Page 20

Wicked Tides

Death

The female is clinging to me, and I am all too aware of her soft body pressed against me. There is something so satisfying about the way she has her legs around my waist and her face pressed into my neck. I can feel her warm breath on me, her scent is strong, Celestial Lilies and sweet honey. And then, there is another scent to her, something that calls to me in a strange way that makes my mouth water. It stirs something primal in me. She has yet to tell me what emotion it is that smells so delicious, but she smells of it whenever she is near me.

And then the female licked my neck, shooting a shot of pleasure into my wings making my cock twitch. I have never felt a reaction to a mortal like that before. This human is so infuriating. With her talking and questions and interrupting. She is such a mortal, so stubborn. She angers me so completely. The female even has the gall to scream at me, calling me names … So why have I not killed her yet?

All of a sudden, I feel a soft stroke of touch at the base of my wings. Her delicate hands caress the plumage and rub along my bones. It shoots pure pleasure into them like lightning, electrifying me and running down my spine, straight into my cock. I groan in pleasure and surprise. I am caught completely off guard. The girl slips through my arms as I arch and let go. She screams as her grip slips from me and falls down my body, into the open icy air.

Fuck .

I watch as her thrashing body starts to disappear into the night sky below. I cock my head. Do I get her? This is an unintentional way of disposing of the female, but it will work. I continue to stare below me.

Hecate brought her back for a reason, it would be best if I have her in tow when I talk to her. Then I can kill her. I stop pumping my wings and free fall, nose-diving into the dark sky. I angle my wings, pulling them in tight behind me to gain speed. I spot her, flailing her arms and legs in the air. She is getting close to a mountainside. Fuck, I might have to talk to Hecate alone. The human is about to decorate my mountains.

I pull my wings in tighter, trying to gain more speed. I get close enough to her that I can call to her, “Stop flailing! You are making it worse! Bring your arms and legs out and bend them slightly, it will slow you!” She does as I say, and after a couple of seconds, her position is righted. She slows her free fall, and I get close enough to grab the back of her sweater. I open my wings and let the sudden force of wind pull us up. Just in time to avoid crashing into the face of the frozen mountain.

I pump my wings, bringing us higher, keeping a tight hold on her sweater. The female lost her privileges to be held against me. I get us to the cave entrance, snow has started to form on the peaks of the mountains. The icy gusts whip into my hair and rushes my face. I drop the human onto the ground, roughly landing next to her.

“You dropped me!” she screams in disbelief, getting herself off of the icy ground.

I use the hair ribbon tied on my wrist to pull my hair into a tied bun. Soon, the cold will descend to our level, bringing in the first snow of winter. I welcome it; I have aways loved this time of year. The Infernal Mountains are always clouded and grey, fog hugs our mountains dearly, rain gifts us her waters. But the snow comes once a year, and its biting depths bring freshness to my realm.

I start walking into the cave tunnel.

“Hey! Asshole,” the human female screams at me.

I stop in my tracks, renewed anger filling my veins, coursing through me wildly. I have already told her not to call me names. I turn abruptly and walk up to her, grabbing her by her small, pale throat and lifting her easily. I carry her past the face of the stone landing and dangle her over the empty air. “I told you no more names,” I growl, and she punches my forearm with angry little fists. I narrow my eyes at her, giving her a small shake.

“You seem to keep forgetting who I am, so let me remind you.” I raise my wings behind me and let my darkness unfurl. It swirls around us and kisses her skin. The cold depths of my blackness leave her skin pebbling in my touch. My shadows twirl around her ankle and yank her down against my hold while I feed them down her throat, forcing her to choke on their cold wisps.

I explore her body as she silently screams, letting the darkness caress her shining soul. “I am the dread of man and the bringer of darkness. I am the night that spreads like rot, reaching into your delicate mortal souls. I am the numbing cold that steals your warmth. I am the one you beg for with your dying breath. I am Death .”

She grips onto my wrist, silently begging for forgiveness. Yet, I cannot bring myself to give it. A sense of satisfaction has me continue my exploration, keeping her choking on my shadows. Her little noises bring a small smile to my face.

