Page 50 of The Thren's Fated

No one followed them, which surprised her. She was even more surprised when the shuttle left, taking off into the air and leaving them stranded.

Screl saw the confusion on her face and chuckled.

“Don’t worry. They will return for us,” he said, as he continued walking.

She hurried to catch up, examining the surrounding area. Now that she was actually on the island, she realized it was much larger than she had originally thought.

The shuttle had come down on one edge of the floating isle and with the iridescent mist raining down, she could just barely make out the far end. To their left was a long cliff face, with small waterfalls cascading down in some areas. At the base of the cliffs was a body of clear blue water, ripples extending outward from the falls.

The air was warm and humid, much like the temperature of the ship, though a breeze cooled Lena as she walked. There were two suns in the sky, barely perceptible through the glimmering mist. The falls splashed on the rocky cliffs, a pleasant rippling noise filling her ears. Strange flying creatures soared through the skies with faint metallic screeches.

Screl led her over to the cliffs, a small cove of gray rocks next to the glimmering pool. Lush, mossy vegetation coated many of the stones, which had an enchanting effect, like she had stepped into a scene from a fantasy holonovel and elves or fairies would appear at any moment.

“It’s beautiful,” she said shyly.

“I thought you would like it. The floating isles are the most unique natural features of my world. Many Threns spend a lot of wealth to host private events on them.”

Of course, a subtle brag coming from the Thren prince. It took all her self-control not to roll her eyes.

The falls cascaded into the pool of aquamarine water, creating a gentle turbulence. Lena admired the quiet beauty and tranquility of the space, wondering if this was somewhere Screl came often, if he found comfort in the peace of the isle.

“Would you like to go for a swim?” he asked, with a not-unsubtle hint of eagerness in his voice.

She almost rolled her eyes again.

“What? You finally give me actual clothes, just to get me undressed?”

“Can you blame me, Lena? You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Where normally the voice inside her head would tell her that he was lying, she heard nothing, just basked in the compliment as she tried to stay composed.

Screl was close, too close, that all too familiar heat welling in her body as his gaze penetrated right through her. She thought he was going to grab her, tensing her muscles despite the eagerness coursing through her bones, but instead he stepped past her, walking up to the edge of the pool. He slipped off his shirt, carefully disentangling it from his tentacles, then undid his pants and removed them as well.

God, he was glorious, a muscled back and ass giving way to stout thighs. The memory of his body shrouding her, filling her, made her flush as he waded into the pool, swimming to the middle where the water seemed to reach his neck. His two upper tentacles floated on the surface, undulating in serpentine waves. He let out a low hum, clearly enjoying himself, then ducked his entire head under.

Lena walked to the edge, trying to spot him in the clear water, but the air was too misty. The seconds dragged on until he bobbed up a few feet away from her, waist-deep in the pool.

Rivulets of water glistened down his chest, following the patterns of the ridges on his abs and stomach, stirring all sorts of feelings that she didn’t need stirred.

“Now, are you going to join me or not?” he asked, his eyes darkening.

It was clear what he wanted, how he drew her to him in a way she couldn’t explain. It would be wiser to resist, to sit at the side of the pool until he was done swimming, but the lure was too powerful. She would let herself enjoy him, even if this was the last time.

She would let herself be happy.

Lena kicked off her boots and undid her pants, Screl observing silently. She gave him a nice show as she slowly undressed, his eyes brightening when she finally slipped her underwear off.

The crystal-clear water was pleasant as she waded in, the moss squishing beneath her feet giving way to a smooth, rocky bottom. She paddled over to Screl, trying to keep a decent distance between them but knowing it would be useless. They pulled toward each other like two magnets desperate to touch, no matter how much she tried to hold herself at a distance.

Suddenly, he dove into the water, disappearing completely. Her heart raced, the dual sensation of fear and excitement invading her body once more.

She was his prey, but for some reason, that intrigued her, titillated her, made her pulse quicken and her core burn with need. Anticipation tingled her skin as she treaded water, trying to see him through the mist.

Tentacles brushed against her legs, sending a jolt of electricity up her spine. They slid their way up her body as Screl emerged from the pool in front of her, grabbing her hips and closing the short distance between them. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, the current of the pool pressing her against his abdomen.

“Stop trying to fight it, Lena,” he whispered, rocking her up against his ridged stomach in a rhythmic motion.

Pleasure blossomed between her legs as Screl’s eyes glimmered with lust, like he knew exactly what he was doing to her. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the whimper in her throat.