Page 14 of The Other Side

Chapter

Twelve

CYPRESS

M y fingers vibrated as I used my fiery power to command the sounds of the underworld like a harp, composing my own precious gothic symphony of shadows, allowing it to lull me into an odd, peaceful trance. My body swayed gently alongside the soundwaves, my eyes closed as I hummed in unison with the sounds, listening to my devilish orchestra of darkness create their symphony of shadows. What strange peace I felt. After seeing Iris-Marie suffer, that is all I wanted. Peace.

Cypress .

My eyes shot open at the distant sound of my name, my fingers halting as the overbearing sound of my orchestra silenced. I listened closely, hearing only the gentle drops of water in the distant cave, silence filling the underworld.

Hearing voices in my mind? I have officially gone mad.

“Alas, the time has come. Being constrained and imprisoned in this hellhole for so long has finally taken its toll on my mind.” My eyes raised to the top of the cave, nodding towards the heavens. “Bravo, baby brother. You have now cast my sanity into the Abyss alongside those souls, turning the rightful ruler into an empty shell of the goddess she once was. What a mighty god you are.” I gave a playful bow and rolled my eyes. My fingers resumed as music refilled the Underworld. “What a fitting and ironic way to go, hearing the enchanting voice of the very human I sent to destroy you. You always knew how to crawl under my skin.”

“Cypress.” Her ghostly voice called me a second time, halting my composure. This was no moment of insanity. This was real.

“Iris.” I whirled around, scanning the cave, but there was no sign of my witch. “Could it really be my trickster?” I called out.

“Cypress, please.”

“Iris,” I breathed. Without a second thought, I rushed through the waterfall of hellfire, stepping out onto the dais, looking into the pool below. There, at the base of the stairs in the center of the pool, was a glimpse into the human world, levitating only a few feet above my hellfire. One I had never seen before, burning burgundy, glimmering like her magic. “What is this?”

My curiosity got the better of me as I cautiously began to descend the stony stairs gazing at the glimpse. As my toes dipped into the hellfire, I noticed someone standing within it, peering back at me. My guards rose as I watched, studying the figure, gazing closer. It couldn’t be.

My witch.

“Iris-Marie?” Standing within that mirrored glimpse, looking back at me with an innocent smile, was my dear witch. My Iris-Marie. She was wearing a ruffled dress, the sleeves skimming her shoulders, beaded jewelry hanging from her neck and ears. The witch was using her magic, mixing it with my power to glare into my Underworld. To see me. Something no human had ever dared to do before.

“Cypress.” My chest tightened as my name dropped so beautifully from her dark lips. “I need you.”

She needs me. I had to compose myself.

“Iris-Marie.” I raised my hand, touching the rippled maroon-colored glimpse as I watched her, noticing a flinch. I knew it was due to the pain left behind from our last encounter, from my torture. Typically, I would soak in the idea of being so feared, but in this moment, I felt ashamed. I didn’t want to hurt her, but my anger—that monster rooted from my painful past—it took control.

“I know I hurt you, but you must know, I—it was only to ensure you were not lying to me. I thought—” Her smile dropped as she clenched her jaw, fighting back tears. Always so strong.

“You thought I was wasting your time.” Her words burned.

I nodded. “I did.”

“And ripping through the veil, destroying my shop, dragging me to our own pocket of hell while you tortured me was the only way to learn my plan. Is that it?” Her eyes were reddening, her strength on full display as she fought the excruciating trauma I left behind. I could see it burning beneath her flesh, haunting her.

“You must understand.” My hand pressed forward, piercing through the veil, changing as it entered her world and became human. I reached for her cheek, but she turned away. Her shun made the flames on my side flicker white. “I can be a bit hot headed, but you do not understand how long I have waited for this. All of this. I can’t afford to lose another human—”

“Another human?” Iris snapped her face back, touching my hand with her cheek as she glared at me. “Is that all I am to you? Just another lost soul to toy with, tricking me into doing whatever it is you need? Tuft was right. This was all a game. I really do mean so little to you.” Her words were like venom.

“Iris—”

“Stop it. I know everything about you, Cypress. You have no soul. You cannot love. You use your power to torment others, humans and celestials, playing with us until we are broken beyond repair.” Her hand broke from her magic as it snatched my wrist. My power burst from my palm, fighting her magic as it surrounded my fire, the two colors igniting as we struggled. “You are exactly as all the stories say.”

