by Croft, Sky
“There, all done,” Appollonia said.
“Thanks.” Shale flexed her fingers, pleased when the movement didn’t cause too much discomfort.
Appollonia gathered a concoction of herbs together.
Shale sat up in anticipation of the drink, knowing she would never keep it down if she remained flat on her back.
“Blake, there’s a pail under the bed. Can you get it?” