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Traveling through the Shadow-Cursed Lands was no easy feat for anyone in the party. With Selune’s blessing bestowed upon them by Isobel at Last Light Inn and eventually the magic from a freed and grateful pixie, the group was able to pass through without the major effects of the curse taking hold. But the land still took its toll in other ways.
Helena sat on the ground with her back against the wall of Last Light, staring out at the black waters of the adjoining river. The waves gently lapping at the sandy shore seemed to swallow any light. How she missed the moon, the stars, Eilistraee’s perfect sky. Isobel’s magic offered a little comfort. On some nights, Helena would turn her face upward to the shining dome overhead, the orb of silver magic cast by the Selunite’s deft hands, and pretend it was the true moon. But there was always a limit on such make-believe. On a good night, she could push aside the quiet anxiety that lurked in the pit of her stomach. On a bad night? It felt as though her goddess couldn’t be further away, her starry eyes cast on her more fortunate followers. As if Eilistraee had abandoned her faithful cleric lost in the darkness.
She shook her head to rid herself of these thoughts. Pure heresy. The Dark Maiden would never cast her aside in such a manner. Moments such as these were the proving ground of faith. A chance to hold Doubt’s piercing gaze and stand defiant. How many years had she spent in the Underdark before even seeing the moon and stars for the first time? Eilistraee had been with her then, watching over her and guiding her though she was miles below the surface.
It had been days since she performed a proper Evensong ritual. She’d plucked at her lute’s strings lazily around the campfire, hummed an occasional ditty while helping clean up from dinner. But ever since entering the Shadow-Cursed Lands, she’d fallen off her nightly practice, partially because of the oppressive atmosphere and partially because of her newly-formed relationship with Gale.
Lying with him beneath his sky of conjured stars had been an ecstasy she didn’t know was possible. His soft hair grasped between her fingers. His desperate hands clutching at her body wherever they could find purchase. His hot, needy lips and the crisp night air taking turns in trailing kisses across her skin. Though she had taken a number of lovers over the course of her life, she’d never experienced intimacy quite like that.
And he’d wanted to fuck like the gods. As if the heavens could possibly contain a richer pleasure than what she’d experienced beneath him that night.
The days that followed had been full of longing. During a battle against some vine blights, Gale had grabbed Helena’s hips to move her as he rushed past to hurl a firebolt. Helena had wondered if the flames that enveloped the shambling plant creature were as hot as the blood rising to her cheeks. After dinner one evening, the pair had retired to Gale’s tent where the wizard proceeded to stutter and stumble through a tome he’d wanted to read aloud to her. Perhaps if his head hadn’t been lying in her lap, if her fingertips weren’t softly grazing his temples and ruffling his beard, it would have been easier to focus on the text.
Helena blinked in an attempt to clear the lustful haze that had engulfed her. There was much she needed to tell her goddess. Revelations that needed to be shared. An Evensong ritual to complete. She slowly stood to her feet and stared up at Isobel’s false moon. It would have to do.
It did not take her long to find Gale. He had settled for the evening at a quiet table in the tavern, a glass of wine in one hand and a book from one of the nearby shelves in the other. He leaned back in his chair, his legs crossed, as he swirled the wine around in the goblet before taking a sip. His tongue darted out at the corner of his mouth to lap up an errant drop of burgundy that had lingered on his lips.
A practiced tongue, indeed.
Helena made her way to the table. She was a few paces away when Gale’s eyes flicked up from his reading and noticed her. He smiled and lowered the book.
“Good evening, my love,” he said cheerfully. “Care to join me? I found this fascinating book on the history of the use of Mage Hand throughout the centuries. It’s certainly given me a few ideas.” He gave her a cheeky wink.
“Perhaps later?” she replied. “Though I am curious to hear your thoughts. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind helping me with something.”
Gale finished off his wine and set both the book and the goblet on the table.
“I’m all yours.” His voice was soft and warm as velvet. “What can I do?”
“Well, I’m sure you’ve noticed I haven’t completed an Evensong ritual since we entered the Shadow-Cursed Lands.” Gale nodded solemnly. “Much has happened since we’ve arrived. Particularly…between us.” Gale chuckled and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. The physical contact sent ripples of warmth through Helena’s body and her heart fluttered. “I’ve never done this before, but…I’d like to introduce you to Eilistraee formally. Announce our bond to her.”
“Oh!” Gale raised an eyebrow. “Of course. How would we…go about doing that?”