I explore her heart, broken and boring. I stay far away from her head and her forever-expanding questions. Yet, it is the dim light of her soul that has piqued my curiosity. It is different than others I have seen. Usually, a soul like this is meant for the grieving. It is clouded in a shroud of sorrow. She is grieving something—someone. I watch the dim light twinkle as I cut off her oxygen. I have so many questions for this little creature. Why is her soul sad? Why does she anger me so? Why am I so curious of her? I sigh. In the end, she is just another mortal female, no different than the rest.

I feel her soul start to sputter, and I loosen my grip, retreating the darkness while I let her dangle precariously in the cool, empty air. I study her, clinging onto my wrist, watching me with her deep ocean eyes. The strong scent of her fear wafts to me across the mountain wind, but then the other scent accompanies it. The one I cannot figure out. What is that scent? Why is it so fucking good? The moonlight shines on her, giving the female a pale, luminescent glow. I feel her erratic pulse under my fingers and find the rhythm quite soothing. I decide to bring her back onto the stone and drop her. “Besides, I told you not to touch my wings,” I say plainly as I start walking into the cave.

I hear little footsteps run after me, her small voice muttering behind me as we walk. I hear a little whisper leave her mouth. “So dramatic ,” she huffs.

I roll my eyes. I cannot wait to dispose of her. I smile at the thought of punishing her. Yes, before her death, I will discipline the female. For all the questions she has asked, for all the names she has called me, for making me feel … pleasure. I narrow my eyes, confused, as I wipe the spot she licked me earlier.

It gets darker as we ascend through the cave, and I feel a little hand grab onto my arm. “What do you think you are doing?” I stop, staring at the human female.

“I can’t see,” she pleads.

Fuck. That is right. Humans have terrible eyesight. I sigh loudly, turning to pick her up once more. “If your hands roam, little creature, I will make you find your own way,” I warn sternly. I scoop her up and carry her as we walk in the darkness.

“Is the cave dark too? How will I see Hecate?” the female asks me.

I roll my eyes once more. She has too many questions. “The cave is illuminated by the moon and the cave lilies,” I say tiredly.

“What are cave lilies?” she asks.

“Cave lilies are a rare flower, they are called Celestial Lilies. They only grow in the tallest of mountain caves, under the right conditions,” I tell her.

“What are the right conditions?” she asks immediately.

I clench my jaw. The human is driving me insane. “Celestial Lilies grow in very high altitudes among the tallest peaks. They require almost complete darkness. The light must be incredibly dim, which means it must be cavernous, but have some kind of break. It must be very humid, even in the winter, which means there must be warm water near them. These are mandatory to keep them alive.”

“Sounds like a lot of work for just a flower,” she mutters.

I sigh. “They are not just a flower. They are the rarest and most beautiful of flowers with the sweetest of scents. They are named Celestial Lilies because they are said to be flowers of the stars. They are my favorite flower, actually. You will see, they will be blooming.”

I glance down at her; she has furrowed her brow, lost in thought. Thinking of more questions, no doubt. She has the scent of a Celestial Lily. I am not sure how, but I can smell it even now. The beautiful flower wasted on a stubborn brat.

We walk the rest of the distance in blessed silence, my steps echo into the cavern. I watch the girl every now and then, her emotions always changing. I study her face. I guess one could call her pretty, for a mortal. Not that it has any importance to me. I could not care less of such things. I will say, the silence around her is blessed. I have not had such bliss since the time before mortals. Perhaps I can ask Hecate to send me someone with the same gift. I do not want this one, she is too frustrating. I notice the change in the air as we go, it thickens with heat and moisture. We are close now. I look back at the girl, and she has perked up, she almost looks excited. I round a corner and see a faint light at the top of the incline.

“We are here,” I say. I cannot wait to get away from her. All I could hear is her little heartbeat and the feel of her warm body against me. Her scent was overwhelming in the small, enclosed space. Her human emotions were all over the place. I would smell anger, then curiosity, then anger again. And now, she is excited. Humans are so tiring.

