Page 81 of The Sorrow of Shadows

I know what this place means to him; the memories he shared with my father here. I’m flattered and excited that he would want to share it with me in person.

After a few more minutes of walking–my feet starting to sting from traipsing over twigs and rocks barefoot–we reach the tree he described to me our night at the tavern.

“Welcome to my first home away from home, Princess,” Aurelius says with a soft smile.

I marvel at the sheer size of the tree. He didn’t overestimate its size; if anything, he underplayed it. It’s massive, and I wonder how it’s the only one of its size in the woods. The others surrounding it are large and show signs of weathering that would suggest they’re just as old, but none compare to the beast in front of me. I estimate it to easily be a hundred feet in diameter.

Carved in the trunk is a staircase that spirals up the side, leading to the place where the branches begin. These are thesteps that my father carved with his magic. I lay a hand on them, feeling how smooth and perfect they are. They are not quite natural, but they are still a part of the tree through the help of his Gift.

“This is magnificent, Aurelius,” I say in awe.

“Just wait until you see the top.” He grins, tugging on my hand to accompany him.

I follow him up the smooth steps until we reach the top, roughly thirty feet in the air. Thick branches shoot out in all directions around us, but in the center is a space carved out into the perfect hideaway for a young Aurelius. It’s probably twenty feet wide in both directions, the branches forming a smooth and mostly flat floor to walk across. More branches curve around the top, creating a cave of sorts; like a chrysalis made of tree limbs.

It's probably seven feet in height, leaving just enough room for adult Aurelius to stand easily. He pulls me into the center, a wide smile on his face. I turn in circles, looking up and in all directions to marvel at the beauty of this place.

“My father did all of this?” I ask in astonishment.

He nods. “All of it. He was truly talented. The most talented I’ve seen with his particular Gift. Never tell your mother this, but his power to manipulate earth was stronger than hers. Though she possesses all the elements, his control over this particular one was much stronger.”

My father’s other Gifts, that very few knew about, were astral projection and the ability to speak telepathically. It allowed him the ability to hear others’ thoughts if the person near him was unable to shield their minds or keep from broadcasting their thoughts. It was his control of three powers that made him such a good match to marry the princess of Rimor, making him the King. We kept that knowledge limited to very few individuals, though.

“Gods, it’s magnificent,” I say, my voice full of reverence.

“It’s still only the second most magnificent thing he’s ever created,” Aurelius says quietly.

“What’s the first?”

He wraps an arm around my lower back, pulling me into his chest and using his other hand to tip my chin up. Aurelius stares intently into my eyes as he whispers, “You.”

I thread my fingers into his hair and claim his lips softly. The kiss is different from every other kiss we’ve shared. It’s soft and full of emotion, creating a sweet juxtaposition to our usual kisses' normal fire and passion. His lips massage mine tenderly, his tongue tracing my bottom lip.

Our kiss gradually turns more heated as he nips my bottom lip, eliciting a soft whimper from me. I use my grip on his hair to deepen the kiss, my tongue meeting his and exploring his mouth. I break from the kiss to trail my lips down his jaw, then his throat, eventually reaching his exposed collarbone.

His fingers trail down my ribs, sending goosebumps across my flesh as he reaches the underside of my breasts. The pad of his thumb circles my nipple, making it harden beneath his touch.

I alternate my kisses with bites and eventually suck the skin into my mouth, desperate to taste him. He reaches down the front of my dress and pulls it to expose my breast. Rough fingers pinch and grab my nipples, twirling them in a delicious motion that has warmth building in my core.

I roll my hips against him, begging for more sweet friction to ease the ache between my legs. He pulls the dress down my shoulders and exposes both of my breasts.

“These are so fucking perfect; I could spend hours playing with them,” he groans.

I smile and trail my lips further down his chest, slowly dropping to my knees before him.

“I need to taste you, Aurelius.” I open the fastening on his pants and work them down his hips, his heavy erection bobbing out to meet me.

“Fuck, Princess. You have no idea what it does to me when you say these things,” he pants.

“Oh, I think I have an idea.” I smirk before trailing my tongue along the underside of his cock. My tongue circles his tip in teasing laps before I finally wrap my mouth fully around him.

He moans loudly, and I hollow my cheeks, sucking him in deeper.

“Fuck, little demon. Your mouth feels like heaven.”

His words of praise heighten my arousal. I feel the wetness spreading between my thighs, working its way down.

I move my mouth up and down his cock, increasing my pace as I go. I wrap one hand around his balls and squeeze them gently.

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