NOVEL NEXT Chapter 682: Magnificent view
A few minutes later…
Blood Wraith walked away begrudgingly from the amazing spot. Aurora had promptly kicked him out and instead claimed the entire grotto for herself.
"It's not fair," Blood Wraith muttered, kicking a loose pebble as he climbed back up the trail toward the campsite. "I did the scouting. I found the waterfall. I even checked for hidden monsters! And what do I get? I am banished!" He wanted to say something, but Aurora was simply way too scary.
Third, who was leaning against a tree further up the path, clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Welcome to the club, buddy. The singles gang. Want to head out and do some training instead?"
Blood Wraith sighed. "Alright." The two walked together for a while, when he further added. "Well, I am not exactly single. I have like ten girl friends, but still… I barely get any time to spend with big bro."
The Third instantly froze and stopped walking. He then gave an ugly look to the guy next to him.
"…You have ten girlfriends?" he croaked.
Blood Wraith blinked. "Yeah. Why? Six of them are real people, and four are NPCs, but still, the NPCs are very devoted. They cry when I don't visit."
A dry leaf fluttered down between them. Third's mouth opened… closed… opened again… The Third then silently disappeared without saying another word.
"Bro, where are you? Hello? Hello?" Blood Wraith tried looking around before he gave up and walked back to the campsite, where his sister was all ready to head out for the next training session. "Big bro is busy right now. So I can join you."
Phoenix nodded. "I told you he would be busy. He is so overpowered because he constantly trains. We also need to work harder. Otherwise, we will be left in the dust by these people."
Blood Wraith opened his mouth to correct his sister, but he then decided against it. "Right, he is training. Let's get going." He chuckled and continued walking.
Meanwhile… back in the grotto…
Aurora removed one item after another from her body, revealing the supple soft skin underneath.
First, she loosened the chest guard and the hardened leather straps that crisscrossed her torso. With deft, practiced fingers, she unbuckled the worn metal clasps, each soft click echoing in the stillness of the grotto.
The heavy piece of armor, scarred from a dozen battles, sighed as she lifted it over her head and set it carefully on a mossy stone. Next came her bracers. She tugged at the knotted leather cords, her movements efficient, almost methodical.
The toughened hide slid away from her forearms, revealing the pale, unblemished skin beneath. She rolled them and placed them beside the chest guard.
Her fingers then moved to the wide belt cinched at her waist, a heavy burden of pouches, a sheathed dagger, and her coin purse. The leather was stiff, conforming to the shape of her hips after continuous use.
She worked the buckle free, and the belt slithered to the ground with a soft thud of metal against stone, leaving her with just the robe. Then the robe came off as well. The cool air kissed the skin of her chest, now clad only in a thin linen undershirt and tights.
Finally, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her sturdy tights. She stepped out of them, kicking them aside.
She hesitated for a moment, her hands hovering at the hem of her linen shirt. With a deep, shuddering breath, she pulled it over her head in one fluid motion. The fabric whispered against her skin before it was gone, leaving her in her bare underclothes.
Aurora shyly smiled before she yanked them out as well.
Her breasts, high and round, were tipped with rosy nipples that tightened instantly in the chill. The ethereal glow from the moss seemed to caress them, painting them in soft shades of blue and green.
All that remained were her simple leather boots, which she toed off, one after the other.
Now she stood completely naked, a statue of pale, living marble. She raised her hand, a small, intricately carved ring glowing faintly on her finger. One by one, the items of her discarded gear vanished from the stone, stored safely away.
She exhaled slowly and stepped toward the water, bare toes dipping in first. Only then did she look at Damon again, eyes warm, teasing, and impossibly tender. "Hubby," she murmured shyly, "you're staring."
Damon didn't even bother to look ashamed. A slow, wolfish grin spread across his face as his eyes roamed freely over her naked form, lingering on the gentle swell of her hips and the soft curve of her breasts.
The ethereal light of the grotto clung to her, making her skin glow like moon-kissed pearl. "Can you blame me?" He took a step closer, the water swirling around him. "It's a magnificent view."
He reached out, his fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path up her arm, from the cool water to the warmth of her shoulder. His touch was electric, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the grotto's chill. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.
"I was just admiring my wife," he whispered. "And thinking about all the things I plan to do to her in this amazing spot you so cleverly claimed for us."
A soft, breathy laugh escaped Aurora's lips, a sound like the chiming of tiny bells in the quiet grotto. She tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck as his warm breath sent shivers down her spine.
"Oh? Is that so?" she murmured, her voice a playful challenge. "And here I thought you were just admiring the scenery."
"The scenery is part of it," Damon grinned. "But you, my love… you are the masterpiece." His hands slid down her back, tracing the elegant curve of her spine before coming to rest on the firm globes of her ass, pulling her flush against him.
***
A special shoutout to Sean for selecting the guild name Blood Domain