Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
The platform finally stopped beside a broad branch thick enough to support a house, except there was no actual house waiting for them. Instead, the tree itself opened. A doorway formed in the silver bark as they approached, curling inward like flower petals to reveal a softly glowing chamber beyond.
Terra stopped and stared, her eyes wide.
“Oh, wow,” she breathed.
The suite seemed to have been grown directly from the heart of the tree. Smooth, pale wood formed curved walls without corners or seams, and the ceiling arched overhead in a canopy of interwoven branches covered in tiny luminous blossoms.
The flowers glowed in shades of pink, gold and soft violet, creating enough light to illuminate the room while leaving everything intimate and shadowed. One entire wall was open to the forest through a huge oval window formed from a transparent living membrane, giving them a breathtaking view across the treetops toward the artificial stars glittering high above.
A narrow stream of water emerged from one wall and ran through a shallow channel in the floor before disappearing beneath the roots again, filling the room with the gentle sound of trickling water. Beside it grew clusters of tiny white flowers that released a faint scent somewhere between jasmine and vanilla whenever Terra walked past.
“They respond to movement,” Taurex explained when she noticed.
She inhaled deeply.
“They smell beautiful.”
“They were selected specifically for human-compatible mating suites,” he told her.
Terra looked at him.
“Please tell me that doesn’t mean they’re related to the pleasure blooms.”
Taurex rumbled laughter.
“They are not.”
“Just checking.”
“I personally requested that no pleasure blooms be grown within three habitation sectors of this suite,” he told her.
Terra laughed.
“Thank you. Now that’s romantic.”
There was a bathing area beyond a screen of hanging vines, complete with a warm waterfall cascading into a shallow stone basin and flowers that produced soap, shampoo and fragrant oils. A small alcove held fruit, drinks and what Taurex explained was a special sweet, fermented beverage traditionally shared by newly Joined couples, although he assured her it was mild enough that neither of them would become intoxicated.
But it was the bed that captured Terra’s attention immediately.
It occupied most of the center of the suite and was enormous even by Monstrum standards—a broad oval platform formed from intertwined roots and covered with a thick mattress of living moss so soft it looked more like clouds than vegetation. Thousands of small blush-pink flowers were scattered across the surface, their petals open and glowing faintly from within.
Terra stopped several feet away and pointed at the flowers.
“What do those do?”
Taurex’s ears twitched.
“They are harmless. They are called silara blossoms. They grow only in mating domiciles.”
Terra eyed them suspiciously.
“Uh-huh. Tell me more.”
“They do not possess tendrils,” he offered.
“That’s a good start. Go on.” She made a motion with one hand.
“They cannot move independently,” he said.
“Even better.” She nodded. “But what else do they do?”
“They release a mild compound when touched by bare skin. It increases circulation and heightens tactile sensitivity,” he told her.
Terra frowned.
“They heighten sensitivity? How much?”
Taurex’s golden eyes were suddenly half-lidded.
“Enough to be pleasurable.”
A flutter went through Terra’s stomach.
“Any surprise penetration involved?”
“No.”
“Anything trying to drink bodily fluids?” she asked?
He shook his head.
“No.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Anything that might suddenly decide I’m a particularly attractive member of the plant kingdom?”
The corners of Taurex’s mouth twitched.
“No.”
She nodded.
“Okay. Then the pink flowers can stay.”
“I am relieved. It would be extremely difficult to get them off the bed since they are actually part of it.”
Terra laughed and reached up to kiss him. It was only meant to be a quick kiss, but Taurex’s hand settled at her waist and the contact lingered. His mouth moved over hers slowly…teasingly…and for a moment Terra forgot where they were. When she pulled back and looked up at him, she knew she needed to get out of her dress.
“I need to change into something more comfortable,” she murmured.
Taurex immediately released her.
“Of course, lovely one,” he growled softly.
Terra felt a shiver of pure desire run through her.
“Don’t go anywhere,” she told him.
“I have no intention of doing so,” he murmured.
“Good.”
Terra took the small bag containing her wedding-night things and disappeared behind the living vine screen into the bathing area. She had spent an embarrassing amount of time choosing what to wear tonight. Part of her had considered something soft and romantic—a silk nightgown perhaps, elegant and modest enough to make her feel like the mature bride she now was.
Then she had remembered the way Taurex looked at her body—how he hungered for her and worshipped her. So she had decided to buy something much less sensible.
The white lace teddy she had chosen fit tightly over her curves, its scalloped edges tracing the tops of her thighs while the cups lifted her breasts just enough to make her cleavage impossible to ignore. Instead of closing completely in front, the garment tied between her breasts with a narrow satin ribbon and then opened below, revealing a matching pair of lace panties beneath it.