[A Cold Winter] Friend or Foe?

Aerian was sat her back against the cold of the wall her eyes closed as she tried to find focus, her mind taking in every sound from beyond her cell.

Her body still ached everywhere but less so after Z’ress’ last activities, it was on this Aerian now focused, Z’ress’ words spinning in her mind, instantly she wondered how she knew about Maya, but then the answer was of course that her lovers’ killer had been harboured by Ceremon from the wrath of both her and her father.

It was as Mayas face settled in that Aerian smiled, a soft simple smile that only Maya ever brought from her, Aerian sank back against the wall her mind flooding with memories of her beloved, their love had been passionate and within mere moments Aerian felt herself heat, her hand sliding over the tender flesh of her thigh as easing between her tender lower lips, the pain adding and odd level of pleasure as her fingers slipped into herself, her free hand massaging her breasts.

The world around Aerian melted away as she lost herself in the pleasure, her whole body rippling with pleasure, her legs began to tremble as her release built with rapid force., another moment and her body tensed as it crashed through her instantly sliding to the floor as her back arced away from the cold stone floor seemingly pushing her into a more violent release as her hips snapped back her spine slammed against the cold and she groaned at the pleasure that shot through her, as it passed Aerian lay on the cold floor simply revelling in that moment.

It was then, riding down from that immaculate moment of her release, that Aerian recognized that she was not alone. Odd that the sound of the cell door did not alert her of being watched. But it was from the shadows that stepped out Z'ress, she was dressed in nothing, completely exposed from the slender shoulders down to the magnificent bosom that was plump and the buds were stiff from the chill in the air and a motherly personal. Her crimson eyes glowed softly offering an unnatural light, folded over her forearms was a blanket. "My, my...you are a frisky little thing, aren't you?" She hissed in that venomous tone, tipping her chin a slight while turning to abruptly pound on the cell door.

The human and two werewolves entered, those noses sniffing at the musk of Aerian's release a drastic contrast to the mould and moisture. The two werewolves moved forward, in each hand was shackles, clear one was for her wrists while the other was for her feet. The human yanked Aerian's head back to force her to look upward to the ceiling, while a click was heard as the cruel bite of the shackles was bound to her wrists and then her ankles. Z'ress snapped her fingers while the two werewolves moved to the side and she draped the blanket over Aerian's shoulders, then assisted her to rise.

"Can you walk?" She breathed against her ear, the prickly moisture of her breath stimulating the fine hair at the rivet of flesh behind the shell, as the flutter of her lips brushed upon Aerian's lobe.

“You should try it sometime” Aerian tried to sound sharp but it simply came out stretched as she tried to gain control of her body. She eyed the wolves for a moment before disregarding them, she was fairly certain she was safe enough.

The chains bit against the flesh but it wasn’t so bad as they led her through the castle, her body trembled in response as they passed Hareavors torture room before been led to the main castle. A few moments and they ascended a flight of stairs before entering the bathroom, a single steep tub that had been filled, the tub itself round and large for two or thre people at most. The air was thick with the scent of flowers as she stood and looked around then mentally cursed herself for not paying attention beyond this point.

“It’s good to get out of that cell, any longer and I may have had to get myself off again, seemed a good way to release the tension” She shrugged now

Z'ress glanced to the human and the two werewolves, as her hand was held out. The posture of such was demanding, as the human placed a single key into her hand, waving her opposite hand to dismiss the three. As such they left the bathing room, the moisture hung in the air heavy with the seeped perfume. The warmth remarkable as it seemed the invisible hands rid her skin from the cruel chill of the dungeon. While Z'ress held no boots upon her feet, completely bare and delicate, she moved behind Aerian to yank the blanket that was her shield in this time, stripping her. 

Fingertips caressed her shoulders while the grace of Z'ress's lips followed, then she whispered into her flesh with the flutter of those luscious ruby lips. "Tell me...what were you thinking about, Aerian?" She asked, gliding the key to tickle Aerian's lower lips but not part the silken surface, tracing slowly up and over her naval to each hip, higher and higher, then between her bosoms. Z'ress rounded with the key to trace the shape of each mound, then lightly flicked each bud with a circle around her areola.

Aerian felt the ripple of goosebumps over her flesh a soft whimper at the gentle touch, her brain trying to control her natural reaction as she felt her core warm further “I …. “ Aerian swallowed slowly her body trembling “Maya” she whispered finally “I was thinking of my Maya”

"I do not understand why you are tormenting yourself. Tell me about her..." Z'ress hissed in her ear, the warmth of her lips suckling on the lobe to Aerian's ear. The key continued to taunt her bosom for a few moments longer, as it slithered down to her flower, tracing the outline of her petals, very lightly. Once the metal managed to bump upon her hidden pearl, then rounded to her hips. "You two must have been very passionate lovers..." 

Feeling her touch her nub sent a shiver through her body trembling beneath Z’ress’ torment “Maya was or is the only person I have ever truly opened up to sexually, if you’re ever on the wrong side of Hareavor you may understand why the only man in my life I will ever trust is my father” she shifted awkwardly her brain trying to wrap itself around why she was suddenly spilling her guts to someone she didn’t trust.

“Maya showed me that … I could be loved, that I should be loved” She shrugged softly “She got beyond the defence, then she got ripped away from me by a drunken slave runner who saw fit to rape her and cut her in two” Her words darkened as those memories surfaced finding her lover ripped apart was painful all in itself “He didn’t even have the decency to kill her but left her alive to suffer, I cried as I put my own blade through her heart, but I didn’t kill her he already had I had to save her”

“I never found him, Ceremon saw to his escape, but when he returns I will end him, make no mistake on that” The threat came ice cold and straight the venom in those words was impossible to miss “I loved her, and she loved me, she deserved better”

The key, an extension of Z'ress, continued the stimulating caress. While the object was light as a feather, still it was a hard object, stroking her naked body. But, now, as the item remained, she felt the frigid touch of icy fingers glide along the outside of her thigh across her abdomen and painfully slow up her side, as the key came in contact with the pearl hidden between the succulent flesh. The touch, while it should have been hard, painful, was soft, sensual as it roamed over; back and forth, then back and forth. That is when she felt the frosted lips glide across her skin, almost as though each pucker brought back strength to Aerian. "Oh, he will return. I have seen to that..." She breathed now beside, Aerian's ear, the closeness was intimate, as against Aerian's naked back, she felt the full bosom and those dark nips caress her.

Then suddenly, all the contact faded. "Look at that water, Aerian. Does it not seem inviting? So...warm? I promised a bath to you and I intend to deliver."

Her whole body shuddered with each touch her eyes half closed until Z’ress spoke, the effect was instant and her body locked as she swallowed, she eyed the water carefully.

“At what cost” she managed to say under the wave of panic that was now taking her “What do you want from me?”

Aerian felt those luscious lips travel down her neck, then to the tender rivet of flesh behind her ear, pressing to a kiss. She continued to move the tip of the key back and forth over her tender pearl, suckling on her lobe. "I want you to join me. Let me clean you and take care of you...you do want that monster that killed your love, dead, do you not? Your hands wrapped around his throat...maybe even make him eat his own dick? I can make that happen...but, you have to prove to me that you will not harm me in this very...vulnerable moment." She felt the key lift and Z'ress moved to stand before Aerian, while slowly lowering down to her knees. Her hand caressing down each leg slowly, while her tongue licked the key, hooded crimson eyes fixed upon Aerian.

“Difficult to harm anyone chained up like a common slave girl” Aerian raised the shackles on her wrists “Besides what’s the point I would be killed before I got to the front gates, or made fuck bait for Hareavor again” Aerian shrugged softly “You are right now the only ally I have”

Aerian felt her stomach twist her body tensed visibly at the words as they spilled from her mouth “I won’t harm a hair on your head, you have my word as an Elcarus”

Z'ress looked up to her, while the very tip of her tongue glided upon the inside of Aerian's thigh, just as the click of a lock was heard and the shackles were guided off her ankles. Slowly she stood, that key prancing upon her thighs, then to the slit of her petals with a tap on her pearl, finally Aerian's hands. The key was slipped into the hole, as the gizmo was heard in a click, guiding each shackle from Aerian, her crimson eyes fixed on her and her expression, as always calm and composed. She cast the ankle shackles aside with a kick and then dropped the others carelessly to the left. 

"Good. Now, come." Z'ress took her hand, while guiding her to the small pool of water, allowing for Aerian to settle first. It was clear that the water was incredibly warm, steam rose from the surface like a veil and red rose petals floated upon the surface.

Aerian stepped into the tub, the water so warm, it sent a strange prickle of satisfaction over her flesh as she slowly sank beneath the surface, her eyes closed as her face sunk beneath the water holding herself for a few moments before sliding back above the water a soft moan of satisfaction escaping her.

When Aerian resurfaced from beneath the perfumed water she heard the sound of treading feet in the bath behind her, the currents in the water whispering upon her skin with ghostly touches to the presence of Z'ress. She did not dip beneath the water but rounded her with the snowy hair in a halo around her shoulders, on a tray was arranged liquid soaps and oils in beautiful glass containers and a sponge. Z'ress beckoned Aerian near to her while gathering a glass container and pouring the liquid in the sponge to work suds forth, while it smelled delicious there was a faint touch of medicinal properties.

Aerian moved kneeling before her body submerged to her breasts, but open and disarmed, she had already chosen to quell the instinct to fight or flee, freedom would come at a price but she was already aware of that, Z’ress right now was her only ally.

“I have not been with another, unless you count Hareavor …” Her voice bit back the words that threatened to follow “But Maya is the only one” it was at this Aerian was unsure why she had let such information slip another piece to her very own curious puzzle.

"Hareaver will not touch you." Z'ress commented, while working the sponge gently upon her shoulders, as a warmth sunk into her skin and seemed to embrace her bruises and sore muscles, feeling the essence of medicine working on her body. The heat of the water caused her relax, but as the suds clung to her flesh, Z'ress's frigid hands followed in kneading to her muscles. Those crimson eyes fixed on her with eerie sense of calculation, expression as calm as ever, meticulously. "He has stolen much from you. Tell me, what is it that drew you to Maya. It seems as you have said, you...loved...her." The word of affection appeared to struggle to escape her lips, as though it disgusted her.

“Hareavor didn’t kill her …. Though he does carry some responsibility for him escaping me ….” It was an out loud thought as her hand caught Z’ress’ on her shoulder just for a moment before she let it sink back beneath the water “Maya, was as beautiful as she was smart, she was balanced and not reckless, she couldn’t fight worth a damn but she made me as safe as my father does, she even made Dad accept her, he was preparing our wedding ….” Her voice drifted off again “From the moment I saw her I knew she was special, not to anyone but me and she felt the same”

“She was my world and I was hers” Aerian stared at the wall opposite her as she felt Z’ress behind her “Part of me still wishes I had joined her, even now”

Z'ress stopped when Aerian's hand reached for her own, then offering nothing more than a wash of the water upon her shoulders to rinse the suds, then the sponge dipped beneath the water, now moving down her back while slowly and sensually with a calm touch began to clean each cheek of Aerian. Her hand was slightly warmer now, but, Aerian almost could feel her cop a feel but then it was gone as it registered. "Your father isn't here now, Aerian." She whispered beside Aerian's ear, the plush bosom rubbing against her back. "I was never taught love, in fact, I am grateful. In my world, the women rule. All men are lesser beings only created to serve us. Even the lowest female beggar is higher than the highest male. We are truly beautiful creatures. Strong..." Z'ress rounded to stand before Aerian, those eyes fixed to her, while gathering her wrist to begin to methodically clean up and down each arm, then gathering a small brush and began to clean the dirt and grim beneath her nails. "Everything, happens for a reason, Aerian. It is how we use the event to overcome. You have not accepted Maya's death, it is closure that you seek against the one that tore her from you." Her ashen skin was flawless, glistening in the flickering light of the room, dark and exotic, even with the contours of her cleavage that was revealed just above the surface of the water.

Aerian could feel her against her back instinct lent her back as she allowed the acts Z’ress portrayed upon her. “It isn’t closure, I cannot make peace with her death, but I do believe he should suffer just as she did, so it would be revenge that fuels that particular need”

Aerian turned slowly her eyes meeting Z’ress’ emerald green almost entrancing in some ways as she watched and waited before she spoke “This world is full of balance, men are as equal to women, but they will fight as passionately for a woman as I have ever seen, my father is a hero to these lands, a man I admire and one day hope to be remembered just as fondly” She stood slowly exposing her body only one scar showed just above her right hip “That’s how our world is defined by heroes and by blood, my families blood has been spilt far more than any other, we suffer so they don’t have to” she stepped back just for a moment in thought.

