by Sky Croft
“Oh, and that reminds me, I’ve thought of something that will change your mind about sleeping outside. Something special.” “You hope will change my mind.” Blake wasn’t at all convinced that she could be persuaded otherwise. “I highly doubt it myself.”
“Well, it’s the best I could come up with, so if it doesn’t work I give up.” Shale smiled impishly. “But let’s just say I’m pretty confident about it.”
Intrigued by both her tone, and by her mysterious smile, Blake nodded. “Go on then. What is it?”
“Not yet. The timing has to be right.”
Blake stopped in her tracks and turned to face Shale, raising her voice in disbelief. “You’re going to leave me wondering?”
Shale shrugged. “Anticipation builds suspense.”
Disgruntled, Blake placed her hands on her hips. “At least give me a clue?”
“All right.” Shale’s finger rose to her lips, tapping against them as if in thought. “It isn’t something I can tell you, it’s something that must be shown.”
“Show me the clue then.”
Shale sniggered. “No. You’ve misunderstood my meaning. That is the clue.”
“What?” Blake felt her brow crease in confusion. She ran through Shale’s words in her head. “That could mean anything, Shale.”
“Well that’s all you’re getting.” Shale gave another mysterious smile. “It will make perfect sense when you see what I have planned.” As Blake made an unhappy face, Shale said, “I promise you’ll like it. Trust me.”
Blake nodded, making herself content with that. She relinked her arm through Shale’s, and started forward once more. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Shale grinned cockily. “You won’t be disappointed.”
SHALE WAS BUSY setting up camp for the night. She’d had to search for the perfect setting for a while longer than usual, because she needed the area to be sheltered, which usually meant amongst the trees. But for tonight, for her special plan, she needed to have a clear, open view of the night sky above. She’d finally found the perfect spot—a meadow which was encircled at its edge by trees. The meadow was beautiful. The surrounding autumnal trees added a lovely splash of color, though at the moment they were all shaded gray in the moon’s glow, and a small brook gurgled nearby, the sound giving the campsite a relaxed, soothing feel.
It was their last night under the stars, for tomorrow they’d reach their village, and Blake would consign herself to sleeping indoors only. Shale had worried that she wouldn’t even get a chance to carry out her plan, as the last few nights the weather hadn’t been suitable. Fortunately, tonight the weather was perfect—there wasn’t a cloud in sight, and the sky was crystal clear, leaving the stars free to shine down in all their splendor.
Shale hadn’t lit a campfire, though she had made one so she could light it later. She knew it got cold through the night, but she couldn’t light it yet, as the light of the fire would drown out some of the shine from the stars. The moon was big and bright in the sky, so the fire wasn’t needed to see, and Shale sat back to admire the camp, pleased by the setting.
She had told Blake to wait a while before coming to join her, so she could get everything set up for her special surprise. Blake had agreed easily, as if eager herself to see what Shale had in store.
They had been traveling for a while now, so making love under the open night sky was far from a new experience. However, it was one of those previous encounters that had inspired the thought behind tonight’s rendezvous, and Shale knew that it would be special.
As always, she had placed both bedrolls together, side by side. She crossed to them now, stripping out of her clothes and placing the items on her travel bag. Naked, she stretched out on her side, head propped up on an elbow, to wait for Blake’s arrival.
BLAKE AMBLED THROUGH the meadow toward Shale. “I almost walked right by you, without a fire to guide me. How come...” Her trail of thought vanished completely as she saw that Shale was naked on their bedrolls. She grinned broadly. “Well. I like the look of this already.”
Shale gave a flattered laugh as she stood. She walked slowly to Blake, the moonlight highlighting some parts of her bare flesh, while casting shadows over others.
“You’re so beautiful, Shale.” Blake couldn’t stop herself from reaching out and touching Shale when she came into reach.
Shale moved Blake’s hand up from her stomach, and brought it to rest over her heart. Her blue eyes held Blake’s captive. “I love you, Blake.”
A tender smile. “And I love you.”
Blake held still as Shale removed her clothes, both women eager to be rid of the material between them. Once Blake was naked, Shale led her to the bedrolls, and as they lay down, she pushed Blake gently onto her back.