“Don’t you dare say it,” I growled, gritting my teeth as we tugged against each other.

“You’re a soul eater, Cypress, filled with nothing but death. That’s all you will ever be.” A tear fell down her cheek, as if it pained her to say such grotesque things.

“Is this why you dared to glimpse into my underworld? To spout your poisonous words and call me such insufferable things?” Iris glared back at me, her rage almost humorous. I released a laugh as my power grew within my palm, surrounding her magic. “You forget who I am, Iris-Marie. And you, trickster, may shout what it is you think I am, but you seem to have forgotten yourself and your place.” I reached my second arm through the glimpse, gripping her other hand. “Allow me to remind you!”

With a single tug, I pulled Iris-Marie’s body through her mirrored glimpse, dragging her from the human world back into my Underworld. She fell into the pool of hellfire at my feet, the flames drenching her ruffled dress, her exposed shoulders dripping while she glared up at me in hatred.

“Welcome back,” I teased, offering her a ridiculous bow and a devious grin. “Did you miss it?”

“No, I didn’t! And I didn’t come here merely to insult you!” She slammed her fists into the pool, making a splash. My brow flicked at her heated temper, enjoying it a little too much. I vanished from sight like smoke in the night before suddenly appearing in the air above her. Our faces opposite of one another as I spoke down to her, my eyes level with her chin, hers the same.

“No? Well then, why did you call out for me? What would possess a human such as yourself to peer into the Underworld of the infamous soul eater you all claim me to be?” My finger grazed her chin, watching as her dark skin prickled at my touch. Iris-Marie waved her arms, brushing my image away like a cloud before stumbling to her feet, her chest raising with a heavy breath. I reappeared a few feet from her, standing in the pool and playing with my nails. “Well?” She stared at me, completely silent. So stubborn. I stepped towards her, watching as she moved away, taking a step back for each one I placed forward.

No more running from me.

My arm raised as shadows extended from it and fell into the pool, slithering to her feet. They wrapped around her ankles as I held her in place, closing the distance between us. She didn’t flinch, didn’t try to run. Instead, she held her head high.

“Tell me.” I stopped inches from her body. “Why have you called on me?” My face hovered so close to hers, feeling her breath as it rapidly brushed my face. “After everything you suffered…all I have done to you…why have you come back to me?” My fingers gently grazed her cheek. I could smell her hesitation and fear. Despite it all, she still spoke my name and summoned me to her. This very realization changed my demeanor, softening my gaze. “Why?” I asked, tenderly touching her chin.

“I—I have a favor to ask.”

I couldn’t help but rupture into laughter at her words. “Feisty, temperamental, and humorous. You are the whole package, Iris-Marie! A favor! Oh, you are bold, my pet. What’s next? Are you going to ask me to relieve you of our deal? To accept less than what I have asked for?” I turned away, waving the shadows from her ankles as I stepped onto the stairs. “Go home, Iris-Marie. Recover your wits and do what you must to end this torment…for both our sakes.”

“Will you at least hear me out? Cypress? Cypress!”

My body stiffened as she shouted my name. I slowly turned my head, glaring at her over my shoulder.

“I—I am asking you for one favor. Just one tiny favor. Please—”

“I am not a genie. I don’t give out favors or grant wishes. I fulfill desires to make deals with lost souls. That is it.” I couldn’t help but admire her spirit. For a moment, I thought I might have broken it. But here she was, strong as ever, challenging me. I was almost proud.

“And what if I desire this?” she asked.

My head tilted at her words. “Oh,” I purred. “I know exactly what you desire. And I can assure you, a favor is not it.”

“You know nothing of my desires,” she spat. I raised a brow, turning to fully face my beautiful human.

“Oh, but I do. I have tasted it straight from your existence, Iris-Marie.” My elbows bent as I commanded the pool, the fiery liquid rising around her frame. The hellfire obeyed my silent command as it surrounded her, raising her body past the stairs until her eyes were level with my own. “You want something we both know you cannot have, something that would burn both our worlds if we surrendered to it. It is impossible, no matter how deliciously tempting it may seem.” Her dark eyes sparkled as the reflection of my flames danced within them, entrancing me, tormenting me.