“Women are the strength behind men, not the strength that holds them down, though admittedly some do not know their place” She perched herself on the edge of the tub her legs set just slightly apart her eyes never leaving Z’ress’ “Admittedly milady you do have my attention”

"If you cannot make peace, then revenge is definitely, that which you seek." Z'ress tipped her chin a slight to the shift of Aerian in the rise from the waters, crimson eyes watching her calmly. She turned to gather a small round container, moving to settle upon her knees before Aerian. Placing down the sponge to float in the water, opening the lid to lift a softly perfumed and medicinal aroma. Z'ress then scooped a small bit of the balm upon her index finger. Nearing Aerian with those snowy lashes offering a strange shadow upon her crimson eyes, her lips pressing against her thighs while she moved closer to the treasure of the young woman. A hand was flat upon her abdomen while thumb and forefinger spread the petals, a sudden transformation happened upon her face. It was as though a beast came out, unleashed for the first time, twisting into fury and anger, frightening, yet as it appeared it was gone. The placid and calm expression upon her features again, as though nothing occurred. "I will make this as comfortable as possible for you." 

Z'ress watched her closely as the index slipped to the top of her slit to gently stimulate the pearl, weaving the tip with slow touches, when Aerian relaxed, that is when she felt the sudden pressure. She was caressing her inner walls with the tonic, massaging the torn tissue from Hareavor's torture, a tingling warmth rippled through her.

Aerians reaction was almost instant as her core heated in response to Z’ress’ invasion, her fingers bit against the edge of the tub as her legs set to keep her balance. Her eyes closed as her breathing laboured slightly.

“It shouldn’t feel good” She whimpered softly as her body fought for release.

As her body struggled for the release, Z'ress calmly removed her digit while then dipping the glistening digit into the balm again. Her crimson eyes meeting that of Aerian. "You need to answer me. This will help with the healing. Did Hareavor penetrate between your cheeks? Violated your rear entry?"

“No he’s quite happy to get his rocks off in the front” Aerian shrugged though the act of doing so came off more as an awkward squirm her entire body held in the invasion of Z’ress. Her legs squirmed awkwardly away from her as her body slid forward she steadied herself with her hands on Z’ress bosom.

“I .. he .. we …. Oh fuck” She whimpered her breathing now rasping as her body rose quickly toward her eagerness of needs.

Z'ress scooped up some more balm upon her digits, adding in an extra finger, literally stirring her passage with the warmth of arousal and soothing increased, a hand was lifted to place on Aerian's hip to keep her still and body placed between her legs to keep from clasping close. When Aerian's hand landed on the full bosom of Z'ress, she stopped her motions, looking to her with the crimson eyes, expression indifferent and calm, hinting at nothing beneath the surface.  The full mounds spilled between her fingers with the tough dark bud pressed into each palm, soft, yet, firm. "I see..." She said quietly, removing her pleasure tools, but, at the top of Aerian's slit, her index made contact with the pearl. The tip brushing over the button, faster with more pressure, as Z'ress continued to watch Aerian.

Z'ress scooped up some more balm upon her digits, adding in an extra finger, literally stirring her passage with the warmth of arousal and soothing increased, a hand was lifted to place on Aerian's hip to keep her still and body placed between her legs to keep from clasping close. When Aerian's hand landed on the full bosom of Z'ress, she stopped her motions, looking to her with the crimson eyes, expression indifferent and calm, hinting at nothing beneath the surface.  The full mounds spilled between her fingers with the tough dark bud pressed into each palm, soft, yet, firm. "I see..." She said quietly, removing her pleasure tools, but, at the top of Aerian's slit, her index made contact with the pearl. The tip brushing over the button, faster with more pressure, as Z'ress continued to watch Aerian.

Aerians body came crashing back to a low halt as Z’ress withdrew from her a low moan of frustration slipping from her throat. Her eyes met Z’ress’ deep in her eyes was that glimmer of a deep rooted need to release, frustration mixed with grief and more emotions beyond as Z’ress contacted her sweet spot Aerians body shuddered back to height.

It didn’t take long before her hips rocked as she plunged over the edge of oblivion and into wave upon wave of deep longing and pleasure a deep scream of pleasure ripped from her throat her head pressed into Z’ress’ shoulder

Z'ress continued her focus upon Aerian's plump pearl. She was support to Aerian in the fold forward after her release, Z'ress's breathing remained even and calm. Soon, Z'ress guided Aerian to her back, lifting her legs from the water to bend with feet resting upon the edge. The digit was seductive as it touched Aerian, though, a pressure was sensed to the sensitive folds of her starlet, yet, before Aerian could protest Z'ress plunged three fingers into her passage and began to twist and caress her from the inside. The pressure increased upon the pucker, which is when Aerian felt the sudden heat from lips and the slickness of Z'ress's tongue upon her pearl, those crimson eyes watching Aerian intensely. A penetration took place with the tool guided by Z'ress's hand in an announced plop, as the digit sunk into her rear entry.

Aerians entire body was sent into overdrive as she fought to find any level of control failing as a second release hard just as hard as the first her back twisting away from the pleasure. She tried to clamp against Z’ress’ invasion but Z’ress’ mouth stopped turning a want to escape into a need to be pleasured.

Her body tensed at the new invasion of her backside having never even attempted the feat her body already floating high from the pleasure was soon craving the slight pain that the invasion brought upon her.

After the powerful rock that shook Aerian to the core, Z'ress removed her pleasing tools from amidst Aerian's holes. Licking each digit, while wrapping her arms around the helpless girl and bringing her down into the heat of the water, cradling her to her bosom as one may a child.

Aerian didn’t fight as she melted into the wate the warmth taking both her and any attempt at fighting what had just happened with it a low moan of happiness slid from her as she felt the water soak her hair.

“That’s a new method for torture” Aerian managed to whimper softly “But thank you anyway”

Z'ress allowed for Aerian to remain close to her breast, though, after a time, in silence, she moved to gather the tray of oils and soaps. She proceeded to saturate her hair with the water and massage the oil within her hair, causing the perfume to be imbedded and then cleaned her body one last time. She left Aerian to rest while proceeding to glide the sponge upon herself, increasing for suds to cleanse herself, partially exposed in a full stand near the steps. Then, she worked on her snowy hair, as though, the threads were woven from the very slivers of moonlight.

When she was finished, dipping beneath the water and petals, to surface and face her. "The water is getting cold. Come." Z'ress gathered her hand now, while guiding her from the large tub, adorning a towel to wipe and dry Aerian. When finished, she dried herself, while accepting the two towels and caressing her cheek. "Can I trust you to not fight nor run? You and I will go to the dining hall to eat."

“I want to, more than anything” Aerian looked to the floor “I want to go home, but you’ve been good to me, so I won’t” Aerian pulled the towel to her evidently aware of how exposed she truly was right now. For the first time in a long time Aerian had found herself with mixed feelings between what needed to be done and what she should do.

She growled at the werewolf as he followed her dangerously close, the route led them through the outer castle exposed to the harshness of winter before they finally made their way into the huge hall that served as dining hall, and was one of few rooms still intact and not touched by time or fate.