“That’s where the Evensong comes in.” Helena squeezed Gale’s hand. “I’d like you to take part in the ritual with me. Tonight, if you aren’t too terribly engrossed in your book.”
Gale’s eyes widened and he stood up hurriedly, his body suddenly pressed closely against Helena’s. He cleared his throat and readjusted, putting a bit more space between them.
“Erm, like I said, I’m all yours. I can’t think of a higher honor than to partake in one of your sacred rites.” He kissed her hand.
Helena led them out of the tavern and down to the riverside, away from prying eyes. Despite the bleak landscape, the glimmer of the Selunite magic radiated just enough to cast away some of the darkness, forming a beautiful pseudo-twilight. Gale’s fingers intertwined with hers and she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, gazing out at the black waters of the river. Finally, he spoke.
“What do I need to do?”
Helena took a deep breath, clearing her head.
“Just follow my lead. Hold our bond in your thoughts as we dance.”
Gale blushed.
“I’m afraid I may not be very graceful,” he chuckled. “It’s been a long time since I danced with someone.”
“You will be just fine, my love,” Helena smiled. “This isn’t some courtly dance with special movements and motions. This is worship. It comes from the soul. Just allow yourself to be free.”
Gale took a deep breath before wrapping his arms around Helena’s waist. Helena began to hum a gentle melody as the pair swayed on the beach. She ran her hands down his arms, clasping his hands in hers and raising their arms aloft before ducking under them in a smooth spin. Gale responded by bringing her back to center.
She smiled and kissed him, then whirled around him, her hands never leaving his body. As their eyes met once more, she raised her leg up against his hip, prompting him to catch it just below her knee. He rested his forehead against hers, moving slowly backward which caused her toe to drag in the sand. He set her leg down again and twirled her under his arm before bringing her back to him once more and pressing her waist against his.
She pressed her lips against his neck, causing him to moan softly, before pushing away and holding her arms above her head. She raised her leg forward, balancing on the other. Gale’s hands found purchase on her inner thigh and against her back, lifting her off the ground. Her other leg rose to meet the one she’d held aloft and Gale caught both legs in his arm, twirling her in a slow circle. As he set her back down, his hand cradled the back of her head and he sank her into a low dip. She rested her hands on his face, pressing her lips to his in a deep kiss.
He straightened her back upright and his hands found her hips, eagerly grasping them and pulling them closer to his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, filling the rest of the gaps between their bodies. He pulled back from the kiss and his lips began pouring over her neck, his breath growing heavier. She could feel his longing pressing into her thigh and warmth bloomed in her core.
“I want you, Helena,” he murmured into her skin.
“I could tell,” she snickered breathily. She gasped as his lips grazed by a particularly sensitive spot just behind her ear. “I want you too, Gale.”
A low rumble of carnal hunger came from Gale’s throat. He pushed Helena backwards, pinning her against the cliffside. His lips crashed against hers ravenously, his tongue seeking a taste of hers, which she gladly provided. She could taste the dregs of the wine he’d been drinking in the tavern, heavy and dry.
He lifted her hands, restraining them above her head. Once they were secured, his free hand roamed her body. Tangling in her hair, cupping her face, lingering on her breast, sliding down her stomach and coming to rest between her thighs. He hummed approvingly into her mouth as he felt her heat. Helena pulled back, gasping for breath.
“You don’t waste time, do you?” she panted.
Gale’s eyes sparkled in the near darkness, reflecting the glow from the fake moon hovering above the cliff.
“What can I say?” he purred. “I’m eager to please.” His hand applied greater pressure between her legs, one of his fingers tracing the outline of her folds through her pants. “Since our night together, you haven’t left my thoughts for a single moment. Your sounds, your scent, your taste, all branded at the very forefront of my mind.” He paused for a moment and smirked, teasing a gasp from her with a flick of his finger. “I take it you’ve also been thinking of me since then?” Helena bit her lip and nodded. Gale’s hand slid to the tie of her pants, wrapping the cord around his index finger. “Then, please, will you allow me to remind us both of that evening?” He looked deep into her eyes, seeking consent.
“Yes, Gale,” she whispered.
Needing no further prompting, Gale gave the cord a tug, untying it with ease. Within seconds, her pants were loosened and his hand, soft and warm, was nestled against her pussy, his middle finger leaving long, delicious strokes that culminated in a gentle flick of the sensitive bundle of nerves at her crest. Her mouth fell open, a moan nearly escaping were it not for Gale’s lips catching it as he kissed her.
