Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 61: Weeping Willow

The only thing that could distract him from the incomparable tree was Taylor's incomparable body. Her dress was low cut, the neckline nearly plunging to her navel, the fabric was silken and white. She looked like some kind of holy creature when she shook her hair loose from the tight braid it was bound in and let her golden locks flow freely. They were like rays of sunshine in the pitch-black water.

The water was cold; his eyes were drawn to her breasts.

Taylor liked where he was looking. She led his hands to her hips.

Automatically, his hands squeezed them.

Taylor tilted her head back--bubbles escaped her mouth in a muffled moan of ecstasy. Them was overjoyed that he could elicit such an intense reaction from something so simple.

He leaned in for a kiss, bringing her closer by her hips.

The willow tree was fast approaching where they waded together.

Their lips locked.

She leaned into it far more than he did. He was surprised but pleased when her eager fingers found his belt and unbuckled it; she untied the laces on his breeches and moved her hand lower.

Because she was getting toward a more personal area, he thought it might be okay to drag his hands down and under her dress.

Taylor's eyes widened.

She shoved him away just as the willow shot up to their position and carried them out of the water on one of its branches.

The two emerged, soaking wet. Them coughed and tried to buckle his belt, but his fingers were slippery. Taylor hung her legs off the branch and giggled when he accidentally dropped his belt into the water.

Them cursed. He couldn't help but glare at Taylor who was beckoning him to come closer with a mischievous pointer finger.

The waif crossed his arms and ignored her playful advances. "So the willow tree is what you wanted me to see?"

Taylor hummed a song and ignored him. She swept water off her arms with a brush of her dainty fingers.

Them, who was quite frustrated with her games, asked snippily, "Well? Why did you show me that?"

Taylor threw a glance his way, and then returned her gaze to the water below.

"You want to be good at magic, don't you?" Taylor replied.

"Yes, but—"

"What do you think this willow tree is?" Taylor asked, scooting toward the trunk and leaning her cheek into it.

Them forgot his anger for a moment and focused on the question due to his fascination with magic.

The tree was large and distinct; it made him think of power. "Is it where you draw your power from on the dream plains?"

Taylor shook her head.

Them grinned, he began to have fun again. "Perhaps the tree is where you borrow your beauty? You're both the same color and both gorgeous."

Taylor lowered her gaze and blushed. She shook her head.

Them thought long and hard, and suddenly, it hit him.

She and the tree were alike, but not in any superficial way.

"The tree... It is you? No, it must be your soul." Them guessed.

Taylor gave him a mischievous grin for a moment and didn't answer. Eventually, she clapped her hands together and replied, "That's right!"

Them was elated; he had answered a question about magic correctly.