I woke with a start and scream. My dreams had been filled with blood and the images of ruined bodies.
The purring form of Princess-as-a-cat lay next to me now, and she started as I did. A moment later the pleasantly plump young woman was sitting on the edge of my bed. “I’ll tell Sparrow you’re awake. We’ll make you some tea, yes?”
I nodded, wordlessly, thankful.
Princess smiled and was off, back in cat form, running from the room.
I sat up in bed, bleary-eyed and feeling like I’d spent the previous night drinking heavily. Pulling my knees up, I hugged them and set my weary forehead upon them.
That’s how Sparrow found me.
I turned my head, still upon my knees, to look at her as she put two steaming cups of tea on the bedstand and sat on the bed, one arm moving to stroke my back.
She spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. “Remember when you were hurt? Ant stayed by you, sleeping on the floor, resting until he could heal you again. He’s doing that for Silence now. They’re resting together, and Ant heals Silence when he can. With Ant being so injured and exhausted already, it’s slow going, but Silence will recover fully in time. Fear not.”
I lifted my head and nodded. “Thank you.” My voice was raw, throat dry.
Sparrow rose and retrieved the jug of clean water which was replaced in every room in the mornings as well as another cup. She poured some out for me and I drank.
“Thank you again.” I put the cup down on the bedstand next to my tea. Then I reached for Sparrow and embraced her awkwardly, since I was still under the covers. We held each other tightly for a long moment.
I was a little surprised when our lips met. Sparrow’s were soft and warm as they pressed firmly to mine. But then she drew back quickly, a look of shock in her eyes. She looked down; head tilted away. “Sorry, I…”
I didn’t quite know what to make of the quick and odd interaction. What I did know… was how my heart had quickened, how my body had flushed with heat. I swallowed hard, and lifted a finger to Sparrow’s chin.
“It’s well,” I whispered, lifting her face. Those shimmering dark-green eyes met mine, and I could see the shame mixed with desire in their depths. I brushed some of her wayward chestnut-brown hair aside and cupped her cheek, bringing her face back to mine. I didn’t know what I wanted in that moment except another kiss. She was first surprised, then quickly hungry, her lips hard on mine, opening as mine did, our tongues mingling. I felt the full body shudder which shivered through her as she tried to press closer. I didn’t dissuade her. A part of me wanted this, needed this. I was exhausted with worry and horror for Silence and still couldn’t dare to think of the prince. But I desperately needed someone, someone to hold tight and press close, to feel the depths of intimacy with. I was confused and curious and thrilled in that moment. Sparrow was a dear friend. Though it was quickly becoming clear that Sparrow wished I was more than a friend. And Silence had been a dear friend before we had…
When we parted, she remained close. There was an intensity in those deep green eyes as they devoured me. “Are you sure you want this?” she whispered. After a hard swallow, her voice growing softer, she breathed, “I want this. I love you, Legs.”
I blinked at that brazen admission. I knew she didn’t mean she loved me as a friend. That… was a given. She was telling me she wanted to be intimate with me… far more intimate than we already were. Hope blossomed behind her eyes, a fragile and uncertain hope that I might feel the same way.
“I love you too, Sparrow,” I said tenderly. “You are my dearest friend, and… and right now… I do want this. I want you.” In this moment I desperately needed the intimacy she was offering. I didn’t know what this experience would be like, but my heart ached for… some deep connection.
Her breath caught, those already large eyes going wide as her lips trembled. She slipped back and off the bed, quickly lifting off her dress. She wore a silken shift beneath and that too was quickly removed. Oddly it was both arousing and normal to see her like this. It wasn’t uncommon for us to bathe together. Yet this time, her body wasn’t flushed red from the heat of warm water, but from desire… for me. Her small breasts heaved with heavy breaths; nipples tight with arousal.
She climbed back onto the bed as I removed the covers over me. She became just a bit clumsy, hands trembling with anticipation as she helped me out of my dress. Then, as we both knelt on the bed together, she took the length of several trembling breaths to admire me, as I had admired her a moment before. Then, slowly, we came together.
She reached out, tentative, her warm hand coming to my hip. From there, she caressed up along my ribs to the side of my chest. I lifted my arms out of her way, pushing them back and up into my hair, getting tangled in the curls. She bit her lip as her hand came to cup my right breast, heavier and fuller than hers. A trembling finger moved to the areola, tracing carefully around the nipple, watching as it rose and tightened before her eyes.
Her gaze rose to mine. “I never thought… I never dared to hope…”
I nodded. Same-sex pairings were common enough in Elista, but I understood that it might still be difficult to ask another if they might be interested.
She leaned in and kissed me again as her hand continued wonderfully working over my breast. Her other hand rose to do the same on the other side.
Curious myself, I lifted a single hand up between her arms to her chest. I felt the low swells of her breasts, the raised pucker of her areola, and the tight bud of her nipple. Her left breast was slightly larger than the right, but I caressed them both, wishing to return the sensations she was arousing within me.
Then… one of her hands left my breast and moved slowly down my stomach and lower still. She was insistent and firm, her fingers pressing and probing my folds and suddenly I was getting far more interested in this experiment. Unlike a man, Sparrow knew what pleased a woman and seemed very intent to ensure I found such pleasure.
Her lips pressed harder, her kisses growing deep and desperate as her fingers worked in my slick folds, furious and sure. I trembled with a release, if only a small one, and she eased off then.
I was more than grateful and very aroused now, lying her down upon my bed, and lying myself down close next to her. It was my turn to slide a hand down between her thighs. Her folds were already wet as I traced the sensitive area. I too knew how to press and rub for maximum pleasure. I hadn’t pleasured myself often, but I’d done enough to know what felt good.
She gasped, then bit her lip. “Oh Legs… I… you…”
I stopped her awkward words with a kiss as I quickened and intensified my massage upon her. I felt her legs open, one slim thigh slipping between mine as I leaned closer over her a little. I moved my lips from hers to the gentle rise of one breast and plucked the nipple hard in my teeth, sucking, remembering how exquisite that had felt when Silence had done it for me.
Her back arched, rising from the soft mattress as she moaned; needful and profound. She clamped her hand over mine, pressing me hard to her folds as she shuddered with her release.
