1 comments/ 36088 views/ 43 favorites Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 01 By: cultofstrawberry This is an original story and copyright to me, CultOfStrawberry. All characters are original, resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. All characters within this story are 18 or over when it comes to sexual activity. This happens in the same universe as my other futa stories, only this one is futa on female. Don't worry, I won't stop writing male on futa, but I thought it'd be nice to try my hand at one futa on female story and see how it turns out. I hope you all enjoy! o0o Salamacia squinted as she felt the sea breeze wash over her face, and not for the first time longed for the balmy warmth of the Southlands, where even the seaside breezes were warm. For someone like her, whose blood ran thick and wild with Fire magic, this place was a mystery to her. The last fortnight, she had been subject to an alien culture in an alien land. To be sure, her hosts were gracious, and the Silver Islands did have their charms, but she still longed for the return of home. "Salamacia, your cousin has made his choice of bride," she heard her uncle say. She gave a brief nod as she turned to her cousin, the match had not really surprised her. As a Fire magician, master of the element associated with emotion, she'd felt the spark between Lian, her cousin, and Tsune, the eldest daughter of the leader of the Teuthi clan, the longtime lords of the Silver Islands. Water magic tended to run through the Teuthi bloodlines, but Tsune was an Air Adept. It was not uncommon for a different element to pop up in a bloodline that typically was strong in one element, and Fire and Air were natural allies. It seemed a natural match for the heir to the powerful Aracon clan, a family that was known far and wide for the Fire magic that ran through the family. She was sure that magical compatibility was the last thing that the young couple was thinking of, however. It was rare in arranged marriages for a bride and groom to take to each other so strongly, and her uncle had taken that as a good sign when Lian made his decision known to his family in a private discussion earlier this morning. Lian had made his dutiful rounds, being introduced to various ladies of the Teuthi clan, but it had become evident after only a few days what Lian would probably decide, and very few people were disappointed as Lian announced his choice. Her choice however, would be met with mixed feelings, she was certain. She glanced over the crowd of men that had made up her cadre of potential mates, almost two dozen members of the Twuthi clan, varying from late teens to a few in their fifties. She regarded them with a slow smirk, seeing the trepidation on their faces. She'd made her nature clear from day one. She was no shrinking violet, spoke for herself, did not hesitate to rise to a challenge, and openly defied many gender conventions. She would be quite the handful for any man who was saddled with her, and in more ways than one. She could tell that several of the men thought they would be able to break her and mold her into a well-behaved wife. Ha! Her eyes rested on the one she would have for her spouse. Fierce golden eyes met gray-blue ones, and Sena blinked. Salamacia smirked at the cousin of Teithi's leader. She found many males - the ones here were no exception - to be boring. Women on the other hand... and Sena caused her to feel something she could not quite explain. She'd shared men and women in her bed before and was no stranger to the joys of sex, but Sena attracted her in more than a merely physical way. When she wasn't doing her own rounds and meeting her potential suitors, she sought out Sena and spent time with her, liking her more and more. At least Lian wasn't the only one who should come out of this with a pleasing partner. She looked back at her uncle, whose thick golden beard shone in the sun as the breeze ruffled it. "I have made my choice, honored uncle," Salamacia stated with confidence. "And who is the lucky one to be mate to the She-dragon of the Southlands?" Riho asked. The air seemed to stand still for a moment as both families waited for her to make her pronouncement. She slowly lifted a red velvet-clad finger, her manicured hand pointing towards not the group of males, but Sena herself. It took a couple of moments for the Teuthi to realize just what she was saying, and she slowly lowered her hand, biting back the smirk that threatened to break out on her face as other members of the Teuthi reflected their leader's shock. Riho took a step forward, lifting his hands in a silent plea for calm. She let him do as he would. A fearsome man he could be, but Riho Aracon was also an excellent diplomat, preferring to use words and wiles before war. "I know this may seem like an unorthodox choice, Lord Teuthi. I understand that the culture of the Silver Islands differs from that of the Southlands, so if you will permit me to explain." Without giving a pause in which a response could be given, Riho continued, "In the Southlands, marriage is seen as a union between two adult partners. Regardless of sex." "I have heard such stories," Moneo Teuthi acknowledged. "I make no attempt to offend the cultures of someone else, especially an ally. It's just that I had the expectation that your niece would choose from the suitors I pooled for her. I tried to pick out an appropriate range." "And you did," Rohi acknowledged. Salamacia smirked a little. Her suitors had indeed been varied, and some of the men might have been good husbands, had she been a different kind of woman. "Nonetheless, Salamacia has made a different... choice. I can assure you, Sena would be treated just as well as Tsune." "Might we continue this in private?" Moneo asked. Rohi nodded. Salamacia flipped her curly blonde hair over her shoulder as she walked by her would-be suitors, seeing incredulity on some of their faces, relief on others. o0o "She is a woman! I can not marry her!" Sena said, keeping her voice modulated so as to not risk any eavesdropping. Nonetheless, her anger seeped through, and she could see by Moneo's wince that he was aware of just how she felt. "And you promised me!" "I have not broken my promise," Moneo pointed out as he paused in front of the fireplace. The mantle and frame was carved to represent a kraken, who was the sigil - and according to some, an ancestor - of House Teuthi. "You were not part of the suitor pool. How was I to know her choice?" Sena spun in fury and went to the window. In the courtyard, the fire-pits and grills were cooking the meats for tonight's banquet. Though the Aracon family had been here little more than a fortnight, she had the understanding that her own family and the Aracons had been working on this deal for a few years. There was to be an exchange of a bride and a groom between Houses Aracon and Teuthi. At least Lian and Tsune seemed happy about their union. However, Sena was not a groom! She spun back to her uncle. "The deal was for an exchange of a bride and a groom, am I correct? We have given them a bride. I am not a groom," she pointed out. Moneo gave a rueful, sad chuckle. "The finer details are of little import. Two marriages are expected of us, and Salamacia has made her choice." "I don't want to marry her!" "I think she little cares for that. I thought the time she was spending with you was friendly since you're both young women, but now..." He stroked his chin, and she gave out an incredulous gasp. The games she'd played with Salamacia, the walks along the beach, the discussions they'd had about magic, the way that if the feisty Fire Master wasn't being courted by one or more of her suitors, she'd inevitably seek out the company of the Water Mage. "I'll talk to her. I'll convince her that she is making a poor choice, that I would hardly be suited for her!" Sena stated. She and Salamacia were practically opposites in every way. Salamacia was bold and outspoken, she was shy and reserved. It'd been that way for as long as she could remember. The last time she'd seen Salamacia previous to this visit was almost a decade ago, when she and several other Teuthi family members visited the Southlands, staying in a city at the summer manse on the northern shore. The Aracons had been generous hosts, and Salamacia was considered a terror by some. She was as tough as any of the boys, and wasn't afraid of beating one down for an offense. To the boys of Teuthi, who came from a culture that was more patriarchal than that of the Souithlands, Salamacia had been quite the shock to them. She had made for an interesting playmate, that was sure. To share the bed of such a one... "You risk incurring her wrath, and that would not bode well." Moneo stoked his beard. "Marriage is a serious decision!" "So you made me promise to have no hand in it, and I have upheld my end of the bargain." She sighed at that. "She has been here but as fortnight. To me she is a friend, no more." She would grant that this time around, Salamacia was more mature and ladylike, but her temperament was still fierce, as if she was a living personification of her element. "Soon to be your wife." "Oh, ugh!" She glared at her cousin. Many thought that the weight of the family fell on the heir of a House. An heir did bear much responsibility, but a House was represented by more than a scion and their offspring. As cousin to the current Lord and niece and granddaughter to the former Lords, she enjoyed certain privileges, and along with that came responsibilities. Her position made her a desirable bride to quite a few other houses, great and small. A solemnly secured promise ensured that she could not be snared up in these prospects. Now it seemed that would come to naught. "Our lands need this. Despite our opposing elements, Aracon and Teuthi have been allies for generations. That alliance has been... strained at times. These marriages will help strengthen it. If you really need to talk to Salamacia, then do so. But please keep what we have discussed in mind. We must not rouse the anger of the dragon." Sena sighed. The golden dragon was an all too apt symbol of the Aracon family. Placed against a red background, the Aracon dragon was recognized through most if not all of the Ninelands. "Yes, dear cousin. After all, still waters run deep." o0o The Aracons had been comfortably hosted within a wing that had been designed to accommodate privileged guests. Other than not being like home, Salamacia had little reason to complain. Things were a bit more austere here, but she and the others had the things that counted - clean, fluffy mattresses, warm and comfortable bedding, the food was well-prepared, and so on. It did get somewhat tiresome to hear the constant sounds of the ocean. She wasn't sure if this was because she was a Fire elemental, or because she was used to the quietness of the Dragon Palace with its sprawling complex and distance from the ocean and the thickness of the city. One of her servants approached her as she combed her hair, making sure the curls were arranged well and not tangled, her fingers running along the silky locks. She already had her dress picked out for tonight, a sumptuous red velvet and golden satin dress that she'd packed for just this occasion. Oh how she looked forward to taking Sena as hers. She would explore the charms that the pale, dark-haired maiden kept under these drab-colored clothes, and make her moan and scream in pleasure. Already her cock twitched at the thought, and she smirked before she turned around, glancing at the servant. "Lady Sena wishes to speak to you, in private," the dark blonde woman informed her. "Oh, is that so?" "Yes, she awaits you in the garden." Salamacia rose from her seat. She had on the same red velvet dress from this morning, and it was fine enough to not warrant a change. The material hugged her curves, but not so tightly as to seem imprudent, and the skirt was loose enough to obscure her 'dragon'. It was a pleasant day, not too warm or cool, and she felt her skin take in the sun as she stepped out of the shade offered by the building. Sena was sitting next to the water fountain, eyes closed. However, she opened her eyes and raised her head when Salmacia was within about ten paces of her. "Greetings, wife-to-be," Salamacia said pleasantly as she closed in on her fiancée. She sat next to her on the bench. "I heard you wanted to see me, what is it?" she asked innocently. "Salmacia, I am flattered that you like me so much... but I do not think this marriage is what is... best for us," Sena whispered. "We hardly know one another..." "We will have more time to know one another after tonight." "What? No, that's not what I meant..." Salamacia stared at her. "I don't want a man. I want you," she stated firmly. "A marriage must be made, and you are the best one suited for the task, I believe." Sena sputtered at that and rose from the seat. Salamacia went to her side. "Look, I like you. All these men that Moneo have offered me do not suit me. Out of anyone I should share my bed and life with, it is you. You will be well-cared for and given a generous allowance. The protection of my House is yours." Salamacia knew how many women would jump at that offer. "I have no need for luxury." "Are you studying to be a nun?" Sena spun around to face her, nostrils slightly flared. Her dark brown hair was braided back loosely, and her silver-blue eyes were icy with indignation. Ooh, so this one does have a bit of fire in her, Salamacia mused. "I do not need to be a nun to live a modest life." "Why settle for such a life? There's nothing like the lap of luxury... or my lap!" Salamacia said with a twinkle in her eye. Sena was silent for a moment, as if pondering her next words. "Is there nothing I can do to make you change your mind?" Sena asked. "Nope," Salamacia responded in all seriousness. Seds turned away. Some might consider her a plain-faced woman, but there was something pleasing the countenance of Sena Teuthi, and she found the modest beauty attractive. Her face was a touch long, which gave her nose and jaw graceful lines. "I'm going to go and get ready for the banquet, hmm?" She studied Sena with a smirk. "I am eager to see you in your wedding dress." Sena scowled, and Salamacia blew her a kiss. o0o "Well, you do look pretty," Sena's mother said as she arranged the spray of white flowers at the sides of her daughter's head. The gown that Sena wore had been her mother's own, and was a lovely dress if a touch old-fashioned. The dress had a modest sweetheart line and a bodice that was a touch stuff, but still comfortable. It was a touch big for her, but still fit her well. The under-dress was a pale, pale green-blue silk -the fabric was an exceedingly rare treat in the frugal Teuthi family - and the over-dress was a fine linen of several shades of a darker green-blue color, showing several different shades of the ocean, the native element of House Teuthi, and many of the minor clans it ruled over. Over that came a wool overdress with split sleeves and could be left open at the front if needed. Like the rest of the clothing, the wool was of high quality, and was soft to the feel but also warm and sturdy for its apparent thinness. This garment was a dark, intense gray-green, like the shadows of the ocean. Sena felt her mother squeeze her hand. "I know that this is very.. unexpected for you, and I do not blame you for not wanting to go. Being part of a family such as this means that sacrifices have to be made in the name of alliance." Sena looked at her mother with mild surprise. "No Great House can rule without the support of many. I married your father to secure the territory of my House, Silvertide. Our parents had arranged it, but at least your father and I had several occasions before the wedding to get to know one another. You have some idea of what you are getting into." Her mother sighed and then picked up the dark overdress. The garment would be welcome on this brisk evening, even with the walls protecting them from the most severe ocean winds, the courtyards of the Spire could get quite nippy on a mild autumn day. "Learn Salamacia's ways and please her, and you may get more leeway than you would expect. Perhaps a manor by the sea, so you can be close to the water." Sena sighed, knowing her mother was right. Wives who pleased their husbands could get treated very, very well. She supposed that Salamacia would be no exception. "Mistreatment is grounds to break the marriage. Her uncle knows that, and I am sure she does as well. I have heard that some women know how to please other women... so who knows. You might find some joy in her bed." "... You're not serious, are you?" Sena asked with an incredulous whisper. "I'm just saying to make the best of this situation. She may be of Fire, but remember, you are Water. Subtle and steady, flowing where there is room to flow. I also have no doubt that in the Southlands, your skills would be valuable. Keep Salamacia happy, and make yourself valuable in a way that does not challenge their court." Sena pulled on the silver jewelry that was her birthright, a necklace inlaid with moonstones, with matching earrings and wristbands. They looked brilliant against the cool colors of her attire. "Ready?" her mother gently asked. She briefly nodded before the two of them excited the chamber and made their way outside of the palace and down to an area near the shore. Members of both families, stood solemnly, standing out in stark contrast to one another - the Aracons lavishly attired in red and gold, and the Teuthi in more somber greens, teals, blues, and grays. The paths had been cleared and swept, but Sena still picked up her skirts, carefully stepping along the hewn stones in her short boots. The Teuthi were not only frugal, they were also practical. A woman might choose to wear a fine dress, but one was a plain idiot for wearing slippers on such ground as this. Tsune was clad in a gown of white and blue linen, with a light blue-gray overdress that had shorter sleeves than Sena's own. She had on earrings, a headband, and necklace of silver wrought with aquamarine and pale blue topaz. Lian was a handsome sight in a formal tunic and jacket of red lined with gold, his hair neatly-combed and shining in the sun. Salamacia was no less an impressive sight in red velvet and gold satin, the bodice accentuating her plump breasts. Rubies glistened in her hair and around her neck, and the sheer amount of red she was seeing from the entire Aracon party was overwhelming. She took her position besides Salamacia and heard the priest start the ceremony. As in other matters, the Teuthi were reserved in their ceremonies, so it went by relatively quickly. Lian and Salamacia, having already been given some instruction, turned to their partners and took their hands, uttering the words, Lian first. After Salamacia said the words, it was her turn, and Sena was silent for a moment before she felt Salamacia squeeze her hands. "I do." she whispered. The priest brought forth two cups of salt water, one for Lian and his bride, and one for the other couple. Lian and Salamacia touched the cup to their lips before offering it to their brides. Sena's tongue curled at the taste of the salt water, but she dutifully took a sip before returning the cup to the priest. The priest then made offerings and prayers to the Deep One, the ancestral god of the Teuthis, and beseeched him for blessing and protection of the union and to allow the kraken and the dragon to peacefully co-exist for many generations more. o0o Salamacia had to admit that Sena was dressed more nicely than she had expected. The greens and hints of blue set off the color in her eyes, and complimented her brown hair nicely. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 01 "You make a very lovely bride," she whispered affectionately to Sena as the two of them sat down at the head of the banquet hall. They shared the table with the other recently-married couple, and servants waited on them as needed. The other members of the clan sat at tables scattered around the room, many of them near the high table. Other guests made up of those invited in advance, not knowing who might be married that day. Some of them understandably expressed surprise at the union of Salamacia and Sena, but were tactful enough to not be loud about it. Two banners hung behind the high table, the red and gold dragon of House Aracon and the silver and blue kraken of House Teuthi. The cuisine was a mixture of dishes that both families favored. It did not surprise her that there were several seafood dishes here, but the Teuthians also grew select vegetables that did relatively well on the Silver Islands, so there was a green that reminded her of onion, and carrot, and some of the most succulent radishes she'd ever tasted in a salad. Portions of fish were served, seared well and served with brown rice that had been cooked with several herbs and minced vegetables. Not quite spicy, but Salamacia found it surprisingly pleasant. Some kind of mashed potatoes, she was certain of it and the flavor was close enough, but then there were flavors new to her, since the potatoes had been spiced according to an old Teuthian recipe. There was a sort of fruit custard, served in a small cup, after several courses to refresh the palate. Then there were of course dishes favored in the Southland. Little fruit pies. Chicken marinated in herbs and spices and cooked over the grills by skilled Fire Adepts and chefs. A light yet savory and spicy lemon twist soup. Loaves of herbed bread with cheese baked into the top of it, that could be eaten with the soup or cut into slices to make sandwiches out of the chicken. The bread could also be dipped in the spicy tomato sauce that the Southland was known for cultivating over centuries into various recipes that had been adopted by other areas in the Ninelands. Vegetable and beef kebabs. She didn't partake in all of the dishes - she doubted even the hungriest person would have - she did try a good amount of the dishes even if just a few bites of each, and had thoroughly enjoyed herself. She looked over at her bride, holding back a frown of disappointment. The only thing that Sena had eaten was a serving of the fish and rice, picking at it and taking small bites. "You should eat more. Life is meant to be enjoyed, have something sweet. Have some of my pie." She'd cut her fruit pie into several wedges for easier consumption, and placed one piece on Sena's plate. "I am not very hungry," Sena said as she looked down at the pie as if not knowing what it was. "At least have some water, then. Please. I would be a poor groom if I let you starve," she half-joked. Sena briefly nodded and took several swallows of the water before turning to her wine. The Aracon family had brought over many casks of their wine, along with some signature Southland spirits like Gold Dragon and Misty Palms. If there was one thing among men that was universal, it was alcohol. The men from the Sothlands seemed more relaxed now as they celebrated a happy occasion, and for many of them, the Teuthi were now kinsfolk, doubly so through two marriage ties. The Southland beverages were foreign to many a palate here on Tentacle Island, but alcohol was alcohol, and many men ventured to broaden their palates. She could see why, the beer that the island brewed had a reasonable amount of alcohol in it, but it had a flavor she did not care for. After the feasting came the dancing. Like everything else here, it was more austere. Were these people always so solemn, Salamacia thought to herself as she took her bride out onto the floor after Lian and Tsune started dancing. She took the male role in the dance, and though Sena didn't want to dance, she grudgingly complied. Salamacia already had a basic working knowledge of traditional Teuthian dance from the couple of banquets and feasts that had been hosted while she'd been here. After the dancing, she had some more wine, and was gratified to see that Sena took a few mouthfuls of it. In the Southlands and much of the Ninelands, there were certain wedding customs that the groom, bride, or guests might participate in, and it varied by province, but much of it was the same. One was ribald teasing of the new couple, and bawdy jokes and songs to give them "ideas" for their wedding night. She remembered one ceremony she'd been to a few years ago for a cousin, and several sex toys had been given to them as gifts. Everyone laughed, since such things had been given in good humor, and the Aracon clan viewed sex as something healthy and normal, to be open about, as did much of the Southlands, for that matter. There was none of that here. The representatives and members of Aracon made a few jokes, but this was not picked up on by their hosts. She knew that her uncle and Moneo had discussed various aspects of the wedding beforehand and how to successfully conduct a ceremony and reception for two differing cultures, and wondered what Riho had said or even thought when Moneo informed him that there was "none of that" at a Silver Islands wedding. Several of the men started to overindulge in beer or wine - was there ever an occasion when this didn't happen - and the reception started to peter out. Several people were leaving, and the servants were starting to clear away plates and food scraps so the remaining guests could still drink and talk. Lian and Tsune were quick to excuse themselves, and were dismissed with a blessing from Moneo and a light joke from Riho. She saw Sena finish a glass of wine. "I think perhaps it is time for us to take our own leave. Our cousins have already made their departure, and I believe we have paid the guests enough lip service, don't you?" she asked with a small smirk. Sena set down the glass and looked up at her. "Please, this is your wedding night. Don't look so unhappy, I will treat you well and I think you might be more pleased with this union than you might expect," she added in a softer, more wheedling tone. After a moment, Sena took her hand, and Salamacia thrilled at the feel of it in hers as she led her bride away, eager to consummate their union. