The Sorrow of Shadows (Crimson & Shadows #1)

Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

brEYLA

A t some point in the night Aurelius must have carried me to the guest room, because I awake there the next morning, surprisingly alone. My clothes are still slightly damp, so I dress in a spare dress left in my room by the servants.

It’s emerald green and pairs perfectly with the color of my eyes, while allowing my hair to stand out in stark contrast against it. To my relief, it’s simple, lightweight, and easy to move in with a sweetheart neckline, sleeves that come to my elbow, and a slit up the leg. Because I go nowhere without my weapons, I slide a holster onto my right thigh and slip in my dagger for easy access. It’s high enough that it’s undetectable, but still within quick reach should I need it.

I braid my hair to one side, securing it with a strip of leather, and opt for no shoes. Aurelius greets me as I open the bedroom door to leave for breakfast.

“Good morning, beautiful.” The way my heart flutters in my chest at his greeting is something I’ve never experienced before .

“When did you become so charming?” I tease, letting out a light laugh.

“Contrary to your opinion, I’ve always been charming. You are just so infuriating that you never get to see it. It’s hard to charm someone when you want to wrap your hands around their throat.”

“How am I infuriating?” I scoff in disbelief.

“From age fifteen to seventeen you insisted I bow before speaking to you just because you could. You challenged me to duels every other week, but knew I was better, so you cheated. Speaking of cheating, I’m pretty sure you cheat at cards. The first thing you did after arriving at court was insult me unprovoked and call me a devil. You challenge me at every turn, fight me every chance you get, openly flirt with others where you know I can’t react, and you made me walk home from the tavern with no pants. Shall I continue?”

“First of all, you deserved most of that. You are not better at swordplay than me, and I definitely don’t cheat at cards. Perhaps I was a bit of a handful when I arrived home, but you are equally as infuriating. And you definitely deserved to walk home from the tavern without pants.” I cross my arms defiantly.

“Let’s not forget the game you made of interrupting me whenever you knew I was with someone. It lasted for years.”

“ That was a game you started, ” I scoff.

“I don’t know why you can’t just admit you’re a brat.”

“I don’t know why you can’t just admit that you like that I’m a brat,” I say, grinning.

He rubs his temples.“The name ‘little demon’ could not be more fitting for you.”

“I think you need a nickname, too. I wonder what would fit,” I muse. “Grumpy uncle? That seems accurate.”

“Please no,” he says, his tone flat.

“No, you’re right, you’re a terrible uncle. Oh, I know!” I grin mischievously. “Stepdaddy dearest!” I repeat the words I had used for him with Elijah, following through on his bet to call Aurelius that to his face.

“Absolutely not,” he growls.

I know the sound is not meant to turn me on, but it does.

“What? You don’t like being called daddy ?” I drop my voice to a seductive whisper.

His eyes flare wide, and I almost see a hint of interest in them. Suddenly, he turns to face me mid-step and wraps his hand around my throat, pinning me to the wall. He shoves his knee between my thighs, rubbing right against that sweet spot in a way that has me biting my lip to keep from moaning. Leaning close to my ear, he nips my lobe before saying, “How about this? I’ll let you scream daddy in bed when the day comes that your womb swells from my child growing in you.”

My mouth drops open in astonishment at what he just said. He takes that opportunity to steal a kiss from me, his tongue diving deep and claiming my mouth like he claims everything else from me.

When he finally breaks away, I’m breathless. “Does the thought of me being with child turn you on, Aurelius?”

“The thought of you pregnant with my child, yes. Very much so,” he admits easily.

“That’s unexpected,” is all I can muster in response.

“It will happen one day, Breyla. I respect your autonomy and your decision for when you’re ready for that, which is why I’ve been taking a tonic. But I will see you pregnant with my children someday.”

With that he releases me and steps back from the wall, giving me space to breathe and digest his words. I knew someday I would have to provide heirs for the kingdom and accepted that, but I never stopped to consider if I wanted them. Though I can’t say the idea turns me on like it does Aurelius, I don’t find myself opposed to the idea of having his children.

I can almost picture their dark curls, green eyes, and light freckles. Or maybe they’d have my auburn locks and his crimson flecked dark eyes. Either way this plays out, they’re absolutely beautiful in my mind.

Shaking myself out of that daydream, I continue our walk toward the dining room, eager for breakfast. I can smell the freshly cooked sausage and pastries before we reach the room.

