Chapter 71 #2
Caspian stood for a moment thoughtfully. “I have an idea.” He paused until Keira nodded. His fingers went to the silk scarf tied at his neck. He loosened it and pulled it free.
Realization came to her, and Keira turned.
Caspian placed the scarf over her eyes, tying it in a gentle knot.
In the darkness, the smell of the damp stone filled her senses, but beneath it was also Caspian’s unmistakable scent.
She could hear the crackling of the torches, the shuffle of his boots on the steps.
“It’s not much farther now,” Caspian said as he put an arm around her.
Keira leaned into him, allowing him to lead the way. Somehow, this was better. The panic faded from her as she focused on where her body pressed against his, on the simple motions of walking further down the steps.
Soon the air turned warmer. It was subtle at first, but grew steadily until her wintry layers became overbearing and clingy. Keira wiped a bead of moisture from her cheek. It was more than warm. It was humid. Even as she moved her hand, she could feel the weight of a mist hanging in the air.
Senses perked, she heard the faint sounds of water.
“Only a little farther,” Caspian said. “Two more steps down.”
Keira followed his lead until the ground did indeed level out. It wasn’t perfectly smooth under her boots. The natural stone of the cave floor rose and fell. By the echoes alone, she could sense they were in a much wider chamber now. Anticipation and excitement built within her to remove the scarf.
She felt Caspian’s fingers undoing the knot behind her. Keira pulled it free as it fell loose and gasped.
The air was pulled from her by the sheer beauty of this place.
Hundreds of candles illuminated the cavern, some on tall iron mounts, others simply scattered across the stone floor.
In the center of the room was a large pool of perfect cerulean blue waters.
Through the cloud of steam that rose from its surface, it reflected the candlelight onto the domed ceiling of the cave, creating dancing patterns of light.
On the far side of the pool, there had been made a bed of thick blankets and many scattered pillows.
Just beside it was a neat pile of towels.
“Do you like it?” Caspian whispered behind her.
“How- I didn’t even know this was here.” Keira shook her head.
Caspian let out a soft laugh as he came to her side. “This is my favorite of Northall’s secrets. I’ve come here often by myself.” He began to unfasten his coat as he spoke. “The warm waters are a perfect place to think, or to forget.”
“It’s beautiful,” Keira said, marveling as she stripped her outermost layers as well. It was simply too hot to remain dressed for the winter that still gripped the keep above.
Caspian’s eyes met hers. “There’s never been anyone else I’ve wanted to share this place with.”
Her heart warmed at the sincerity in his eyes. She could admit there had been a spark of jealousy when she had first seen this place, a small voice that wondered if this gesture hadn’t been set for the first woman he’d intended to marry that day…
Keira let her shirt fall to the ground until she was in nothing but her undergarments.
Beside her, Caspian had shed down to his pants, his broad chest bare and already beaded with steam.
Her blood heated to know he was watching her as she approached the pool.
She tested the water with her toes, recoiling almost at once.
It was hot enough that she knew it wouldn’t fade to a disappointing lukewarmness once she’d grown accustomed to it… but that would take some time.
She lowered herself to the edge of the pool, sinking her feet into the water and allowing the warmth to envelop them.
A sigh broke from her as Keira shut her eyes.
She could sense something about this place, magical perhaps, but surely ancient.
It was possible that there was a natural undercurrent of arcane energy that maintained the springs.
Perhaps she would find the time to study the signature of the leylines surrounding the keep…
the notion drifted lazily through her mind as she realized that she would have plenty of time now that Northall was her home as well.
The disturbance in the water took her totally by surprise. She looked as the water lapped at her knees to see the Caspian had fully immersed himself in the pool… Though it was difficult to tell, it seemed as though he was completely naked beneath the surface.
His face emerged, dripping as he smoothed back his hair.
The pool was apparently just shallow enough for his feet to touch the bottom as the water reached his collarbone.
Which meant that if she were to submerge herself to reach the basin, it would go over just her head.
Caspian waded closer, and Keira allowed herself to sink further in.
Her elbows rested against the edge of the pool as her hips dipped beneath the warm waters.
Another moan overcame her immediately as the deep ache in her leg dissolved. Though the healer had done commendable work, it had been badly broken only hours before. There was no way of entirely mending such a wound without some discomfort.
“Merciful Fate, that feels amazing,” she groaned, allowing her head to roll back on her shoulders.
“Are you still hurting?” Caspian asked.
She could feel the water moving as he shifted closer.
“Nothing serious. Only my leg,” Keira raised the limb in question.
Only a breath passed before Caspian’s large hands spread over her thigh, massaging the muscle. A long moan drew from her as the tension melted. His touches worked up to her hips, down to her calves and ankles until she was nothing more than a puddle of bliss.
It was the gentle smoothing motion of his touch working up the inside of her thighs that awoke her, rekindling the desire that lingered just beneath her skin.
Keira opened her eyes to see Caspian standing between her legs.
His chest was level with her hips beneath the surface of the water.
She took in the motions of his muscles as his hands moved over her, entranced by the beauty of them, the tenderness of his touch despite the power seated there.
His pale skin seemed almost ethereal, as if the moon had blessed him with its gentle glow.
The candles reflected in his dark eyes like stars against the night sky.
