Page 63 of Sky of Thorns

“Oh really? Because you missed a spot, here.” Aramis trails a finger up my arm, then over to circle around my right breast. I gasp at the light touch.

“Oh?”

“And here.” He kisses at the hollow of my neck. I exhale long breaths, trying to engage my core. My legs tremble but I shall not falter.

“And you, Aramis?” I manage, as I look him in the eyes. “What about you?” I lift my other arm to try and get an edge on him, but he grabs my wrist pinning both arms against the rock edge. His body presses into me, and all of his hardness molds into my softness. I tilt my hips up–just to drive him as wild as he’s driving me crazy. He groans, returning the favor as his body presses back against mine.

Aramis’ blue eyes pierce into mine. “You are going to drive me past my restraint,” Aramis growls.

Good.I grin at him salaciously, and Aramis leans down to kiss me, but it's savage. He nips my mouth and I open, kissing him just as hard. Our tongues dance together, eliciting groans from both of us. Aramis sucks my tongue and I cry out, grinding my body against him.

“Sybil darling,” Aramis growls in my ear. “You little minx. Put your hands on the pool’s edge and don’t let go.”

I laugh in delight at how tortured he looks. Aramis looks the way I feel; insane with desire. The unfinished business between us is slowly driving me mad.

“Why?”

“Don’t you know?” Aramis sends a torturous wind across my breasts, and I groan. “You need tending to. Now, do as I ask.” I obey, my hands gripping the edge of the stone. He begins his ministrations, gently cleaning my skin and hair free of glowing goo and lichen powder. His touch lingers everywhere on my body. My thin gown clings to my body under the water, the slight luminescent glow leaving not much to the imagination.

“Do you want your reward for being an obedient, good girl?” Aramis brushes a chaste kiss against my lips.

The prince has completely surprised me. As much as a logical part of my mind screams to take caution with how fast things are moving between us every fiber of my being acts as if it belongs to him, is drawn to him. With his every touch, my magic sings in my veins. Is this what love is like? Or is there something magical and intoxicating about these cerulean, luminescent hot springs?

“Oh, I get a prize?” I lean into the kiss, grinning as I completely give in. “Something better than a kiss?”

“You want this reward.” Aramis promises. I hum in agreement as Aramis presses me against the pool’s edge. His hands lift my legs around his waist, and we’re aligned perfectly. Aramis groans as our bodies press together, and then moves his hands up, sliding a hand behind my head and crushes his lips to mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him. Aramis’ other hand trails lazy, slow, tantalizing circles down my chemise until it reaches my waist. He kisses down to my earlobe, nuzzling against the side of my neck. I writhe against him, my skin buzzing and sensitive between the lapping waters and his caress and I gasp. I need more.So much more.

“Aramis,” I plead as he pauses and pulls back, eyes roving my face. The side of his lips curling up as our bodies shift and he slides a leg between mine. I push down on his leg, just to chase the sensations of pleasure building inside me.

“Not yet,” he says, tugging at the back of my head until I arch towards him. The cool air brushing against my chest as it breaches the surface. He leans forward and flicks his tongue against one sensitive pebbled nipple before turning and giving attention to the other. Hands travel further towards my core, gently stroking me. A moan escapes my lips as I arch further into his touch. His whisper is a rumble against my skin. “I want the moment I finally take you to be perfect, Sybil, because that’s what you deserve. Not here in the middle of nowhere. I want you splayed in front of me on the softest of beds worthy of you,” Aramis whispers like a prayer but despite his promise, the wicked grin on his lips tells me he is not ready to let me go. His fingers stroke my core with newfound intensity and I flex my hips a bit more, grinding against his touch as pleasure keeps rising within me. Aramis groans, flicking a tongue in a tantalizing circle around my nipple. “You are so beautiful when you lose control,” he says as our lips crash back together and I realize I have never felt more in tune with my body or more alive.

“Oh Aramis,” I cry as his fingers slide inside.

“That’s it Sybil, let go my love,” and as those words leave his lips, the crescendo reaches its peak and I fall into a sea of pleasure that washes over me, wave after wave. I hold onto Aramis even after my heartbeat returns to his normal rhythm, scared of what my body will feel like away from his warmth now that he’s imprinted on my soul.

Aramis moves a wet strand of hair from my forehead and I start blushing when he gently kisses my cheek. “You stunning creature,” he says with adoration and I hide my gaze from him. “Let’s get out of here before we get a cold.” As I nod in agreement, Aramis pulls himself out of the water. My eyes rove his muscular body and the way his undergarments cling to his wet skin. He swipes my cloak off our pile of bags before holding it out to me.

“Thank you,” I accept gratefully, wrapping it around my body as the chill air immediately seeps into my skin, gooseflesh prickling my body.

“Here, let me carry you so you don’t get your boots wet.” Aramis says as he sweeps me off my feet. I lay my head in the crook of his neck, inhaling his deep rich scent. The warmth of his body radiates into mine. My skin radiates with sensation everywhere that it touches him. When we reach the cave’s entrance, Aramis sets me down on the ground near a fire. Nero must have predicted our needs, he even brought my bag in and set up my sleeping roll. The stone is warm from the fire’s radiation.

“Where will you sleep?” I ask meekly, rubbing my hands together before the flames.

“Sleep will be a long time coming for me.” Aramis stares out the opening of the tunnel to the forest beyond while adjusting his pants. “Nero and I need to talk, then one of us will stand guard while the other comes to warm up and sleep here by the fire. Don’t fret, we will return soon. Make yourself comfortable.” He kisses my brow gently before crushing my body to his. As soon as he lets go, he turns and walks out the entrance. I immediately feel the weight of his absence. I can’t get over how my body yearns and calls to him. The loss of his physical touch around me hurts. I temper my yearning with the practical settings surrounding me.

I peel my wet chemise from my body and pull a fresh clean one from my bag as I lay the other to dry.

What is happening between Aramis and I? There is now a sense of safety and content building within me when I’m in his presence.Mine, I think again and the word rings true.

The flames crackle and pop cheerfully, casting shadows that dance on the wall in the cave. It is a deep one and I can’t see the end of it from where Nero has set up the fire. He seems reassured that it is safe. Are there creatures that live in the mountains of Shadowvale like we have in Kallistar? Do these creatures steal naughty children out of their beds at night? I shiver at the memory of the night stories my parents told me to ensure I was a good child. Then I sigh, sad at the thought of their loss once more.

I roll onto my back staring at the stone ceiling. Lichen and luminescent mushrooms grow in the cracks and crevices like a star filled sky. A muffledwhumphsounds from outside of the cave mouth. I perk my ears in with listening as the expansion of the cave grows, a glittering light in the distance enticing me.

“Hello?” I call out as I roll onto my stomach. Nothing but the crisp night air and sound of crickets chirping replies.

Anotherwhumphprecedes the sound of pebbles hitting the ground, and my curiosity has officially gotten the best of me. I glance at the front of the cave, hoping for a line of vision that shows me the two males who have quickly become lines of comfort to me.

“Aramis? Nero? Is that you?” I call out as I stare at the peaceful night. Lemon starts hissing, the fur on his neck and back standing on end as he runs further into the tunnel. I step behind the fire and scoop him up into my arms, as I scramble for my dagger.

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