We reach the top, stepping into the cavern as I set her down. The scene before me makes me smile. Celestial Lilies are open, showing their dazzling display. Their elegant and complicated petals spread, revealing the glowing dots peppered along their petals. Their stamens are long and wispy, shining brightly. They vine along the walls and ceiling, twisting and turning, climbing with their evergreen stems. Their collective glow brightens the cave, their perfume wafts in the air, sweet and fresh. Under the lilies lay the illuminated warm spring, steam rises off of the glowing hot waters.

“Are you smiling?” the female asks in a high voice, a large smile plastered to her face.

And it is gone. I hate this girl. I narrow my eyes at her with a scowl set to my lips as she chuckles.

“You can stop smiling all you want, but I know what I saw,” she says in a singsong voice.

I am rethinking my choice to save her.

“The flowers are beautiful, you were right.” She walks up close to one and inhales the scent. “Mmm.” Her dainty hand reaches for one—

“Careful!” I call out, but I am too late. She pricked a pointed thorn, and blood drips from her finger. Without thinking, I stride up to her, grab her finger, and put the bloody tip in my mouth. Her taste makes me groan, and my eyes flutter shut. She is like the sweetest of honey, with a hint of salt from the sea. It has been so long since I have tasted mortal blood. A strange feeling washes over me I have never felt. A sense of wonder. A sense of belonging. The wound closes, and the feeling is gone as quickly as it came. I reluctantly pull her finger from my mouth, licking my lips. I open my eyes to see her staring at me with her mouth wide open. We lock eyes for a while, neither of us saying a word. I can smell her scent becoming stronger, it is so inviting. I glance at her lips, thinking about how she used them on me. I have seen humans kiss before, saying goodbye to their loved ones in sorrow. But, when she did it, it did not feel like sorrow.

I clear my throat. “The flowers have thorns,” I say and walk away toward the water. I pause and try to calm my breath, watching the steam rise. Why does she make me feel so warm ? I have never felt like this, ever. I look up at the moon. She casts her light through the small hole in the ceiling of the cave. It is not quite time yet, the moon must be shining her gleam onto the waters to call Hecate.

“How do we call her?” The girl looks up to me innocently with doe eyes.

I stare at her beauty for a moment before I answer, turning back to the spring. “When the moon’s beam awakens the sacred water, you pray for the Moon Goddess you wish to talk with.”

“Huh.” She stares into the water.

I sigh, already knowing another question is coming.

“Why is the water—”

“The spring is one of the first creations of life by the moons’ sisters. It holds magical healing properties that are sacred to life in the mountain. The lilies soak in the water, and their magic pollen floats through the air bestowing life. The stream leaks through the cracks in the stone, providing magic water for plants and creatures along the way down the mountain. The water is the very essence of life, Grace.” I stand, annoyed, as the female shuffles next to me.

“It’s hot in here,” the human huffs.

“You are wearing four sweaters,” I say plainly.

I start hearing rustling next to me and look over to see the girl removing her clothes. I watch her get undressed, mild curiosity forming in my pit. She continues removing her sweaters until she is down to an oversized shirt. She casts me a curious glance and slowly removes her pants. I glimpse at her long, toned legs and look away, confused. They are just legs, so why am I breathing heavier?

“Can I go in the water?” she asks me.

I look back up at the moon, we have a little bit of time. “Yes, you can go in until the moon shines her light upon it,” I respond.

There is a splash to my left, and I watch as the girl rises from the large waves of water without her shirt. My gaze immediately cuts to her naked perky breasts. My mouth seemingly going dry and watering at the same time. I have seen breasts. I have seen many breasts … on the dead. Why is this so different? I watch as she laughs and giggles, bouncing and splashing in the water. I cannot remove my eyes from her body. My pants feel tight, why are they tight?

“Come in with me, Ro,” she calls, flashing me a dazzling smile.