Fingertips caressing Shale’s face, Blake guided their lips together, mouths melding as one. Blake flicked her tongue against Shale’s lips, seeking access, and they parted willingly, taking her inside. Their tongues danced with one another, playful at first, but as their desire increased, the teasing was forgotten, replaced instead by a carnal hunger which threatened to swallow them whole.
Blake slid her hand down Shale’s body, but Shale gripped her wrist, stopping its descent. Shale pinned the hand beneath hers, beside
Blake’s head, and did the same to her other hand.
“I want you to lie still. Just let me pleasure you.”
“Pleasuring you does pleasure me.”
Still pinned down, Blake raised her head and captured Shale’s mouth, kissing her with such unrestrained passion that Shale’s grip faltered—allowing her hands a chance to try again. Blake slipped a hand between their entangled bodies and crept downward, but before she could reach her destination, Shale stopped her once more.
“Blake,” Shale chuckled as Blake released a frustrated groan. “You’re not making this easy on me. Please, just lie still.” Shale started to kiss her way down Blake’s neck. “Just relax.”
By the time Shale reached her breasts, Blake was engrossed on the attention being lavished upon her, and her hands stayed in place when Shale released them.
“Don’t look at me, Blake. Focus on the stars overhead. Focus on what you feel.”
Blake did as Shale requested, fixing her gaze on the twinkling heavens above. She arched her back as her nipple was sucked into Shale’s mouth, and she felt the responsive desire flood between her legs. Her other breast ached to be touched, and she gasped when Shale’s hand began to knead the soft skin, her mouth still working expertly, not relenting for even a moment.
“Shale, that feels...Oh!”
As Shale sucked, stroked, and fondled, Blake felt her wetness build, the fire in her loins burning to an almost unbearable degree. Her hands disobeyed, and they sank into Shale’s luscious hair, urging her downward to where Blake needed her most. When Shale cooperated, Blake obediently let her hands fall by her sides, so she could do as Shale wished and concentrate on the sensations.
The stars were glorious overhead, and they completely filled Blake’s vision, twinkling down as if they were just for her. She moaned in anticipation as she felt Shale settle between her legs, the warm breath sending shivers up Blake’s spine.
Blake whimpered when Shale’s tongue ran through her hot folds, and her hips surged up for more contact. A loud, delighted cry escaped her as Shale delved harder into her, tongue lapping fervently for one moment, then sucking as if trying to devour her the next.
Blake couldn’t control her hands any longer, and they dug into Shale’s hair, pressing her closer. Gyrating against Shale’s mouth, her need ever rising, Blake felt herself drift away, like she was floating free of her body, soaring up amongst the stars. The only connection she had to this plane was Shale’s wonderful, persistent touch, and the feel of Shale’s love grounded her, kept her safe. Blake’s whole existence was Shale. Shale filled her. Completed her.
When Blake’s climax hit, it was so powerful she could only gasp in its hold, panting as the
stars streaked across the sky. She thought for a moment they were shooting stars, but as she came down off the wave of ecstasy, Blake felt moisture on her cheeks, and realized her vision had blurred because she was crying. She had been so moved by the experience she’d been reduced to tears.
Shale came back up Blake’s body, and gently rolled them so she was beneath. Shale wrapped comforting arms around Blake and held her tightly.
“I’m right here, sweetheart. Shh. I’m here.” Shale laid a soft, soothing kiss on Blake’s forehead. As Blake recovered, Shale stroked her hair with a tender hand.
“Shale, that was...”
“Special?” she asked hopefully.
Blake lifted her head out of the hollow of Shale’s neck, and gazed at her in complete adoration. “More than special, love.” She brushed their lips together in a heartfelt kiss. “You convinced me. I’ll sleep outside again.”
“Really?” Shale looked elated by Blake’s words. “What about snakes?”
Blake shrugged. “Like you said, it was a one time thing. Tonight was incredible, Shale, I’m not going to deny us more of this.”
Shale returned Blake’s kiss, then a sultry smile formed. “The night’s far from finished, Blake.”
With a matching smile, Blake worked her hand down Shale’s long torso, and this time, Shale opened her thighs to welcome her. Shale appeared more than ready to accept her, and Blake watched as Shale’s face transformed in pleasure as she entered her, feeling a familiar stirring in her own loins at the arousing sight.
Blake slid her fingers deeper into Shale’s slick wetness, and Shale groaned. Blake suddenly held still, simply enjoying the feel of being inside Shale. Blake could feel every twitch, every jerk of Shale’s body from inside and she felt Shale’s muscles trembling as Shale clearly fought to remain still.
Blake continued her exquisite torture for several moments, building the delicious tension ever higher.
Shale swallowed hard. “Blake...please.”
Blake smiled and passionately kissed her, her tongue sliding against Shale’s in an ardent caress. Her fingers withdrew, though not all the way, then she plunged back into Shale with a firm thrust.
“Oh, Blake!”
As Blake drove in and out of Shale, she built a steady rhythm, Shale’s hips lifting in momentum to match her thrusts. Blake increased her pace when Shale began to pant, her breathing fast and unrestrained. She worked Shale into a frenzy, and as they kissed, Blake swallowed Shale’s cry of delight as she climaxed.
Blake’s own need had resurfaced with a vengeance, pleasuring Shale and seeing her respond, never failed to ignite her passion. She didn’t stop in her ministrations, and kept her fingers pumping into Shale with swift, sharp strokes.
Shale recovered quickly, moaning as the friction clearly stimulated her once more.
The insistent throbbing between Blake’s thighs was now unbearable, and she guided Shale’s hand to her hot, pulsating center. As if seeing her desperate need, Shale didn’t keep her waiting, and delved up into Blake with a powerful hand.
“Oh! Gods, yes!”
Shale moved quickly, as if setting her pace to match Blake’s movement inside her. Blake rocked against Shale enthusiastically, hips pounding onto Shale’s hand as she ground against her in rising pleasure.
Blake was panting strongly now. “Kiss me, Shale.”
Shale looked all too happy to oblige and their lips met eagerly. As Blake’s tongue surged into Shale’s mouth, Shale drove up deeper into Blake, catching her gasp as they both began to writhe in need, desperate to peak.
Their hips mashing together caused a delicious friction, and both women began to thrash, their cries of ecstasy muffled somewhat by their impassioned kiss.
Blake collapsed on top of Shale, gasping for breath. Shale’s arms wound around Blake in a secure embrace, and Blake smiled as Shale laid gentle kisses on her face.
“You convinced me,” Blake said, feeling the chest beneath her reverberate as Shale chuckled. “Though in hindsight, perhaps I should pretend otherwise, then you’ll have to keep trying.”
The chuckle deepened. “I’m willing if you are.”
Chapter Twenty-four
AS THE RETURNING travelers set foot in their native village, Blake quickly glanced around, knowing that as soon as word of the queen’s homecoming spread, they’d be swamped by a reception of inquisitive Amazons.
Blake would be more than happy to greet them, to see her tribe, but before they inevitably converged, she wanted to look at the village itself. She was pleased to see that everything was now back to normal after the storm. All the debris had been cleared, everything that had needed repairing when they’d left had now been fixed, and Nephele’s cabin had been fully rebuilt, the structure standing proudly at the edge of the village.
“They’ve done a good job on Nephele’s cabin,” Amber said as they walked onward.
“They have indeed.” Blake hadn’t doubted that her mother would take good care of things while she was gone, for Zayla had been running the tribe for a lot longer than Blake had. Transitioning between two queens could sometimes be difficult for a tribe, as each queen tended to have very different styles and methods. However, this definitely wasn’t the case here, as Zayla had taught Blake everything she knew. Both women had a very similar style of leadership.
A group of milling Amazons seemed to suddenly notice their approach, for a couple of them loudly announced their arrival, with hollers, whistles, and cries of greeting.
“And so it begins.” Kale shook her head, though she wore a smile on her face.
“Don’t mention the urn just yet.” Blake dropped her voice so no one overheard. “I want to tell my mother first.”
