Page 40 of Prince of Blaze and Embers (Emberveil Empire #1)

T he sound of rain echoed throughout the cave, creating a soothing rhythm that seemed to wash away the tension from our bodies.

Hunter was diligently at work, gathering dry wood and igniting a fire with his flint and steel.

The warmth of the flames spread through the cave, casting long shadows that danced on the rocky walls.

The cave itself was deeper than it first appeared, carved over centuries by the flow of water that still trickled faintly down its walls in glistening threads.

Moss clung to the damp stone, and ancient mineral deposits created strange, spiraling patterns on the ground—like the cave was telling a story in forgotten runes.

The air was cool and heavy with the earthy scent of rain-soaked stone, but the firelight gave it a golden glow, as if holding back the chill of the storm outside.

A narrow tunnel yawned off to the left, its darkness untouched by the fire, while the far wall curved into a shallow pool where rainwater collected, perfectly still and reflecting the flickering flames like a mirror to another world.

It felt like a place outside of time—a sanctuary both wild and sacred.

As the fire crackled and popped, Cade stood up and extended his hand toward me. "Ash, come with me," he said , his blue eyes gleaming in the firelight.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Bella and Hunter, who were preoccupied with warming themselves by the fire.

Then, tentatively, I took Cade’s hand. His touch was warm and reassuring, sending a wave of anticipation coursing through me.

He led me deeper into the cave, where the darkness became a shadowy veil.

"I can't see where I'm walking," I whispered, my heart pounding. The darkness was disorienting, and I clutched Cade's hand tightly, trusting him to guide me.

In response, a soft red glow illuminated the space around us.

Cade's magic staff, with its intricately sculpted phoenix head, materialized in his hand, casting a warm, comforting light onto the surrounding cave walls.

The red glow danced on the rough rock surfaces, revealing intricate patterns and formations that told a story of ancient times.

"Where are we going?" I asked. My heart beat like a drum, and a growing heat spread through my core, making me acutely aware of every touch and movement.

Cade didn't answer immediately, but his grip on my hand tightened slightly. "I want some privacy," he finally said, his voice low and filled with a warmth that sent shivers down my spine.

The deeper we ventured into the cave, the more my nervous anticipation grew.

The sound of the storm outside faded into a distant murmur, replaced by the steady beat of my own heart and the soft rustle of our footsteps on the cave floor.

The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth filled my nostrils.

Eventually, the light of the fire was completely out, leaving only the warm red glow of Cade’s staff to guide us. The darkness seemed to press in around us, but the light from the staff created a cocoon of comfort and warmth, a sanctuary amidst the enveloping darkness.

Cade came to a stop and turned to face me, his eyes reflecting the flickering light of the staff. I couldn’t read his expression entirely, but there was a softness in his gaze that made my heart flutter. "Ash," he began. "I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly with anticipation.

He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I’m falling for you, Ash. I can’t stop thinking about you. Every moment we’re together, every touch, every glance... it means something more to me. I’ve never felt this way before, and it’s both exhilarating and terrifying."

His words sent a shiver of excitement and uncertainty shuddering inside me. I had been feeling the same way, drawn to him in a manner that was both thrilling and frightening. The tension between us had been building, a slow burn that was now threatening to ignite.

I could feel the heat in my core spreading, the sensation of desire and longing coursing through my veins. The warmth of his presence, the intensity in his gaze, the promise in his words—it was all intoxicating.

"Cade," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I feel the same way. But we’re from different worlds, different elements. Our very blood prevents us from being together without suffering."

His hand reached out, gently brushing against my cheek. The touch was electrifying, sending sparks of pleasure through my body. "I don’t care about the consequences, Ash. I care about you. About us. We’ll find a way to make this work, no matter what it takes."

The roughness of his fingertips traced a path down my neck, eliciting a soft moan from deep within me.

The sensation was overwhelming; a mix of pleasure and anticipation that made me yearn for more.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my neck, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses that sent goose pimples erupting on my skin.

I melted into his touch, my body responding to his every movement. His hands slid down my arms, caressing my bare skin, making me acutely aware of every nerve ending. He slowly slid the sleeves of my shirt down, revealing my shoulders, my breath catching in my throat as the fabric fell away.

"You’re so beautiful, Ash," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "I want you more than anything else in this world."

His words inflamed my desire, making me yearn for him with every fiber of my being. I knew that what we were doing would lead to pain, to suffering, but the pleasure was too intense, too consuming to resist.

He leaned his staff against the cave wall, the red glow casting long shadows that seemed to dance with our movements.

His hands slid underneath my belt, his fingers finding their way to my most sensitive spot.

I let out a soft gasp as he rubbed my clit, the sensation sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

"Cade," I moaned. "I want you too. I don’t care what happens. I just want to be with you."

His mouth found my nipples, sucking and teasing them gently as he continued to rub my clit. The combination of sensations was overwhelming, driving me to the brink of ecstasy. I could feel the heat building within me, the tension coiling deep in my core, ready to explode.

But as his fingers worked their magic, I felt a growing discomfort, a familiar pain that always accompanied our elemental union.

He was Cinderyn, and I was Aqualorian; our cursed bond.

