His shoulders were broad. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. He had similar tattoo type markings to Coal, only his were silver instead of gold. From what she could gather, that meant that he wasn’t of royal descent.

Coal growled low in his throat. It sounded like a warning. “Flame.”

“Relax, my lord.” Flame closed the door behind him. He held clothing in his hands. Thank god he was wearing a pair of blue, cotton pants. They reminded her of lose fitting yoga pants or the type of garment a martial arts person would wear. His smile didn’t falter. “I won a female. Her name is Pauline.” He took a step towards them and handed Coal the clothing.

She felt Coal relax as he took the pants. He put them on, one pants leg at a time. Thank god! Not looking, down there, was becoming difficult. Not that she wanted to look, it’s just well, she was a woman and he a man and he was naked and hung and… thank god he was dressed.

Flame patted Coal on the back. “I would never try to take what is yours.” Flame looked at her for the first time. “I am Flame.” He extended a hand and Coal growled. He sounded like a pissed off lion or bear. A big, vicious man-eating beast.

She elbowed him. “Stop it!”

“Ignore him.” Flame winked at her. “He’s going to be very possessive of you until he claims you fully.”

Julie swallowed hard. What did that mean? Forget it, she didn’t want to know. She took Flame’s hand and shook it. “I’m Julie.” She smiled and Coal growled louder. She elbowed him again but it was like knocking her arm against a slab of stone. Pointless.

Coal sniffed loudly. He chuckled. It came out sounding raw and deep. “You’re looking relaxed and happy. Where is your female?”

Flame smiled some more. His cheeks reddened. “She is sleeping in my chamber. I think I wore her out.”

“You claimed her fully so soon?” Coal sounded shocked. He was frowning.

Flame nodded. “I am a handsome son of a bitch. I know my way around a human. Pauline is a”— he huffed out a breath—“beautiful, sweet female. I am so lucky to have her. I cannot wait for her belly to swell with our child.”

Julie pulled out of Coal’s embrace. He tried to pull her back against him but she slapped his hand away. “I thought you guys weren’t allowed to use force.”

“What is your female talking about?” Flame looked at Coal.

“Firstly, I’m not his female.” She almost stomped her foot.

Coal snarled. “I told you to be very careful about what you say. Do you want to be fair game? I will not be able to fight them all off and someone else will take you from me. You are mine, Julie. Mine. I won you.”