Do I dare go in with her? I watch as she arches her back, floating on the water, her breasts open to the air. I groan deeply, my hard cock twitches, beckoning me to go to her. I rip my shirt off of my head and tear off my pants eagerly. I jump into the water, using less grace than a newborn foal would. I rush to her, splashing loudly in the hot water. I get close to her and freeze, she looks at me, giggling. I think I like that noise. The human female looks up at me with her big blue doe eyes, her lashes long and dark. She gives me a slow, sultry smile, her lips thin and well-defined, as is the rest of her body. She looks so mysterious and inviting. The mortal stands out of the water, exposing her breasts to me. Water runs down her curves, dripping off her small pink nipples. I have the strangest urge to lick them off.

Up close, I can see the female’s details; her nipples are dainty, and her skin so pale and soft. She has pronounced collarbones, and her chest reflects light from the lilies’ luminescence. Water droplets cling to her, decorating her and pebbling her skin. It is fucking beautiful. I have never admired a female form before. I have never had any interest to, but I cannot seem to look away from her.

“Do you want to touch them?” she purrs, taking a step closer to me.

I am practically panting. “You would let me touch them?” I ask incredulously, tearing my gaze from her little pink nipples to her sultry smile. Why would she ever let me touch them? I have almost killed her three times tonight.

She giggles and grabs my right hand, bringing it to her breast while being careful of my obsidian black claws. My breath hitches at the contact. They are wonderful , her breast fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, and her skin is as soft as the clouds. I move my hand on her breast lightly, exploring and touching. I squeeze it gently and the sensation is so satisfying. They are squishy. I jiggle its weight in my palm, watching it bounce in my hand. I bring my fingers to her little nipple and touch it between my fingers, pulling it lightly. Fuck. I never knew these to be so amazing.

“Can I kiss you, Ro?” she begs me, looking up at me with alluring eyes, shining at me like a beautiful sapphire jewel.

I am entranced. I cannot talk, I just nod. She puts a hand on my neck and pulls me down to her. I watch as our faces become close, and her eyes shut. The human brings her lips to mine, touching them softly. I feel an electricity zap into my spine. She pulls away slightly and does it again, tugging lightly on my upper lip. I close my eyes and let the female kiss me.

She kisses me again and again, putting me into a daze. My hand is on her breast, and the female’s hand is moving slowly from my neck and onto my chest, heading lower still. I cannot breathe. I cannot think, it feels so good. Pleasure shoots into my cock, and I groan into her mouth.

She giggles, and I pull away from her mouth to look at her breasts. I am desperate for air, panting. My cock is begging me for something, I do not know. It is becoming more intense the further the female lowers her hand. I watch her hand continue lower on my body, so close to my length. She starts kissing along my chest, bringing her mouth lower. I groan again, and my head falls back, lost. This female will be my ruin.

I look up at the moon, shining her light on us, and revel in its gleam. The pool glows underneath us, a brilliant blue. I furrow my brows. Something nags at me in the back of my mind. We were here for something, were we not? Something with the moon? I cannot think, what were we supposed to be doing?

Fuck .

I let go of her breast and grab her hand from going any further. “We missed it,” I bite. “You are a fucking temptress.” I let go of her and storm out of the water, putting on my clothes angrily.

“Wait. Ro,” the mortal begs.

“Get out of the water, we are going back,” I demand through clenched teeth.

She comes out slowly. “Can’t we still call her?” she asks carefully.

“No. No one can be in the water when the moon hits first light. It is a sacred pool. I should not have let you in there,” I tell the siren. “Hurry and get dressed. ”

I look to the exit as she dresses next to me, fury and regret intermix as I lose all need to watch her. She finishes dressing, and we walk to the cavern exit. I pick the human up and throw her over my shoulder.

“Ro!” She resists angrily.

I slap her hard on her ass. I am done hearing, breathing, or holding her. This is how she will be carried for the remainder of her time here. Whatever she did to me in there is just some form of her witchery. The mortal gained witchery from Hecate and used it against me.

I will keep her alive for now, but only until I can figure out her secrets.