Every nerve in my godly body pulsated with the desire to take her into my grasp and claim her as my own, to make her mine. It was something I had never experienced, something I didn’t know was possible…until I met her. My human. She had me transfixed. I wanted her, but I knew I couldn’t have her. And she didn’t want me, not truly.

“Show me,” she breathed.

Gods, I fucking want her.

“No.” I reluctantly released Iris-Marie with a sullen temper.

“Why not?” I didn’t expect such a simple question. She moved closer, stepping onto the same step as me, stealing the breath from my lungs as she challenged me.

“Because—” My words halted as my mouth lingered across from hers. I had to fight the urge to kiss her, trembling with the need to taste her again. Iris gently parted her lips, beckoning me closer. I nearly fell under spell, her scent and warmth dissolving me, melting me to my rotten core. I wanted to touch her, to pull her close and show her all the wicked things I could do, but I couldn’t. Something wasn’t right.

There was a dark cloud hovering over her heart, so thick, I could smell it. I inhaled deeply as I closed my eyes.

I see. She was playing me—using me for some reason I did not know. The realization ripped the moment apart, setting it aflame.

“Who is playing who now?” I spoke into her mouth, pulling away as she watched me. I stepped backwards up another step, looking down at her. “I am no fool, witch. I know when things are being twisted in the shadows.” My fire flickered white. “Find someone else to play your game.”

“I’m not playing a game.”

“It pains me that you would come all this way to call upon me and exhaust yourself in the hopes of using your human body to trick me.” I scoffed. “Really, Iris-Marie, you’re better than that.” I tsked. “Such a pity. We could have had such a wonderful time together too.” I turned, quickly ascending the stairs. It hurt to know she had found my weakness and tried to use it against me. I may have wanted her, but not like this.

“Cypress, please.” She called after me, but I ignored her. “Cypress!”

“Go back to your glimpse and slither home! I am done being toyed with,” I growled.

I quickly rushed through the waterfall of hellfire back into the larger part of my cave, hoping she would not follow, that she would simply do as I said and leave me be.

Leave me to suffer in solitude.

With a heavy breath, I returned to my orchestra of shadows, drowning out my thoughts as I tried to forget her. My fingers moved along the fire-like strings, playing the same song as before as I hummed alongside the sound pretending to be unaffected by her, but all I could do was reminisce about the night we spent together. The night she thought was merely a dream.

If only she knew it was real. All of it.

IRIS-MARIE

M y body quivered with conflicting emotions. I wanted to run back to my glimpse, to return home and do what I needed to drag Ozias from the heavens—anything but stand here and beg Cypress for a favor. But something had stopped me. I wasn’t sure if it was curiosity or some sickly need to feel wanted. Whatever it was, it made my feet move opposite from the glimpse and towards the stairs. Towards her.

What am I doing?

I raised my skirt, placing my bare foot upon the cold, stoney step to ascend to her throne of shadows. Anxiety and fear began to gather in my lungs, pressing me back towards my glimpse, but something deeper drew me forward. A strange force tugged at my heart, no—my soul, and beckoned me to the other side.

What madness has possessed me?

As I reached the top of the dais, I could hear the strangest melody drifting in the cold air. I could feel the menacing, intoxicating notes wrapping around my face as they led me closer to the waterfall of hellfire, luring me to pass through.

How do I cross? I thought to myself.

As I raised my hand to touch the flickering liquid, Cypress’ power from within appeared, her blue fire parting the waterfall for me.

Amazing.

If my very soul wasn’t dangling in the grasp of the goddess of death, or the pressure of murdering a fucking god was absent, I thought I might actually admire the Underworld. It was a beauty hidden from human eyes, a rare gem tucked deep in the shadows of the heavens, existing only to those who knew of it. The idea that few would ever see such a place saddened me. It was too beautiful to be hidden, much like Cypress herself. It was almost as if the Underworld was a reflection of her own existence.

I stepped through the waterfall, careful to keep my dress from dipping into the liquid as the music only grew. My eyes caught sight of her, moving in a rhythmic sway as she orchestrated the shadow-like harp, playing the unnaturally alluring sounds.

Who knew the goddess of death and keeper of souls was secretly a maestro of the shadows?

With as much stealth as humanly possible, I inched closer, lured deeper into the cave by her music. My body began to sway, finding the rhythm as the soundwaves entered my ears and took hold of me. The sweet song entered my body and lifted my arms, commanding my feet, controlling me as I became one with it. It possessed me, and I began to dance.