Aerian stood by the table as Ceremon entered she froze her whole body sudden racked with a need to run but she held her place.

“How is your prisoner?” Ceremon barely even showed her moment of notice as his eyes slid slowly over Z’ress “Should I be doubling our guard for dinner?”

Z'ress snatched the towel from Aerian, while indicating her own self exposure. "The female body is a temple. A treasure to be admired and envied, do not hide such, believe me when I say the feeling is empowering. Such is common in my society." She lifted a fingertip to caress her face, stopping at her lower lip.

There was a difference when Z'ress walked now, the cruel click of her heels absent but the lightness in which she moved was pure grace on bare feet. Once within the large dining hall, Z'ress settled down in her chair, then dismissed the guards to stand outside with a flick of her wrist.

Z'ress flicked her gaze to rest on Ceremon as he entered, narrowing her eyes and then returning to the casual demeanour. "I do not recall inviting you to this dinner, Ceremon. No. There is no need, is there, Aerian?" Aerian felt a hand lowering to hers just beneath the sight of the table's edge, offering her a sense of grounding.

Ceremon smiled darkly as he eyed the naked form of Aerian “Very well, I was not joining merely informing you the boy and I are going to check a few of the outlying walls, we don’t want anyone sneaking up on us” He smiled mockingly to Aerian then turned on his heel and strode from the room.

Aerian felt the chill run through her as she took Z’ress’ hand in a panic holding it. The air was bitingly cold, far from the warmth the Mansion at home afforded, she was also unused been naked anywhere but by herself but she held herself albeit stiffly and with a prickle of fear.

She suddenly glanced up to the rafters a prickle ran down her that was far from fear, a feeling she had never managed to place but knew to who is was inevitably linked as she stared blankly for a moment before pushing it aside and looking to Z’ress “I’m hungry” she managed to say keeping her voice level and soft.

Z'ress tugged down her hand, forcing her to fall to her knees in order to conceal her form from Ceremon. But, maintained her expression of indifference. "Then stop talking and be about such. If I need you, I will find you..." She stated calmly, while beginning to cut up bits of the food, glancing with a flicker of her gaze to Aerian, offering her a bite with a fork from the plate before Z'ress. "Again, I have taken precaution to tend to the liver in order to assist in the loss of iron and orange juice to assist as well. You will be fit enough soon, then, you and I can leave to search out...this man that wronged you and Maya."

As Aerian knelt on the cold of the floor she eyed Z’ress “I have already pointed out that we all have our parts to play in things to come, my revenge will have to wait” She shrugged softly her voice had fallen to flat tone as if the information was pulled not from her but elsewhere “In any case they are already here, which makes our time together limit”

Aerian bowed her head looking to the floor “Our time is limited now, but we will meet again of that I’m sure” Aerian shook her head sharply clearing the cluster of thoughts as she looked up “What did I say this time?”

Z'ress considered Aerian, then continued to feed her from her own plate, pausing with those crimson eyes fixed upon her. "You speak from another plane...then normal." She abruptly grabbed Aerian to settle into her lap, offering her the utensil and then placing her lips upon the delectable bud of the bosom closest to her. Nipping softly in the withdrawal causing the peaked flesh to jiggle in the release of Aerian's bosom. "You are cold." She stated simply into the flesh, as Z'ress adjusted her to tuck her feet at the outside of Aerian’s legs, beginning to stimulate her pearl again with the other hand's digit traced around the sensitive folds of Aerian's back door.

Aerian whimpered feeling the tease against her, her eyes closed as she felt the intrusion against her backside “I …. Part of who I am allows me to see or interpret events, it sucks on so many levels” Aerian breathed against Z’ress’ ear

“And that makes one of three people who know” A low whimper slid from her lips as her hand traced Z’ress’ feeling her own juices upon her.

"Interesting." Z'ress commented, while calmly directing Aerian to eat, more pressure was set upon the starlet while her other hand tended to the bud, slipping a finger deeply into her passage to swirl the molten core and the second finger penetrated beyond the stubborn door to the back, now two tools utilized for the utmost pleasure to the red haired girl. 

Aerian squirmed as she was penetrated twice her body shuddering her hand ran lightly through Z’ress’ hair gentle and slowly her body already lost in the pleasures, her mind tried to fight long enough to work through her curiosities.

“I’m not sure how fucking my brains out helps either of us” She moaned softly “Not that I want to stop” her body shuddered as she felt her body trembling spilling her hot nectar out over Z’ress’ hand her back arching in response to the stimulation “Oh god!!”

Z'ress remained methodical on the application of her frigid fingers within each passage, ensuring to massage the thin veil between such paths to stimulate her further, when Aerian shuddered and trembled, splashing the ambrosia into Z'ress's hand. The hair that ran beneath Aerian's touch was like the finest silken snow, but, now with the spill of Aerian's nectar, Z'ress continued relentlessly. The flutter of her lips brushed upon Aerian's shoulder with the words that followed. "Your body...naturally has a painkiller it is the power of each release that assists in tolerance, if not...simply distracts." Still that voice remained as indifferent as ever, somehow colder.

Aerian whimpered as she felt her body lose any sense of logic each wave crashing over her harder than the one before. Her mind was numbed by the pleasure as she let the release wash over her. As it subsided she lay back resting with her arms holding her uptight.

“I … “ She simply chose to smile as her body tried to find some level of sense to the stimulation that had pushed her beyond her needs.

Aerian felt the warm, moist breath and the plush caress of Z'ress's lips against the rivet of flesh behind her ear. "You...what?" She breathed in the hiss, adding another finger to her back entry and removed the digits from her silken passage with an index finger still prancing across the plump pearl of her born excitement. Z'ress began to slowly and sensually glide her fingers in and out of the stretched, tight pipe. Her bosom was full and crushed against Aerian's back with the stiff mother buds pressed firmly upon her flesh, Z'ress's hot lips now wrapped around the lobe with a suckling intensity.

“I should probably get back to my cell” Aerian managed as her release finally allowed her body to settle, her eyes were heavy as her body was now on the brink of exhaustion, a soft smile of satisfaction still tugging the edge of her lip “I should rest”

Z'ress leaned back and gathered Aerian to assist her in rising, while walking to the door in order to wait for her. As she followed, there was silence, but, Aerian had a view of Z'ress's backside from each sway of her hips to the jiggle of her half-moons from beneath the drift of snow to her hair. The human guard and two werewolves rounded out the procession, the chains clinking in each creatures hands in a reminder of her place in this castle.