He released her wrists if only to use his free hand to glide under her top and cup her breast. He softly rubbed his thumb over her nipple again and again, feeling it stiffen under his touch. She tangled her fingers in his hair and gripped him tightly. Another moan threatened to flow from her throat, but she managed to suppress it by lightly biting Gale’s lip. He hummed into her mouth and quickened the pace of his strokes against her sex before pulling away just enough to speak.
“Please,” he said softly, his lips dragging against hers. “Don’t stifle yourself on my account. It’s rather nice to know I’m doing a good job.”
“F-Fuck,” Helena moaned in response, leaning her head back against the cliffside. Her legs trembled beneath her as Gale’s finger swirled around her clitoris once, twice before continuing its longer strokes. “Gods, Gale.”
“I love it when you say my name like that,” he breathed. He pressed into her and she could feel his cock, now fully erect and throbbing inside his pants. “Like a prayer.” He slid his finger inside her, causing her to whine and tighten around him. He eased in and out of her at an agonizingly slow pace, each movement earning him a little gasp or whimper from her lips. “That’s a good girl. Are you ready for me now?” Gale applied pressure to her clit with his thumb, burying his finger deep within her. Helena mewled and nodded, her eyes rolling back in her head.
“Please, Gale,” she whined.
“Ever at your service, my love.” He rolled her nipple between his finger and thumb once more before removing his hand from beneath her top and undoing his own pants. As they fell to his ankles, his member stood at attention, dripping with anticipation as he gave himself a few preparatory strokes. He withdrew his other hand from her pussy just long enough to fully bare both himself and her, taking a moment to admire her body on display before him. “By the gods, you’re perfect.”
He grabbed her leg, lifting it into the crook of his arm as he positioned himself. With one swift motion, he buried himself in her, hissing in pleasure as she cried out. They held that position for a moment before Gale slowly began rocking his hips back and forth. With each gentle pump, Helena’s breath hitched in her chest and she began to plant desperate kisses on his forehead and along his hairline, his sweat salty on her lips. He paused for a moment before bottoming out and hitting a spot inside her that made her arch her back and groan.
Then, he picked up the pace, thrusting into her and hitting that spot over and over. It felt as if lightning was pulsing through her veins. With every thrust, more stars swam into her vision. He reached between her legs and began rubbing tight circles around her clit. She howled in pleasure and leaned into his touch. Gale groaned as her slick walls enfolded him again and again. He felt her convulse around him and her bud of nerves trembled beneath his fingers.
“Hold it, my love,” he panted. “Wait for me.”
She gritted her teeth against the waves of ecstasy that buffeted her like a stormy sea. Her hands balled into fists in his hair, yanking his face up to meet her gaze. His eyes grew dark with lust and a growl rumbled in this throat as he plunged into her with a steady but quick rhythm, his fingers matching the pace with an occasional shudder as his own pleasure overtook him.
“Oh, fuck, Helena,” he moaned as his hips involuntarily bucked faster. She crashed her lips into his, her tongue hungrily curling into his mouth as they both approached their peak. He groaned and her clit shuddered under his fingers. Her cunt constricted around him, greedily drawing him deeper. His cock twitched before he spilled inside her. He grunted, thrusting through his climax as she came undone. For a moment, they were still, his cock buried to the hilt in her pussy as his seed dripped down her leg.
Then, their bodies relaxed. He hissed as he unsheathed himself from her, his legs becoming limp underneath him and causing him to fall to his knees. Helena knelt as well and wrapped him in her arms. She leaned back against the cliffside, Gale’s body nestled between her legs with his head resting on her chest. She heard her heartbeat pounding in her ears and took a deep breath.
The air grew still again with just the rushing of the river breaking the quiet. She began to stroke Gale’s hair, feeling his breath pooling on her skin. After a moment, she spoke.
“So how was that?”
“Even more magical than the first time,” he sighed contentedly. “Though I hadn’t thought that possible.” He kissed her chest. Then a worried expression passed over his face. “I’m sorry, my love. I hope this did not ruin your ritual at all.”
Helena laughed, a descending scale of a song, and bent over to kiss the crown of Gale’s head.
“On the contrary,” she chuckled. “I would say that was quite sacred indeed.” Another moment of quiet. “My goddess knows you now. Knows you are mine and I am yours.”
Gale tilted his head to look up at her.
“Do you think she approves?”
Helena smiled and gazed up at the sky. There were no stars, no brilliant moon spreading its light upon the world. And yet in this darkest and most cursed of places, she felt positively blessed.
“Yes,” she said softly, brushing a lock of Gale’s hair behind his ear. “I do believe she does.”