24. Hael

The elemental garden, an ethereal sanctuary nestled within the heart of Astur, cradled me in its verdant embrace. Vines, imbued with the essence of nature, weaved a cocoon around my makeshift hut, a haven crafted from the very elements I commanded. The air bore the subtle fragrance of blooming flowers, their petals unfurling in response to the morning sun. The garden hummed with the harmonious interplay of elements—a symphony of wind rustling through leaves, water running in the nearby stream, and the distant crackle of elemental flames.

Last night"s emergency council meeting lingered in my thoughts. Remina and Kique had found us a location that sounded promising. The resulting mission to the address provided by the light mage played on my mind, a mantle of responsibility that refused to be shrugged off. Sleep eluded me, and the moonlit hours passed in restless contemplation.

As dawn painted the sky with hues of amber and rose, I had sought refuge in my sanctuary within the elemental garden. The vibrant tapestry of colors overhead, woven by the morning sun, distracted me momentarily from the gravity of our impending task. I looked around my hut, its walls a mosaic of intertwining vines and luminescent flora—a manifestation of my connection with the elements.

The glow of the rising sun filtered through the living walls, casting a warm and dappled light that danced on the natural canvas beneath my feet. Elemental energies pulsed around me, a silent echo of the power I held as a guardian of nature.

Seated amidst the organic confines of my sanctuary, I mulled over the strategic intricacies of the mission. Drones had been dispatched to scout the former Blackstone residence, mapping out the terrain and potential obstacles that awaited us. The information gleaned from their reconnaissance would be crucial in orchestrating a seamless approach.

Tomorrow, we would embark on a journey in the hope of finally finding some answers.

I closed my eyes, attuning myself to the elemental currents that coursed through the garden. My connection with the elemental forces offered solace, grounding me amid uncertainty.

As I sat cross-legged within my haven, my senses attuned to the rhythms of nature, a disquieting disturbance quivered through the earth beneath me. A tremor, subtle yet unmistakable, echoed through the soil. The elemental energies, usually serene, now carried an undercurrent of tension, like a distant storm gathering strength.

A dark energy, dense and suffused with despair, pulsed through the very roots of the plants that crisscrossed the garden. The normally vibrant hues of flora muted. A knot tightened in my chest, an instinctual response to the unnatural discord that reverberated through the very heart of my sanctum.

Pushing aside the vines that draped the entrance to my hut, I stepped onto the soil, my senses now fully engaged. Following the unsettling trail, I navigated the winding paths of the garden. As I ventured deeper into the heart of the elemental garden, the disturbance grew more pronounced. The very earth beneath my feet seemed to groan, burdened by a weight that transcended the usual ebb and flow of elemental energies. A dark energy, a grief so powerful it seeped into the soil, beckoned me forward.

My footsteps led me to the garden"s edge, where the dense vegetation gave way to an expansive view. In the distance, the ruins of the dark mage sector sprawled like a haunting memory. The once majestic structures were now reduced to crumbling remnants. A dark energy, laden with the weight of despair, emanated from the heart of the ruins—a beacon that called to me, demanding acknowledgment.

As I approached the ruins, the contrast between the vibrant life of the elemental garden and the desolation of the dark mage sector became starkly evident. The ruins whispered tales of a bygone era, a time when darkness held sway. With each passing moment, the pulse of despair intensified, a siren"s call drawing me deeper into the heart of the ruins.

In the shadows of crumbling archways, I confronted the source of the disturbance. Under one of the crumbling archways, lay Remina, huddled into a ball, her form a silhouette of grief against the backdrop of ruins. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, and the air around her seemed to absorb the weight of her despair. The fierce woman was now reduced to a vulnerable figure, overwhelmed by her suffering.

My heart clenched at the sight of her anguish. Wordlessly, I approached, the soft crunch of gravel beneath my boots echoing through the desolation. I knelt beside her, offering a presence rather than words. I could feel the rawness of her emotions, a storm that threatened to consume her.

Gently, I lifted Remina from the cold ground, cradling her form against my chest. Her tear-streaked face, a canvas of pain, stirred a protective instinct within me. The ruins bore witness to the massacre of Dark Mages, a history she was entwined with, and I could relate to the grief that came with such a loss.