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 02 Hot Days and Heated Nights Sena was silent as she sat on the side of the bed, her heart thudding as she thought about the fact that she would share intimacy tonight with a woman. She looked around the room, seeing Salamacia's possessions, some of it hanging out, others already packed into trunks. There was ample red here, as well as the bright red comforter that sat on the bed. Sena had been in here a few times in the past, she and her cousins had occasionally played hide-and-go-seek in this wing since they would then not be underfoot of the servants. The furniture would be covered in sheets to keep the dust away, and cleaned out when they hosted eminent guests. Like many other rooms in the house, the fireplace in here had a kraken-themed mantel. The fire danced cheerfully, warming the room. The Water Mage caught the faint scent of incense in the air. It spoke to her of exotic lands, balmy summer days, cinnamon, and a melange of spicy oils that both soothed and invigorated. Doubtless Lian and Tsune were eager for their wedding night. They had probably already started. After several more moments, she slid off the bed and went over to the window. The window looked to the inland, showing her the mix of pine and other trees. She turned as she heard the door open and close and there Salmacia was, dressed in a comfortable red and gold satin robe. Under that was what looked to be a red satin nightgown that ended halfway past Salamacia's knees. The jewelry was gone, and her hair was now down in a simple gold braid. Salamacia was a woman who was obviously confident in herself. Though she could be very polite and respectful, she did not hesitate to speak her mind. She was obviously a powerful member in House Aracon, with her uncle and cousin listening to her advice. It was said by many that when you dealt with one member of House Aracon, you faced a pack of dragons. "Good evening, little mermaid," Salamacia said with a purr as she took several steps into the room. Even in this relaxed state, Sena could sense the energy that was nearly rolling off this woman. This tall, golden-haired women with the amber-gold eyes was a Fire Master, and was said to have the appetite of a dragon, according to rumors. In a battle between a dragon and a little mermaid, it seemed obvious to Sena who would win. She had on the white silk under-dress, and over that, a warm green-gray knit robe in a style that many women on the Silver Islands used for their bedroom robes, if they had the luxury. "I don't think we need to waste time, do we? So why don't you go on and unclothe?" Salamacia asked. Her full lips were curved in a faint smirk. There was something about that smirk that stirred Sena's rebelliousness. "Why don't you undress first?" she challenged. Salamacia paused. "I will take off my robe, then you take off yours?" she bargained. Sena gave a brief nod, and Salamacia untied her robe and shimmied out of it. She had high, full breasts, the nipples erect against the red satin that hugged them comfortably. Her arms, while smooth, had muscles evident whenever she flexed. She had surprisingly high endurance as Sena learned when she'd taken the young Aracon lady on a hike along the shoreline and through the woods. Despite Salamacia's impeccably-groomed appearance and seemingly soft hands, the Fire Master was far from a lazy, spoiled noble lady. She'd relished the challenge of the hike, laughing as they came to the top of a peak in their hike that gave them a glorious view of the inlands and terraces where much farming was done. Given how eager Salamacia was, Sena deduced that it would likely be a long night... As Salamacia turned to toss the robe over a stool, Sena could not help but note how the satin flowed down her ass, playing light and dark in the way that only satin could. If Salamacia had been demure and sweet, doubtless more of her relatives would have wanted a union with this feisty woman. "Now, you." Salamacia stated cheerfully. She kept her front to the darkness, so most of what Sena saw was her sides and rear end. She swallowed thickly and slid the robe off. The silk was so fine that it was never meant to be worn on its own, and ended just above her ankles. "Mmm... Sena. I bet many men have dreamed of bedding you," Salamacia purred. She blushed at that imprudent statement. She'd no interest in a man's passion, and was steadfastly devoted to not getting married until she had found a man that she could truly and properly bond and trust with. If there was no such person, she would dedicate herself to something else, like perhaps seeing if she had the potential to advance to Master. It was rare but possible for a person with Adept-level magic to become a Mage with enough experience and practice, and for a Mage to become a master the same way. Much of being a magician was being born with raw magic, but on occasion, a person could go beyond the limits they'd be born with. It was a worthy goal for her, and she might then become a teacher. Not a bad life for someone like her. That future was now closed to her, because of the passion of a woman! "Please, Salamacia. Can't we just remain friends?" she asked. Salamacia laughed at that. "I told you, my mind is made up." "But women can't have sex!!" She knew what a man and a woman did together. Two women on the other hand was a foreign concept for her. "Oh, I am beyond a mere woman," Salamacia replied cryptically. She sauntered towards Sena, her hips swaying, the satin swishing around her legs. I may have the body of a woman, but I have the needs of a man, and the means to fulfill it. "... What?" Sena asked, not comprehending what was being said to her. Salamacia smiled at that. "Yeah, I knew that was going to be a surprise, but best to get it over with." She grabbed Sena's hand and brought it to her crotch. Sena felt something under the ruby satin that did not feel like a woman's mound. It couldn't be, could it? Was Salamacia one of these men who dressed like women? She'd heard of such a thing. However, Salamacia was too much of a woman. All the time she'd spent with the feisty blonde had left her no doubt that Salamacia was a woman, and fully owned her femininity. Yet this... how... what? Sena quickly drew her hand away, trying to make sense of things. "Yes Sena, I have a penis. I prefer to call it dragon, though," Salamacia said in a matter-of-fact tone. "How is that even possible?" "I have been blessed." Salamacia said this in a confident tone. "So much Fire surges through me that apparently Fate decided I should have this as well. I can outdo a man in magic, and in bed." She sounded smug about that. The words started to sink in, clicking through Sena's brain. If Salamacia actually had a male organ, then she would be taken in the way that a man took a woman. Did this count as being taken by a man, or a woman? Would she still be a virgin afterward? So many questions boggled her mind, and she heard Salamacia laugh softly. "Ah, don't think about it too much. Just enjoy my attentions, and you'll be happy to be my wife." She slid out of her red satin, pulling it up over her head and exposing her lower half for a moment, showing that there was indeed a penis down there. It became obscured when Salamacia draped the cloth over her arm, the material hanging down to cover her stomach, groin, and thighs. Her naked breasts truly were something to behold, lightly tanned with rosy nipples. "Like what you see?" Salamacia asked, placing her free hand on her hip. "Now, off with yours, I am eager to see your lovely charms." Sena was blushing even more as she removed her own covering, turning away from Salamacia as she pulled it over her head. Granted, Salamcia could still see her rear end, but that was the least of her worriesd at that point. She took a deep breath before turning around and holding her gown in the same way Salamacia was holding hers. "Mmm. Pert little tits. I bet they're sensitive," Salamacia said with a purr. "Salamacia..." "Don't worry, since it's your first time I will be careful," Salamacia said before she turend to a chest, opening it with one hand and fishing around inside for something... a bag. It was of burgundy velvet, and she brought it to the night-table before loosing the drawstring. She put her hand in it as Sena watched, and rummaged around a bit before drawing out two small crystal bottles. "What's that?" Sena asked with some apprehension. "Oh, just... things that I think might help ease your mood." She smiled and put her nightgown aside, now fully nude before Sena as she set one of the bottles back down. She removed the lid and dabbed some on her fingers before reaching forward to rub Sena's nipples. The dark-haired girl gave a soft yelp and pulled back, but Salamacia gently pinned her down and continued rubbing, making sure the oil now thinly coated her nipples and aureola. At first, Sena felt nothing, and wondered what that had been for. "Lie back," Salamacia said, and Sena felt a rush of warmth come across her and relaxed into compliance, resting her head on the pillow and spreading her knees. She felt the fingers on her womanhood now, after dripping a couple drops more of that oil. The fingers then massaged the oil along her inner and outer labia, sliding along the soft folds and causing her to give out a soft moan when they withdrew. She glanced at Salamacia, who was now licking the substance off her fingers. "What... was that?" Sena asked, feeling somewhat confused. She'd never heard of oil being used for this purpose, and wondered if Salamacia just liked the smell – it was faintly reminiscent of cloves – when her nipples started to warm just a bit. In less than a minute, the same warm feeling tingle crept along her womanhood. "It's a warming lotion. It only goes away when I lick it off," Salamacia said with a grin. "Now, you're a proper sight and I am going to have you, but I'm going to enjoy this to the fullest." The taller woman sat back on the bed, her penis in plain view before her bride. Sena stared at her for several moments, unsure of what to say or do. "Spouses should be acquainted with one another's bodies, all the more to know and understand how to please their partner," Salamacia commented. "As my wife, it is your duty to make me aware of your favorite areas or things. It is also imperative that you know how to please me." She gestured to her organ. "It is as I have said before, I am a woman. I have all my womanly parts, but I find this much more entertaining for me to play with. There's something about feeling the flesh in my hand... or having someone else touch and manipulate it..." She breathed deeply; at some fond memory, Sena surmised. "So come here and touch it, Wake up the dragon with your attentions, and it will reward you..." she purred. "You really take that dragon thing seriously?" Sena was usually taciturn, but could not help but blurt that out, and Salamacia laughed. "The dragon is the sigil of House Aracon for more reasons than one, dear wife. Those of the dragon's blood are blessed, and I have been given an extra blessing. It is one I enjoy having, I will be frank." She reclined back on the pillows, one knee lifted, loosely splayed, expectant. "Come, get to know the dragon. It won't bite you." She smirked. It almost seemed as if Salamacia deliberately looked for things to make her become flustered, Sena sourly mused as she reached out to tentatively touch it, her fingers landing along the middle of the length of the blonde woman's organ. How was it even possible? She knew about the differences between the anatomies of male and female, and how babies were created, and pleasure shared. The culture she had grown up in did see sex as something to be private and discreet about, even to the level of prudishness in the eyes of outsiders. But they did have open dialogues about sex in private, and she'd learned everything that a woman, and probably a man, should know. Never had her mother or any of her female relatives probably imagined, much less hinted at her, that such a thing was possible. Men had certain parts, and women others, and that was how biology worked, damnit "Come now, don't touch it so lightly. It's a dragon, it needs firm petting, not these limp-wristed touches you're giving it." Sena glared at Salamacia. The older woman simply smirked back at her. She huffed, but twisted around as she felt the warm tingling of her nipples and womanhood intensified, and she gritted her teeth slightly. "Mmm, yes. Getting warm, is it? The more time goes on, the more tingly it gets, even to the point of itching. The sooner you play nice with me, the sooner I will lick that salve off you." She stared back incredulously. Well played, Salamacia. Well played, she thought grimly as she reached between Salamacia's legs to gently grasp the organ, and flipped it back onto the blonde's stomach, the bottom of the cock resting against her golden thatch. "So you have... everything down there?" Sena whispered. "Why don't you find out?" Salamacia grinned, relaxing her legs and spreading them apart a bit further. Sena paused as she considered this before deciding that she might as well get it over with. Her hand slid down the underside of Salamacia's cock before cupping her sac, which was tight and high against the base of her cock. Like the rest of Salamacia's body, it was warm to the touch. "I'm going to fill you up with that," Sena heard Salamacia purr. "Empty it into you and ..." "Stop that!" Sena cried out. "Do you enjoy saying things to embarrass me?" "You Silver Island lot really are prides, aren't you?" Sena blinked. "... Prudes? No! We respect sex, but it is private, and..." "Is there anyone else around?" She flipped her hair and gestured around the room. Other than them, the only sounds to be heard was the distant crashing of waves, and an occasional crackle of the fire. Sena opened her mouth, but no sound came out. "It's just the two of us, why should we need to worry about modesty or tact?" the blonde said, filling in Sena's silence. "So go on, explore. You're my wife, I am sure you will come to know me very well as time goes, might as well start now.." Sena chose to not reply to that, and still blushing, her fingers slid down the sac, finding something warm and slick. A bit of prodding – and a slight moan from Salamacia – told her that the older woman did indeed have a vagina. The fact that there were male and female organs on one body, conveniently placed so close to one another, was something that Sena was still puzzling over, her mind not having entirely processed the reality of the situation yet. Her mental processes provided a partial distraction to the sensation of her nipples and vagina getting even more tingly from the oil. Deep One, make it stop, she silently pleaded. Her fingers slid around for several moments as she peered at it, partially obscured in the shadows from Salamacia's legs. Almost without thinking, she let a finger slide in to the first knuckle. "Mmm, yes. I welcome your enthusiasm. More," Salamacia moaned. Sena blinked as if realizing just what she was doing, and started to pull back, but a wave of warmth washed over her, and her hand slid forward, two fingers now inside. Salamacia's organ started to stir as well, and as Sena fingered her a bit more, Salamacia stiffened further, the head now peeking out of the foreskin. "Use your other hand on my dragon," Salamacia ordered, in a gentler tone than before, though there was still passion at the edge of her tone. Sena obeyed, wrapping her fingers around her spouse and starting to pump, feeling it come to full life under her fingers. It was thick and seemed to feel warmer than the rest of its owner. She felt Salamacia wiggle her hips in obvious enjoyment of the deed. o0o Oh, with both of her sexes being teased, it didn't take Salamacia long to come near orgasm. It seemed to take superhuman willpower to bid her bride to stop. "Sena, stop right now. You have earned your reward. Lay back and spread yourself," she instructed, her cock throbbing and bobbing a bit as she sat up. Needing no prompt, the dark-haired woman complied, making herself comfortable on the bed. "Mmm... I bet that tingle is getting really bothersome, isn't it?" She blew gently onto one of Sena's nipples and then the other, hearing the other woman give out a soft, frustrated mewl. "Fear nor, bride of mine. For my kisses can soothe it away." She lowered her head to a pale, rosy nipple and flicked her tongue across it, hearing a soft hiss. "Mmm... my, you really are a maiden, aren't you? Oh, I will have so much delight in teaching you the seven caresses, and learning what makes your toes curl." Her grin was devilish, and she knew it. She was going to make this sweet dark-haired woman hers. She swirled her tongue along the aureola, tasting the hint of honey. This salve was made from the juices of a fruit that caused a tingling sensation that lasted anywhere between an hour to a few if left on the skin. Harmless when ingested, someone had ingenuously figured out a sexual purpose for it. Saliva broke down the tingling properties, so it was easy to simply lick it off one's partner when it was time and licking the salve off also negated the tingling on the partner's skin, and it had a pleasant flavor. Honey was sometimes added to thicken it and increase the itching properties if someone wanted to really tease their partners, and to thicken the substance that was popular in the use of arousing and tormenting lovers. Salamacia was no stranger to this substance, called 'tickle of the dragon', having had it used on herself but very much preferring to use it on her lovers. Sena moaned and bit her lips as she cleaned one nipple with plenty of kissing, nibbling, and sucking, before moving onto the other one and cleaning it in similar fashion. Sena was practically breathless when Salamacia positioned herself between her legs, and Salamacia was reminded deliciously of the ache in her own groin. Gods! She had to remind herself to be patient, a virtue that her uncle often extolled. Riho was unusual among Fire masters – he was patient and in excellent control of his emotions. Allies and adversaries alike might even joke that he had a heart of ice. He'd done his best to teach her patience, an endeavor that she usually sneered at. But she had learned a thing or two from her uncle, and she could see that this was one of these times where a touch of patience could go a long way. "You do have a lovely cunt. Could use a bit more trimming," she commented in her usual bluntness. "Nonetheless, I will enjoy it tonight, and so will you." She lowered her head to run her lips along the outer labia, hearing the dark-haired woman keen sharply for a moment before she bit it off. Salamacia smiled at the sound, and contused her attentions, slowly and lazily, taking her time with the outermost part of Sena's womanhood, occasionally breathing hotly onto the puckered inner lips that peeked out shyly. "Salamacia! Please..." Sena's eyes were half-lidded. "Please what? Please stop, or please continue?" she said in a velvety whisper. Sena hesitated, obviously torn between the two. The Fire Master decided to make the choice easier, and used a touch of Fire magic to send a burst of soothing warmth across Sena's body. "Lick it off. Please." "Since you asked so nicely..." Salmacia said before she resumed her licking, now moving onto the inner labia, kissing, licking, nibbling as she felt Sena tense under her, not from discomfort, but from the newness of the experience and the power of the sensations she was feeling. When all of Sena was clean to her satisfaction, Salamacia went back to the spot that she wanted to tease and explore, but had been holding off for. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 02 "You know the mechanics of intercourse, do you not?" she asked in an almost conversational tine, her fingers on occasion lightly brushing along Sena's inner thighs. "Do you know that there are more ways to have pleasure than with simple intercourse?" she continued. Sena paused and tilted her head to the side a bit. "If you mean using your hand or mouth to pleasure someone, then yes?" "Oh bravo, bravo. Given how austere House Teuthi is, I was not sure if anyone in the Silver Isles knew anything about that," she teased. Sena glared at her, which was comical given what Sena was seeing from her own vantage. "I only ask because I just want to know what I need to teach you,." she gently chided. "So I think you can understand what I am about to do, hmm?" "Ye... yes," Sena replied quietly. "Then let's not waste any more time, shall we?" With that, she reached to the top of Sena's slit, teasing the clitoris out of its hood. She added a bit of heat to her kiss, and leaned down to press her lips against the clit, drawing out a soft squeak from the dark-haired woman. "Oh darling, I have only started," Salamacia purred as she proceeded to kiss, lick, and suck on the clit, and Sena gritted her teeth, digging her fingers into the pillow as she fought to restrain herself. A soft intake of breath met her ears as she slid a finger into the flesh in front of her, feeling Sena's inner walls clench. Oh gods, how that would feel around her when she finally took Sena! Salamacia had to again remind herself to be patient as she inserted another finger, and continued to pleasure Sena, using a touch of Fire magic here and there to intensify the experience. Sena was doing her damnedest to not thrash around, Salamacia noted, but she did push her hips forward a little, pressing herself against the other woman's face and hand, not that Salamacia would complain about that. She was diligent and focused in her task, and was rewarded with a shriek, and a sudden slickness around the base of her fingers. She smiled and lapped up her bride's release, hearing Sena give out another moan as she withdrew her fingers. Salamacia licked her fingers clean and smirked down at Sena. "I take it you enjoyed that..." Sena could only respond with a brief nod, blushing fiercely. "Good, because I intend to give you many more of these during our marriage..." Salamcia said as she flipped her hair. Sena responded beautifully to her attentions, and Salamacia was eager to see more of such results. "Now that we are better acquainted with one another, I do believe that it is time for the dragon to claim you." She rose to her knees, standing on them with her hips forward, her erection in clear view and more needy than ever. She reached down to lightly grasp the base, feeling the heat under the palm of her hands. She was almost too well-suited to be a hermaphrodite, and though there were people who would try to shame her for either that or having a healthy sexual appetite, she would have none of that. She knew who and what she was, and was determined to enjoy what she had been given, to its fullest. She looked down at her bride, flushed and shivering. Sena might be virginal, but Salamacia saw potential in the shorter woman. Sena was as reserved and taciturn as the kraken that represented her House, but Salamacia would show her that the passion shared with a dragon would be much more rewarding than a lonely existence. Golden eyes met laurel-green ones, and Salamacia smirked down at her soon-to-be lover. o0o I welcome questions left in the form of reviews on the stories. Comments, suggestions, feedback, reviews, or just praise (because yes I do admit, it feel good) don't hesitate to let me know! Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 03 Kain – you have quite a few questions. This time I won't answer them because doing so would be too spoiler-y, so just read on and enjoy the story. To the reviewer who mentioned typos – I know I make them. I try to catch them when I can. If I or someone else notices a typo after I've uploaded the story, I just fix the mistake and replace the chapters with 'fixed' versions whenever I can. I use spellcheck but as anyone well knows, these only catch misspelled words, not wrongly-used words and sometimes I type so fast that I make keyboard typos. I try my best to catch typos, but any writer knows that a few can slip away from you. I don't have a proofreader, unfortunately. So anyone who reads my stories, this one or any other in my repertoire is free to point out anything I missed, and I will update the manuscript. To clear things up – Sena is 22, and Salamacia is 24. o0o Sena was silent for several moments as she stared at Salamacia, her eyes again confirming the reality of who and what her new wife was. Her brain didn't quite want to process what she was seeing, even though the evidence was right before her. "Um..." she said as she backed away a little, riding to more of a sitting position as she leaned against the pillows that rested against the headboard. "Could we... perhaps wait for another night?" "Oh come now, why should I wait? I've already waited for a fortnight," Salamacia responded with a faint smirk. "What? But, the suitors, why did you... you can't mean that..." "I can, and I do. My mind was made up from day one, but of course I had to humor my uncle and your cousin." "It would have been nice if you told me about it?" "What would you have done? Would you have been willing to marry me if I had talked to you beforehand?" "... No." "Why not?" "Because... you're a woman! And before you tell me things are different in the Southlands, kindly remember that I'm not one of you!" Sena huffed as she crossed her legs, covering her breasts with her crossed arms. Salamacia threw her head back and let out a guffaw, her breasts jiggling as she did so. Wiping a couple of tears from her eyes, the blonde took a deep breath and collected herself before looking back down at Sena. "I'll make you a deal," Salamacia finally said after several moments of silence. The younger woman looked back up at her quizzically. "If you feel no pleasure at all during our union, I will agree to have the marriage annulled, and accept responsibility for it." Sena stared at her spouse for several moments, considering her choices. She could lie back, close her eyes, and let Salamacia have her. She could use some of her meditation techniques to keep herself calm and cool during intercourse. All it was was a penis in a vagina; not all women gained pleasure from that simple act. Yes. She could practically taste her freedom... "Very well." She saw Salamacia'a eyes gleam in triumph, and she bit back a smile as she raised her hand in a gesture that clearly said, 'not so fast!' "But I have my own terms to make. You can not use anything other than your own body. You can't use any of these oils or whatever else you have in your bag, or your magic." She recalled that Salamacia had taken two bottles from the bag, and she wasn't about to let the blonde use whatever had been in the as of yet unopened vial. Salamacia blinked in surprise. "Come now, Salamacia. I may be a Water Mage, but I am not ignorant to the other elements. I know you were using your magic to heat me up. If you are so confident in your ability to make me orgasm from intercourse, then you won't need any assistance... will you?" she challenged. Salamacia crossed her arms, looking at her critically for several moments. Happy to see that she'd effectively stopped the older woman in her tracks, at least for a few moments, Sena could not help but smirk back. "Very well. I accept your challenge, and I will relish my victory," Salamacia finally stated. "I believe you will not find me someone so easily taken over," Sena shot back. "That's fine. I like a challenge." Sena took a deep breath and wiggled down a bit so she was in a comfortable position, lying down with her head on a pillow, spreading her knees apart. This is what many women do on their wedding night, she told herself. Just close your eyes, and let her have at it, and it'll be over soon enough. She looked up to see Salamacia still smirking down at her, and closed her eyes, waiting to be penetrated. She took a deep breath, focusing on meditation, letting her mind start to drift off. This reverie was abruptly broken as she felt something suck on her lower lip. She smelled Salamacia's perfume, and realized the other woman was actually kissing her. The blonde's lips were soft and full, tasting faintly of something faintly sweet she could not identify. The kisses grew more fervent as Salamacia pressed her lips in more firmly, licking and nibbling along Sena's own lips as her hands reached up to caress the younger woman's face. "... What are you doing?" Sena whispered, her eyes still closed. "What do you mean?" "I'm ready. Take me." Salamacia let out a velvety chuckle into her ear before her hand slid down to gently squeeze a breast. "Oh my sweet, darling mermaid, you think it's going to be so easy? No, I intend to make this a memorable experience for both of us." The kisses and caresses continued as Salamacia took her time to explore the body of her new bride. Despite Sena's best efforts to meditate, and retreat from the experienced touches that was drawing unexpected responses from her body, she found herself unable to go as deep as she wanted. It seemed that every time she was about to successfully plunge into meditative oblivion, there was always a touch, kiss, or nibble, that yanked her right back into reality. Sena silently cursed the older woman, but Salamacia was holding to her own end of the bargain. She was simply using her mouth and hands, which she was permitted to do. She had to make a conscious effort to bite back a moan as she felt Salamacia's nimble fingers tease her clit out of its hood again. Her nipples were erect, and no wonder, after the way the Fire Master had nibbled, kissed, sucked, and pinched them, leaving them puffy and stuff. She couldn't remember a time her nipples had ever been so hard – or when she had ever been so aroused, period. Though more withdrawn and serious than her peers, Sena was not exempt to the usual trials and tribulations that had come with puberty. She'd had crushes, and listened to older cousins or servants titter about this or that. She'd touched herself several times, exploring the most intimate parts of herself. She'd wondered what it might feel like to have a boy touch there, or her tits, or kiss her. Or what it might be like to touch a man, to explore the ways that a man was different from a woman. Despite her distaste for the general idea of marriage, she did entertain such thoughts now and then. The things she'd imagined she might feel at being touched in such intimate ways paled before the reality of what Salamacia was doing. Even though Salamacia was using no magic, Sena's body still warmed at her touches, and she had to bite back a moan. o0o Salamacia was not ignorant of her wife's attempts to tune out from this situation. Any person with magic skills, who had received formal instruction, had meditation as one of the most basic tenets of their training. She almost called Sena out on this, but decided to instead prove to the younger woman the level of her skills. Though her cock ached, Salamacia took her time to tease and explore her lover, caressing her face and giving her kisses, teasing her breasts, kissing along her shoulders, arms, and stomach, the ache in her cock increasing when she moved down to the brunette's inner thighs. She could not help but smirk at the subtle nuances of the younger woman's body that told her of Sena's frustration at not being able to completely ignore all the teasing kisses and touches. "What is the matter, sweetling?" Salamcia asked with a purr as she gently rubbed the palm of her thumb against the tip of Sena's clit, feeling her lover squirm a bit at that sensation. "Am I interrupting your meditation?" she inquired with a knowing smirk. Sena's eyes fluttered open, and she glared, her normally solemn face taking on an expression that animated it. "Come now, is this so horrible...?" Salamacia purred, continuing to gently rub the little nub that peeked out from Sena's womanhood. The younger woman gave out a small moan at that, and it was clear she was making an effort to not just wiggle away or clamp her thighs closed. After plumbing Sena's depths with two fingers, the blonde decided that it was time to consummate her union. Despite Sena's best efforts to ignore what was happening, her body told an entirely different tale, and Salamacia knew she had already won. Now was the time to drive the point home, and Salamacia could wait no longer. She positioned herself between Sena's legs, propping herself up by placing her hands on the blanket at Sena's sides. Lowering her hips, Sena could not help but feel a flush of pleasure as the tip of her organ came in contact with the warm slit that awaited it. She pushed forward just a bit, feeling that warmth engulf the head of her penis "Mmm... you feel so wonderful, dear wife. I know I will be enjoying this for many years to come," Salamacia purred as she lowered her head to nibble along Sena's ear, sliding in inch by inch. She could feel the other woman stiffen at the intrusion, and reached up with one hand to gently massage Sena's breast. Finally, she was fully sheathed, and it felt simply divine. She let out a soft purr, and placed kisses and nuzzles along her lover's face and throat, simply enjoying the union. Sena squirmed around a bit under the ministrations, but remained where she was, closing her eyes. You couldn't shut me out before, what makes you think you're going to be able to do so now, Salamacia thought with mild amusement as she started to rock her hips. o0o The pain that came with losing her virginity was fleeting, much more than Sena had expected. She knew that women had varied experiences during their first time, and the fact that it hurt her less than she has expected came to her as a surprise – and she was not sure if she should feel relief or not. If it had hurt more, it meant she could enjoy this less, and give Salamacia less of a chance to have what she wanted. She felt the kisses and caresses on her face, feeling Salamacia's breasts pressed against her own. The blonde woman had a gorgeous set of breasts, full and plump, something that Sena had often wished of her own chest, which seemed almost tiny in comparison. Salamacia didn't seem to mind though, as one of her well-manicured hands was massaging a breast, lightly rolling its nub between her fingers, and Sena was unable to bite back a moan. She could actually feel Salamacia smile against her cheek as she let out this small sound. "Oh, it gets better," Salamacia purred before she started to roll her hips in a gentle rhythm, and Sena stiffened, feeling the fullness within her slide against her innermost walls. She bit her lip, trying to shut everything out, but as before, this was proven impossible, because Salamacia always seemed to know what to do to prevent that mental escape, and she gave out a small whimper as Salamacia's hand traveled from her breast to her clit, giving it teasing, gentle rubs as she slowly moved in and out. Sena was surprised at how... oddly empty she felt when the older woman pulled out of her, leaving only the head of her cock within. When Salamacia pushed back in, she couldn't help but enjoy it. Damn it, she thought furiously as she realized that she was indeed enjoying her spouse's attentions. Even without any outside assistance, Salamacia was doing a very good job, and Sena hadn't realized just how sensitive certain parts of her anatomy could be, or how well they could be exploited. The pace slowly increased, and inwardly, Sena knew that she had lost. Even though she had not yet orgasmed from this act, she knew it was going to happen, and gave out a mewl as Salamacia lightly bit the side of her neck. The thrusting increased, and before she knew it, Salamacia picked up one of her hands, guiding her to wrap her arm around the older woman's middle. Sena opened her eyes to see a mask of bliss on Salamacia's face, her blonde braid swinging from her shoulder as she thrust. As Salamacia noticed her attention, she smiled and lowered her head again to give the brunette a searing kiss, sliding her tongue into Sena's mouth. Almost as if on instinct, Sena responded, pushing at Salamacia's tongue with her own as their lips remained locked in a deep kiss. Salamacia's kisses grew more ardent, and she ran her free hand along the smaller woman's face, and Sena wondered – at least with the part of her mind that wasn't occupied with how much she was enjoying this – how it was possible that Salamacia could seem to focus on multiple tasks at once, with the kissing, caressing, thrusting, and stroking. However, the blonde did have her limits, as Sena came to realize, as the thrusting became harder and fiercer, and Salamacia had to stop stroking her clit so as to use her hand for leverage in the thrusts. "Please...." Sena gasped, she'd been so close to orgasm, her clit throbbing as she felt something deep within her grow hotter and tighter with each thrust of Salamacia's thick organ, which seemed to not only fill her womanhood, but her consciousness. "Touch me," Salamacia commanded. "Hold me," she gasped between thrusts, and Sena moaned loudly, wrapping her legs loosely around the blonde's hips, her arms around Salamacia's middle. Even though Salamacia was no longer manipulating her clit, Sena was still enjoying herself, clinging to the taller woman, swear beading her brow as her hips thrust back at her lover without any conscious thought on her part. Although Salamacia's hands were now on the bed, one on the comforter, the other on the headboard for leverage for her fierce thrusting, she still peppered the younger woman's face with kisses, occasionally planting a searing one on her lips. Dimly, Sena recalled Salamacia referring to herself, and her organ, as a dragon, and in this moment, the metaphor seemed all too appropriate. Something within Sena seemed to explode, and she gave a cry into Salamacia's mouth as she stiffened in orgasm, her thighs clenching against Salamacia's hips for several moments. Salamacia's kisses grew more ardent even as Sena trembled and whimpered from her orgasm, her core sending warm pulses through her stomach and thighs as the older woman continued her fierce thrusting, her movements and breathing becoming even quicker and more erratic, and even though Sena had never been with anyone in an intimate way before, she sensed that this meant the blonde's own orgasm was fast approaching. Sena was barely aware of anything besides what she was experiencing. The noises the two of them made, the tangle of their limbs and Salamacia's frantic thrusting, the scent of the incense and their own sweat. She heard a sudden, strangled gasp as a warm explosion coated her inner walls, and focused on Salamacia's face, seeing the other woman in the throes of her orgasm, her pleasure plainly written on her features as her golden eyes rolled back into her head. Her rhythm changed, still fierce but erratic, her fingernails digging into the younger woman's side. "Ow!" Sena hissed, trying to pry away said hand. Salamacia continued thrusting, but thankfully, she removed her hand, and her thrusts slowed as she caught her breath. "... Sorry about that," Salamacia whispered, and all Sena could do was nod, her body swaying a bit with each thrust as the other woman drew out her completion, her flesh still thick and hard as it moved within. Sena's arm remained loosely wrapped around the other woman as Salamacia peppered the side of her face and shoulder with lazy kisses. Finally, she pulled out, and the room seemed suddenly too cold to the younger woman, and she felt empty between her legs. She wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed her knees shut as she felt a bit of cum seep out of her. "Closing up already?" Salamacia asked with a smirk. She blushed and looked away, not deigning an answer. Salamacia draped an arm across her, hugging her close as she lay at her side. "Come now, don't be like that. You enjoyed that, we both did." She nibbled along Sena's ear, and the younger woman had to bite back a moan. "Hmph," was all Sena could respond with. "Well, I am sure that with due time, you'll stop being such a tight-ass," Salamacia commented. Sena hmphed again and rolled away. A strong arm wrapped around her middle, pulling her back so that she was now spooned against her lover. "We made a deal, and now you must honor it," Salamacia reminded her in a tone that was considerably less teasing than before as she pressed her lips along the side of Sena's neck. "I will be a good wife to you, have no fear of that, but I expect the same in return." "I didn't ask to be married," Sena replied, her tone coming out more petulant than she had intended. "It had to happen some day, didn't it? That's what happens to us of noble blood," the older woman replied, and Sena felt her fingers running through her hair. "Not everyone!" "True, but it happens more often than not. You didn't want to marry a man, and you got your wish." As if to emphasize her point, Sena felt the other woman press her breasts against her back. "Wait, how did you know?" Sena blurted out. Salamacia chuckled softly. "Your cousin met me and my uncle privately after I made my choice, and he explained the promise he'd made to you." Sena gave out a slow sigh. So Moneo had tried. "And that meant nothing to you?" "You're the only one I would have for my spouse, Sena." "You could have just told your uncle you weren't interested in marriage. I think Riho would have let you have your way." Sena thought of Riho and how he was around his son and niece. It seemed like he would not be the kind of person to force someone into marriage. "He let me make my choice, instead of choosing someone for me," came the smooth retort. o0o Salamacia closed her eyes briefly, inhaling the scent of her lover. She could smell flowers in the smaller woman's hair, although she couldn't quite identify it. The Silver Isles had vegetation that was almost completely different than what could be grown in the Southlands, but Sena's scent was not at all unpleasant. "Believe me, Sena, I did not make this decision lightly," Salamacia whispered into her ear. Only if the other woman knew just how much thought had went into her choice... o0o House Aracon was one of the most powerful Houses in the Ninelands, if not the most. Centuries of keen business sense, military strategy, and wisely-arranged marriages brought House Aracon to its current state of power. There were those who said that if House Aracon wanted to take the crown for themselves, they could probably succeed at the task. Fortunately for the King, Riho Aracon, and his predecessors wisely knew that holding a crown often came with more trouble than it was worth, so the dragons maintained their lofty seat in the Southlands, focusing on venues which brought them real power. One venue was marriage alliances, and though intermarriage between various branches of Aracon was not uncommon, the leaders knew that tying their House with others, and bringing fresh blood into the dragon's lair was prudent. Riho had made the decision that this generation needed to re-establish their ties with House Teuthi, despite their opposing elements. It'd been many, many generations since a daughter of the Silver Isles had married a scion of the House, and Riho felt it prudent to refresh this tie with not one but two marriages. He was known for meditating on serious decisions like this, and he did not make his announcement lightly. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 03 Rather than simply choose who would enter these marriages, he'd asked for volunteers. Lian, not having found a maiden within the Southlands to suit him, volunteered to be the first tie. After several days of meditation, Salamacia had stepped forward as the second volunteer. She recalled Riho's bemusement as she visited him in his study, telling him that she wanted to volunteer. She could see his study in her mind clear as day, given how often she'd been in it. Naturally, most of the decorations were red and gold, with rich mahogany furniture, and a dragon here and there in the decorations. Along one wall hung banners of the various Houses that ruled the Ninelands, something that her uncle chose to have to remind him – and the rest of the family – that they were not the only House. Two hands with their palms facing the viewer, one hand pointed up, the other pointed down, flesh-colored on a field of purple. Seven dark blue-gray peaks – one bigger than the other six – on a background of pale blue. A tree, a cornucopia, and a red flower, all on different shades of green. A white flame on gray. An orange crab on dark red and black. A pink catspaw on black. And of course, the silver kraken on blue. "You're certain of this, Salamacia?" Riho asked, sitting back in his chair as he studied his niece. Salamacia looked at her uncle evenly, nodding slowly. "Might this have anything to do with Sena?" he asked. The calm on her face was replaced with surprise, and Riho smiled as he stroked his beard. "The flames tell me many things." "Apparently, they do," Salamacia agreed. Well, better Riho than anyone else. Unlike many other family heads, Riho judged people for their actions, not their gender, and the women of House Aracon enjoyed freedoms not often afforded to those of other Houses. "Of course, it's not just the flames that show me things – it's these." The head of House Aracon lightly tapped the corner of his eye. At this, Salamacia gave out an incredulous snort. Riho merely smiled at her before he continued, "As host to the Teuthi clan the last time they came to the Southlands, it was my job to observe." Salamacia gave out a soft huff. "I know you're observant and wise and all that, but really?" She remembered the time she'd spent with Sena. There was something that had drawn her to the young Water Mage, and she couldn't explain it. She just enjoyed being around Sena and had been sad when the Teuthis returned to the Silver Isles. "Really. Keep in mind that it has been years since you have seen her." "Of course I know that!" She crossed her arms, thinking about all the times Sena had come to her thoughts, unbidden. She was curious to see how the younger woman had blossomed. "Very well then, I will send a message to Moneo to make the proper arrangements. The Silver Isles have different mores than us, and it will be necessary for you to meet and entertain some men," Riho cautioned. Salamacia flipped her braid over her shoulder and shrugged. She was quite prepared for that – and the sport she could make out of it. Who said she couldn't have fun while pursuing Sena? "Of course, Uncle," Salamacia replied sweetly... o0o "I intend to take my duties as your spouse seriously," Salamacia emphasized her point as she caressed Sena's arm. "And that includes giving you plenty of pleasure." Cuddling with Sena had gotten her erect again, and with her victory already assured, she did not hesitate to slide within Sena again, the younger woman already well-slicked from their recent activities to make it easy for them to join their flesh. Sena breathed out a soft moan, but did not try to pull away, and Salamacia's hand traveled down to the pale-skinned woman's hip. When she wiggled against Sena, she was rewarded with a sudden clench of the younger woman's inner walls. "Enjoy that, sweetling?" Salamacia purred as her hand traveled up to lightly tug a nipple. Sena gave out a quiet moan at that, arching a bit into the touch. Pleased at the other woman's receptiveness, Salamacia wiggled and rocked her hips a bit, placing kisses along Sena's neck and shoulder. Her hand traveled from Sena's nipple to her clitoris, teasing it and rubbing it, using Fire magic to further increase the other woman's arousal and enjoyment. "Sa... Salamacia..." Sena whispered, her breath becoming more ragged as Salamacia increased her rhythm, rocking her hips in a firm rhythm as she continued her ministrations with her hand, feeling the other woman arch and wiggle in eager response. However, Salamacia changed things around this time so that she was the first one to come, releasing another load of her seed within her wife, and once the highest point of her orgasm had passed, she gave Sena her own climax. The younger woman gave out a sharp cry as she had her own orgasm, clenching tight and causing Salamacia to give out a sudden hiss at the sensation that prolonged her orgasm, moaning in the pleasurable aftershocks of their shared pleasure. Her hand teased Sena for a bit more before roving lazily along the toned body, her hand easily cupping the dark-haired woman's breast and kneading it gently. Sena let out a slow sigh, closing her eyes, remaining where she was as she let Salamacia do as she pleased. It was also quite clear that Sena was both tired and overwhelmed, and though Salamacia would have been happy to go another round, she was astute enough to know that it was better to save further lessons or activities for a later date, which at this point, wasn't such a bad idea. She was content to simply bask in the pleasant haze that came after sex, and remained within her lover for a bit more before she slowly pulled out, drawing out an almost inaudible groan from the younger woman. "I suppose you are ready for sleep," Salamacia whispered, and Sena weakly nodded. "Well, I would be remiss in my duties as a good spouse if I did not make sure you had what you needed. Are you thirsty?" she inquired. Sena turned her head, glancing at her out of the corner of her eye before she slowly nodded again. She slipped out of the bed and pulled on her robe, getting two glasses and pouring wine in both of them, offering her wife one of the goblets. "Here's to our first of what will be many wonderful nights together," Salamacia said with a smile. Sena sniffed at the contents of the cup, but did not reject the offer, and sipped the wine. It was a smooth pink wine with a mild fruity flavor, and enough alcohol to give a pleasant buzz. She sometimes enjoyed the drink after she had sex, finding it a suitable remedy to her thirst. When Sena had emptied her glass, Salamacia whisked it away and placed it on the table before returning to bed, pulling back the blankets and climbing under them after making sure Sena was tucked in. With their flesh cooling after the heat of sex had worn off, Salamacia could not help but feel a chill despite the fire in the room. She didn't even want to think of what winter might be like here in the Silver Isles. She'd only seen snow several times in her entire life, and she absolutely hated it, why would people want to live in places where it snowed? The horror! o0o Sena pulled the blanket up to her chin, partly relieved that it was over, and partly surprised at how much she had enjoyed Salamacia's attentions, and how she was already thinking of their next sexual encounter. Her pussy ached a bit from the fact that up until recently, she had been a virgin, and how fierce Salamacia could get once things became truly... heated. Nonetheless, she still felt a bit of tingle in her nipples that she was fairly certain had nothing to do with the salve Salamacia had applied to her earlier. She could not help but wonder what else the golden-eyed woman would show her in ways of pleasure. The breathing next to her became quiet and regular, Salamacia loosely spooned up to her, an arm draped across her middle, her blonde tresses smelling of a sweet, spicy perfume. Sena looked up at the ceiling until her own eyes closed, ever-aware of the warm body next to her until she lost consciousness. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 04 Kain - I don't mind you asking me questions at all. Often, when a reader asks questions, it causes me to look at my story with fresh perspectives as the reader might have brought up an issue that I might not have considered before, so if there's anything on your mind, please do not hesitate to comment! I might not always be able to answer the question but I do welcome reader insight, and answer certain questions when I can, whether within the story itself or an author's note. Of course, this goes for all of my other readers as well. o0o Sena could not help but feel a sense of anxiety as she moved further and further away from the ocean. Being on it had been her source of comfort as she made her journey across the sea with her new family, especially after seeing how seasick Salamacia became. The older woman would complain about the rocking of the boat, and how impossible it was to sleep, or hold down her food. Though the younger woman knew it was petty, she couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude at the older woman's obvious discomfort with so much water around her, opposite to her Element. Though water was by no means more dangerous to a Fire magician than an ordinary person, the discomfort they felt was standard for anyone surrounded by their opposite element, like an Air magician would in a deep cave, surrounded by earth which was the very antithesis of air. A restless and irritated Salamacia was a less amorous one, but nonetheless, the Fire Master still had managed to ravish her several more times through the voyage. Now the tables had turned, and it was Sena who found herself in an uncomfortable position. The carriage swayed just slightly as ht made its way up the slope, and she looked through the window with longing as the ocean became nothing but a sliver of blue-green on the horizon. Dragonslair, the home of House Aracon, was nestled within the low mountains that sat several miles from the ocean, and according to Salamacia, was built near a dormant volcano. That idea did not comfort her, though she could see how such a location would appeal to those who had Fire magic in their blood. "I can't wait to be home! There really is no place like home!" Salamacia said as she reclined against the cushions that backed her seat, and Sena could only respond with a deadpan stare. It'd been one thing to deal with the dragon when Sena was still on her own family lands, or on the ocean. Now that the dragon was soon to be returned to her lair, how would things be? "Oh come now, don't be like that. I told you I would take care of you! You'll be cozy and comfortable, and you'll see how delightful it can be to be a bride of a dragon! There are so many things we can do, and so many places I want to show you!" On the ship, Salamacia had been more grumpy and complaining, but now on dry land, she was considerably more cheerful and perky. "You'd be feeling the same way if you were to make your home on the Silver Isles, I am sure," she shot back at the blonde woman. Salamacia was clad in a comfortable silk dress of bright red, with a sleeveless linen dress underneath of a darker red, its hem visible past the bottom of the outer dress. "That is true," Salamacia responded with a quick shrug. "Good thing I didn't pick a man, hm?" "Hmph." Sena crossed her arms and looked out the window again. o0o Dragonslair was even more impressive than Sena had imagined, and she couldn't help but let her awe show as she and Salamacia stepped out of their carriage. The homes of the Great Houses of the Ninelands tended to be more impressive than most, and House Teuthi certainly was no exception, but the austere beauty of the Spire paled before the sprawling opulence of Dragonslair. There was one main structure, five stories tall which obviously served as the main residence of the Lord of the Southlands, with plenty of smaller buildings at varying distances from it, either one or two stories high, and ordered nearly as far as Sena could see. All of this was surrounded by a wall with well-fortified guard towers. Servants milled about, unloading the luggage and spare provisions, carrying them into the main building, reminding Sena of the order and efficiency of ants. Like the buildings around them, she saw plenty of red on the servants in varying shades, from red-orange to dark red, with only an occasional break from the color scheme in shades of yellow or blue. Much of the architecture was varying shades of white to the reddish ochre of terra-cotta, with tiled roofs of red or orange. For someone who was used to being surrounded by green, gray, and blue, the new color palette served as a shock to her senses. This was what she was going to be seeing every day. "We will be having a banquet tonight," Salamacia explained as she looked at Sena. "Uncle will be wanting to show off the new additions to the family, and of course, the rest of the family will be curious to see what me and Lian brought home." She shot Sena a bright smile. Sena unfortunately, did not share that sentiment, and her heart thudded with trepidation at the thought of meeting more dragons. She was as unlike Salamacia as... well, night to day. Wait, how many people knew about Salamacia's... uniqueness? It was a subject she'd never directly asked about, though the older woman and Riho had made it clear that while it wasn't something to hide in shame, it also wasn't openly flaunted. "Yes, Salamacia," Sena replied quietly. o0o The bath rooms were clean and orderly like Sena had expected, each chamber neatly partitioned off with panels of wood to give the bathers privacy. There was also a sauna, and a swimming pool with cool water, sitting under a glass dome that kept the water from evaporating in the arid mountain air. Salamacia had given her an explanation of how the system worked to conserve water, gutters running along most of the roofs to collect rainwater into cisterns that would be used for various purposes, like the greenhouses, watering the animals, or washing certain items like most clothing, or floors, or tools. The water used for drinking was cleansed by boiling in large brass cisterns, and bathwater was recycled for watering plants. There were also mountain streams, but Salamacia explained that since Dragonslair was such a large place, they didn't want to overdraw it, and why waste rainwater? Sena could see this logic, but as a Water Mage, she was uncomfortable with the idea that here, water was rationed and guarded. Having grown up next to the sea and lived with it her entire life, it was hard to get used to the idea that she could no longer take such a simple yet vital liquid for granted. Even of the ocean was saltwater, it was still water. Salamacia wasn't with her, ostensibly needing to talk with her uncle and parents, so Sena was glad for the reprieve from her company. The hot water did help to calm her somewhat, and Sena relaxed in the wooden tub with her cousin, a washcloth draped discreetly across her lap. Tsune was covered similarly. Communal bathing with members of the same sex was a common practice in the Silver Isles, although modesty and decorum were also emphasized upon, whether it be sharing a tub, or a steam room. Being a stranger in a strange land, Sena was happy for a familiar face, and took comfort in her cousin's presence. "I know you're nervous about tonight, but just think of it as a clan gathering. We've been to banquets that had far more people," Tsune suggested as she washed herself with a sponge. Sena gave a small huff. "Why do you insist on being so unhappy?" the black-haired woman asked gently. Sena looked away. "Insist?" she muttered incredulously. "Think about it, it could be much worse. I hear in the Crownlands and Greenlands, they often marry off their girls soon after first flowering." Sena snorted, she'd heard such a tale. Fortunately, the Silver Isles were considerably more pragmatic, and marriage was held off until a girl was in her late teens. "Salamacia does seem to care about you. I've seen how she looks at you. If you give her a chance, I'm sure the two of you can be very happy together," Tsune argued gently. Sena thought back on Salamacia's promises to take care of her. She hated to admit, but her cousin did have a point. She could be married to someone a lot worse. "I certainly hope that the dragon takes pride in pleasuring you," Tsune said, her lips curved in a half-smile. "You... know?" Serna asked, with some shock. "Lian told me," Tsune admitted. At Sena's groan, she gave her cousin a reassuring smile. "I know it's hard for you here, with all the changes, and I don't doubt that Salamacia's... uniqueness was a shock. I know it was when I heard it, I almost didn't believe Lian," Tsune said kindly, wrapping her arm around Sena's shoulders. "At least you wanted to marry Lian!" she pointed out. "True," Tsune sighed. "But again, it could be a lot worse. Salamacia could be a foul-tempered, cranky old man, old enough to be your great-grandfather, with breath that smells like something crawled into his mouth and died while farting." Much as she tried not to give in to her cousin's humor, Sena could not help but giggle. "I was as surprised as you were when Salamacia chose you, especially since I didn't know about... the dragon. Honestly, I thought she might go back home without a groom because it was obvious to me none of the men suited her, and she didn't suit most of them. Now knowing what I do... can you imagine how a husband would have reacted to her on the wedding night?" "Salamacia would be the one doing the mounting," Sena replied. "Which would not go over well, I believe. Can you imagine how Raen would have reacted to that?" Raen was one of Tsune's brothers, and one of the candidates that Salamacia had been given to choose from, a tall and strong specimen of a male who was as manly as they could come. Sena had to stifle another giggle, and Tsune smirked as she tapped her chin. "I've been nearly dying of curiosity... is she really as well-endowed as a man?" Sena blushed at that, and Tsune smirked. "She says she's more endowed than any male she's ever seen naked," Sena whispered. Tsune let out a loud guffaw. "Big dragons run in the family, Lian told me. Not that I'm complaining!" It felt nice to finally discuss her sex life with someone. Sena knew that women often talked about it, albeit in private, though Tsune had seemed shy to broach the matter when they had been on the ship, perhaps sensing the fact that Sena was still somewhat in shock about her whole situation. Sena smiled a little at her cousin's statement. o0o Salamacia frowned thoughtfully as Sena pulled a dress out of one of her trunks. She'd noticed how Sena usually wore plain clothes, usually linen with an outer layer of knitted wool for warmth if necessary. Despite House Teuthi's considerable power, she'd noticed an austereness about the clan, even the higher-ranking members of the House usually dressed no more lavishly than many middle-class people in the Southlands. "Don't you have anything in satin or velvet?" Salamacia asked as she eyed the things she saw hanging out of the younger woman's trunk. "Why would I need it?" Sena asked, looking over her shoulder. "Such fabrics are... impractical." "I don't mean for every day! But what about formal occasions and banquets? Don't you care about looking nice?" Sena scowled at that comment, straightening her back and turning to her, her glare stony. She placed her hands on her hips. "I'm sorry that I don't live up to your standards, Salamacia. At least I'm not a vain, spoiled brat like you!" she fired out in a defiant, heated tone, which was the first time Salamacia had heard such from the normally taciturn woman. With that, Sena turned back and pulled out a dark gray-blue dress. It was of a thick but fine linen, with silver threading along the collar and edges. Salamacia was so stunned by this outburst that she was unable to speak for a few moments. "Well! If I'm a vain, spoiled brat, then you're an uptight, boring prude!" she shot back. "That suits me just fine," Sena shot back calmly, a sharp contrast from her earlier outburst. o0o Though Salamacia was far more used to velvets and satins, she had to admit that Sena looked nice in her linen dress, the silver thread lending a simple elegance to the dress which did, in its own way, suit the Water Mage. Despite her earlier defiance, Sena acted properly at the banquet, politely greeting and acknowledging every member of the Aracon family that Salamacia introduced her to, albeit with the same kind of reserve that the older woman had seen in the other members of House Teuthi. In House Aracon, close members of the family typically greeted one another with hugs, and on occasion, especially from or with women, kisses on the cheek, especially at smaller occasions like this, when the banquet was exclusive to family members. Even the men would hug, though they typically preferred handshake-hugs, or quick hugs while the women would give firmer hugs. House Teuthi, on the other hand, preferred handshakes in public or clasps to the shoulder, or bows. On very rare occasion did a Silver Isle resident hug in public - such as a mother with her children - for such displays seen as more appropriate for private occasions. Salamacia had seen it only once, with one of Sena's cousins and her young children, and she'd never seen anyone kiss. It was amusing in its own way to see Sena try to deal with the displays of welcome her new relatives were giving her, most of the women pulling her in for a hug, a few giving her kisses, and the men giving her quick or side-hugs. Sena seemed overwhelmed by it all, and Salamacia could see her struggle between trying to be polite, and wanting to hide from people offering her hugs. The banquet was as lavish as Salamcia would expect, though she could practically feel Sena's disapproval at what the younger woman doubtless saw as an ostentatious display of wealth and excess. Though the wedding banquet at the Spire was far from meager, it seemed almost like a pauper's meal to what was spread before the Aracon family, the platters piled high with all sorts of delicacies, dozens of scents mingling in the air to tempt even the most reticent of folks into participating in the feast. Salamacia rolled back the velvet sleeves of her dress, tucking a napkin into the collar of her gown before she bit into a juicy, tender pork rib, glazed to perfection with pepper and barbecue sauce. One of the things taught to the children of Aracon was that they were dragons, not pigs, and though dragons might have large appetites, they were noble creatures as well. Servants milled about, offering refills on wine or water, as well as carrying around finger bowls and napkins. "Do you eat like this every day?" Sena whispered, cutting into a piece of curried chicken with her fork and knife. "Of course not! If we did, we'd all be as roly-poly as him!" She subtly gestured with a pork rib to one of her cousins, the fattest member of the House. While he had a jovial personality and was generally welcomed amongst family and friends, his indulgence of food and alcohol was well-known, his ponderous belly pressing against the edge of the table as he laughed at something the man next to him had just told him. Sena seemed to relax a bit at that reassurance, and nodded, turning her attention back to her food. "I hope you're enjoying the food," Salamacia commented as she set the rib down and started on another. At this, Sena was still for a moment before giving out an enthusiastic nod, or at least, what the reserved woman would consider enthusiastic. "Good, good." Satisfied at having made sure of her wife's comfort, she went back to enjoying her food and laughing at several bawdy jokes her cousins were sharing. o0o Sena was happy for the quiet that accompanied the end of the gathering. The food, while a bit spicy for her tastes, was delicious, she had to admit. Having grown up on the more modest cuisine of the Silver Isles, she was impressed and overwhelmed with the sheer array of foods that had been available at the banquet. There was more hugging after the gathering was over, and now all she wanted to do was be left alone. Fortunately, Salamacia seemed to be too full and drunk to want to engage in coitus tonight. She performed her evening ablutions before emerging in sight of her wife. Salamacia was slumped in an armchair, holding her hand over her stomach, which at that moment did look like she'd overindulged at the feast. She was clad in a red satin nightie, and matching robe. "Well, my mother seems to like you," Salamacia commented. Sena nodded. She'd met her immediates - Salamacia's parents, her younger brother and his fiance, and another younger brother and sister, all of them golden-haired and golden-eyed, except for their mother who had blue eyes. "She certainly did seem like a nice person," Sena conceded. She knew that if she was to find any measure of comfort in her new home, she needed to find friends, or at least allies, among the members of the House. "So did your brother." Kuzo looked very much like his sister, but his personality seemed very watered-down compared to Salamacia's own. His fiance was a bland-faced woman from one of the lesser houses that served Aracon. Neither of them seemed very affectionate towards the other. Salamacia's father was polite but aloof, and Sena sensed that the relationship between father and daughter was somewhat strained. "It's been a long day, and I shall retire to bed," Sena said after several moments of silence. The older woman nodded. The bed was too soft, but Sena did not find herself too surprised by that fact. She rolled around on the mattress, trying to find a position she could be comfortable in without feeling like the mattress was trying to swallow her up. When Salamacia came to bed, Sena felt the mattress shift as the other woman climbed into it, and it was as Sena suspected, she was too full and drunk for pleasure. Sena felt an arm tossed across her side, and soon enough, Salamacia's faint snoring met her ears. o0o Despite her difficulties with Salamacia's bed, Sena managed to fall asleep, and woke up with morning sunlight streaming in through the window, casting thick beams of warm light on her skin and the blankets. The influx of sunshine illuminated the warm shades that made up Salamacia's bedroom, which displayed the clear tastes of a Fire magician. Magicians of whatever level tended to be drawn to the colors of their elements, and Sena missed her own room, remembering the muted shades of green and blue-green that had once surrounded her whenever she woke up. The next thing she noticed was that she was alone. She rolled out of bed and performed her morning ablutions before setting off in search of Salamacia. She was not long in finding the blonde, who was out on the balcony, her face tilted towards the sun as if she were a sunflower basking in its rays. Her arms were held out, palms upturned. Sena had seen this several times on the ship, and had seen Riho and Lian engage in the same ritual. As if sensing her presence, Salamacia opened her eyes and turned towards Sena. "Good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep well?" she asked. Sena nodded. It had been hard at first, to be sure, but exhaustion had won over eventually. "So... what do you do for breakfast?" she asked. Salamacia put her arms down. "It depends. Sometimes I might eat with my uncle, or parents. A few times a month, Uncle likes for all of us to eat together. For family bonding and all that," she said, waving her hand. "But I do often eat alone. This morning, it will be just the two of us. Sounds good?" "Yes," Sena agreed, happy for a quieter meal. The meal was taken in the parlor of Salamacia's apartment. To her relief, breakfast turned out to be a quite simple affair - sliced fruit, cinnamon oatmeal, and eggs, along with coffee. The meal was an amicable affair, without any sarcastic or teasing remarks from the older woman. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 04 "I thought we might go on a hike today. You took me on one when I was over there, now I can take you on one. The mountains can be a very lovely place." Now, this was something she could look forward to. She'd always preferred hiking and other physical activities to sewing, which made her head hurt, and weaving, which she had little patience for. "I would like that," she admitted. A happy, pleased smile appeared on Salamacia's face. o0o Though mountain-hiking was not easy, Salamacia had always enjoyed it. When she was younger, she would go on hikes with her uncle or cousins, and she found it far more preferable to most conventional ladies' pursuits, like reading poetry or romantic ballads, embroidery, or learning musical instruments. Strapped to her back was a rucksack, similar to the one Sena was also wearing. Both of them were dressed appropriately, with sturdy boots, as well as pants instead of full-length dresses, and tunics topped with jackets that could be removed as their exertions warmed them. The cool early-winter air was refreshing on Salamacia's face as she came to a stop at one of the small clearings along the mountain path. Not one peep or complaint had escaped Sena's throat, and it was almost easy to forget that she had a companion, given how quiet the younger woman was. She set down her rucksack and removed her jacket, and Sena took this as a cue to remove her own rucksack as well. Her cheeks were slightly rosy, and for the first time in a good while, the dark-haired woman actually looked happy. "I'm curious, how often do you do this?" Sena asked as she sat down on a rock. "At least once a week. I find that coming here clears my mind, and it's also nice to come to a place that is just... quiet." "It is a beautiful place," Sena acknowledged as she looked downwards, seeing Dragonslair nestled between two peaks. The mountains were sparsely vegetated, a rare tree here or there showing where water would gather during the rains, clusters of plants and grasses signifying the presence of streams. Otherwise, there were cacti, such as the ones that bordered their clearing. "How far do you usually go?" Sena inquired. "To the top of this peak." Though there were taller mountains in the range, these were further away and more precarious. Sena glanced in the direction of Salamacia's pointed finger, and nodded, not looking concerned at all. They shared some water before they resumed their trek. It was not long before noon that they reached the summit, and Salamacia took a deep breath, placing her hands on her hips and enjoying the view. The shades of yellow, rust, and brown contrasted sharply with the clear blue sky, making all the colors seem more vivid. Even the grays seemed more vibrant. Sena circled the summit, getting a view from all directions, before she took off her jacket and sat on a wide, flat rock. "Are you ready to eat?" she asked. Salamacia nodded eagerly, and the two of the pulled the food items that Salamacia had chosen. There was half a loaf of soft brown bread, fruit, cheese, sliced ham, and wine. After the meal, Sena laid back on the rock, her lower lags dangling over its edge. The ochre-colored rock was large and tilted, though the degree of tilt was so low that one could recline on it easily, and to Salamacia's estimation, measured about four by six feet with some curvature and jag to its edges. It was oft-used by her or other members of her family to eat on. Salamacia found herself invigorated by her hike, as she always did. The sleeping volcano that lay nestled within the peaks of this range provided a rich, steady pulse of Fire energy, which was why the founder of House Aracon had chosen to homestead here. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren had expanded that homestead, eventually constructing the complex that would become known as the Dragonslair, and becoming the lords of these mountains, and within a few more generations, the Southlands. She could feel it flow through her, warming her nerves. "Mmm." She turned to Sena, feeling invigorated in more ways than one. Her hand slid across the other woman's stomach before hooking around her side, pulling her closer. "I know that last night, I wasn't able to give you a proper homecoming. But now, I can..." she purred. "What?" Sena looked positively scandalized. "You mean... here?" "Well, of course. I brought a blanket in my pack, as well." "No! We can't! It's not... proper!" "What do you mean, not proper?" Salamacia tightened her embrace. "We're out in the open! In a public place!" "Public? This is Aracon land, and besides, there's no one else here." "It's still not proper! Intercourse is meant for certain... places, and occasions! This isn't one of them!" "Why not?" Salamacia said with a deliberately calm drawl. Her hand slid along Sena's stomach, feeling the taut abs under the comfortable tunic. "Because the bedroom is the proper place to do it! What if someone walks up on us?" "Do you see anyone? I can assure you, no one is going to come upon us, though if it makes you feel better, I can cast up a shield which would alert me to anyone who would come near," she said with a shrug, countering Sena's every argument. "And certainly, the bedroom is a nice place to do it, but as they say, variety is the spice of life. As you said yourself, this is a beautiful place. Why not just enjoy it in more ways than one?" "But..." "I weary of your arguments, sweetling." With that, Salamacia leaned down, sealing her lips around Sena's own to cut off any further protests. She felt the smaller body startle a bit, before she sensed an almost imperceptible relaxing. Good, she thought. Though Sena might sometimes try to pretend she didn't enjoy such attentions, her body said otherwise. Finally, she broke the kiss. "How dare you!" Sena spat out, though she did not sound as indignant as she should. "I dare plenty," Salamacia shot back as her hand slid down to the other woman's groin, rubbing it, feeling the cleft of her womanhood through the fabric that covered her lower regions. Given her own arousal, which was already pressing needily against her pants, she decided to expedite the process that would get her what she wanted, so she let the Fire magic flow through her fingers, knowing full well the effect it would have on Sena. She was satisfied to hear Sena give out a soft gasp and moan as she squirmed around. Though Salamacia tried to limit her use of Fire magic in the bedroom, so that she or her partner would not become too reliant on it, this was a situation that called for almost-immediate gratification. She ground her hand against her lover several times before Sena clasped her hand around the older woman's wrist. "That is not fair!" she said, a fierce blush on her pale cheeks. "All's fair in love and war," Salamacia shot back as she drew her hand away and pulled the blanket out of her pack. It was a comfortable woven one in geometric patterns of red, brown, gold, and blue. She draped it across the higher side of the rock, where the edge would, according to her calculations, be a little lower than Sena's groin when she bent over it. "Now, be a good girl and come here, you should know by how how good I can make you feel," she said in an authoritative tone. To her delight, Sena complied without further argument. Her hand eagerly undid Sena's belt, pulling her pants and smallclothes to her knees and bending her over the rock, pulling up her tunic to expose her small, pert rear end. The sight of Sena bent over sent a fresh ache through her groin, and Salamacia wasted no time in freeing herself from her own pants, pulling her cock out and positioning herself. Her earlier ministrations, as brief as they had been, had the younger woman already slick, and Salamacia smirked to herself as she slid within, hearing a soft moan from the other woman. o0o Sena silently cursed her wife, hating the fact that despite her efforts to resist, her body always betrayed her in the end, whether Salamacia used her magic or not. Though she remained as tight as ever, by this point in her marriage, she'd been fucked by Salamacia enough times to easily accommodate the older woman when she was wet. Her fingers dug into the blanket as she felt the fulness pervade her insides, her walls stretching around the intruder in a way that she now found pleasurable. Despite her embarrassment at being in an open place, it was easy to forget that once Salamacia started thrusting into her. Before Sena knew it, she had arched her back and hips, giving the blonde a slightly easier angle for deeper penetration, and her breaths came out in ragged gasps as Salamacia hit a fierce speed. A pair of hands found their way under her tonic, pawing and groping at her breasts despite the fact that Sena had put a wrap on them. Salamacia didn't seem put off by that fact, as she continued to squeeze the mounds of flesh through the tight fabric. Even this limited contact felt good, and Sena's nipples were hard against the fabric. "Enjoying this, are we?" she heard Salamacia's purr, and all she could do was give out a moan in response, the hands on her breasts moving to her hips for leverage as the thrusting reached a frantic tempo, a pace that Sena might have found painful for a first time, but which now only served to arouse her further. She could feel her own slickness along her outer lips and inner thighs, and amidst the pants and moans, she could hear the occasional slap as Salamacia's balls swung against these wet planes. "Sa... ah!... suh..." She tried to speak the older woman's name, but with the fierce thrusts, it was hard to find a lull that would allow her to form more than a syllable at a time. Her body seemed to be on fire now, though it was a pleasurable sort, as if Salamacia was channeling it through her. o0o Although Salamacia wasn't intending to use any more magic after the initial application, in the throes of passion, she was having a hard time holding it back. Her intense lovemaking with the younger woman seemed to attract ambient Fire magic towards her, which in turn channeled through her body and into Sena as she continued her frantic thrusting, her breasts bouncing a bit despite the fact that they were confined in a wrap. Her very loins seemed to be on fire, channeling from her stomach and thighs through her groin, driving her on as she heard Sena's cries and moans. The younger woman arched and gave a strangled gasp as she achieved climax, clenching around Salamacia, and the older woman went on relentlessly, giving her a fresh reminder of just why the dragon exemplified House Aracon and its members so well. "Yes, that's it, darling...!" she managed to make out as her fingers dug into Sena's hips, though she remained mindful to not let the nails claw into the pale flesh. She felt a tightness within her core for a brief, searing moment before she exploded in release, filling the younger woman to the brim with her seed. She threw her head back and let out a roar. She thrust within the spasming tunnel several times, feeling the slickness of her own seed mixed with Sena's juices before leaning over, her hands sliding under the younger woman's tunic and up her sides to idly rub at her breasts. "Mmm... that was glorious. We really need to make this a regular event," Salamacia said with a pleased rumble as she nibbled along the other woman's ear. "Hmph." Sena muttered, though her cheeks were rosy, and of course, her body spoke of its own enjoyment, her inner walls still clenching and quivering on occasion from post-orgasmic bliss. "Come now, look around you. There's no one here, as I told you. You're my wife, I don't need anyone else seeing your private charms," she commented with a soft chuckle. She wiggled her hips, feeling the subtle but nonetheless enjoyable friction around her as Sena gave out a quiet whimper. "I know and you know that you enjoyed this." She gave Sena's breast a firm squeeze, feeling the tautness of the nipple through the fabric. "And of course, I do believe I made it clear how much I enjoyed this. In fact, I am so invigorated that one time isn't going to be enough for me." At that, she felt a delicate shudder pass through Sena, especially within her cunt. Fortunately, this time, Sena made no effort to protest. o0o There are three levels of magical ability. Adept, Mage, and Master. The three levels are mainly determined by how much raw magic potential a person may have. Adepts are the most common class of magician, though they are still uncommon (less than 1 in 10 of the world's population have ANY magical ability at all) Adepts can use manipulate their elements in small, basic ways. Despite their magic being relatively weak, their abilities can still come in handy - a Fire Adept for example can create a spark to start a fire, light a pipe or cigarette, and increase or decrease the heat of a fire to a limit. Mages have moderate control over their elements, and are able to accomplish more and have a greater variety of abilities. Masters are pretty much what the name implies. They can do anything that Adepts and Mages do, and more. Mastery is typically considered the highest level of magical ability and command. Adepts are the most common of the magical classes, while Masters are rare. Magic can pop up in a person with no magic in their family, and in other families, magic can run strong through it, such as the Fire magic in House Aracon. Questions, comments, observations, compliments, suggestions, or any feedback in general, don't hesitate to leave it for me! I always love hearing from my readers! If I am told I am doing something right, I will keep doing it. If I made a mistake or am doing something wrong, I will do my best to address/fix it. Feedback is what keeps me going as I am constantly thriving to improve myself, and the more feedback I get, the more motivated I am to update as it also tells me that people are interested in my stories. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 05 Though Salamacia had proven herself to be a hardy person, enjoying hikes as well as sparring matches and exercise, she carried a trait that was stereotypical for women - a love of shopping. Sena wondered why on earth her wife thought she needed more things. Though Sena had never lacked for anything she needed back on the Silver Isles, her family seemed almost like paupers compared to the lifestyles she'd seen of the various family members of House Aracon. It'd been only almost a week, but Sena already had a very good idea of how the dragons lived, and now, since she was an Aracon by marriage, she was now technically a dragon, and apparently expected to live like one. "Salamacia, I don't see why we need all of this!" Sena argued quietly as she sat on a chair of upholstered gold fabric as Salamacia finalized an order from the owner of the furniture shop. Surrounding her was various pieces of completed furniture, and more in varying stages of completion in the workshop in the back. She and Salamacia had walked through this workshop while Salamacia pointed out this or that, a design she enjoyed, what color and what kind of fabric to upholster the furniture with, what kind of wood, and what kind of finishing touches needed to be applied. In her estimation, there was an ample amount of furniture in their apartments, not just for them, but a good amount of guests should the blonde woman decide to have a private party or gathering. "Is this meant as a gift?" she asked. Salamacia smirked as she jotted her signature on the work order, and the old man retreated before she turned back to Sena. "Why, certainly it's a gift. To us." "I don't understand, are we getting rid of the furniture in your apartment?" the dark-haired woman queried. "You will see," Salamacia replied cryptically. "Come along, we have plenty more shopping to do." Deep ones, preserve me, Sena thought sourly. o0o "Though your Silver Isle clothing may be appropriate for some occasions, you do need to present a proper image of a member of House Aracon at certain occasions," Salamacia said as she examined several bolts of varying shades of red and materials. She might have passed some of her dresses to Sena to borrow, but the younger woman simply did not have the figure to fill out such dresses. It was almost comical that despite being the one closer to the designation of 'wife' in this relationship, Sena's figure was almost boyish, especially when attired in more casual and hardy clothing. The young woman in question looked as if she would rather be anywhere else than this place, and didn't seem to give one single fuck about the pretty accessories the seamstress had waved in front of her - lace, ribbons, gold or silver thread, and other things that women liked to accent their dresses or hair with. "A practical woman, hmm?" the middle-aged woman observed, putting away these fripperies. "There is something to be said about modesty, and it's usually good." She offered Sena a smile before showing her several dresses. "Which one do you like best?" Sena pointed to the simplest of the dresses, a dark gold one with dagged sleeves and a narrower skirt. The woman turned back to Salamacia and grinned a little. "Well, at least you won't be given as much grief as your cousin Jaime, eh?" The two of the laughed, and Sena glanced at them with some confusion. "Oh, you met him and his wife last week, remember?" Salamacia asked. Sena nodded. "Well, remember how she was dressed?" Sena paused for a moment before she gave a brief nod. "I recall she had a lot of jewelry, and her dress had more gems and embroidery on it than I'd ever imagined possible." "She goes through dresses like others go through tissue paper," the older woman explained. "Then she will tear up the dresses she doesn't want anymore so that no one else can wear them." Salamacia rolled her eyes. "At least she keeps me in business," Bertrande replied sagely as she set the dress of Sena's choice aside to look at again later. "Don't you already get enough business from the rest of us?" Salamacia shot back. Bertrande gave her a cheeky smile. A distant cousin of the current Aracons through a bastard child of a sister of a long-dead lord, Bertrand showed none of the trademark physical features of the noble House. However, the stout, dark-haired woman had a keen business sense and a borderline ruthlessness that Salamacia could not help but admire. She'd turned her mother's modest tailoring business into a prosperous business, and did brisk business with many of the residents of Dragonslair. The members of House Aracon looked after their own, and despite Bertrand not being an official or recognized member, she still had the protection of Dragonslair, something gained not through mere blood ties, but through a proven work ethic and quality of product. "Does a dragon ever have enough?" Bertrand shot back, and Salamacia chuckled. "Point made. Shall we get back to my wife?" "Of course." Bertrande turned back to Sena, showing her some more dresses in varying styles. Some were for winter, others for summer. Inevitably, Sena would select the plainer and more modest dresses. "Come now, Sena! Live a little! And besides, you're going to want more variety in your wardrobe, especially come summer." "What do you mean?" Sena asked. "Summers can get quite hot in the Southlands, and you're going to want to dress accordingly." She picked up one of the dresses Sena had rejected. It was a silk dress without sleeves, the hem ending halfway between the knee and the ankle. "That looks more like something you sleep in!" Sena said, staring at the garment. Salamacia had to bite back a smirk as she imagined Sena in such a garment, showing off her arms and lower legs. Many women within Dragonslair, lady or servant alike, would wear such garments, with little or no sleeves, their ankles visible. Common sense overrode strait-laced modesty in such weather, at least for most people. "I can assure you, many women dress more skimpily when it gets really hot. Trust me, you will be glad for such a dress come high summer." With Bertrande in obvious agreement, Sena could only surrender. Maybe there's hope for you yet, Salamacia thought as they continued discussing the items Bertrande or her assistants would make for Sena. "And what colors would you like?" Bertrande asked. "I like green," was the automatic reply. "Of course," Salamacia replied dryly. Sena glared at her. "Well, I could make some things in red, and others in green. I understand you're from House Teuthi, are you not?" Bertrande asked, pretending to ignore the friction between the married couple. "So I am sure that a couple of formal dresses in green and blue would be more than appropriate," she said. It was common for a noble woman to have a few dresses and other garments in the color of the House she had been born in, especially if she was acting as a representative at gatherings. "Yeah, that works for me," Salamacia said with a shrug. "But I want to see her in lots of red, too!" She walked over to a bolt of flame-red silk, one of her favorite colors. "This is such a lovely color." At that comment, she saw Sena wince. "Come now, you should have known this was coming," the blonde woman chided her lightly. Sena glared back and crossed her arms, and Bertrande remained tactfully silent. "I don't like the color," Sena replied. "Maybe I don't like green and don't want you to have any green clothes," Salamacia shot back. "Then I'll just wear gray!" "Ahem." Bertrande stepped forward. "First, why don't we see how the color looks on her?" she asked, motioning Sena over to where the bolt was sitting. For a moment, it looked like Sena was going to be as defiant to the other woman as she was being to her wife, but she rose from her seat. Bertrande pulled up some of the loose material and held it up to the young woman's front, the fabric ending just below her chin. "Tut-tut, this color simply won't do," Bertrande said, shaking her head. "She simply does not have the complexion for it, the red makes her look washed out!" Salamacia stared at her wife, seeing the truth in the seamstress' words. The bright red made Sena look dull in comparison, robbing her pale skin of what little color it had. However, she would not conceded defeat so quickly. "She is a bride of House Aracon, and must be represented accordingly," she stated with an imperious wave of her hand. If Bertrande wasn't there, she could swear that Sena would probably have growled at her. "I understand, and I think I have just the right shade." With that, Bertrande located a couple of dresses or loose swatches of fabric. The first color she held up to Sena was a deep burgundy color, with just a touch of purple. Its effect was almost the opposite of the flame-red, and even Sena seemed to... well, if she didn't like the color, at least she didn't seem to hate it, either. "Well now, that is a stunning color on you!" Bertrande stated. Sena glanced at the mirror, and nodded slowly. "Cooler shades of red for you, then," Bertrande stated, testing out a few more shades of red against Sena, draping them along her chest. Sena offered no argument to this, and though it was obvious she didn't care much for this sort of activity, she cooperated for the rest of the session, pointing out preferred styles and fabrics but listening to Bertrande's advice. After the appointment, the pair walked back to their carriage, a servant trailing behind them with a couple of dresses and some silken smallclothes. "That wasn't so terrible now was it?" Salamacia asked as the pair settled into the carriage. Sena crossed her arms, staring at her blankly. "I know things take time getting used to, especially a new home, but why do you have to be so sour? Can't you just enjoy the things we have to offer you? Have I not made good on my word of providing for you?" Salamacia said, trying to not sound too nagging. It seemed that every time she made some progress with her wife, there was something to take them two steps back. Sena's expression softened just a bit. "It just seems so... unnecessary, all these things. Why do I need so many dresses? Or silk underwear?" "So you have lots of nice things to choose from!" Salamacia shot back with a smile. "And silk against the bare skin is a quite lovely sensation. It's true that the Dragonslair is quite... lavish. But life is meant to be enjoyed! We value hard work, but we also value pleasure. What's wrong with enjoying life? Besides, all the things we buy... that money supports other people and ensures that they can have a good life as well. Betrande and her seamstresses can feed their families. The furniture-makers, the architects, the artists, the cooks, the servants... thanks to our wealth, others are comfortable. Plenty of gold pours into our coffers, but a decent amount of it pours back out to benefit others." "I... hadn't thought of it that way," Sena replied quietly, a pensive expression coming to her face. "Now will you let me spoil you and buy you nice things?" Salamachai shot back lightly, a grin on her face. "You can buy me all the things you want, but you won't spoil me!" Sena shot back. Salamacia smirked. "I think that's a fair compromise, but only if you promise that you'll at least try to enjoy them." At that, Sena smiled just a little, and nodded. o0o The greenhouses had become a favorite place for the young Water Mage, and Sena found herself soothed by the presence of the plants, and the moisture she felt in the air. She lightly ran her fingers along the large petals of a red and pink flower. The Silver Isles did have some flowers, but the harsher climate prevented such plants like this from existing, and Sena had to admit that she did find beauty in these brightly-colored flowers. Almost every color of the rainbow seemed to be found within the variety of flowers that grew within Dragonslair, and her favorite was a flower called the morning glory, which climbed along the trellises in shades of blue, indigo, and even violet. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" she heard Salamacia's voice call out gently, and she turned to see her wife. The tall blonde was clad in leggings and a tunic, with a leather breastplate and arm guards. Her hair was pilled back in a braided bun, though a few strands had worked themselves loose. "Uh... hi. How was your practice?" Sena asked. "It went as usual. However, I have an idea. Have you ever considered taking up a sword?" "What? Me?" "Yes, you." Salamacia smiled. "I think you'd do well with a lighter sword. Perhaps a sabre, or an estoc." "A... what?" Salamacia laughed, though it was a good-natured laugh, not a mocking one. "These swords are lighter ones, which would suit you well. You're small and fast, and I doubt the kind of sword I prefer would suit you." "I think you're right," she replied, recalling Salamacia's prized sword. It was of the finest steel and almost five feet in length. It felt heavy to Sena when Salamacia had given it to her to examine, but the older woman handled the weapon with ease. It was not the one she used for practice though, preferring to use practice swords with dulled edges when sparring with a partner in the arena. Sena remembered the various swords lined up against one wall, of differing lengths and thicknesses, some made of wood, others of metal. "But... me, use a sword? How did this come to you?" "Why not?" "Because..." Sena was about to say that in the Silver Isles, war was left to the men, and it was seen as unnecessary for a woman to learn how to use a sword, though some might learn how to use a bow and arrow or dagger. That was rare however, and mainly for hunting, which in itself was considered a masculine pursuit. "Because that's the Silver Isle way, is it?" Salamacia countered. "And this is not the Silver Isles, you don't need to tell me that," Sena shot back. "Haven't you ever been curious about it, though?" Salamacia asked. "... Maybe," Sena shot back. She'd had it drilled into her head from a young age, that traditions existed for a reason, and that there were masculine and feminine pursuits because there was an obvious difference between the sexes and that men were better suited for feats of strength while women were suited for caring. Even after seeing that the gender roles were not so tightly defined at Dragonslair, it was hard to forget two decades of living and following certain mores. "Remember when I chased your brother around with a wooden sword?" Salamacia asked with a grin. "How could I forget?" Sena shot back. She remembered that day well. Her family had stayed at the Aracon compound at Dragonsport, a major trading hub where much of Southland's trading and commerce was done. It was where she and Salamacia and the rest of the family had landed after returning from the Silver Isles before taking the last leg of their journey up to Dragonslair. Riho's youngest brother was the governor of this city, and current head of the household there. Back then, there had been several children of Aracon, including Salamacia and her brother. Salamacia had been thirteen, while Sena was eleven. Sena's own brother and one of the Aracon boys were sparring and wrestling, and there were several other boys, of both Houses, watching and cheering them on, waiting their own turn to show off their strength and skill. Both boys sparred fiercely, but the squid overcame the dragon, much to friendly cheers and jeers from both sides. The golden-haired boy took his defeat gracefully and slunk out of the ring to let a new challenger take his place. That challenger had been Salamacia, who took the sword from her cousin and stepped to face her opponent with confidence. Sena remembered how her brother had laughed at the prospect of facing a female opponent. At first, he had outright refused to fight, saying how it was not proper for a lady to fight, and that a man of honor should never strike a lady. At this, Salamacia let out a string of expletives and taunts which drew out laughs and hollers from the Aracon boys, and shocked stares and muttering from the Teuthi boys. Sena remembered her own jaw dropping as she heard this kind of language from the lanky blonde girl. Before her opponent had a chance to respond, Salamacia lunged forward with the wooden sword. Despite her opponent's valiant effort, Salamacia bested him, much to the shock of the Silver Isle boys. Sena remembered the surge of admiration she had felt for Salamacia, and the surprise she had felt at that. Now, a decade later, she was able to better understand that feeling. Salamacia had proven to the Silver Isle boys - more than once, as she'd challenged the other boys in turn - that just because she was a woman didn't mean she was weak or retiring. Sena slid out of her reminiscence, and refocused on after that day her wife. "Oh goodness, the boys were practically shaking in terror around you," Sena said with a rueful sickle. "I will admit I enjoyed their... slightly improved behavior." Indeed, after Salamacia had bested the Teuthi boys that had dared to rise to her challenge, Sena noticed an almost indiscernible humility to their behavior. Having been raised in a culture where it was taught that men were superior in physical prowess to women, it had been an unexpected lesson for the boys of the Silver Isles. Their perceptions of women, if not shattered, had been at the very least been shaken somewhat after being defeated personally by a girl. "So why not give it a try?" Salamacia asked. "If you like it and show aptitude for it, then we can continue from that. If not, no loss." Sena was silent for several moments, warring between what had been inculcated in her for as long as she could remember, and the opportunities she was now being given in her new home. "Very well, then," she finally said after several moments of silence. She suddenly found herself on the receiving end of a fierce hug. o0o Multiple strands of hair had worked free from Sena's braid and stuck to her sweat-plastered brow after she'd removed her protective headgear. With a small huff, she wiped the locks from her forehead before letting a servant take away the wooden sword she'd been practicing with. Sena was no stranger to physical activity. She enjoyed hiking, and preferred walks to sewing or weaving, but the drills that Salamacia put her through exercised muscles she hadn't known existed. Salamacia had put her through the paces, showing her lunges, thrusts, and parries so she could learn how to move with a sword. Salamacia removed her own headgear, her face becoming visible once the metal netting was lowered. Another servant came forward to take away the headgear and sword before Sena felt hands on her, undoing the straps of her leather armor. She lifted her arms, complying with this endeavor, catching her breath as she was freed from the confines of her protective gear. When the servant was done, she was left in a simple gray tunic and matching pants. They were a bit too big on her, but they'd been loaned from her wife. A cup of water was offered to her, and she gratefully gulped it down. Salamacia dismissed the servants with a wave of her hand before approaching the younger woman. "You did very well for your first day," the older woman said as she looked down at her lover. Sena blushed a bit at the praise. "You really think so?" she asked shyly. In the Silver Isles, praise was seen as something to be given very sparingly, if that. Humility and modesty were traits that were emphasized for men and women alike - though of course, like the world over, these traits were more valued for women than men. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." Salamacia reached up, running a finger along her jaw, and Sena couldn't help but shiver a bit in pleasure. "In due time, I am sure you will be able to give me a good duel." Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 05 "I can't imagine being as skilled as you," Sena admitted. She'd watched Salamacia spar with several people, including Lian, and both cousins were extremely skilled at the sword, neither of them being able to completely best the other. "I doubt anyone could ever be as skilled as me, but you're welcome to try," Salamacia shot back with a grin. Sena was silent for a few moments, known what she should say, per the way she was raised. Had she said anything like that, her parents would have chided her for being arrogant. However, she could also see that Salamacia was saying it lightly, and that there was a difference between prideful and playful arrogance. "I will try very hard," she shot back, hearing Salamacia's delighted chuckle before the taller woman draped an arm across her shoulders, leading her out of the training room. o0o When the two of them came back to her apartments, Salamacia was thinking of the fun she would have with her bride. Slowly but surely, she was wearing down the younger woman's austere demeanor, bringing out a smile here and there, even a laugh. Sena could be such a tight-ass, just like everyone on the Silver Isles seemed to be, but these moments seemed to be becoming fewer in between. "I don't claim to be a mind-reader, but I think you would like a bath?" she asked the dark-haired woman. Sena eagerly nodded, and Salamacia led her to the small solar that opened off her bedroom, where several buckets of water sat, ready to be used. Though the bathhouse was a common area, the Aracons had the option of washing privately, using buckets brought to them. The small chamber had narrow windows which cast beams of sunlight across the tiled floor. There was soap, towels, loofahs, and sponges, and a stool. The buckets sat near the stool, filled with cool, clean water that Salamacia could heat up with her magic. "I'll wash you," Salamacia whispered as she slid behind Sena, purring this into her ear. "Is that meant to be a prelude to..." "Yes." She leaned down, nibbling along Sena's ear, her hands sliding to the younger woman's hips and squeezing gently. She pressed her front to Sena's behind, grinding against her, waiting for what seemed like an almost inevitable protest, since this wasn't a bedchamber. Sena was silent for several moments, but she did not pull away. Salamacia's hands slowly slid up her sides to rub Sena's chest, massaging the bound flesh, hearing a quiet moan. Meeting no resistance, Salamacia smirked to herself before her hands slid under the tunic, fingernails gently scraping along pale flesh as she came to the edge of the breast binding. "Enjoying this, are we?" she breathed into her wife's ear, and was gratified to get a brief nod in response. One of her hands slid downwards, and she felt her arousal stir as her fingertips slid along the vee of Sena's groin. A soft sigh escaped the younger woman's throat as her head lolled back against Salamacia's shoulder. A finger slid along Sena's most intimate areas, feeling the soft warmth there. A little further, and she found slickness when she pressed upward. Sena shifted a bit, widening her stance to give easier access to her womanhood. Salamacia let out an approving hum, and another finger joined the first, gently massaging and stroking the moist folds as her other hand massaged a breast through Sena's binding. When it was obvious that Sena was aroused, Salamacia pulled back, her hand sliding out of the younger woman's pants and along her hip. "Out of these clothes, sweetling, and you will have more of that," the blonde encouraged. Sena gave a shaky nod, a fierce blush on her pale cheeks. Her light boots came off before she slid off her socks and pants, and Salamacia crossed her arms, enjoying the strip show. Her gaze moved along Sena's wiry legs, taking in the graceful ankles and slender calves. She slid the tunic over her head, and turned her back to the older woman before removing her breast binding. "You know better than to try to hide your tits from me," Salamacia playfully chided. Sena looked over her shoulder with a faint smirk before lowering her underwear, revealing a view of her pert behind that had Salamacia suddenly feeling that her pants were too tight. o0o Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback for this story. I got some really excellent comments and questions in response to the last chapter, and it's sparked some great new ideas and plot points for this story. I can't say which ones as that would be too spoilery, but your feedback really does help me, as I like knowing what my readers want and enjoy. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 06 Before Sena turned back to face Salamacia, she undid her hair from its messy braid before working it back into a quick bun to keep it out of the way during their bath, knowing that the older woman was watching every movement. "You tease," she heard Salamacia purr, and for some reason, that made her want to laugh. She slowly turned back to face the older woman. She was no stranger to bathing with other women, but was fully aware of just how... different this instance would be to all the others she'd had in the past. It wasn't hard to imagine what Salamacia might want to do, and that thought sent a pleasant, warm tingle through her core. "I will be sure to get every inch of you clean," Salamacia said, her golden eyes glinting with open desire, a lecherous smirk on her full lips. Sena felt her cheeks warm further than they had already. "Are you sure you won't be too distracted to complete that task?" she queried before she could stop herself. Salamacia gave a mock gasp of surprise. "Do my ears deceive me? Are you looking forward to this?" Sena blinked at that. Where had these words come from? Even though on their wedding night she'd lost the bet, and was now bound to the older woman as wife, it didn't mean that she would embrace the role. She had been determined to maintain a wall between her wife and herself. She had told herself that she would treat Salamacia with politeness and respect, just as any lady would give her lord husband. There were times where she would protest Salamacia's advances, such as on their first hike, and other times, she would dutifully submit to the dragon's desires. As Sena stared at her partner, she was forced to realize that she hadn't merely come to tolerate the blonde's attentions, she was enjoying them, and even looked forward to such intimacy with anticipation. Nonetheless, she was a stubborn woman, and old habits did not die so easily. "I said no such thing!" Sena retorted. "Such a shame. You should learn to be more open," Salamacia said, lightly tutting her as she bent down to remove her own pants and boots, tossing them to land near Sena's own discarded clothing. Her tunic remained where it was, but what was loose on Sena fit Salamacia well, outlining the curves of her breasts and hips. "Now, come and sit here so I may tend to you." Sena obeyed, sitting down on the stool and glancing down at the mosaic tile floor. Pieces of tile in varying shades of red through yellow formed a stylized depiction of the sun, and with the terracotta walls that surrounded them, the sunlight infused the room with a warm glow. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Salamacia knelt next to the bucket, and a faint red glow infused the blonde's hands as she channeled Fire magic into heat, causing steam to rise out of the bucket. Folding a towel and placing it under her knees, Salamacia positioned herself behind Sena and dipped a sponge into the water, and the younger woman let out a soft sigh as she felt the hot water drip down her back before the sponge pressed against her skin. "See, fire and water don't have to be antagonistic," she heard Salamacia whisper. It was hard to argue such a statement when she was being subjected to the pleasant sensation of a heat-filled sponge. She closed her eyes, letting her head loll forward as she succumbed to her wife's attentions. A small coo of pleasure escaped her throat as she felt the sponge press against the back and sides of her neck, washing away the sweat. Both hand and sponge slid along her shoulders, and Sena couldn't remember having ever enjoyed a backwashing so much. A delicate shiver passed through her when she felt Salamacia's lips press against one shoulder and then the other after she'd cleaned them. She hadn't been washed since she was very young, and though it did feel a touch weird having someone else wash her when she was very well capable of doing it herself, there was no denying the pleasure in this. Sena obliged Salamacia in every unspoken instruction, lifting her arms for washing, picking up her feet so that Salamacia could run the sponge over and under them and so on. When the sponge approached her breasts, she pulled her shoulders back to give her wife easier access, and blushed as Salamacia smirked at her knowingly. "Fret not, I'll be sure to wash them nice and good," Salamacia whispered as she settled in front of Sena. Her free hand went to one breast, massaging it and rubbing a finger across its nipple, as she washed the other breast, working the sponge against it in slow, lazy circles. She closed her eyes. Inevitably, her nipples hardened, and Sena noted that she didn't feel one single iota of embarrassment for her body's response to Salamacia's attentions. A soft intake of breath filled her longs when she felt Salamacia's lips wrap around her nipple, and she let her head loll forward as she opened her eyes, watching the blonde take enjoyment from the little nub. Tentatively, she lifted her foot, sliding it between Salamacia's knees. The older woman didn't seem to notice, so she pushed her leg further. When she felt Salamacia's thighs against her foot, she continued, feeling the hem of the older woman's tunic against the top of her foot. Salamacia had to know what she was doing, but she made no move to ward off the foot. Boldened by this, Sena slid up further, feeling the other woman's groin against the top of her foot. Salamacia moved her lips to the younger woman's other breast, now washing the breast she'd stopped sucking on. Sena picked up one hand and ran it along the blonde's thick, wavy hair, letting a few curls tangle in her fingers. Her wife certainly was paying a lot of attention to her breasts, washing them longer than necessary... not that Sena was about to object, of course. Purposely, she pressed her foot against the cloth-covered flesh, hearing Salamacia give out a small groan. Encouraged by this, Sena started rubbing her foot up and down, feeling Salamacia stir in response. The sponge slid down to her stomach, and Salamacia washed her there, rubbing the taut flesh in languid circles. Finally, the older woman slid away, and Sena was gratified to see that she'd actually made the other woman blush. "There's one more part of you I need to wash, get up and keep your feet apart," she instructed. Without a moment's hesitation, Sena complied, hands on her knees, her feet in a stance a bit wider than her shoulders. o0o Salamacia did not miss how relaxed and compliant her wife had been through the entire session. Sena using her foot to tease her was a surprise but not unwelcome treat. It would appear that swordplay is good for you in more ways than one, she mused as she dipped her sponge in the bucket, making sure the water was heated well enough before she pulled it out, squeezing it a bit before bringing it between Sena's thighs. "Are you enjoying this, sweetling?" Salamacia asked with a purr as she gently swiped the sponge between the younger woman's legs. "I believe you already know the answer to that." "I do, but I like hearing it." Her rubbing became a bit firmer, and she felt a slight shudder pass through the dark-haired woman's body as she pressed the sponge upward. "Ye... esss..." Sena gasped, her hips wiggling a bit as Salamacia continued to wash her. She reached with her other hand to spread Sena's labia open, running her fingers along the moist folds. She put the sponge back into the bucket, letting it soak up some more water before returning to Sena, pressing it against her stomach. The warm water dripped down through the younger woman's pubic triangle and down her outer lips before running down her thighs. Salamacia brought her face to Sena's right nipple, flicking her tongue along the hardened nub as she moved her hand against the younger woman's groin in a slow circle. "I thought... the point of this... was to get me clean," Sena whispered, though any admonition in her tone was entirely playful. "Should I stop, then?" Salamacia asked, kissing along the top of the breast before pressing her lips to the junction where Sena's collarbones met. "No!" Sena whispered, her cheeks pink with what Salamacia didn't doubt was far more arousal than embarrassment. "Good, because I don't want to stop, either." She gently pressed the sponge against her lover several times, going back and forth a few times before sliding the sponge further back, making sure that every last bit of her lover was clean. Discarding the sponge, she runk back to her knees, looking up at her wife. "Mmm... you know, I rather enjoy the view from down here," Salamacia purred before she leaned in to breathe hot air against Sena's labia. "If you're going to pleasure me, then quit teasing me!" the younger woman said with a shiver as Salamacia lightly pressed her thumb against the little nub that peeked out from the swollen inner lips. "What's the magic word, sweetling?" the blonde asked with a deliberately casual drawl, giving Sena's clitoris the lightest of rubs. "Please, Salamacia... you're too good at this." "Too good, am I, hmm?" Salamacia couldn't help but swell with pride at that, and she rose to her feet with a smirk, looking down at Sena and running her finger along the younger woman's jaw. "Then aren't you just lucky that I have chosen you to be my wife, so that you can be the recipient of my attentions..." At this, Sena's cheeks pinkened even more. Salamacia chuckled softly before sitting down on the stool. "Come here and put yourself in my lap... but don't sit in it. Turn yourself upside down..." With confusion but also curiosity, Sena allowed herself to be maneuvered, her head and shoulders snugly ensconced atop the older woman's lap. Her buttocks were flush against the blonde's collarbone. o0o Sena wiggled around a bit, settling into this position the best she could. She could feel the older woman's breasts pressed against her back, and something else against the area between her shoulder-blades and the middle of her back. Her legs were now draped over Salamacia's back, her lower legs dangling loosely with one foot resting against Salamacia's back. She looked up at her lover from this position, the sun forming a golden halo around Salamacia's thick blonde curls. After feeling around a bit, Sena chose to rest her hands against the other woman's hips, knowing full well just how well the older woman could pleasure her, and how she would likely need something to hold onto. One of Salamacia's strong arms was wrapped around her middle, keeping her snug in the somewhat awkward position. "Are you enjoying the view now?" Sena asked, easily able to imagine what her wife was seeing from her vantage. "How could I not?" Salamacia shot back, her free hand sliding along one of her inner thighs, the well-manicured nails lazily trailing along the pale skin. Sena closed her eyes, nibbling on her lower lip as she felt the other woman move closer to her arousal, booting back a whimper as one finger slid along the first labia that it came across, before trailing up the other one. "... Sal." Sena breathed, feeling that finger gently rub her inner lips, slowly working its way between them. The finger dipped in to its first knuckle, wiggling around a bit before drawing back out. "You tease," Sena hissed, shifting around a bit. "And you love it," Salamacia shot back, leaning her head down to place a kiss on the swollen clit. She felt her inner labia being spread open by two fingers, and warm breath at the entrance to her womanhood. "I thought the dragon had a mighty appetite, why is she being so slow about it?" Sena asked. "Perhaps the dragon wishes to savor her meal," the older woman replied before languidly flicking her tongue along Sena's clit several times, and Sena opened her eyes to mock glare at her wife. "I'd prefer the dragon to fiercely devour me." "Looks like someone's picking up on the dragon euphemisms," Salamacia teased, her eyes twinkling as she looked down at her. She placed kisses along the spread flesh of the inner lips around the opening, darting her tongue within the tender opening several times, sending tendrils of warmth seeping through her core. A sigh escaped her throat as her fingers dug into Salamacia's hips, her heels pressing against the other woman's back. She couldn't help but press against the older woman insistently, her hips wiggling as she lifted herself, trying to grind her womanhood against Salamacia's face. "Now, this is more like it," Salamacia purred, her tongue now plunging within the slick opening at a deeper and harder pace, one finger rubbing her clit. After a while, Salamacia switched the position of her fingers and tongue, sliding two fingers within as Sena clenched around them. The younger woman let out a whimper of delight, and one of her hands roamed upwards to loosely curl into the thick blonde hair that crowned Salamacia's head. The fingers continued to slide within her, wiggling and massaging her inner walls, on occasion scossoring, as the attention to her clit metamorphosed from slow and teasing to relentless, the dragon finally having its feast. Salamacia's name escaped several times from her throat, and each utterance of her name seemed to increase the dragon's ardor. The sucking and licking of her clit had her eyes rolling back in her head as she was subjected to particularly deeper and firmer thrusts, a third finger joining the other two in opening up her depths. "I'm going to... ah... yes!" Sena gasped several times, writhing around within her wife's grip and arching, her fingers briefly digging against the blonde's scalp and hip as she was brought to completion. She fell lump, shivering in bliss as the fingers slowed their thrust, though the tongue continued its eager laving. "Was that... appetite enough to satisfy... you?" Salamacia whispered, her tongue meticulously making its way along and around her clit and the tender pink flesh that opened up below it. "... For now," Sena responded lightly. A soft, pursing chuckle was felt against her sensitive flesh as Salamacia pressed her lips against it. "As much fun as I had cleaning you, I am eager for my turn. Let's see how good you are at giving someone else a bath." Salamacia said, slowly loosening her grip around the younger woman's middle so that Sena could ease herself out of her lap and to the floor. She pulled over the second bucket, and heated it up with her magic before pulling off her tunic, revealing herself to Sena in all her glory. "I hope you have as much fun bathing me as I did you." Sena felt a fresh heat surge to her cheeks, and regarded her wife's smirk. "Now now, you know there's no need to be shy. Grab a hold of that sponge, and come over here." She wiggled around on the stool, causing her breasts to jiggle as she put the fingers she'd been using to fuck the younger woman into her mouth, licking them clean. Salamacia's Fire magic maintained a comfortable temperature within the room, so Sena didn't feel cold as she knelt before the other woman's back to commence the bath. She had but to recall what Salamacia had done to her, and mimicked almost every sequence, listening for a sign or hum of pleasure. The tall, curvy blonde had the kind of body that Sena had often wished she had. Full, pouty lips, a long, graceful nose with a delicate upturn, full and pert breasts, a beautifully-proportioned waistline that flared out into curvy hips, and legs that almost seemed to go on forever. Clothed, one would never imagine that someone as beautiful and feminine-looking as Salamacia might have any hint of masculinity about her. The older woman's tanned skin was smooth, and Sena could feel the muscles underneath as she stroked and pressed against Salamacia's body with the sponge. I'm enjoying this more than I should, Sena realized with a small shock as she cradled one of Salamacia's feet in her lap to wash it. At first, she had just been doing this to be fair, and to return the favor that her wife had done for her. After all, the massage and wash had felt good when she was on the receiving end of it, and it would be mean to deny Salamacia that same pleasure. Now, she was gaining pleasure from giving Salamacia pleasure. When had that happened? She blushed and kept her gaze down, washing the foot, before setting it aside and washing the other, her mind wandering to when she'd been giving the same treatment to other parts of Salamacia's anatomy. "There's still a few more parts left for you to wash, sweetling," Salamacia reminded her as she set her foot down. "I'm not likely to forget," Sena replied before she squeezed the sponge out, and absorbed some fresh water from the bucket. The blonde pulled her knees apart so that Sena could sit in front of her and wash her breasts, and the younger woman scooted forward, closing the distance. Keeping her eyes averted downward, she did not miss the fact that Salamacia was now semi-erect. Not that that was too surprising, Sena mused as she washed one breast, going in firm yet languid circles, hearing Salamacia's sigh of enjoyment. She moved onto the other breast, lingering, cupping the one she'd just abandoned with her free hand. "Mmm. Yes, that's it. Touch, explore..." Salamacia purred. "You do have very nice breasts." A velvety chuckle met her ears, and she felt her chin being pressed upward with a finger. Her eyes met Salamacia's own, the older woman's lips forming a delicate balance between a smile and a smirk. "About time you paid me a compliment, my dear. I was beginning to wonder if you found me repulsive," Salamacia half-joked. Sena blushed and quickly shook her head. "No, it's not that. I've always thought you were lovely. Sometimes... I felt a little jealous." In the Silver Isles, vanity was not encouraged, and if any was displayed, was usually met with a swift reminder that beauty faded with age, while character lasted. Nonetheless, there were times when the young Water Mage wished that she had some of the attributes of her more attractive or voluptuous relatives or friends. "The grass is always greener on the other side, they say," the blonde shot back lightly. "Be glad that you don't have to worry so much about breast bindings and bouncing and jiggling." She lightly tapped the younger woman's nose. "Nonetheless, feel free to enjoy mine anytime you're in the mood. Just tell me, and I'll pop my tits out of whatever I'm wearing." Unable to hold back the giggle that burst from her chest, Sena looked down again, studying the pair before her. She resumed her ministrations, massaging them even after they'd been sufficiently washed, and Salamacia let out a soft moan, her head lolling back, her shoulders squared as she offered her breasts. Sena leaned forward to nuzzle them, burying her head between the plump orbs before she felt Salamacia's hands come to rest on her head, running their fingers along her hair. Sena relaxed, staying there for several moments and enjoying this intimate but gentle affection before she pulled back. "Your bath is not quite complete, my lady." "Hmm, so it isn't." Salamacia rose to her feet, and Sena pulled herself back to give the other woman room. Sena knew what would happen once she started washing Salamacia there. It was an inevitable consequence, and the younger woman noted that she was eager for it. She eyed the stiff flesh that stood before her, not quite at full erection, but certainly close enough to make its need clear. A bush of neatly-trimmed golden hair surrounded it before segueing to tanned skin that was only a couple of shades lighter than Salamacia's intimate flesh. She gently touched the sponge against the underside of the older woman's engorged flesh, rubbing slowly to the root of the cock before making its way back to the engorged tip. She'd touched Salamacia a couple of times before, under the older woman's direction, but had been rather passive in bed - and any other places where the Fire Master might decide would be a fun place to have intimate relations. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 06 Sena mused the evolving state of her marriage as she tended to Salamacia, rubbing along the length's underside for several strokes, before moving to one side, and then the top, before rotating to the other side, the flesh stiffening to its fullest. Gently, she pulled back the foreskin to wash the rest of the shaft, hearing a throaty moan as the sponge ran along the head, which was a rosy shade of red. The Water Mage smiled a bit at that, and looked up to see Salamacia's eyes half-lidded in obvious enjoyment of the attention, and she rubbed the head a bit more firmly now. "Mmm." Salamacia arched her back a bit, hands on her hips as a low sigh escaped her throat. After several more moments, Sena moved down to the sac, which rested snugly against the base. Feeling the tight but delicate flesh under her hand, she massaged it a bit, feeling its weight in her palm. Bringing the sponge to what Salamacia called the 'dragon's belly', she moved it in a slow, circular motion, seeing the cock itself twitch as she did so. The womanhood was next, accessed easily since the balls were smaller and did not hang like they did on a man. "You're wet for me, hmm?" Sena asked with a small smile as she slid two fingers inside, the first time she'd done so without any prompting. "Mmm. Yeees..." Salamacia took in a breath, her breasts seeming to get a bit bigger as her lungs filled, and Sena slid her fingers in up to the knuckles, gently probing the inner walls and massaging them for several moments before she withdrew so that she could proceed with the more mundane task at hand. The sponge was efficiently worked against Salamacia's womanhood, leaving her clean even if her inner lips were now slick with arousal. Sena finished the wash, discarding the sponge in the bucket, the leftover water would be used to water the plants, and the water that had been squeezed or dripped onto the stone floor would evaporate soon enough. "All clean now, though I dare say that given the gleam in your eye, we'll likely need another bath soon enough." "I don't hear you complaining about that, sweetling." Sena blushed and looked away shyly before she felt a finger touch the underside of her chin. "Much as I would enjoy a good romp in our bed, I have something else in mind." Sena looked back up at her. "What would that be?" "Well, since I cleaned you with my mouth, I would like you to return the favor." It took a moment for this to sink in, and Sena swallowed nervously as she glanced at the erection that was near impossible to miss in such close proximity. Salamacia had never asked that particular favor of her before, though logically, Sena knew that this subject would inevitably come up. "Why do you look so nervous? It's not going to bite you," Salamacia teased. "Dragons don't bite?" Sena shot back. "Well, my teeth are up here," Salamacia pointed to her mouth, giving a wide grin. "I've been patient with you, sweetling, but we've shared enough intimacy that you should be familiar with me. I believe now is the time to acquaint yourself with my dragon further, hmm?" "And if I say no?" Sena challenged in a playful tone. "Then no more pleasure for you," Salamacia replied evenly. "Is that a prospect that sounds desirable to you?" she continued, with a small smirk. Sena blushed as she looked away, realizing how much she'd come to want the other woman's attentions. "No." She looked back up at Salamacia, still blushing. "Then give the dragon a kiss, it's certainly waited long enough." Sena took a deep breath before her eyes moved lower, past the breasts and navel, before coming to rest on the turgid flesh. She picked up her hands, which had been resting in her lap, and let them slide along the older woman's legs. As she looked at her pale digits sliding along the bronzed flesh, and suddenly thought of the sigil of her House. The Aracons saw the dragon as more than a simple symbol for their House, and the Teuthis were not that much different, although there were considerably less kraken comparisons in the Silver Isles vernacular. "So..." Sena said casually, an idea coalescing in her head as she thought of the kraken. "Who would think that a dragon and kraken could be allied?" "Hmm? Not many, I suppose," Salamacia said, a touch of curiosity in her tone at this unexpected turn in conversation. "If you see yourself as a dragon, I don't see why I can't think of myself as a kraken." "Oh?" Curiosity turned to keen interest as Salamacia looked down at her. "Well, certainly. Do you have tentacles in there?" she teased. "Now that's a very interesting mental image, but no," Sena said with a faint smile as she envisioned just that, tentacles coming out from between her legs to ensnare victims - though in Salamacia's case, it would likely be a willing one. "But I do have these..." She wiggled her fingers, her nails lightly tapping the area of the blonde's inner thighs, a mere couple of centimeters away from her groin. "Ohh... I like the way you think." A lopsided grin appeared on Salamacia's visage as she nodded. "Do please continue." "In the Silver Isles, we have a saying. Once the kraken has something in its grip, it doesn't let go." Her fingers closed in on their quarry, wrapping around the heated stiffness, feeling its pulse. "And here in the Southlands, we say that once a dragon adds something to its hoard, it will not part from its treasure." "As you've made clear," Sena shot back as she squeezed her fingers. "And of course, once the tentacles wrap around its prey, the kraken pulls whatever it is, to its mouth..." Sena lowered her head, pausing for a moment before pressing her lips to the tip of the penis, tugging at the shaft gently with her hands. "I am happy to feed the kraken." "So the dragon isn't afraid of the depths?" Ar that, a velvety chuckle met Sena's ears before a hand gently pressed against the back of her head. Taking the hunt, she lowered her head just enough to take the head into her mouth, her tongue tentatively pressing against it. Though it had the same general flavor as other areas of Salamacia's skin, there was a certain subtle muskiness, that was unique to the intimate areas of the body. Logically, Sena wouldn't expect this flesh to taste repulsive, but she shared the same nervousness as most women did when committing this act for the first time. This isn't so bad, she thought as she swirled her tongue around the sensitized flesh, hearing a hum of approval. o0o Her grip tightened a bit in the brunette hair as Salamacia's toes curled against the stone, the swirling of her bride's tongue almost maddening as her flesh responded eagerly. She ached so much it almost hurt, but the tongue was helping to soothe away that ache even as it aroused her even further, and she felt her balls tighten in the familiar preparation for release. "Mmm. Yes, that's it," she murmured, pressing against Sena's head gently. The younger woman complied, taking an inch and then another into her mouth, her tongue now rubbing along the underside of the shaft. One hand was now massaging the lower part of the shaft while the other caressed her sac, the fingers working nimbly. Tentacles, indeed... "For someone who's doing this for the first time, you have a natural talent for this," she commented as the fingers that had been massaging her sac slid to her womanhood, stroking the outer lips. Sena mock glared at her, her eyebrows furrowed as the afternoon sunlight caught in her eyes, bringing out the gray so that they looked almost silver. The ministrations continued, another couple of inches disappearing within her mouth as her fingers slid within, now stroking the inner lips. "Yess..." Salamacia hissed, her hips jerking a bit as her body responded to the ministrations. The sucking continued, now more insistent, and her fingers curled in Sena's hair. The fingers rubbed at her insistently, finding her inner hot spot and massaging it firmly. "Keep on doing that..." Her head lolled back as she closed her eyes, losing herself in pleasure as Sena's attentions continued, steadily increasing the crescendo of warmth that surged between the head of her erection and the spot that Sena was rubbing at with her fingers. The remaining hand was firmly wrapped around the bottom of her shaft, pumping and squeezing, and in due time, the younger woman's head was bobbing up and down at a firm pace. "Sena... yes... I'm going to... AH!" She gasped and arched, inadvertently pushing her hips forward, her erection pressing against the roof of the other woman's mouth as she felt the sweet release of passion wash over her like a flush of fire, leaving her seeing stars. Her hand remained on Sena's head, though her grip was not as strong as before, and she felt the bobbing slow down as Sena tried her best to swallow the seed, a bit leaking out of her mouth as the dragon breathed out a couple more times, in smaller spurts. The hand withdrew from her womanhood, and Salamacia let out a slow sigh before she opened her eyes, looking at her lover. When the younger woman pulled away, Salamacia obligingly released her grip, and Sena sat back on her feet, looking up, blushing as fiercely as ever. "How do I taste?" Salamacia purred. Sena wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before nodding slowly. "... Not bad. A bit saltier than what comes from your womanhood, but isn't that what men are supposed to taste like?" "I'm not a man. I'm a woman who happens to have a dragon," Salamacia mock scolded. From what former lovers had told her, her essence was less saline-flavored than a man's, but nonetheless had a flavor that set it apart from a woman's juices, including her own. "Of course, of course. Forgive me," Sena said dryly. "Well, of course I do, sweetling. We've had a very good day so far, don't you think?" Sena nodded as she slowly rose to her feet. "All that excitement has made me hungry. However, I'm more in the mood to have a private meal. Perhaps eating pieces of fruit out of the small of your back," Salamacia commented. "You're determined to make this a very good day, aren't you?" "Why not?" o0o The two women lay in Salamacia's bed, comfortably reclined against the pillows. A tray that was nearly empty of its meal sat on the night-stand. They'd eaten in the nude, though Salamacia had pulled on a robe when the servant had brought the tray to their apartments. The air outside was a bit chilly, but the chamber itself was comfortable enough to splay out without a stitch of clothing on, and Salamacia was making full use of that opportunity, long banners of afternoon sunlight stretching across the bed and its occupants. The small of Sena's back still tingled, even after Salamacia had licked the area completely clean. She'd also done the same for the other woman, and to say the least, eating food off someone else had been a unique experience. The older woman had also dribbled wine on her own breasts and between them, having Sena lick it off before she returned the favor. With all the tasting of one another's skin as they sampled their meal, it was a surprise that the blonde hadn't ravished her. Now that the meal was over, she decided to climb out of bed and pull on something, feeling somewhat self-conscious about her nudity despite the fact that she was alone with her wife. In the Silver Isles, modesty was highly valued, with nudity reserved for intimate relations, or perhaps a swim, as long as the swimmer was careful to ensure his or her privacy. As a Water Mage, she'd been taught that one of the best ways to bond with her element was to go for naked swims in the ocean, though such an opportunity did not present itself often to her, with the risk that someone might see her. "Where do you think you're going?" "I've been naked long enough," Sena replied as she pulled on a comfortable linen shift, and pulled a robe over it. "Prude," Salamacia scolded. "Lech." "And proud of it." "Well, at least you're honest." Salamacia smirked at that as Sena sat back down on the bed. "What am I, if I can't be honest with myself?" "I can't really argue with that." "Mmm." Salamacia reached out, hooking her arm around Sena's waist and pulling her close, her curves easily felt through the thin cloth that covered Sena's own body. "You know, there's one thing I've wondered. Nobles, especially women, have less freedom in certain instances than poorer people. Especially when it comes to marriage." "Yes?" Sena asked, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity. Daughters might not be as prized as sons to many, but a daughter could be a very handy tool in forming alliances, and those in power were loath to waste such opportunities, even if it wasn't always for the girl's good. "How did you convince Moneo to promise you he wouldn't try to marry you off to a man? I can't imagine a noble, especially a leader of a Great House, agreeing to that unless there was a very good reason not to." "Water speaks to me, just as fire speaks to you." "The messages usually aren't very... clear." Sena smiled. How well she knew that. Nature spoke in mysterious ways, and if all its messages were as clear as the words in a book, there would be much less confusion in the world, she was sure. "Well... I may have stretched the truth out a bit. I told him that the ocean warned me that marriage to a man would bring me nothing but misery and death. Truthfully, I have no real desire to be married to a man, and I knew that if I was married to one, I would be unhappy." Though Water, and on occasion, other magics, would manifest itself within the Teuthi family on a regular basis, Moneo himself was devoid of any magical ability, so he couldn't really argue with his cousin about what she saw or heard with her own magic. "Hopefully I'm making you a lot more happy than you would expect," Salamacia said, her eyes twinkling with playfulness, yet there was a somber edge to her voice. Sena blushed at that, and remained silent. "Admit it," Salamacia entreated her in a sing-song tone. "I admit nothing." "The kraken certainly seemed to be enjoying itself earlier. It needs to come out more often. Perhaps I need to enter its grotto and coax it out." "Goodness, you seem to be enjoying these kraken jokes." "Why not, they're fun. It's about time you developed a sense of humor." She pressed herself against her lover, the evidence of renewed arousal evident against the back of the younger woman's thigh. One of her hands reached down to cup Sena's rear end, rubbing it slowly. "Mmm." Sena was unable to stop the small sigh that escaped her throat. "If you want me to take you, then say so." She wiggled her pelvis, this action stirring a fresh surge of arousal. "Damnit, Salamacia!" The response was a teasing nibble to her ear, as a hand reached around to cup her breast, kneading it through the fabric. A soft, playful growl tickled her ear. There was no Fire Magic needed to heat her up this time, or earlier this afternoon. It was all between her and Salamacia, nothing more, nothing less. The lips, the hands, that fierce golden gaze... She shifted around so that she now faced the older woman, pulling up the hem of her shift, revealing first the creamy inner thighs before the dark thatch of her mound became visible. "Actions speak louder than words, hmm?" she queried. A triumphant smirk was Salamacia's initial reply. "Works for me." o0o Sorry for the slow update. For a while, I was struggling with this chapter, so I moved on to other projects because it's never a good idea to force yourself to work on a project where the words simply aren't flowing. I hope this chapter has made up for the long wait, though. :) Feedback is always welcome and eternally appreciated. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 07 Sena glanced at herself in the mirror, seeing how the burgundy velvet flowed down her body as she ran her hands along her hips, allowing herself to luxuriate in the sumptuous fabric. Little wonder Salamacia enjoyed the fabric so much. "You look good enough to eat," she heard a voice purr from behind her. "In fact, I may do that tonight after the festivities are over..." Sena smiled a bit at that as her wife approached her from behind, her visage clear in the mirror's reflection. The taller woman's hair was a riot of golden curls and waves, some of it pinned or braided back to keep it from getting in her face, but the rest of it left loose. "Is that all you think of?" Sena replied lightly as she saw her wife's gaze move along her body. Her underdress, which was visible through the openings of her dagged sleeves and the slits up the sides of her overdress, was of a dark but rich teal-colored silk, which contrasted well with the burgundy. She'd elected to not have any ornamentation in the fabric, so the velvet was lacking in fancy embroidery. She wore no jewelry but a pair of silver teardrop earrings with pearls set in them, and a matching ring on her pinky. Salamacia on the other hand, now that was a woman who knew how to dress to impress. Her underdress was of a royal purple silk, which brilliantly complimented the bold scarlet of her overdress. Along the bodice and hems of the dress was golden thread in a design of graceful swirls and waves that were clearly meant to represent fire. Rubies and spessartite sat in the gold that adorned her ears, neck, and fingers. "It's not the only thing I think of. But it is constant in my thoughts," Salamacia replied lightly. "Though I don't hear you complaining about it." "Hmph," Sena felt warmth creep into her cheeks before deciding to turn the focus onto the other woman. "You look like a queen," she said with honesty. She'd never met the King or Queen of the Nnelands, but she was fairly sure that the Queen would be hard put to succeed at looking as regal, if not more, than Salamacia. "If I'm a queen, that would make you my princess. No, that's not quite right..." Salamacia tapped her chin. "Consort?" "Yes, that's it. My princess consort." Sena couldn't help but smile at that. The older woman's confidence had seemed overly brash at first, coming across as arrogant. Of course, there were times that arrogance was the best word to describe the blonde, but as time passed, Sena came to see that much of what reserved Silver Islanders would see as brash or pompous, was simply confidence, if bold confidence. It was still sometimes jarring for her, to be exposed to such a... fiery personality, but Sena had to admit that there were times when she enjoyed the heat, in more ways than one. "Are you ready to make your appearance?" Salamacia asked, wrapping her arm around Sena's middle. "Ready as I will ever be." As the member of one of the ruling houses of the Ninelands, Sena was no stranger to the niceties of being a noblewoman. Although some customs here in the Southlands differed from the Silver Isles, many of the basics were almost universal. "Well then, princess." Salamacia punctuated her remark with a light squeeze to the younger woman's behind. The atmosphere was festive, not that Sena would expect any less. Unlike the Teuthis, the Aracons did not abnegate from merry-making, especially of the more raucous variety, and Sena had to admit that after her time here, she was starting to understand why. There were times where her old sensibilities would rear its head, to be sure, but Salamacia's fire brought to her stony heart a slow but certain thaw. The pair made their rounds, Sena making appropriate greetings to people she'd already made acquaintance with, and Salamacia introducing her to new faces. Some people showed surprise or some bemusement at the fact that Salamacia had a wife rather than a husband, but as Sena had learned already, things in the Southlands certainly were different. After Sena made small talk with an Aracon cousin she'd met previously, she turned to see Salamacia with a look on her face that was rare for the older woman. It was a mixture of irritation and... what was it, concern? Her curiosity piqued, she turned her attention to where Salamacia's gaze rested, and witnessed a trio that had apparently just arrived. The leader of this trio had well-tanned skin, and hair that was a mixture of gray and white, flowing freely down his shoulders. He wore garb of orange and yellow accented with brown and black. His companions, both much younger than him, were attired in similar colors and like him had a medium-dark complexion, though their hair was as black as a raven's wing. The younger man was stocky and not what she would call handsome, his hair pulled back in a braid to reveal a broad face. The woman on the other hand, was stunning. With high cheekbones and finely-arched eyebrows above large, dark eyes, the woman exuded all the hauteur that a high-born woman could possess. She glanced around the room for a moment before her eyes rested on Salamacia, and Sena could swear that she saw the newcomer smirk ever so slightly. "Who are they?" Sena whispered, nudging her lover's arm. "House Dawntreader," Salamcia whispered back, her tone steely as if the very presence of the other woman was utmostly displeasing to her. Sena immediately recognized the name. As a member of the Aracon clan now, it was among Sena's duties to know about the people that the Aracons ruled over. House Dawntreader was an old and ancient line, its progenitors having settled into the Southlands long before the first Aracon had come to make his stake in the mountains. The Dawntreader's ancestors had been but among many tribes that lived in this land, eking out their existence from the harsh plains and steppes that ringed the Great Southern Desert. During a crucial time in Southland history, when the Aracons were looking for allies in this land, the progenitor of the Dawntreaders and his tribe were in war with several other tribes. The Aracons had sided with this tribe, ensuring their primacy in the region. In exchange for this help, the leader and his tribe swore fealty to House Aracon, sealing the alliance with an exchange of children for marriage. The chief and his family was given the House title, and the power to govern over