Memories of their first time together surfaced in her mind. The urgency in Caspian’s voice as he told her that he needed her closer. It came over her suddenly, the feeling that if she couldn’t hold him in her arms, feel his gleaming eyes on hers in the next second, she might come apart.
Keira reached for him, hand curling around the nape of his neck.
His expression shifted as she drew him in, brows raising in surprise only to refocus with singular intent.
There was no need for words between them before his lips came to hers.
His kiss was steady and deep as his arms encircled her.
Desire washed over her, more potent than the steaming waters.
Her fingers curled in his hair, drawing him closer.
Her legs closed around his waist beneath the water until his chest was flush against her, against the aching need mounting between her legs.
The urgency of his touch grew as his hands moved from their hold on her sides, becoming restless. They traced up her spine, combed through her hair, gripping and stroking every inch of her.
Keira parted with a hot sigh as he traced the sensitive skin of her thigh. Her heart raced in response, burning for more. She watched as need glazed over his eyes as they moved over her form, her breasts, the curves of her waist. His touch softened, smoothing over her flushed skin with reverence.
“Caspian,” she breathed, nearly shaking beneath him.
His gaze returned to her, looking almost drunk on the arousal thick in the air. He kissed her deeply, relentlessly. It was as if there was something in her touch that sustained him, something he was starving for.
“There’s- I want to try something,” she whispered against his lips.
He hummed a questioning tone before meeting her once more, as if her kiss was the very air he needed to survive.
When he finally parted from her, she realized she’d entirely forgotten what she’d meant to say. It was his expectant look that brought her back to her wits.
“I- Well, it’s-” She could feel the deep blush spreading over her cheeks.
His thumb stroked up her jaw as she fumbled for words, for a way to describe what she wanted without feeling entirely selfish.
“Tell me,” Caspian said. His voice was firm, gaze unwavering.
Impossibly, her blush deepened even as the tension in her core grew, demanding to be released.
“You remember the last time we were together-”
His hand cupped her cheek, tilting her chin so that she was once again meeting his eye. “I have relived that night a hundred times, Keira, wishing with everything I am that I would ever have one like it again.” Her breath hitched under the intensity in his eyes. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want your mouth on me… the way I did for you that night…” Her words trailed off as already he began to lower himself.
The steam in the air seemed to be filling her mind.
It was like a dream, her languid movements as he removed her final layers.
Keira raised herself until she was sitting on the very edge of the pool.
The water’s edge was lapping against her entrance in a steady, maddening rhythm.
But her focus was split between the sensation and the sight of Caspian arranging her thighs on his broad shoulders.
“You’ve done this before?” Keira asked breathlessly.
He seemed so confident as he lowered himself to taste her.
“No, but a soldier hears things. You’ll have to tell me what you like.”
Keira nodded. She could do that-
Then his tongue was on her, stroking over her entrance only to flick against her clit, effectively wiping every rational thought from her mind. The ecstatic moan that loosed from her lips would have to be enough.
Her head rolled back to rest on her shoulders as her eyes fluttered shut. His tongue continued to explore her, circling and teasing the rim of her entrance. All the while the water lapped at her in its hot, steady rhythm.
It seemed only a few moments before her arms were trembling beneath her weight, her breaths shallow. Keira allowed herself to settle onto her back, hands going instinctively to her breasts as she writhed against the pressure building inside her.
The heat of the water, of Caspian’s mouth on her, was driving her wild. Only his strong hold on her hips was keeping her in place as his tongue continually circled the center of her pleasure, narrowly missing it time and again. Fate’s teeth, she was about to crawl out of her skin, if he would just-
“There!” Keira gasped as finally he swept over her clit. “Yes! Fuck, yes. Right there.”
Caspian’s grip tightened as he buried his face deeper into her, licking against that perfect spot again and again until her pleas dissolved into nothing but incoherent cries echoing off the stone walls.
She heard the waters splashing as her movements became erratic, but Caspian did not ease his relentless assault. Keira was coming undone, sanity fraying in the face of her pleasure. Then she felt the gentle pressure of his fingers at her entrance.
Keira arched off the stone floor. His dark eyes met hers, veiled with desire as he consumed her. Slowly, as she watched, he slipped inside her. Fate take her, if it wasn’t the most erotic thing she’d ever seen in her life.
The moment she felt him move inside her, Keira roared. Every bit of tension coiled through her snapped in a burst of primal release so powerful it overwhelmed her senses. Her body thrashed, voice rising so loud it seemed to shake the very stone around them.
As the tide faded, her muscles relaxed, limbs weak and fingertips tingling. Her mind was unfocused and heavy as her eyes shut, swimming in the dizzying bliss.
Caspian loosened his hold on her, his hands returning to their soothing motions. His touch eased the remaining tension from her, until she felt all but weightless. She felt the subtle pleasures of his lips planting kisses on her thighs, her stomach as if from a great distance.
Nothing less than love blossomed in her chest at the sensation. So strong it welled tears in her eyes as Keira sat up slowly. She’d never been with someone so caring, so tender. Caspian watched her from beneath heavy lids as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
She kissed him slow and certain, pouring into him every emotion flooding through her. It was devotion and desire, passion and promise. Caspian met her, an agreement between their bodies, the movements of their lips, as they claimed each other as their own.
His arms closed around her, and Keira understood his intention. She clung to him as he began to wade through the pool until he emerged, laying her down in a bed of silk and satin.