Three nods of agreement met the words.
“My Queen, you’re back.” A middle-aged Amazon dipped her head respectfully to Blake. “I hope you had a good journey?”
“I did, Eleni. Thank you. And how have you all fared, while I’ve been away?”
“Alaela had her baby—a girl. She has named her Delphinia. They’re both doing well.”
“That is good news. I’ll go and visit them, give Delphinia my blessing.”
Blake, as queen, blessed every baby girl born, to welcome her into the tribe, and into their new extended family.
A second woman spoke up. “Kathonia broke her ankle. She took a fall while out hunting. But she’s recovering fine.”
Blake nodded, making a note to visit Kathonia as well. She didn’t get a chance to respond verbally, as Aris suddenly appeared amongst the gathering crowd, her tall, powerful physique making easy headway through the cluster of women.
“My Queen.” Aris tipped her head, then held out a hand to Blake. “I’m pleased to see you return safely.”
Instead of clasping Aris’s hand, Blake stepped forward and embraced her. She felt Aris return the hold, and Blake patted the chief warrior on the back before withdrawing.
Aris smiled teasingly. “I hope my warriors took good care of you?”
“They’re all injured, I am not. What does that tell you?” Blake told of their injuries as they couldn’t be seen—Amber’s collarbone was covered by her clothes, Shale’s bump on her head was disguised by her hair, as was Kale’s. She noted Kale did have some slight bruising by her hairline, but knew the worst of it was under her dark locks. The tell-tale bandage had been removed days ago. The only visible wound was the cut on Shale’s arm, but it was minor, so she knew Aris would think little of it.
Aris looked surprised. “Did you run into some trouble?”
“Nothing we couldn’t handle. I’ll tell you all about it later,” Blake said. “I actually have an important task for you and your warriors to undertake, Aris, so don’t work your warriors too hard for the next few days. They’ll need to be rested.”
“Yes, my Queen.” Though it was apparent Aris was curious to know more, she seemed to recognize that they’d just returned from a long journey, and needed time to settle themselves. Aris clasped arms
with Amber, then Shale, and finally Kale.
“It’ll be good to have you back in the ranks,” she told them.
The crowd abruptly parted, and Zayla emerged, a warm, welcoming smile on her face. “Blakaea, I’m so happy to see you.”
Grinning broadly, Blake moved into Zayla’s open arms. “Likewise, Mother. I’ve missed you.”
The embrace was sweet, and a cheer rang through the Amazonian crowd, in celebration of their two beloved queens, reunited.
AFTER TAKING THE time to chat to her fellow sisters, and especially to close friends, Blake was ushered into Zayla’s personal cabin. Blake didn’t protest, eager for the privacy that the quiet cabin provided. Though she enjoyed being in the company of her tribe again, and learning about what had gone one in their absence, Blake was keen to talk to her mother.
Shale crossed to the dining table in the corner and sat herself down on a chair, as if to give Blake and Zayla a moment.
Blake embraced Zayla again, wanting another, longer hug. No words were exchanged between them, but they weren’t needed—the bond was in the touch, mother and daughter equally thrilled to be alongside one another once more.
“Come.” Zayla took Blake’s hand and guided her to the table where Shale sat waiting. “Sit. You must be tired after your long journey.” Zayla patted Shale’s cheek caringly as she passed. “Did you enjoy the trip to your old village, Shale? I know you were looking forward to it.”
“I did. Kale and I showed Blake all of our favorite places.”
“It was beautiful, Mother. To see where Shale grew up—I can picture it now, rather than just imagining. Though you won’t believe what they got up to as adolescents.” She humorously shook her head. “Oh, and the scenery was breathtaking.”
Zayla chuckled at Blake’s gushing review. “I can tell you enjoyed it, Blakaea. And I’m glad. I must say I was worried that it would be hard on you, Shale. To revisit.”
“It was at times,” Shale said. “But Blake helped me through it.” Her blue eyes met Blake’s green, and they shared a smile. Blake took Shale’s hand and brought it to rest in her lap, their fingers intertwining together.