An unbelievable amount of lightness fell over me as I closed my eyes, smiling and dancing along to her symphony in a waltz I did not know but somehow felt in my bones. It wasn’t just a song, but a feeling, one that relieved me of all my pain, filling me with a sweet sadness I knew all too well. It was the feeling you experience when holding back all your emotions, swallowing them while you pretend to be strong, but in reality, you just want to simply hide away and surrender to it until, in a rare moment of solitude, you feel free. Free to release that pain, the sorrow, the heartache—all of it at once. Free to let it flow from your eyes as it pours from your heart and drowns you in the sweet relief of letting it all go. And as I opened my eyes, I did just that. I looked out into the underworld, meeting the eyes of the very thing that haunted me, and began to cry. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of relief. I even smiled, because for the first time in my life, I felt seen.

Cypress, her music still playing without her, joined me in my waltz. She slithered to my body, taking hold of it as we moved in a perfect unison as my tears soaked my cheeks. I couldn’t help but stare at her through my washed irises and truly admire her beauty. Her hellfire eyes were filled with an emotion I had only caught glimpses of before, the look you see when you gaze up at the heavens and admire their beauty while yearning to be a part of it.

“Can you ever forgive me for what I have done?” she asked sweetly, her pain drenched in a deeper sorrow. No, it wasn’t sorrow. It was regret. “I—I swear, I did not mean to do it. This—this beast inside me, it takes control and I—I cannot stop it.” Cypress spun me then, and I felt lightened and weightless, my heart fluttering as my torso returned to hers. My back pressed against her bare chest, our arms crossed as we moved, her mouth hovering over my ear. We were so close, so close that I could smell the intoxicating aroma of her godliness. “Please,” she quietly begged before spinning me out and back around.

“I want to forgive you. To trust you,” I whispered, her hand now wrapped around my waist as the other clasped my own. “But, after all you have done, how can I do that? How can I so easily forgive you?” Cypress forced me closer as I gasped. Her eyes bore down on me, gazing into my own. I had to remind myself to breathe.

“What must I do? Tell me! Shall I prove I will not harm you again? Get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness? I will do it, Iris-Marie. I will do it all for you.” Cypress spun me once more as I tried to process her words.

“Why? Why do you care so much about me?” I asked in a low, whispered voice while I danced with the goddess. “What new trick are you playing on me?”

“I am doing no such thing. This is no trick, Iris-Marie. I know you may doubt me, may think I am nothing but poisonous lies, but you—” She stopped, taking a strong breath. “You have bewitched me, Iris-Marie. You have taken a god and made her a prisoner, powerless to your desires. That fire burning in your soul to be unleashed is no lie. I have tasted it. Your body may confuse you, but your soul burns for me. And I burn for you.”

“I am just a human.”

“You may be human, but you are more powerful and resilient than any other human I have ever encountered. I have been alive for a long time; I have seen it all. I have seen you, Iris-Marie. That damned bayou town may have destroyed the light within you, but I see it. I see the real you. Your beauty challenges the gods, your strength bettering my own, and your soul—” she gently pulled me closer, her hand flourishing as it grazed my face, “is the most magnificent thing I have tasted in all my existence.” My heart leapt as I gasped softly at her expression. “Please.” She leaned in closer. “If you will not forgive me, will you at least give me this night? And if by the end of it, you still do not wish to grant me a reprise, then I promise to give you your favor.”

My eyes widened. “You would give me a favor?” Cypress’ smile grew.

“I would give you my soul if I possessed it. But only if you allow me this night. Please, my pet, let me love you.” Her cold mouth brushed my lips as I shook with anticipation and fear. I wanted her favor, needed it to finish this insane deal. But now, hearing her beg me, feeling her touch upon my skin, I wanted her. I wanted this. Forgiveness or not, I wanted the goddess of death to love me.

“Yes,” I breathed into her.

Cypress’ flames flickered as she pressed her mouth to mine, kissing me with fiery passion. We melted into one another, completely lost in the music as we danced faster, kissing the other as though it was our last day to live.

“I promise, you will feel nothing short of loved and desired.” Cypress gracefully dipped my body and kissed my neck. Her lips grazed my exposed collarbone, kissing it gently as I released a soft moan.