the biggest province in the Southlands. Over the generations, the two bloodlines would upon occasion unite, and it was thus that most members of House Aracon gained the warm tan of their complexion, well-suited for exposure to the sun. Though the Dawntreaders maintained their power and ties with their liege lords, they had not taken upon any apparent physical characteristics from the Aracons. Those born to Dawntreader inevitably inherited the dark hair and eyes of their indigenous ancestors. It was true for most people in the Aotuhlands, anyway. There were many dark-haired and skinned people among the servants, some darker than others, and plenty in the towns and cities of this often-underestimated region of the Ninelands. Their sigil, a golden disk halfway rising above a field of black against a backdrop of red-orange, was almost as recognizable as the golden dragon of the Aracons. The Dawntreader woman made a beeline for Salamacia, and Sena could not help but feel as if she needed to go on the defensive. There was something off-putting about this woman, though she was unable to identify just what it could be. "Salamacia!" the other woman said in a voice that was over-sweet with a tinge of a purr to it. "It has been far to long, my dear! It is wonderful to see you again!" "Hello, Chuman. How lovely it is that you could find the time to come here," Salamacia replied politely, though Sena could sense her tension. The name was familiar, Sena knew she had heard it somewhere before. Probably when she was being instructed on the various governors and vassals to Aracon. "t really has been too long," Chimani replied. Her clothing was obviously considered with great care, a black under-dress peeking out from the burnished red silk and deep ochre velvet that hugged her tall and lithe body. Her hair was swept back from her head with several red and orange flowers, highlighting her graceful neck. "Yes, it certainly has been a long while. It gives me no small amount of pleasure to introduce my wife, Sena." Salamacia looked down at her with fondness, and Chumani narrowed her eyes slightly as if she was examining an incest that had just crawled across the floor in front of her. Sena swallowed quickly before she spoke. "I have heard much of House Dawntreader, and am pleased for the opportunity to meet some of its representatives. Welcome to Dragonslair, and I hope you have a lovely time during your visit." "I'd heard rumors that the dragons formed a union with the squids, but..." Chumani placed her hand on her cheek in an affected sign of bemusement. "Well, I suppose there are occasions for otherwise unlikely circumstances." "As someone fairly new to this land, there was much I was not aware of, I will admit. So I can understand your mistake, but the sigil of House Teuthi is the mighty kraken, not an ordinary squid," Sena commented sweetly. "Naturally. One mighty creature for another, hm?" Salamacia asked, her eyes flashing with approval as she regarded Sena with a discreet wink. "Oh, do forgive me. My people are not sea-faring, so one creature with tentacles is the same as others to us." She shrugged and gave out a small laugh. Before any of them could say anything further, the other two Dawntreaders joined them. "Salamacia, congratulations upon your nuptials." the older man said before he turned to Sena, regarding her before giving her a slight nod. "You are a way from the sea, but I hope that the hospitality of this land suits you," he said kindly. At least they're not all like Chumani, Sena thought with relief as she gave him a slight curtsey. "Yes. There is much warmth and kindness here. Am I correct in assuming that you are Atsidi Dawntreader?" "You are." He was dressed more conservatively than Chumani, having chosen to wear black and brown with just a hint of gold. "I see you have met my granddaughter. This is my grandson, her cousin, Nstas." He gestured to the younger man with him. Nstas regarded her with a polite nod. "Come along," Astidi said to his companions. "There are others to greet," Chumani and Nstas followed him, though the former looked over her shoulder one last time at the couple. "What happened between you two?" Sena whispered once the trio was well out of earshot. "Quite perceptive you are," Salamacia shot back dryly. "We were lovers." Sena knew that Salamacia was no innocent maiden, but actually being in the presence of a woman who she knew had shared intimacy with her wife, roused a sudden streak of jealousy that surprised the young Water Mage. She shared a healthy relationship with her wife between the sheets, and it galled her to think of another woman being recipient of Salamacia's attentions. "It was but a dalliance," Salamacia explained. "But Chumani did not wish to let it remain at that." "So I have nothing to be concerned about?" Sena asked. "Not the least little thing, sweetling," Salamacia assured her. "I chose you to be my wife, and I am perfectly content within the embrace of your tentacles," she added, leaning over and breathing hotly against her ear. Sena gave out a small gasp and a pleasurable shiver jolted down her spine from that ear. "I long to have you under my claws so that I may devour you. But as we're not alone, Ill settle for the banquet table," the older woman purred. Sena smiled faintly at that as she slowly shook her head. o0o Salamacia knew that seeing Chumani again at some point had been an inevitability, but she was still uncomfortable at seeing the other woman. When she turned her head to check on her wife, she saw Sena engaged in friendly conversation with an older woman She found herself pulled into a conversation, asked to settle a minor dispute between two squabbling cousins. The boys, looking almost identical with their heads full of curly blonde hair, tugged at her hands, trying to convince her that one was right over the other. "Now, now. Is it proper to fight over something so trifling as the last almond dumpling?" Salamacia scolded. The boys had been shoving one another and wrestling over it, resulting in a sticky mess on their hands. "At least you had the good sense to not grab at my dress with these hands! And now look, the dumpling is barely edible, if that!" Said confection was now little more than mashed-up crumbs in the younger cousin's free hand. "I told you!' the older one pouted. "You could have also just cut it in half with a knife. House Aracon has plenty, all members share in it," Salamacia pointed out. "Let's get you two cleaned up." With a firm grip on their collars, she led them away. Once the crumbs and glaze had been washed away, she let the boys go with another admonition to behave themselves. Children, she thought ruefully. She knew very well that at times, she had been a real handful as a child, and she certainly was no more innocent than the ones she'd just scolded. She recalled the times where she'd gotten into fights with her brother or cousins, and smiled to herself. She stiffened as she heard her name uttered, and turned around in the dimly-lit hall to face Chumani. "Are you lost?" Salamacia asked sweetly. "The washrooms are that way," she said, gesturing to the direction she'd just come from, already stepping away. "Wait. I was hoping we could talk." "There is nothing for us to talk about," Salamacia replied coolly. "Please?" She felt a hand on her arm. "I know things did not end for us very well back then, but we've both grown older and wiser. Things will never be the same between us, I know that. But I am hoping that we could... remedy at least some of the negative feelings from the past. I would feel ever so much better if we could at least bury the hatchet, and be friends again." Salamacia let out a slow sigh and turned to face her former friend and lover. "In some cases, silence is golden," she replied, pulling her arm away. "It would really mean much to me," Chimani pleased, "Ever since what happened between us, you have constantly been on my thoughts. I regret the pain I caused you, and I've wanted to apologize for the longest time." Salamacia found herself softening a bit at that. Hadn't her uncle often lectured on forgiving others when they showed genuine repentance , and moving on? She took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Very well." A turn in the hall led them to a small library that had often doubled as a schoolroom in the past for generations of young Aracons. She gestured for dark-haired woman to go before her. "Oh, this room brings back memories," Chumani said with a small smile. "You drove the teacher nearly to tears, is that something to remember so fondly?" Salamacia asked as she moved across the floor to light two lamps. "That woman was a bitter old hag who liked her switch overmuch," Chumani retorted as she sat on the desk near one side of the room, where the teachers usually sat when giving their lessons. "Well... I can't argue with that." Salamacia would be lying if she said she hadn't enjoyed the time where Chumani had wrested the switch out of the teacher's hands and swatted her over her plump backside with it before running around the room, causing the old woman to become short of breath chasing her. Lian had been but one laugh from falling to the floor in convulsive delight. Chumani regarded her with a faint smile, but Salamacia chose to maintain her distance. Lady Dawntreader wanted to talk, so let her talk. And apologize, of course. The room was quiet, with just a hint of the sound of music filtering in through the small windows of the room and the hall that led past the partially-open door.She leaned against the wall near one of the lamps, crossing her arms. After several moments of silence, she raised her eyebrow as she looked at the dark-eyed woman. "You said you had an apology?" "Mmm. This is not easy for me to say... but I admit I have wronged you, and I offer my humblest apologies. What can I say, I was young and stupid." "We're both still young, I must remind you," Salamacia pointed out with a small smile. "But wiser, I would hope." "Oh, certainly. In any case, I accept your apology." "My conscience can rest," Chumani said, placing a hand over her heart. "I hope we can be friends again," "Our houses have been allied for many generations," the blonde woman replied neutrally. "There is no need for enmity between us." Chumani sighed and slid off the desk, approaching her. "We shared much in the past. There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to share again." "I am a married woman." She slid to one side, keeping an even distance between the other woman and herself. "That part of our past, is in the past," she commented firmly. "Hmph." Chumani regarded her with the same smirk she'd used years ago. "You wouldn't be the first person to take pleasure outside of the marriage bed." "I'm not interested," Salamacia shot back curtly. "Are you sure? There were so many pleasures we shared. How does that pale-faced woman compare to me? Does she make the dragon roar like I do? Does she have my skill in rousing, and riding the dragon to satisfaction?" She stepped closer, and Salamacia caught a whiff of her perfume, more cloying than the hint she'd scented before. "What I do with my wife is none of your concern, Chumani, and I must ask you to cease this line of discussion." "Aha/ Can't answer the question, can you?" Chumani replied with a purr, and Salamacia put her hand up to stop the other woman from drawing closer. A hand several shades darker than her own reached up to grab her wrist, and before Salamacia could react, the other woman placed a kiss and lick along the inside of her wrist. It'd always been one of her more sensitive areas, but she bit back the moan that threatened to escape her throat. She firmly yanked her wrist away. "I should have known better," she replied with a small huff. "You really haven't changed. You still want me to be your pet!" "As I recall, it was a very pleasurable experience for you..." Salamacia glared at her. A pet, a toy was all the other woman had ever wanted her to be. "Every dragon needs a tamer, whether they want to admit it or not." o0o As a proper lady and hostess, Sena made her rounds, making small talk with various people and familiarizing herself with the people of the Southlands. After a long while, Sena looked around, wondering where her wife was. It would soon be time to dance. She stepped out into the garden, where people were milling about, finishing off their drinks or meals and enjoying some fresh air. "Have you seen Salamacia?" she asked Lian. "Oh, she was scolding two boys a while ago. They were quite a mess and she took them to wash up," Lian replied with a casual shrug. The uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach that had made itself known at the first sight of Chumani nagged at her consciousness, and she drew away from Lian, frowning faintly to herself as she went back inside, navigating the hallways that led from the main chamber. She saw the light from a lamp through the door that led to the small library that Salamacia had said was sometimes used for lessons. Stepping quietly towards it, she heard Chumani and Salamacia argue. "...How does that pale-faced woman compare to me? Does she make the dragon roar like I do? Does she have my skill in rousing, and riding the dragon to satisfaction?" Sena took a deep breath, barely conscious of her hands balling up into fists. When she heard her wife firmly rebuff the other woman, she found comfort in that. She wouldn't barge in there and embarrass her wife if Salamacia was confident in handling the matter herself. Hot Days and Hotter Nights Ch. 07 "... needs a tamer, whether they want to admit it or not," met Sena's ears, and she entered the room, slamming the door open. The two other women jumped at the noise, and Sena didn't miss the look of surprise and then relief on the blonde's face, and the annoyance and flash of rage on Chumani's own. "I do believe my wife has made her opinion of you very clear, and as a lady yourself, you should be aware of the gross breach of etiquette you have just committed," Sena snapped at Chumani. "You have accepted our food and shelter, and you would do this?" she snarled. "Don't you know it's impolite to intrude in a private conversation-" Chumani tried to cut her off. "Get out. Leave, you are no longer welcome here!" Sena snapped back. "You can't do this to me-" "She can, and so am I. I don't want to see you again, Chumani, in any capacity. Leave now!" Suddenly, the lamps in the room flared up, sending out sparks as their light and heat intensified, and Sena had become familiar enough with the outward nuances of Fire magic to recognize the extension of Salamacia's anger. Chumani's eyes widened in fear, starkly illuminated by the light of her former lover's rage, and made a rapid exit from the chamber. "Are you all right?" Sena asked. The older woman let out a slow breath and nodded, though she still looked a bit shaken. It struck the younger woman to realize that this was the most vulnerable she'd ever seen her wife. "Damn that woman," Salamacia muttered. "Quite so. Is there anything I can get you?" Sen asked gently. "Some wine or tea?" "There's something I know is certain to make me feel much better," the older woman replied as she stared right at Sena, the lamps causing her eyes to glint like molten gold. "What is that?" she asked. In response, the tall blonde strode past her and closed the door to the room before turning back to her. "You," Salamacia stated boldly. There was no doubt as to just what she meant. "What? After what happened...?" "It warmed my heart to see you defend me so fiercely." Sena felt a bit of color come to her cheeks. "I was only doing what was right. I was barely thinking, and..." "That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy seeing you barging in here and giving that snake a good stomp!" At that, the younger woman gave out a small laugh. "I knew there was a reason she set me on edge. I would be lying if I said I didn't take any satisfaction in confronting her, especially after what she said about me!" "... How much did you hear?" "Enough to know that you were wise to end your relationship with her." "And I ended up with someone so much better," the old woman replied with a soft purr before she reached out to caress Sena's cheek. The younger woman gave out a small sigh of pleasure as she leaned into the touch. Salamacia closed the distance between their bodies and pressed her lips to Sena's other cheek before kissing a trail down the side of her neck and along her collarbone. Sena let out a soft sigh, reaching up to rest her hands on her wife's shoulders before they slid up to gently hook around the older woman's neck, pulling Salamacia even closer. Salamacia's hands caressed her sides before reaching down to cup and squeeze her buttocks, and the dark-haired woman responded by wiggling against her lover. With several tugs, Salamacia led her over to the desk, guiding her to sit on it with her legs dangling over the edge as she continued with her kisses, seemingly determined to taste of every inch of Sena's neck and chest that wasn't covered by the modest cut of her dress. She reached down to caress the sides of Salamacia's breasts, encased in velvet as they were, and squeezed them together to deepen the visible cleavage. Salamacia tilted her head up, offering a better view, and smiled. "You like seeing that, don't you?" she asked. "What if I do?" Sena responded lightly. Over her time with her wife, she's come to enjoy the sight and feel of her wife's full, plump breasts, Sometimes she would reach out, before or after intimacy, and play with them, cupping and massaging them, or rolling the nipples between her fingers. They also had a faint, warm scent that she found titillating yet soothing, especially if Salamacia would place a drop of perfume between them. "Well, then..." Salamacia stood to full height, and placed one of her hands at the back of Sena's head, guiding her to the tops of her breasts. Sena smiled to herself as she nuzzled Salamacia's offering, pressing her face into one and then the other as she felt her wife's other hand slide down her hip to her lap, tugging at the skirt. "Mmm." She kissed just above the edge of the dress before breathing hot air into the cleft between the breasts, drawing a delighted shiver out of the blonde. As she felt Salamacia's other hand slid down to tug up her skirt, she gave the other woman several more puffs of air, rewarded with the scent of cloves, musk, and orange flowers. "Gods above! Do you know what that does to me?" Salamacia stated in a heated whisper, the pucker of her nipples faintly visible through her bodice. "Why do you think I do it?" A chuckle met her ears as Salamacia worked the fabric of the skirt up Sena's legs, bunching it around her hips and lap before reaching under it, working her fingers past the strip of cloth that ran between her legs. She arched as the fingers worked their way into her, teasing and massaging her with ease. "And you know what that does to me," Sena commented before taking a deep breath "Well, you certainly know that's why I do it." Both of them giggled a bit before Sena arched in response to a firm massage of her inner sweet spot, grinding herself against her wife's hand. "Please, Sal..." she breathed wiggling against said hand. "Please what, sweetling?" The fingering became firmer, and sena pressed her knees against Salamacia's hips. "Dally no more, wife of mine. My grotto is ready for you." "You don't say?" Salamacia responded, giving one last thrust with her fingers before pulling out. Before Salamacia could do anything further, the younger woman leaned forward, tugging up her wife's skirts, bunching them up at the front and reaching under the folds of fabric, rubbing her palm against the semi-hard flesh she felt under the silk. "Do I make you feel better than Chumani ever did?" Sena asked. "Yes," the blonde responded without hesitation. "Good to know. And by the way, I don't think dragons make suitable pets. That's a title that suits cats and dogs better," the younger woman responded, wrapping one arm around her wife's middle and pulling her down so she could kiss and nibble along the tanned skin. With her free hand, she reached past the last vestiges of fabric to wrap her fingers around the engorged flesh, pulling it free of its confines and giving it several pumps, feeling the throb. "Yes, that's it," Salamacia moaned, wiggling her hips as she pushed them forward. Taking the hint, Sena released her grip and leaned back a bit, offering herself to her lover. Lining herself up after she'd made sure their skirts were pushed out of the way, she slid in easily, and Sena breathed out her name, clenching around the hardness she had become long familiar with. "Lean back," Salamacia asked. The younger woman complied, reclining onto the smooth wood of the desk as her wife grasped her knees, lifting them so that they were at her shoulders as she slid in deeper. "Mmm. You feel so good," Salamacia whispered as she ensconced herself, the weight of her balls resting lightly against the younger woman's perineum. In response to that, Sena smiled faintly and wiggled around firmly, still clenching. It wasn't that she and Salamacia didn't have their moments of disagreement, but at times like this, it was easy for Sena to surrender to the passion and charms of her lover, and what a sweet surrender it was. When the older woman started a rhythm, Sena pushed her hips forward in response, complementing her wife's movements with a pattern of her own, alternating between wiggling, thrusting, or simply clenching, and begging for more. She felt several curly locks brush against her collarbone, and looked up to see Salamacia leaning over her. Almost without thinking, she reached up and pulled the older woman into a deep kiss, pressing her tongue past Salamacia's teeth. She felt hands at either side of her, leveraging them against the desktop as Salamacia intensified her rhythm, becoming firmer and more aggressive in her thrusts, making it increasingly difficult for her to control the level of noise she made. "Uh! Uh! Ah! Yes! Uh!" she gasped, feeling the hard surface against her back as Salamacia pinned her underneath her body, their breasts pressing against one another, Salamacia's cleavage especially pronounced amidst the decolletage of her dress. "Suh... Sal..." She ran her fingers through the thick blonde waves that bounced this way and that, intermittently drawing the older woman in for a searing kiss, Salamacia responding with just as much if not more passion, the friction between their bodies making Sena's bodice feel too tight. Salamacia pushed forward with a particularly vicious thrust that bordered on painful, her teeth gritted as her face became a mask of bliss, an expression that Sena recognized as one of orgasm. Of course, it was not the only indicator she was aware of, as she felt a suffusion of heat at the end of her tunnel. Sena wiggled and clenched in response, knowing the older woman would appreciate having her orgasm drawn out with these movements. "I never want to leave the grotto," Salamacia whispered into her ear. She continued to roll her hips a bit, and Sena wrapped her arms around the other woman's meddle, running her hands up and down her back. "I do not desire to be parted so quickly from the dragon, either," Sena panted gently. To emphasize her point, she hooked her ankles around the other woman's middle. The futanari gave out a soft hum of approval and nuzzled her lover fiercely, placing kisses along her face and throat. They remained like that for several more minutes, basking in the afterglow of their mutual pleasure. "What's that?" Salamacia breathed into her ear. "Are you hitting the desk?" "I'm sorry? What? No, it's not me. I think someone's knocking at the door." "What?" Salamacia lifted her head, looking annoyed. "Who the hell is it?" she snapped. "It's Tsune. Are you decent?" "Hell no." "Riho is... concerned. Chumani left in a rush, and he suspects that something happened between the two of you." "I'll talk to him later, just go away." "Are you certain you are all right?" "Yes! I have Sena here to comfort me." "You call this comfort?" Sena whispered in mock indignation. Both of the lovers giggled at that. "By the sound of that giggling, I hear you have matters well in hand. I will take my leave now, but I would advise you be careful, not everyone is as discreet as I." "You're a fine one to talk about discretion, after what I saw in the greenhouse the other day. Now, shoo." They heard the sound of footsteps rapidly receding, and Sena raised her eyebrow. "The greenhouse?" "We should try it sometime in the future, as well." "Sal!" Sena gasped, feeling her cheeks warm up. A wiggle of the older woman's hips cut off any further objections. o0o Given the climate of the Southlands, I had several ethnic groups that I could choose for inspiration. Ultimately, I decided to go with Native Americans, particularly those of the Southwest, for the Great Southern Desert would be similar to the Mojave, only larger. Chumani comes from the word chumana, which means rattlesnake girl. Her grandfather and cousin also have Native-American inspired names, in this case I did not choose one specific tribe to draw names from, I looked into Navajo, Apache, and Hopi names. Reviews/feedback -- love it, crave it, and gain motivation and insight from it. It is nourishment to me and what keeps me going.