As I carried her back through the ruins, the air seemed to soften. The journey through the elemental garden was now bathed in the soft glow of morning. The vibrant life of the garden stood in stark contrast to the desolation of the ruins, and with each step, a sense of renewal accompanied our retreat.

Upon reaching my sanctuary, I gently laid Remina on a bed of soft grass that served as a natural mattress within the hut. The rustling leaves overhead whispered of resilience and growth, a stark reminder that even in the face of darkness, life persisted.

Remina"s form, now cradled by the earth itself, seemed to find a measure of tranquility. The garden embraced her with its nurturing energy, and I sat beside her, a silent guardian in the sacred space. The air was imbued with the gentle hum of my magic, a soothing balm for wounds that extended beyond the physical.

Remina stirred, her eyes met mine before moving around our surroundings. As she glanced around, the elemental garden revealed itself in a dance of colors and fragrances. Vibrant flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, and the soft rustling of leaves overhead provided a soothing symphony.

Remina, expressing gratitude, whispered, "Thank you for bringing me here. It"s beautiful."

I nodded, my gaze meeting hers. "Nature has its way of healing wounds. The elemental garden always brings me peace."

She glanced around, absorbing the vibrant colors and fragrances. "I haven"t been back since the massacre," she confessed, her voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and shame.

I approached the delicate subject cautiously, "Would you like to talk about it?"

Her eyes returned to the direction of the ruins. "My family lived here in Astur. We were a respected family in the Dark Mage community. Until they were all gone."

"You were just a child then," I reminded her gently. "There was nothing you could have done."

She nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "I know, but I can"t help feeling like I should have done something."

As we sat in my sanctuary, I listened, allowing her to find expression in words.

"Sometimes I feel guilty for being the only one left," Remina admitted.

"Survivor"s guilt," I acknowledged. "It"s a heavy burden I know all too well,"

Remina looked at me, a curious glint in her eyes. "Your family?"

I nodded, the weight of memories haunting me. "They were murdered by Dark Fae. I couldn't save them."

Her expression softened with empathy. "I had no idea, Hael. I"m so sorry."

I appreciated her sincerity and continued, "I often wondered why I was spared. It haunted me for years, questioning the cosmic balance that allowed me to survive while my family died. The guilt can be overwhelming, but it"s also a reminder of the fragility of life."

Remina took a moment to absorb my revelation. "It seems we are more alike than I thought," she remarked.

I chuckled, a bittersweet undertone coloring the sound. "Indeed."

In the tranquil haven constructed from vines and branches, our conversation moved on to lighter topics. As the morning turned into night, the garden became a sanctuary for more than just flora and fauna—it sheltered the unspoken vulnerabilities and shared experiences of two souls.

"Tell me more about your journey with the Order," I encouraged, eager to delve into the intricacies of her experiences.

Remina spoke of her responsibilities, the challenges she faced, and the delicate balance she sought between light and darkness. In return, I shared tales from the different elemental sectors in which I had lived and the mischief I had gotten into when life was easier as a young teen.

The stars shimmered above us, their brilliance reflected in Remina"s eyes as we continued our conversation. There was an undeniable connection, a magnetic pull drawing us closer.

"You know, Hael," she said, a playful smile gracing her lips, "I never expected to find such a hidden gem in the elemental garden. It"s almost as enchanting as your mysterious self."

I chuckled, a warmth spreading through me. "Well, not everyone gets an invitation to my humble abode. Consider yourself an exclusive guest."

Remina feigned a gasp, placing a hand over her heart. "I"m honored. Does this mean I"ve earned VIP access to all your secrets?"

I raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in my eyes. "Ah, secrets are a tricky business. But for you, I might consider bending the rules a bit."

Her laughter echoed in the tranquil night air, a melodic symphony that resonated with the subtle magic of the garden. "Well, Mr. Mysterious, I do love a good challenge. Perhaps I"ll have to uncover those secrets on my own."

I flashed a playful grin, my heart dancing to the rhythm of our banter. "By all means, feel free to try. But be warned, it"s a risky journey."

Remina leaned in, the moonlight painting a soft glow on her features. "Risky, you say? I happen to have a fondness for a little danger."

Our eyes locked, and at that moment, the garden seemed to hold its breath, a silent witness to the electric energy passing between us.

I found my brows arching somewhat questionably. That was, until she shifted up on the soft grass, closed the distance between us, and plopped herself right on top of my lap. My cock instantly stirred. The grin on her face widened as she placed her hands on my shoulders, wiggling her lower half onto me.