As her words fell upon my flesh, my attire transformed, rupturing into flames, burning away my dress as one formed by shadows appeared. It resembled the midnight sky, filled with sparkling stars and glistening constellations. The smokey fabric hugged me like a second skin. The sleeveless material exposed more of my flesh as it flowed freely from my knees and pooled onto the floor like a pool of darkness, a large slit growing from the top of my thigh and revealing my bare leg. My simple jewelry was replaced with flames of hellfire dripping down my skin and sparkling like diamonds. My entire appearance glamoured and reflective to that of a god—her god. We were a perfect match. It was all breathtaking, her power entrancing me even further as she and I continued to dance, the song morphing into a more sensual beat.

“Now, let me worship you like the goddess you are.” Cypress and I kissed with each movement, consuming one another with each twirl and sway. The dance was our electric foreplay, placing us both under its spell as we moved, nearing the edge of the balcony. She slammed my back into the stoney edge with a gentle growl. Our bodies pressed together, her mouth grazing my ear as she breathed against my face.

“You are mine, my dear Iris-Marie, even if only for one night. My goddess.” Her hot words whispered against my skin, my body gently pressing into hers. I lifted my chin and gazed into her hellfire eyes, unsure if I was still playing her for my own gain or if I had fully surrendered my desires. Truthfully, I didn’t know or care, as long as I got tonight.

“I have feared you so much, soul keeper. You have taken my dreams, twisted them into the most unimaginable nightmares. You have haunted my sleep.” Her pained expression told me she felt real regret for torturing me. “How can you worship the very thing you destroyed?” Cypress lifted my exposed leg, tucking herself closer, nestling her face against my neck as her hair dripped down my bare arm.

“You may think my torture destroyed you, but I can promise you this, my pet: that pain has only made you stronger. More god-like.” Her grip around my waist tightened. “I may have haunted your dreams, but you have done the same to me. You have consumed my thoughts, endlessly tormenting me with your spell. I have heard your moans, felt your touch, tasted your elation. Oh, Iris-Marie.” She kissed my chest as I moaned softly into the air. “Please, relieve me of your grip upon my being,” she begged. “Release me from this torment you inflict upon me.”

“I am not the one in control here.” My voice lifted her gaze. “If you crave me so deeply, soul eater, then take me. Consume me.” I may have said I wasn’t in control, but in that moment, I felt the power I held over her. Over a god. It was exhilarating.

“Do not call me that,” she hissed, leaning closer, her fingertips grazing my thigh.

“Or what? I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt me,” I teased, raising a brow. Her fingers traced my skin, moving closer to my throbbing center. “Why don’t you show me just how powerful a god really is? Show me how it feels to be touched and loved by the feared goddess of death.” I grabbed her wrist, moving it beneath the midnight fabric, our eyes locked as I made her touch me, gasping at the pressure of her fingers. “Show me how much you desire me. Make me forget everything. Everything but you.” My lips met hers as her fingers began to tease me, rubbing my swollen clit, pressing through my slit and fingering my pussy. I was already wet, making it easier for her to glide inside me. “Cypress,” I moaned her name as her tongue trapped mine.

“Trickster.”

Cypress pressed my body harder against the edge of the balcony, inserting a second finger, thrusting harder. Her mouth captured mine, releasing it only to kiss my neck and move to my breasts. I wrapped my leg further around her, pulling her closer and rubbing my pussy against her hand. She blew the midnight fabric away like a simple shadow, extending her tongue and licking my nipple. Her hot mouth moved around my exposed breast, biting down ever so lightly. I cried out, my lips curling as I enjoyed the unexpected pain, gripping her ashen shoulders. She kissed my nipple before surrounding it with her mouth, sucking and flicking it with her tongue, moaning into me. The sounds she made, the way she felt—it was beyond describable. All I could do was move with her, moaning, whispering her name in pure bliss.

“Conserve yourself, my pet. You’re going to need your strength.” Cypress released my breasts, licking one last time before her mouth returned to mine. “We have an entire night ahead of us, and I intend to worship you in every way possible.” She kissed me, the seductive threat making my pussy drip with excitement.

Cypress removed her fingers slowly, teasing me as she did so. I whimpered, saddened by their absence. Without a sound, she kneeled before me and placed my leg over her shoulder with a sinister smile.

