Iron of the Innocent: The Dark Judge (Vol 1)

Chapter 25: The Painting

263 I.C.
Sacren
Black Sword Kingdom
Black Sword Castle

Eleven years in the past...

Her warm breath drifted against the back of his neck. Her lips moved so slow, bathing each place they touched with her soft kisses. The warmth of her body surrounded him like a blanket. Her naked, soft breasts pressed against his bare back as her arms slipped around him. Her hands found his stomach. She caressed his tight skin slowly, and her legs pressed to the outside of his own sitting behind him.

The air around them was stagnant, and the room was dark save a candle burning on an old table nearby. There were multiple blankets beneath them spread out over the hard, dusty floor with one pillow. The entire area was packed with all kinds of different items, for the two had hidden themselves away in a forgotten place for storage in the older part of the castle. Old furniture, statues covered by dingy cloth, wooden crates, and iron bound chests created a closeness some would find stifling.

"You're a man now," she whispered into his ear, "and you will only grow stronger every day."

Kaedres stared up at a wide and tall painting in the darkness, his eyes lost among the many strokes and textures. "This painting used to be in some castle's grand hall somewhere," he whispered.

"Yes, it was," the girl said against his skin as her lips moved along his upper back.

Long moments passed in silence. "I love you, Nim," he said.

Her lips paused, and a grin spread across her features. After a moment, she squeezed him tight, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "That is the first time you've ever told me," she said softly.

Kaedres nodded.

"Would you like to know how many ways I love you?" she asked.

Kaedres pulled his knees up, wrapping his arms around them. Nim tucked her calves and feet along the naked curve of his bottom. He rested Nim's and his weight against his legs to get more comfortable. "Please," he whispered.

"Better yet, how about I show you?" she offered.

Kaedress nodded and she guided him back until he was lying down with his head on the pillow. She moved over him on all fours, resting her upper body against his chest lightly and the rest of her weight on her hands and knees. He looked up into her eyes.

"As we've grown up together, you've asked me why a woman is different than a man," she said.

Kaedress nodded looking down a moment at her breasts then back up to her eyes.

"I remember when you first noticed they were growing," she said with a soft giggle. He smiled. "I'm going to show you why our bodies are different," she whispered. "That is the reason I wanted us to come here alone. And I want you to know that every time I do this to you, I'm showing you how much I love you."

Kaedres nodded letting his hands move slowly along the outside of her legs. He had recently realized how soft her skin felt, how good she smelled, and how much he loved the curve of her hips. Something inside of him yearned to feel her touch, to see her smile, and to see more of her body than he had seen before.

Earlier in the day she caught him looking at the low neck line of her blouse with more than a boy's curiosity. She did not make him feel ashamed, but brought him close and let him look once she unlaced her shirt. He felt hot all over and his body responded. When she saw his expression and physical reaction she suggested they sneak away to their secret place.

Nim lowered her mouth to his lips and kissed him sweetly, drawing it out for long moments before she began to kiss along his jawline. He was already breathing a little heavier and she grinned looking into his eyes. "Do you like that?" she asked in a seductive whisper.

He nodded, but his throat felt tight. Something deep inside of him took away his voice. The inability to share his thoughts troubled him.

Nim paused a moment rising up to look into his eyes. "Don't feel embarrassed," she whispered. "You can tell me anything and everything. I don't care what it might be or what you may want." She smiled. After a few moments, she asked again, "Do you like that?" Her lips lowered back to his jawline.

Kaedres nodded. "Yes," he said with great effort.

Nim slowly kissed both sides of his neck and ears. Then she moved to his collarbone and to his chest. He watched her intently, and she made sure he enjoyed what he saw. When her eyes began to glow red he looked confused. "Am I asleep?" he asked in awe.

Nim shook her head. "No," she said softly.

"They are so beautiful. I've only see your eyes glow like that in my dreams," he said.

"That's because I was in your dreams," she replied to the observation before her lips returned to his chest. Then the confusion in his features passed. She paused, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath in through her nose and mouth. His scent filled her senses, and a small amount of luminescent red mist drifted from his skin. She breathed it in. When she opened her eyes, the glow had grown in intensity.

Kaedres suddenly felt a little dizzy and weak. His hands held on to Nim's legs as she lifted up and fully straddled his hips. Her body was hot and flushed, and he clung to her eyes.

"I love you Kaedres," she said with passion.

Kaedres noticed that some of her teeth elongated into sharp points, and a look of confusion again showed in his features.

"It's okay," Nim said in a loving and gentle way reassuring him. Leaning down, she brought her soft, tender lips to his and kissed him softly. She returned to her position over his hips, and her hands slowly caressed his stomach. She could feel that he was ready. The confusion in his eyes was gone.

Kaedres looked passed her for a moment at the painting then back to her eyes. It was directly behind her, and the canvas was dark with shadow and lit by flame. Dark beings with eyes of red fire seemed to be overwhelming everything. The darkness spread across the landscape and sky blotting out the light. On the right-hand side of the painting, a massive hole gaped where part of the canvas was torn away.

A long time before, when Nim discovered the storage room as she explored the castle on her own, she stood in front of the painting, looking at it with deep interest. The memory of long ago captured with canvas and artistic brushed pigments was in Nim's observation quite beautiful. She tilted her head slightly, looking at it closely, noticing even the smallest of details. Nim almost felt guilty when she reached down, suddenly jammed her fingers into the surface, and tore a portion free with effortless grace. She stared at the four figures on the ruined scrap as she slowly walked among the discarded and unused. Then she ripped it in half and threw the memory into a pile of trash and decaying debris nearby.

In this forgotten place, time lost its meaning as Kae's eyes opened wide. Nim's hand found him, and he felt like he was suddenly falling deep inside of her. Her warmth and essence flowed over him, demanding his utter attention and devotion. His lips parted slightly as he let out a soft sigh of great pleasure. Everything else drifted away into nothing. There was only Nim.