When descending down the stairwell into the dungeon, Z'ress hesitated near the door to Hade's cell, motioning Aerian over to her side. "Take a long look. This was you, now...this is you." She hissed beside her ear with a flick of her tongue, motioning for Aerian's cell to be opened and guiding her within. A thick blanket was on the floor with straw bedding beneath. "I have made sure that accommodations have been met." Z'ress turned to motion the werewolf forward, as the manacles were present. "Insurance, you understand, nothing...personal." Once the click of each to her ankles and wrists clasped down in a cruel bite. "I will return." Z'ress stated then turned on her heel, while leaving her alone in the solitude of her cold, damp cell.

Aerian slid to the ground crawling into the makeshift mattress, her body physically exhausted as she felt herself slip. Slowly she dragged the blanket over herself as she lay thoughts bouncing around her mind each as confusing as the last.

The sounds were as ever in her mind multiplied, she could also here Hades as he paced inside his own cell, an odd comfort to know he was at least on feet, the prickle in the back of her consciousness was also stronger and another odd comfort, but the thought of leaving Z’ress oddly unnerved her “Damnit Aerian what have you gotten yourself into?” she rattled the chains that bound her or at least half-heartedly tried, her body still relatively numb.

[A Cold Winter] We Have A Plan

Kane eyed the horizon quietly, it had been a long couple of weeks for them all, Ascondia had complained of one thing or another and Alvin was slowly becoming less patient with Kanes temperament toward the Queen.

It was as Kane pushed up from the cold snow he caught the blade against the back of his neck, instinct took him for a blade only to have it snatched away

.

“Easy now fella” A cold tone caught him “We don’t wanna be killing ya”

As Kane turned the whole group were pinned with blades to their throats, Ascondia was ranting about been the Queen with Alvin reminding them assault of the Queen was punishable by death.

“Now just why is our great Queen out so far from her nice protected throne?” The captor crowed in reply

“Because occasionally we have more important things to worry about” Kane snapped in reply “Now how about you release us and we all go our own way and forget this whole thing happened, before it gets real ugly real fast”

“We’re the ones armed good sir, and you all will hand over your coins then we’ll be on our way” The leader or at least Kane figured he was the leader as the other four had their attention on him, the fourth held a bow to the group of Alvin, Ascondia and Aishani.

“Five on Four my love what do you figure their odds to be?” Kane tossed the remark to Aishania a playful glare in his eye

Aishani flicked her golden eye to Kane from her position beside him, a smirk forming upon her plush lips, while from her hand pressed against his but in the contact there was the sense of something solid being placed within his palm. By feel, it was clear that this was a throwing knife that was strapped upon her thigh but removed in enough time before being caught off guard by the bandits. "Depends..." She purred.

That is when he felt the static build in the air, a sign of Aishani preparing to possess the ability drawn on her by the webbed markings, blink. Her hand lifted in a lightening fast strike to the assailant that held her pinned by her throat, blinking to stand before him and utilize his own weapon to plunge into his gullet. Then before the others could react, the static increased when she appeared to the man keeping Ascondia pinned to slit his throat while the other was shot in the leg with a throwing knife. Turning to step forward in another issued blink, but something appeared from the forest. In a flash the archer was skewered, with a bloody choke. Now, Shadow have arrived at the perfect time.

"Keep the gimp, alive." She said while blinking to fall to her knees before Shadow, caressing those dangerous legs with her mitted hand and crooning to the arachnid that was the size of a large dog. The front legs lofted and lightly tapped at her shoulder.

As the blade reached his hand Kane took a step forward then ducked under the leader ending behind him his hands snapping to the front and back of his head and one sharp turn the resounding snap of the bones in his neck sent him to the ground.

The others barely had time to react as the emerald flash of flame saw him behind Alvins captor burying the short knife into his spine not fatal but crippling. The arrival of shadow saw three dead and two injured but for the moment alive, Kane simply spun the blade in his hand beore retrieving his blade.

“The problem with raiders is they always think they have the upper hand” Quietly he wiped the blade on one of the fallen before turning to face the others “So I’m going to assume this wasn’t random, no one in their right mind attacks the Queen”

“No milord, Regal said we could do it” Groaned the one Kane had dropped moments before “said you’d be good for coin, also said you weren’t exactly yourself of late, he said you were weak”

“Said you were no threat” Piped the second of their captives.

“Had this attack been a week earlier I’m fairly sure they’d still be dead, my point is why would you attack” Kane now crouched before the one he had injured his blade pressed to his cheek “Just for the money?”

“Yes milord, Regal said it would be easy, said you wouldn’t hurt civilians” Kane laughed coldly “You threatened the Queen, we already established the punishment for that, and as for us we are little busy with something so this is time I don’t need to waste”

Aishani straightened from her arachnid companion, while the blade spider moved at her side to lift those front legs in the direction of Ascondia and Alvin, almost as though deciphering the threat those two possessed. She glanced to Shadow then placed a hand upon the lifted leg, as though a silent communication was relaying between the two and reluctantly the pulpits stilled. "Shadow speaks of another. Who else did you happen to bring with you...?" She growled softly, walking through the snow, the white blanket crunching beneath her feet to grasp the hair within her slender fingers to yank back and force his eyes to peer deeply within her own.

“N … n … no one” He croaked under Kanes blade, the weight had nicked the flesh of his cheek sending a trail of blood down his cheek “I swear to you mailady”

Aishani narrowed her gaze to the man, nearing him with a tilt of her head while leaning closer to him and gliding her tongue against his cheek to lick the trail of blood and whisper beside his ear. "I don't like liars..." She growled, yanking his head back then releasing her tangled fingers from his hair, straightening. She then narrowed her gaze to the surrounding area outwards from their current position, while a flash of blades flew through the air, aimed for Ascondia. Such things happened in a matter of seconds, leaving Aishani to reach with a step forward and disappearing only to stand before the Queen with a smirk, grabbing her and then the static of a powerful pull caused them to disappear and appear near Kane in the next moment as throwing knives were lodged into the snow.

Snow fell from a tree, surprisingly high up, as a figure wrapped in leather crouched like a perfectly poised panther, ready to strike. Her hair was darker then night, while her skin resembled the snow but was kissed with a subtle red to the tip of her nose. Lips a deep red while her eye's held an intents black hue. 

At her hip was a long sword, sheathed. A cloak wrapped her shoulders, hood down, while nestled between the beauteous full bosom was a necklace with a red ruby, incrusted in silver and that is when Kane would recognize the sigil of Rexialis House. Such was a well-known house to deal in all illegal trades, including the flesh, thieves and mostly the best assassin's but after the Dragon Wars, seemingly dropped off the face of the realm. But, now, he was face to face with one.