My mouth waters as I take in the spread before us on the table. It has everything from poached eggs, sausage, and bacon to fresh fruit, sweet pastries, and flapjacks. I eagerly sit down, waiting for everyone to join before I dig in.

“We weren’t sure what you preferred now, so we had the kitchen prepare a bit of everything,” my grandma says, smiling.

“Everything,” I reply hungrily. “I like everything.”

My grandfather chuckles. “Take after Raynor with that one. That boy could eat. Our kitchen never could keep up with two growing males with that kind of appetite.”

I laugh because he’s not wrong. I do get my appetite from my father. Most females picked at their food, while I held no such reservations. I would always gladly devour what was put in front of me. I had absolutely no shame when it came to food.

Finally, everyone is present and seated, so I begin dishing food onto my plate. I shovel a bite of sausage covered in sweet syrup, followed by a piece of a blackberry Danish into my mouth. I moan in contentment around the food in my mouth. Aurelius stifles a laugh with a fake cough, and I catch him adjusting uncomfortably in his seat.

Curious, I send my shadows under the table to crawl up Aurelius's leg. They take the shape of hands as they inch higher up his thighs. I watch his face, but it’s infuriatingly passive. He is clearly not as unaffected as he would have me believe, though, as my shadow hands find his dick rock hard beneath the table.

My lips quirk at the corner in the slightest of smirks. I hadn’t meant to turn him on, but the temptation to mess with him is too great. I use my shadows to rub slowly over his erection. His brow furrows, and he drops his fork to rub circles on his temples, as if nursing a headache.

“Are you alright, son?” Grandfather asks, noticing his discomfort.

“I’m fine, Dad. Just didn’t sleep the best.” The lie slides easily off his tongue.

“Do you need some more rest?” Grandmother offers, her tone concerned.

“No, I think I’ll be fine. I’m just going to get some fresh air. There’s actually something I wanted to show Breyla.”

They nod in understanding, dropping the subject, and I giggle internally at the distress I cause this male.

We finish breakfast in silence, and I don’t bother him anymore with my shadow fiends.

He leads me out the back of the estate, exiting through one of the servants’ entrances. We walk into the woods behind the home, the trees thickening as we travel further in. I have a feeling I know where he’s leading me, but I stay quiet.

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 the steps 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.

“Oh gods, don’t stop, Breyla. Look at you taking my cock like such a good girl.”

I increase my pace, occasionally letting my teeth graze him, since I know he too likes his pleasure laced with pain.

I take him to the back of my throat, swallowing as much of him as I can fit, and tears roll down my face from the size. At the sight of my tears he snaps, losing all restraint.

He fists my hair and uses it to guide me up and down his cock, setting a punishingly sweet pace that has more tears falling and my jaw aching.

The next moment he pulls me back, removing himself from my mouth.

“I’m about to come, but I need to feel your pussy wrapped around me first.”

He sits down, leaning against one of the tree branches that forms a wall behind him. He pulls me to him, not bothering to remove my dress, just pulling the skirt to the side. I straddle his lap as he runs a hand up my thigh to move my undergarments to the side.

“You’ve been bare this whole time?” he asks, eyes wide.

I nod and roll my hips against him.

“Fuck, the ways you find to torture me. Sit. Now. Ride my cock, Princess.”

I obey, happily sliding onto his waiting cock. We groan in unison at the connection. I take a moment to adjust to his size at this angle.

“I swear to the gods, Princess, start moving or I will throw you on your back and fuck you until it hurts.”

His command has me moving, rolling and grinding my hips against him. This position has his dick easily hitting that spot inside me that sends pleasure to every inch of my body.

I switch from rolling to an up and down motion, and Aurelius thrusts his hips from below to meet me. I’m bouncing in his lap, my breasts perfectly level with his mouth as he sucks one.

He circles my hard nipple with his tongue, then lightly bites, quickly lapping away the sting with his tongue.

“Fuck, Aurelius. I feel so fucking full. It’s hard to even breathe,” I gasp out.

“Shit, Princess. You can’t say those things when I’m buried in you. You’re going to make me finish before either of us is ready.”

“Come for me, Aurelius,” I beg, rolling my hips again.

He wraps his hands around my hips so tightly I know there will be bruises. He directs my hips against his own, hitting that earth-shattering spot inside me again and again. He slips one breast back into his mouth and moves one hand to my clit, rubbing fast circles over it.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck. Don’t stop, I’m so close,” I whimper, delirious with the pleasure he provides me.