“Cypress,” I wheezed. I watched as she leaned close to my center, her hot breath smothering it as she ran her tongue up my folds, taking her sweet time tasting me. I cried out, my fingers gripping the railing of the balcony as she continued. Her tongue circled my clit, playing with it, knowing exactly what she was doing to me. “Oh, gods,” I whispered, moaning and breathing heavily.

“I am the only god here, and my name is the only one I will allow to leave your lips, my pet.” She shoved her tongue inside, wriggling deeper as she fucked me with her mouth. I cried out, my back arching as my spine ground against the railing. My breathing nearly escaped me, my head dipping back over the Abyss below.

“Cypress,” I whimpered.

Cypress dragged her nails along my thigh, pulling me closer. My pelvis moved with her tongue, rubbing her face as my fingers twirled in her flaming hair. I could barely breathe, my throat dried and burning from the cold air. I couldn’t contain myself, my orgasm boiling within, screaming to be released. I was weak for her, and unlike Cypress, I was not a god. My discipline and strength to hold back my orgasm were nothing compared to hers. And as long as she consumed me with such hunger, I wouldn’t survive the hour, let alone the night.

“Oh fuck,” I cried out, squeezing my pussy to try and fight back the unbearable fire burning from her love. “No. No!” Cypress tasted my excitement, quickening her pace as she moved her tongue, reaching further, digging her nails deeper into my flesh. I could hear her moans vibrating through my core as they rippled to my chest.

My orgasm overtook me, constricting my breathing as my entire body tightened, my nerves rupturing all at once. My cries faded to nothing but air as I came, nearly convulsing. My hands sparked, one arm gripping the railing as my pussy soaked Cypress’ tongue. She moaned into me, pressing harder—deeper, pulling all my energy as she consumed my wetness. I nearly blacked out from the heavenly wave that pulled me down, struggling to stay conscious.

Cypress removed her tongue, gently flicking my clit, playing with my sensitive body while it flinched and moved in response. She lowered my leg, grazing her arm up my sternum, brushing the shadow-like material away before she gripped my neck. Her force pulled my head down as I stared back at her, sweat coating my forehead. She moved closer, the two of us panting as she pressed her soaked mouth into mine, forcing me to taste myself.

Her hands waved away the remnants of my midnight dress, the fabric fading like smoke in the night, leaving nothing but my flesh and the hellfire accents she gifted me. Her hands took hold of my waist, spinning my body until my stomach slammed against the edge as she pressed her naked self against mine.

“I have another trick up my sleeve, my pet. And this one, well, it may hurt.” Cypress waved her hand, shadows swaying across as I watched a large mass form within her hand. It was long and girthy, barely fitting within her grasp. She snapped her free hand, more shadows appearing to grip my ankles and wrists. My body was bent over the railing, my legs and arms spread wide as I remained on full display before her. Cypress stepped closer, watching me as she moved the strange object to rub along my dripping center. My mouth began to salivate, watching her the best I could, feeling the pressure as she teased me, still sensitive from coming. After playing with me for a few minutes, rebuilding my lingering excitement, she pushed the object inside me, grunting as if it were a part of her.

Cypress slowly shoved the shadow object deeper into my pussy as my breathing hitched. She pulled it back, returning it to my body as she began to quicken her pace and fuck me with it, pressing deeper with each thrust until her own pelvis had slammed into my backside. Her sweaty body pressed into mine, nearly melting into me, her shadows crawling across every inch of my skin, touching me as she fucked me from behind. I was still lingering in the haze of my first orgasm, purely enjoying what she was doing to me, unable to quite come again.

“What’s wrong, witch?” she asked between her patterned breath and thrusts. “Do you not like the way my shadows fuck you?” I released a gentle breathing laugh.

“Your shadows are heavenly,” I breathed. “But you are not letting me love you back. And I’d much rather see your face as I make you come.” She pushed inside me one last time, holding her shadow deep while leaning over my spine and whispering into my ear.

“And you said you were not in control of this.” Her tongue licked my ear, gently pressing inside as I moaned. “Allow me to fix that.”

Cypress snapped her fingers, our bodies rupturing into hellfire as we suddenly appeared back in the pool at the base of the dais. Our bodies faced one another, both fully exposed, on our knees in front of my magical glimpse. My head turned away from hers as I looked to see the mirrored portal staring into my dark bedroom. Cypress’ hand gently grabbed my chin, forcing me to look back at her.