Kane didn’t hesitate as he kicked his captive back into the snow, rising straight to the full 7 foot frame that suddenly looked far more dangerous than he had in some time, his eyes darkened as he watched the newcomer.

“We have enough problems to deal, they just keep coming today” His eyes stayed on the newcomer as Alvin moved to put himself between Aishani and Ascondia “I have the Queen covered Lady Aishani, I fear Lord Kane may need you”

“You know me so I’ll leave you to do your introduction, though a family reputation for murder mayhem, slave trading and more leaves little guess work”

The female remained calm, while balancing herself perfectly on the limb without so much as a hand for balance. Aishani rounded from behind Alvin to stand at Kane's side, with Shadow at her side protectively. This female simply tilted her head to the side while the smirk grew to a wolfish grin now. Now, in a thought the Rexialis House, it was run by the Billote's since a marriage bound the two houses together to give birth to a ruthless group that was primarily all family in the higher ranks.

She remained at a height, to gain an overall perspective of the group below her. Those dark eyes flashed as though assessing the situation. Extending her arm back while retrieving the hand with a flash of blades upon the fingers, like a fan with a flick of her wrist, she sent the knives through the air as the female turned to rush further away utilizing branches as her leverage. She meant to escape.

Aishani was already in pursuit, feet crushing in the snow, then silent in a leap up that landed her on the branch that the female previously had occupied, flashing from one branch to another. Even with the ability to blink, while Aishani was gaining on the female, she still was faster. Shadow gave chase from the ground level and was exceedingly faster than both fading into the distance, when Kane would arrive, he would find a flash of weapons and a web was being created to trap the female.

Kane eyed the female a light nod to Aishani before closing in on the woman his eyes had grown cold and his patience all but worn thin his blade snapped the tree above her head carving a chunk from the tree with ease.

“Let’s try this again, you know who I am, I already figure your from Evermore, so my guess would be Dragons Keep, which means you’re working for my father, which means you’re not leaving this forest alive” Kane shrugged calmly “I’m tired of fighting with his support troops trying to slow me down, because he knows I will kill just about anyone to get to my daughter, so anything you wish to impart on me I suggest you do so now before I allow my lover to pluck you apart piece by piece, or Shadow”

Kane eyed Shadow for a moment “Take your pick” his voice was unnaturally clam and any emotion was drowned in the wave of frustration that now boiled just below the surface of his patience.

There was a thud and the crack of a tree branch that sounded like thunder in the otherwise silent skeleton of a forest, followed by a grunt. Then steps in the snow, as though, someone was fighting in the distance. The sound of fist meeting body was heard, while this was short lived and Aishani came back with a trickle of blood from her nose. Her plush lips were twisted in a triumphant smirk, Shadow was behind her, as the struggling female was wrapped in a netlike web and being pulled.

The female growled and cried out while attempting to chew and pull the webbing apart, Aishani then stopped at Kane's side, clearing her throat. "Now, let's try this again. Kane, my love, after you." The female within had a swollen eye and a split lip, not nearly as beautiful as before while her black eyes flashed dangerous, similar to a cornered animal. Aishani ran a finger to her bloodied nose, while licking the digit clean.

Ascondia had now caught up her eyes flashing dangerously as she closed in on the newcomer. As she rounded on her Kane caught her wrist.

“Get off me Kane” She barked angrily.

“Stay put!” Kanes voice was cold and sharp enough to make Ascondia throw him a glare

“I am the fucking Queen and she will answer to me!” Ascondia snarled back

“You’re the Queen, with one guard and a really pissed off demon, a giant Spider and a drow, you might want to think where the threat is actually coming from” And with that he nodded to Alvin who pulled Ascondia to the side

“Tempers are a little frayed as you can imagine, so if you’d care to tell us what we want, maybe I’ll forgo slitting your throat”

The female in the webbed netting simply sat and glared at all of them, those dark eyes like chips of obsidian. "I'm sorry, I seem to have been running away, when you were shouting at me. I missed everything you asked...my name. It is Virra Billote. You are Kane...you must be the daughter that psycho bitch, Z'ress, is after and will stop at nothing to get." A smirk spread upon her split and bleeding lip, spitting the blood into the snow and staining it red. "I followed that ... spider. I didn't know an Elcarus had the potential to summon and control such a creature."

Aishani grew bored while crouching in the snow, her attention diverted to Shadow, a smirk on her lips. Then she stood, while nearing Kane. "My love, Aerian is alive. Not doing well...but, alive."

“And we’re still a day or so out even without rest” Kane sighed softly before looking to Virra “You are correct the spider is not my trick, as you said we cannot do such things, Aishani on the other hand” Kane smiled softly “Let me put it this way you are of House Rexialis which pretty much makes you a wanted criminal across the entire realm, I will make it go away, for you, providing you help me get my daughter and brother out of my fathers hands”

Kane quickly drew a map into the snow “We can’t go in the main doors their mages would tear us apart before we got close, there is however an old cellar that collapsed right before my grandfather died, which leads into the old detention cells and then into the newer ones, we can get in and out quietly, providing we know what’s waiting for us and what condition Aerian and Hades are in”

"You mean that red head and guy...that kinda looks like you? Wow. You really are Ceremon's son, he made the same deal with my father. The terms were to protect the house in a long term sense...Hey, wait! You can't go near the castle..." She stopped mid-sentence, then fell silent, poking holes with her finger in the snow beneath her.

Aishani flicked her gaze up from the map that was being drawn to the girl, narrowing her eyes upon Virra. "My love...I'm going to knock her out..." She growled, it was clear the venture and having to tolerate the Queen, without intimacy, was definitely winding her up to be dangerous, her patience wearing thin.

"What good would that do you?" Virra spat. "Besides, you don't know what is awaiting you, should you arrive. That entrance you spoke of is not really hidden anymore. After all, if I know about it and Shadow does...then." She shrugged passively, tentatively touching her lip. "You really think, it would matter? No protection could keep me safe from my father or the House. As you said, I'm a wanted criminal, better off dead then by his hand."

“And I’m Kane Elcarus, she’s the Queen we can actually make YOU’RE crimes disappear” Kane was careful to ensure she understood this was to her and her alone “You can take residence In Dentarius there isn’t a place that’s safer, well except the mansion but … still we will proect you as if you are our own, and you might want to be aware Ceremon has an army of lunatics with no real power between them, he collects them like pets” Kane stood striding back and forth with though for a moment “So yes the redhead and guy that sort of appears like me, not the crazy one you understand the one they have locked up, time is running out, I need to get to Aerian, I need to know what we’re walking into, please I need your help”

Kane could feel the frustration fighting with the fear of losing his only chance to pull his daughter out in one piece “I failed her once before I’ll be damned if that happens again, you have my word you will be protected with all the power of House Elcarus and Dentarius itself” again he made sure she understood this was for her and her alone.

