an equal at all times and for all purposes.”
    With these words she stepped forward to point a loving but quite authoritative finger square in their direction.
    “I wish to marry ye!” she declared, nodding her head in strong affirmation.
    Magnus and Eirik stared at her for a long, quiet moment; then at one another for a longer, even quieter moment.
    “With all due respect, milady,” Eirik queried, tone low and uncertain, “Which one of us in particular would you like to marry? Or do you have a preference?”
    Magnus pursed his full, soft lips to adorable effect.
    “I suppose we could vie for your hand in a competition of some sort—a foot race, perhaps, or an arm wrestling match,” he mused, stroking his sculpted chin to pensive effect.
    Astrid guffawed outright.
    “You silly men,” she chortled, waving a teasing finger in their direction. “I want to marry both of ye!”
    Rendered speechless by this assertion, the brothers before her gaped outright as they considered her words.
    “With all due respect, milady,” Eirik repeated. “Would such a union fall within the laws of our land?”
    Astrid laughed.
    “I am the queen,” she declared, tossing back her chestnut brown mane to regal and dramatic effect. “I create the laws of my land. And, if you gentlemen well consent, I’d love to claim you both as my kings.”
    Magnus gaped.
    “You mean to name us both your kings?” he asked her, voice barely above a whisper. 
    Astrid nodded.
    “Indeed I do. In your time of service to me, you have more than proven yourselves as councilors, guardsmen, warriors and, um, capable consorts—yes, that’s the term. I am beyond convinced that both of you would make great kings for this land,” she affirmed, adding as she raised a pointed finger for emphasis, “I must insist, however, that you still regard me as your queen and equal at all times. I shall share my power, not relinquish it. And at all times you must show your absolute and unbending loyalty to the woman who gave you your crowns.”
    Without hesitation her loyal lovers fell to their knees before her, bowing their heads and kissing her feet as they wrapped their arms around her legs.
    “We hereby swear our eternal and unbinding love for and fealty to our blessed, beloved queen,” Magnus declared. “A queen that we are more than honored to make our bride.”
    “Aye,” Eirik agreed immediately. “We swear to serve you well as husbands, and as kings. We swear to obey your every word, abide your every command. And I am sure my brother now would agree. We’d well love to celebrate our impending union by making mad, passionate love to you.”
    “Here and now,” Magnus gasped out, staring up at her with wide, adoring eyes.
    Astrid thought a moment, then nodded.
    “I allow and approve your first executive decision as the kings of my land,” she told them, adding with a raised hand, “Do proceed with your well-conceived plan.”
     

Chapter Two
     
    Moments later Astrid remained standing stock still at the center of her ship’s deck; though, she had to note, only one of her lovers remained kneeling at her feet.
    A worshipful Eirik