“Keep those devious eyes on me, pet.” She smiled as her hand ran along my neck, taking its time as it felt every inch of my curved body. I struggled to keep my eyes open. My body swayed into her touch, mirroring her movements, touching her back as we locked eyes. She lifted my hand, kissing it before moving it around her breasts, moaning as she commanded my fingers. My own moans began to echo hers, her shadows birthing from the pool and surrounding me once more. They wrapped around my limbs and breasts, touching me, inserting themselves into my pussy and backside, tugging my nipples as her fingers traveled down my sweaty sternum into my pussy alongside them. A gasp burst from my throat, my body slightly rising at her beautiful touch. She moved my hand to her own opening, tracing her clit with my fingertips before inserting my fingers. My magic sparked, forcing her hand away. Her hellfire irises flashed in response, my mouth curling into a sinful smile as I began to toy with her, playing with her clit.

“There’s my wicked little witch,” she breathed. My magic crackled from my hand as I inserted not one, but two fingers, finding the same rhythm with which she was fingering me until we were both moving in a perfect unison. My magic branched from my palms and wrapped around her, feeling and touching all her godly existence with it.

“I may be your pet,” I moaned as she did the same, “but I need no help fucking you.” Cypress’ chest rumbled as her mouth crushed to mine, her fingers thrusting harder into me as I tried to keep up. Our tongues twisted and moved together, the two of us fully embracing the other and losing ourselves. My orgasm quickly returned as I began to cry out, moaning into her ear and rocking my hips.

“Yes,” she breathed, her own excitement beginning to soak my hand. “Give it to me.” This time, I held nothing back, fully giving in to my unbearable craving to drench her in my excitement. A scream formed in my throat as I rocked alongside her, coming hard, my walls contracting against her fingers. Cypress cried out, her own orgasm revealing itself as neither of us stopped, pulling every last drop of our love from one another.

We continued like this for a few minutes, locking eyes as our gaping mouths once again met. I wanted to bury myself into her skin and never leave, to stay here in this moment for all of eternity. With my goddess.

A familiar gasp broke my fixation as my head snapped towards my fiery glimpse, seeing Tuft standing on the other side, watching. He wore a painful expression, one that wasn’t easily understood. Shame and embarrassment began to flood my veins as I quickly removed my fingers and magic from Cypress’ drenched body, gripping her shoulders in an attempt to make her stop. Her eyes met his as she merely smiled, pulling my body closer with her shadows and quickening her speed. A loud cry escaped me as I watched him, staring back at us.

“No,” I wheezed, fighting back my desire, my nails digging into her skin. “No!” My body arched further into hers, both shamed and excited by him seeing us in this moment. I tried to stop, but unexpectedly, I began to come again, my eyes still locked with his.

“Tuft—”

“Yes,” Cypress moaned, still lingering in her own climax. “Show him just how much you enjoy my touch, how much you love feeling me inside you.” She began to moan alongside me, sending me completely over the edge. Tuft lowered his gaze, hiding behind his blue hair. He left from the glimpse as a sadness crept into my chest, but it was quickly washed away as Cypress’ mouth returned to mine. “Forget him,” she breathed. “Be with me.”

Cypress removed her hands from my pussy, wrapping them around my torso as she tackled me into the pool. The flames splashed along our bare bodies, sending my senses into overdrive. Her body draped over mine, seated between my legs as she delicately touched my face. Her fingers glided down my wet skin, touching my hardened nipples, purposely grazing them for a moment before slithering down my sternum and back inside me. I gasped, still buzzing from everything as she reentered me.

“Forget all of it.” She thrusted deeper. “Be with me, Iris-Marie. Just me.” I choked on my moans and pleasure as her shadows bent my leg, allowing her to venture deeper. Her lips kissed my lower abdomen as my hips grinded into her touch. I couldn’t think, couldn’t focus on anything but her. I didn’t care if Tuft or the whole world saw me having sex with her. I didn’t care if all of this was wrong. I wanted it. Needed it. And even if it killed me, I needed more.

“Please,” I lifted my head and stared at her as her tongue glided along my skin. “Don’t stop. Drown me in your hellfire. Give me your love. All of it.” I groaned in a euphoric pain, overwhelmed and consumed by her touch as she inserted a third finger.

Cypress grinned, roughly thrusting her arm as the pool splashed around us. “I shall worship you all night, my dear Iris-Marie.”