There was silence from Virra while her dark eyes looked over Kane and then Ascondia skeptically. When Kane stood, Aishani placed a hand of comfort and support upon his bicep with the curl of her nails into the thick coat that he wore, her delicious aroma slithering in his sense, crisp as the fallen snow around them to further such stability from her.

"Fine. I'll help..." Virra whispered, as though her voice trembled. "Just let me out of this...web...net...thingy..."

Kane spun on his heel rounding on her “I’ll trust you, I expect you to do the same” With that he ran his hand over Aishanis shoulder gently “Let her out” as he turned  to face Ascondia and Alvin his voice dropped “We’ll set up camp here tonight, it’s late, she’ll need time to rest”

He sheathed his weapon at his hip and turned to face Virra “And you will tell us all we need to get them out, that’s our deal, once they are out and safe so are you” Alvin was very quickly busy with erecting the tents against the dark backdrop of the forest, Ascondia as ever was complaining a Queen shouldn’t have to erect her own tent much less sleep rough each night as they had for some time now.

Virra's eyes flashed to Aishani when Kane gave his lover the go ahead to release her. Aishani briefly nodded to Kane, moving over and releasing the tether fasten to the webbed netting by whispering a few words and it melted away, she then turned to move and assist Alvin in lifting the tents up. 

But, suddenly, Ascondia was cut short of her complaining while a snowball was thrown in her direction, Aishani leaned down packing another, tossing it up and down in a threat, her plush lips formed into a coy smirk. "I think...you can pitch in. I'll help teach you how to pitch your OWN tent." She tossed the snowball aside and moved to assist Ascondia in rising. "But I am NOT going to do it for you when you have two able hands. We are all in this together, quit...your bitching."

Virra was rolling over laughing in the snow now, to the sight of Ascondia. "I like her. I take that back, you are nothing like that psycho bitch, Z'ress." But, at the venomous glare cast by Aishani, she scrambled to rise and moved over to the map. She considered it for a moment in silence, then settled down and beginning to add on more cells and drew frowny faces even a penis and a pussy, snickering but then smothered it out. "I'll explain everything once things are settled."

Kane reached into his back pack pulling out a length of rope eying Virra for a moment “Do I need to waste my time tying you up, or will you behave while we go get dinner?” It was a statement rather than an actual choice an inclination of trust.

Quietly he rose to his feet collecting his bow as he threw a glance to Aishani and Ascondia who had at least stopped complaining and was busy erecting her tent, Alvin had already begun preparing the fire. He waited until he felt Aishani at his side as they ducked out into the forest in search of their next meal.

Virra rolled a shoulder passively to Kane's words that left neither trust or lack thereof. Her dark eyes were startlingly beautiful against her porcelain skin, a lazy one-side smirk formed upon her lips, leaving him to believe this female was always up to no good. In a way, reminding him of Aerian. But, she extended her arms forward with her wrists next to the other. "Got it, Kane. Might be best...for now, if not for you but for me."

It took sometime before Aishani moved to his side, her golden eye flashing upwards to him with a nod. When they ducked into the forest, Shadow came with them, an extra hand in capturing a meal.

Kane edged along his foot setps barely registering, impressively quiet for a man of his size, he ducked between a growth or bush and high rising rocks out into an isolated cove of sorts.

The moment she followed him through he rounded on her his lips capturing hers hungrily for a few moments before he dropped back. “I wanted to thank you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you, or Shadow, and I’m pretty sure our dear Queen would have long since lost her head” he rolled his shoulder slowly with a smile.

“I know all this isn’t helping things, for either of us in a lot of ways, but we’re almost at our destination, I am finally feeling far better all thanks to you” He smiled softly as he crept toward the edge of the lake, the water crystal clear and ice cold as it vanished over the edge and down into the waiting rivers below “We will hit Evermore soon, the terrain is terrible and weather worse, I don’t know what’s to come and that bothers me”

Shadow passed them, while leaping from tree to tree, skittering soundlessly on the snow. Aishani was as though a ghost at his back, following him down and between a growth. Yet, the instant he turned, Aishani's eyes widened briefly in surprise to the press of his lips against hers. That succulent warmth sung clear into his core, stirring with the recovered sweep of her own plush surface, giving into the moment with such thirst it was insatiable. As he stood back, her eyes were closed and then lids lifted slowly, looking up to him with that golden hue humming softly in the dying light.

A smirk formed upon the luscious surface of her lips, tilting her head walking with him to peer over the edge, then back to him. She lifted a hand, covered in the mitt, her eyes fixed to him while her aroma was slithering into his senses. "That is where you are wrong. While, yes, the circumstances prevent us of...certain pleasures. This is helping us grow, Kane. We are here in this frigid hell, joining for the same cause and goal ultimately. No one ever sees eye to eye, but, the strength is growing. There is one thing, I do know. You will have me at your side to face the unknown, together we will overcome our obstacles. You are not facing any of this alone. So long as I breathe, you never will." She glanced over her shoulder sharply, then up to a tree. Across the lake, was a female doe attempting to gather bark from the trees due to the lush grass being settled beneath the snow for the winter.

Kane crouched beside her “I don’t doubt you Aishani, never have from the moment we met, my problem is I don’t know Ascondias end game and our new house guest could be walking us right into our parents hands” 

He drew the bow slowly his eyes stayed on the doe before the arrow took flight absolute and clean dropping the doe with practiced accuracy, he smiled softly as he drew back slowly, and he kissed her cheek as they walked toward the fallen animal.

“So what do you think of our guest can we trust her? She reminds me too much of Aerian and in a lot of ways that bothers, but she may be our only hope of getting Aerian and Hades out alive”

Aishani remained silent as Kane took aim and shot down the doe, glancing to him when he pressed his lips against her icy cheek and stood. Shadow was already moving to the deer, weaving a web into a net very much the same to which caught Virra, when finished, she assisted Kane on placing the body of the doe into the net. "Anyone's end game is a potential threat. But, right now, we are on fixed on getting Aerian out, Hades as well. Let us focus on this, but, be prepared. As for our...guest, I am not entirely too sure what to think. But, it does not hurt to be at the ready. She does remind me of Aerian, amusingly so. In fact, that could help our cause, especially since she has seen her and knows the exactly location."

“Yet she has yet to confirm if Aerian is still alive, or what state she was in before she followed Shadow to us” Kane sighed softly his eyes now focused on the doe “It bothers me that I don’t even know if my daughter is still alive”

As they finished wraping the doe Kane sat just for a moment allowing the pain of the situation to take hold before one deep breath pushed it all back to the back of his mind “Well time to get us all fed, we should find you something to eat as well, I know you’re not so keen on meat as the rest of our party” A soft smile that he had tried not to forget such a detail.