My body tightened, to dry out, as the steam rose from between us.

Sweat dripped from my brow, but I refused to let the pain overshadow the pleasure.

Cade’s mouth moved higher, kissing and sucking my neck as he continued to rub my clit.

The sensation was exquisite, a mix of pleasure and pain that was both intoxicating and dangerous.

I knew that if we continued, the pleasure would eventually be eclipsed by the pain, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop.

He unbuckled my pants, his fingers moving deftly as he undid the clasp. But just before he could slide my pants down, I stopped him, placing my hand on top of his. His eyes met mine, a mix of confusion and desire swirling within them.

"Wait," I whispered, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let’s try something else. To see if it works better."

I pushed him gently back against the cave wall, my hands sliding down his chest to his belt.

I knelt down before him, my heart pounding with lust and desire.

Slowly, I undid his belt, my fingers trembling slightly as I unbuttoned his pants.

His cock hinged out from his pant leg, swinging toward me, stiffening with excitement.

A silvery pearl of his cum beaded at its crest.

He let out a deep moan as I kissed the head of his cock, the taste of him sending shivers of pleasure through my body.

I licked the tip, savoring the feel of him, the taste of him.

I wrapped my hand around his huge veiny shaft, dwarfing my hand.

His raw power throbbed for me, and I ached for him-- all of him.

When he moaned again, deeper and more intense, I took him fully into my mouth, wrapping the head of his cock with my mouth and tongue.

The sensation of him throbbing in my mouth was exhilarating, a mix of pleasure and power that was both intoxicating and addictive.

I moved slowly at first, getting accustomed to the feel of him, the taste of him.

But as his moans grew louder, more insistent, I increased my pace, taking him deeper, driving him to the brink of ecstasy.

I could feel the tension building within him, his body tensing as he approached the edge. But even as I felt his cock throbbing in my mouth, I felt the familiar pain returning, my body tightening up, drying out. The steam billowed up from between us, sweat trickling down my brow.

I pushed past the pain, determined to give him the pleasure he deserved.

The taste of him was too much for me to resist, too much for me to stop.

I took him deeper, my lips and tongue working in unison, driving him to the edge.

With my other hand, I took his massive manhood and squeezed gently.

He moaned my name, and I quickened my pace, letting his huge head slide on top of my tongue.

Finally, he came, his body convulsing as he released into my mouth. The taste of him was spicy, like peppercorns on my tongue. It burned at first, but then I craved the taste of him, the essence of him. It was addictive, a sensation that I couldn’t get enough of.

I released him, falling back weakly, my body drained and exhausted.

The pain was intense, but the pleasure lingered, a memory that was etched deep within me.

He caught me, his arms wrapping around me as he pulled me to him.

We sat there, our breaths coming in heavy gasps, our bodies slick with sweat and steam.

"Ash," he murmured, his voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

I nodded weakly, my body trembling from the intensity of what we had just shared.

"I’m okay," I said, my voice barely audible.

"I just... I just need a moment to recover.

I need water. I need water badly..." My mouth and throat burned as if I’d swallowed molten iron.

Sweat poured down my brow and a deep weakness felt as if my bones may snap.

He held me close, his arms wrapped around me, his heartbeat pounding and heat emanating from his chest like a fiery furnace.

I pushed myself away as I was about to collapse into exhaustion and unconsciousness.

"I’m sorry if I hurt you," he said, his voice filled with regret.

"I don’t want to cause you pain. I want to find a way to lift this curse, to make this right. "

I looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity, the determination within them. "I know you will, Cade. I trust you. I believe in you."

"Even if it means traveling to the distant stars, I'll find a way to fix this. To fix us. I promise you, Ash. I will find a way. No matter what it takes, I will lift this curse."

We sat there in silence, our breaths slowly returning to normal, our bodies pressed close together. The red glow of his staff cast a warm, comforting light on the cave walls, a cocoon of warmth amidst the darkness.

I didn’t know how we’d ever be able to be together. But he gave me hope. The way it felt being with him, tasting him, swallowing him, it was driving me insane. The thing I wanted most in this world, and it was literally killing me…

How could he lift the curse though. That was impossible.

It was in our blood. It was a curse as old as time.

Fire versus water. Cinderyn against Aqualorian.

How could that ever be overcome? Deep in my heart I want to believe him.

But I feel it’s impossible. A dream. A fleeting dream with no happy ending…

my heart hurt… like a hot needle poked into its center, causing my whole chest to heat.

As the minutes passed, the pain in my body eased, replaced by a sense of contentment and satisfaction. I knew that what we had just shared was dangerous, that it would lead to pain and suffering, but I also knew that it was worth it. Our bond, our connection, was worth the risk.

I leaned into him, my head resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

The storm outside had subsided, the rain now a gentle whisper against the cave entrance.

The soft crackle of the distant fire was soothing, a reminder of the warmth and comfort that awaited us outside.

I staggered with trembling legs back up the cave to the fire and to our friends.

When I got there, I guzzled down water from my watersack, all the while Bella glaring at me with a snarky gaze and an upturned eyebrow.

Cade cleared his throat as he sat, sending a soothing smile my way.