Sandstone Keep rose high on its rocky promontory, overlooking a restless silver sea. Ancient stone walls glowed in the torchlight as I sprinted through the winding corridors, my heart racing. My older brother Lord Marcus, the heir to House Saltmont and this mighty castle, was thundering after me, furious that Father had named me castellan while he journeyed to the capital to meet with the dragon king for the first time since my initial name day 22 years ago.

“Lucas! How the fuck did you trick Father into naming you as castellan? You little shit—when I catch you—!”

I had not tricked Father. I wasn’t even a Saltmont. I had served our House nobly in several military campaigns, even got lucky and shot down a dragon once, but Father had truly shocked us all when he appointed me—his bastard son—to this post. By rights, the honor of serving as castellan in Father’s absence should have gone to Marcus. But Father had certainly not explained his reasoning to me before he left, and I didn’t feel like fighting with Marcus about it now. He clearly needed some time to cool down anyway and emotionally process this new information.

I quickly ducked around a corner and spotted my salvation: my secret lover Lady Vanessa, the castle’s stunning 39 year old steward and chief maid. She wasn’t really a Lady. Or even highborn. But Father had granted her that title as a courtesy after many years of faithful service to House Saltmont and Sandstone Keep. She stood in a quiet alcove with an armful of linens, wearing a fitted deep sapphire-blue uniform dress that hugged her impossibly lush figure ... full, heavy breasts straining against the bodice ... wide hips ... and creamy thighs that made my mouth water.

Without thinking, I dove beneath her skirts.

Lady Vanessa let out a soft, surprised gasp. “Lord Luke—!”

But without missing a beat, she gamely widened her stance, hiding me in her warm, dark sanctuary beneath layers of soft silk and petticoats. The world narrowed to the scent of her ... clean linen, faint lavender, and the heady musk of a woman already growing increasingly wet.

I didn’t hesitate. I pressed my face forward and dragged my tongue slowly up her slick folds. She was soaked. I licked deeper, tasting her properly, then slid two thick fingers inside her tight heat while my tongue found her swollen clit and circled it with firm, hungry strokes.