"Oh, fuck yeah." I grinned, hands squeezing her outer thighs as she brought her lips onto mine.

She cupped the back of my neck to pull me in closer. A low growl vibrated from my chest as I slanted my mouth while simultaneously opening it, allowing our tongues to wrestle.

Her nails dug into my shoulder enough that they might draw blood, but just like any little scars I was given in life, I'm going to wear them damn proudly. Our progressively messy kiss now quashed anything going on around us, and I pulled down her leather pants until she was in nothingbut a pair of see-through black panties.

I palmed the swell of her ass, and she moaned while she slowly started to grind down on my cock as we pulled apart. Those shaky exhales, and little gasps of air only made my length drip even more. I peppered kisses alongside her collarbone and captured one of her tits in my mouth, greedily lapsing and suckling eagerly.

Ravenously.

"So good, so good, Hael," she mewled as she gripped my tousled hair and tugged me even closer while she coyly rolled her wet sex over mine. All the while, I had her peachy ass between both hands, controlling the way she rode and writhed all over me.

Fuck, I felt her cunt soaking through my pants at this point.

Only two thin layers separated us, and we both knew what was going to happen next once I lifted my hips enough with her still on top of me, pulling my pants down in one motion. I released a dark chuckle, letting go of her nipples with a loud pop before seeing the way she keened. Impatient as always, she wasted no time as she parted her panties to the side and lifted herself to settle right over my bulbous cock.

"Sit on your throne, Raven. Nice and slow for me."

We looked into one another's eyes, and I relished every inch as she clasped and bore down on me. My thickness pulsated and throbbed until she was settled at the base of my cock with my balls resting snugly on her buttocks.

"So big," she whimpered, her fingers touching where I had presumed my cock was seated and shit?—

I'm already moments from busting.

"You're so tight, Raven. Fuck Remina." I groaned. "You are gripping me so damn good. Now, be a good girl and ride me."

"Mm," she moaned, finding a rhythm she steadily rode me earnestly.

"That's my girl, such a good girl riding my cock like it's your throne. Like it's your fucking job," I groaned and spanked her ass before starting to help her bounce faster on my thighs. Our flesh slapped lewdly and quickly together. "That's right, baby. Fuck, fuck, you're beautiful."

How was it possible for her to tighten up even more?

"Hael," she choked out as she practically strangled my cock. I was so lightheaded, panting, with sweat rolling down my body as our sexes met deafeningly loud.

Fuck, I felt like I really wasn't going to last if she kept up like that. She ground and pistoned upward, I captured a swollen bud into my starved mouth as Remina continued to ride me, letting her cunt squeeze me for all I am worth.

"Fuck," I groaned around her tits.

The fucking squelching, the debauched sound of her soaked cunt greedily swallowing my cock hungrily, was so fucking addicting. It was better than any other high I've ever had before, something I could get hooked on for the rest of my days. I reached down and rubbed circles over her clit.

"Hael, Hael," she sobbed brokenly. "Please. Don't stop. Oh, my God. Don't … Don't you dare fucking stop."

Ah.

Ah, I'm so fucking fucked.

Was this what it meant to be completely pussy whipped?

If so, I didn't fucking care because they'd clearly never met a pussy that was this fucking sweet and perfect.

Like her.

"You know how to make me insane, don't you? You want your pussy crammed full, is that right? Have me dripping out of you for days, is that it?" I gritted out, nipping her breasts harder before I settled my mouth over her neck and bit down hard like an animal as I completely shattered.

"Yes, yes, yes," she chanted, her pussy twitching and clenching around my bare cock. She clawed at my back, my top sticking onto me like a second skin. "I'm almost there … almost there."

"Take it, Raven," I growled out. "Take what's yours."

"Hael!"

I let out another groan as I felt myself exploding inside her. I moved my hands to squeeze and spread her ass to take all that I was giving her.

I shook all over like a man on withdrawal already, my heart slamming inside my damn ribcage as Remina continued to sluggishly ride me, wiggling and shaking as I emptied the last of my cum inside her.

My entire body finally relaxed as I slumped further into the crook of her neck with a groan.

The smell of strawberries and vanilla greeted me, and I already felt my cock getting ready to go again.

"Fucking hell, Raven," I murmured. "Just what am I going to do with you?"