Then he leaned in close to her ear and spoke so quietly that Kaelith could not hear it:

"Careful... you’re going to lose this game."

The fine hairs on her ear stood on end.

’Oh god. He noticed.’

Strangely, that only made the heat inside her rise even more.

With a satisfied smile, the panther leaned back again.

Kaelith, who now also noticed the change in her, frowned.

’What did the panther say to her?’

"How about I show you what a beast husband can be good for?"

Silas’ voice carried that same rich tone again — the one that prickled across her skin and sent her senses into chaos.

Mirabelle’s pupils widened slightly.

He knew she had understood exactly what he meant.

’That’s a trap.’

"And how exactly would that be possible... without mating right away?"

Mirabelle tried to sound casual as she poured herself another drink.

"It didn’t have to start with mating."

He paused and gave her a suggestive look.

"There were... other ways to convince you."

She felt her heartbeat, frantic as it pumped oxygen through her body. Then she realized she actually needed to breathe.

’Did he really just say that?’

Suddenly, she wasn’t hungry anymore. But Silas wasn’t finished.

"You’d be surprised what I can do... without crossing that line."

Mirabelle had been so focused on him that she had forgotten the carafe in her hand. Now not only her glass was full, but the table as well. Hastily, she set it down.

Kaelith chuckled softly, drawing her attention to him.

"If you need a demonstration, I’m much more generous."

Mirabelle, who clearly wasn’t used to such remarks being made so openly — and in front of potential rivals — was close to overheating. She knew her face must be burning red.

Kaelith was fascinated by how innocent the fox female seemed. Shouldn’t beast females her age have already experimented with such things? He knew, at least, that his sisters had long explored such matters before taking a mate. Hyena females were quite demanding in that regard. And load.

Silas had similar thoughts:

’Could it be that she had never...?’

"I don’t think that’s a good idea."

Mirabelle saw only one option: To end this conversation as quickly as possible and escape.

"You’re not worried about how it works.

You’re worried you’ll like it."

Kaelith had moved a little closer and draped an arm over the back of her chair, as if he had noticed she was about to flee.

’Okay, take a deep breath. You know what sex is. It’s just this openness that’s new. But if what you remember is true, you have far more experience than these two. So show them how it’s done.’

Mirabelle gave herself a small pep talk.

And she was right. Beastmen only truly experienced sex once they mated. So she was, in fact, far more experienced.

The two beastmen, however, did not know that.

With a grin, she leaned back in her chair, startling the hyena beast.

Then she spoke again, fully in control of her voice:

"You’re both very confident for men who haven’t proven anything yet."

Silence spread slowly. It took a moment. The men tried to assess whether she had really meant what they thought they understood.

So she pushed further:

"So far, all I see is talk." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Why should she turn down a treat when it was being offered to her so openly?

A slow grin spread across Kaelith’s face.

Now Mirabelle could practically smell his desire.

And Silas, too, radiated it — his gaze almost stripping her bare.

The hyena looked like he was ready to prove, right here and now, that he was the perfect partner. And the panther opened his mouth to speak.

But Mirabelle was faster.

Her fingertips rested lightly against her lips.

"Surprise me. I want it exciting. Forbidden."

She looked at both of them sharply.

"And I want no one to know."

Her words carried authority. For a brief moment, she truly felt like a Duchess.

Then a surprised hiss escaped her lips, quickly turning into a soft purr.

Kaelith had bitten her finger — and then licked over the sensitive spot.

"Like that?"

She didn’t get to answer.

Because in that moment, Silas took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

"As you wish."

_____

"Ahhhhhh."

Mirabelle screamed into her pillow. Her feet drummed against the mattress.

What had she done?

How had she managed to give two beastmen a free pass to... who knew what.

She didn’t even fully understand what they had meant. The former Mirabelle had never actually tried the things they had hinted at — even though she knew that noble females did.

The other females of the duchy had talked about it during their tea gatherings.

Mirabelle knew from history lessons and various films and series that nobles in the Middle Ages and later had not exactly been prude.

But what she experienced and learned here was far outside her comfort zone.

She had been raised to believe that monogamy was the ultimate ideal. That sex was something kept behind closed doors. That intimate matters were not discussed in public.

She had always considered herself quite open — she talked about everything with her partners and occasionally touched on the topic with the few friends she had.

But this...

She felt completely out of her depth.

She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.

Once again, a knock interrupted her thoughts.

For the first time, she was genuinely glad to see Tara.

The servant brought her tea again, this time accompanied by red berries.

"Thank you."

Mirabelle hoped the tea would calm her nerves.

"You’re welcome. It’s my duty."

The mouse woman placed the tray on the small table between the chairs. Then she remained standing there, looking at her expectantly.

As if she wanted to say something, but didn’t quite know how.

Mirabelle raised an eyebrow, and the older female gathered her courage:

"Lady Mirabelle... may I give you some advice?"

"Of course."

She sat up straighter. The seriousness on the mouse beast’s face unsettled her.

"Silas of Umbra Vale and Kaelith of Kargwyn are both very powerful beastmen. One carries royal blood. But that is not the only thing that makes him dangerous. The other... has an unpredictable nature. He is known as a player. But one who does not lose... Because he never does."

The lynx female tilted her head.

"What are you trying to tell me?"

The mouse woman gave a tired smile.

"That you should not play with them. I fear..."

She hesitated.

"Just think very carefully about whether — and whom — you choose as your partner."

With that, she bowed and left.

Mirabelle let out a sigh.

’Too bad I already agreed to play with them.’

A/N: This time it’s a bit longer. Are you excited?

Would you prefer three Chapters a day at different times... or all at once?