Aishani placed a hand upon his bicep, her display of comfort and strength. "Kane, you know she is still alive, as well as Hades. Do not give in so easily. Yes, I understand that we don't have proof, but, in my heart I know they are both alive. It would not suit Z'ress's purpose to have them dead. Perhaps, after everyone has full stomachs conversation would come easier. Not to mention, I can have a snowball ready any moment for Ascondia, believe it or not, that felt good." Her plush lips formed into a wicked smirk, but as he made the mention of her diet, Aishani chuckled. "I made sure to pack extra dried fruit, my love. I will be fine, plus it is difficult to maintain my diet in the winter, I know that."

Kane chuckled at the snowball comment “That was fun to watch” before he nodded “Another piece to the already rather large puzzle at hand it would seem, though I’m now certain Ceremon is responsible for a large piece things to come” Kane shrugged as they began the task of taking the doe to camp.

They walked back in silence as Kanes mind attempted to fit things together, as well as quell the urges that now sat just below the surface the need for her overwhelming but their task would for the moment prevent those actions. As they entered camp Ascondia had finally finished with her tent and Alvin had built a makeshift spit over the fire, he looked to where he had left Virra who seemingly was still present in camp.

Shadow skittered ahead of them in the direction of the camp now, while her presence was spoken like a scream beside him in the sensual scent that her frigid skin drifted to his senses. The thing with Aishani, was that neither needed to speak to fill empty space, each took time to savour the presence of the other. A deeper connection between them growing on this venture.

Aishani moved over to inspect the tent that was pitched by Ascondia and congratulated her on a job well done, while returning to Kane's side to assist him on cleaning the deer to cook for the others. While she preferred vegetables and fruit, it was clear she was a hunter and knew how to prepare the animal with her daggers.

Virra sat apart from the others, her dark eyes drinking everything in and watching. As her body remained relaxed, even casual in the binds fixed to her wrists, almost nonchalant about the situation.

Kane cut through the pelt with practised ease handing of the cut as it extended beyond his reach, it wasn’t long before the meat over the fire and the scent of meat wafting through the camp. Kane made one slow circle to check the perimeter before settling back by the fire.

As the meat cooked Kane offered a plate to Virra “You look like you haven’t eaten well in a while, you probably should” it was at this point Ascondia burst into another rant on why he was treating the prisoner so well and barely paying attention to the Queen, Kane simply allowed her the moment then continued with his offering.

“You don’t even care” Ascondia spat angrily

“Ascondia, you need to calm down, and realise that not everything you say is the law, and out here, even less so” Kane replied darkly “We need her, and for that she needs to remain alive, I said we would protect and I assure you that is what I intend to do, remember Dentarius does not answer to the crown”

Aishani settled by the fire boiling down snow to make a mushroom and vegetable stew to go with the deer, since she decided to instead focus on spicing the food while her and Alvin discussed the type of spices that she brought with her. She chuckled but when Ascondia burst out in her spoiled rant, Aishani turned her a bored expression to her. Beginning to hand out bowls with the stew now that the meat was ready.

Virra looked to Kane then to Ascondia. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat, I don't see a Queen right now." She said calmly, but, there was a little impishness in her tone that was relayed by the lazy one sided smirk. Patting her lap for the food. "That red head, Aerian, I think you called her...she is alive you know?" Virra said lifting some meat to nibble on. "That other one too...the one you call Hades. Poor shape last time I saw them. Apparently, Z'ress decided there would be a benefit to stripping them of their clothing."

“Hareavor torture tactics” Kane fell silent he didn’t need further pieces of the puzzle to that line Kane placed his bowl down and made his way to the outskirts his mind now turning far faster than he could handle.

Virra looked to him when he stood, her dark eyes flashing, though, she returned to eating from her plate.

Soon, there was a presence beside him, he didn't need to look in order for him to know it was Aishani. A hand was placed within his, while without a word, she lead him from the group to find a rock to settle upon and offered him a bowl. "My love, you have to eat. You will do none of us any good, that does include your daughter, if you don't eat." The rock was large enough for the two of them to sit, Aishani settled first and when Kane did, she wrapped her arms around him and folded her legs to keep him near but allowing hi enough space to eat.

He ate slowly, the wave of emotion that flooded from would be enough for her to feel, anger mixed with fear at simply knowing he was too late to prevent the attack on Aerian. As he finished he simply stared into the empty bowl “I don’t know if she will come back from this, I knew what was coming and I’m still too late”

His words were more a thought spoken aloud though for only the two of them to hear, Aishanis presence had for the moment settled him or at least given him a measure of control blocking the darker emotions from taking root “We need to leave at first light, we cannot hold off any longer that, I would go now, but I still need to rest as best I can”

He lay his head against hers as he tried to make sense of things.

Aishani remained silent, allowing him to know that she was present as he ate. Listening to him, but as his head leaned in to her, she lifted her chin to allow a roost over his crown, and her fingers wove through his hair. "Give your daughter some benefit of the doubt, Kane. She is a fighter and strong, takes after her father. You have bounced back from so much tragedy, granted, it left scars and scars remain long after. But, with time, such marks are forgotten and fade." She fell silent for a moment, perhaps, contemplating her own words due to the webbed scars that marred her back. "Yes, you are right. You need rest, as do we all. I would not cloud your mind with making sense of things. But, I do know one thing, Ceremon will go to any extent to get what he wants and so will Z'ress...a dangerous affair. Do not think so deeply inward, my love. You know, exactly what Ceremon wants...don't you?"

“Your mother wants you and my father wants me, seems we are about to deliver them just that, I just plan to snatch it way just as fast” He felt his resolve finally settle in his hands taking hers as he led her to their tent, just before they reached the camp he stopped “We can’t put our newcomer with Ascondia, nor with Alvin it seems tonight we have a house guest”

Aishani cleaned off the bowl in the snow and then looked to him while removing her legs and arms, her heat lingering upon him and appeared to feed his resolve. She curled her hand within his, looking up to him with her golden hue while the other milky ghost of her eye was fixed to him. She stopped after he did, then looked to Virra sitting away from Ascondia and Alvin. "Hm. Well, then we have a guest. I'll set up another bedroll for her in the tent." Aishani lifted her hand to curl around the nape of his neck, drawing his lips down to press against her own. While it was a briefest of kisses, this held a passion that stole the very breath away from him, but, she walked away with her hips playing beautifully against the jeans and heavy coat. Moving to dip within their arranged tent.