Refusing to release my breast, he doesn’t respond. Instead, he bites down harder on my nipple, making me scream.

I feel my body tightening with the impending orgasm as I rock my hips faster and faster against him. I chase my own pleasure as I ride him relentlessly.

Finally, right before I tip over the edge, I feel his other hand circle to my back, and he slips a single finger into the wetness between us, coating his finger. Then I feel his finger slide right into my puckered hole and I can’t help but scream my release as he gently works it in and out. The foreign feeling stings slightly but isn’t unwelcome. I feel even fuller than I thought possible, and it causes euphoria to take over my body.

I’m panting as I come down from my release, finding him grinning like the cat that got the cream.

“I knew you liked it rough, Princess, but who knew you were so fucking filthy. I can’t wait to explore that little turn-on more.”

Even though I’ve just come, his words spark new arousal in me.

“That was unexpected,” I pant. “That might be the hardest I’ve ever come.”

His eyes sparkle with delight. “Then I can’t fucking wait to have my dick in that tight little ass. Gods, the way you would feel wrapped around me, clenching down on me.”

I moan at the mental picture he paints for me, throwing my head back.

“Oh shit, my filthy little demon likes that, doesn’t she?” He leans in and nibbles my neck.

He’s still fully hard inside me, not having reached his climax. I rock gently against him and nod in agreement.

“I’m going to need you to hold on, Princess,” he warns, flipping me from his lap onto my back.

Then he’s fucking me just as hard as he has before, his hips snapping against mine in a glorious, frantic pace that has another orgasm building. He pins me down by my throat, applying just enough pressure to make me lightheaded, but not lose consciousness. It takes my arousal to an even higher level, my body tingling from the lack of oxygen mixed with the pleasure from his fucking.

I scream my second release; this time he comes with me.

He releases my throat, and I suck in a needy breath, fighting off the blackness dancing at the edge of my vision. Our breaths mingle as we come down from our combined release, eventually returning to even after a few minutes.

He rolls off me, pulling me onto my side and wrapping an arm around me.

“You’re awfully cuddly post-fuck,” I say fighting off a yawn.

“Are you complaining?” he asks, his fingers drawing patterns across the skin of my back and sides.

I giggle at the tickling sensation. “No, it’s just unexpected.”

“Did the general of the Rimorian army just giggle?” he asks in mock surprise.

“I happen to be incredibly ticklish,” I say through another giggle as his ministrations on my side continue.

“Oh, you are, are you?” he teases, then goes from light touches to full-on tickling my side.

I squirm, struggling to breathe through my laughter, then push against him. “S-stop. Please,” I gasp through my laughter. “I can’t handle it!”

He’s on top of me now, tickling both sides, showing me no mercy. I’m pinned between his legs, unable to escape.

“No, I don’t think I will.” He laughs and continues his attacks. “It’s just too damn adorable that someone as fierce and terrifying as you can be brought down by tickles.”

I’m gasping for breath and fighting the urge to pee from laughing so hard, while simultaneously hitting him in the chest every chance I get.

“Mercy! Mercy, please,” I beg. “I’ll give you anything.”

He stills above me and quirks a brow. “Anything?”

One hand has both of mine pinned above my head, while the other hovers right at my side, ready for another attack should I disagree.

“Anything,” I promise.

“Sleep with me tonight. I don’t care that we’re in my parent’s house, I need you in my arms. ”

I consider his request—demand, rather—and nod. “On one condition,” I offer.

“And what is that?”

“It’s just sleeping. I’m not willing to risk any other lewd behavior being discovered.”

He grins and says, “I accept your terms. Just sleep.” The look on his face has me doubting his intentions, but I agree anyway.

“Now get off me, you pain in the ass.”

“As you wish,” he says, rolling off and resuming our previous position.

“Aurelius?”

“Yes, Princess?”

“Don’t you dare tell anyone I’m ticklish,” I say, deadly serious.

“Are you telling me nobody knows?”

“Not many.”

“Not many?” His voice trails off, as if in deep thought, before he asks, “Elijah knows, doesn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“Because it’s impossible to keep anything a secret from him. I don’t even try anymore.” I yawn, thoroughly spent by our late-morning escapades.

“Noted.”

We lay there for a while more, him telling me more stories of my dad, me just listening. Eventually, I doze off to the sound of his heartbeat.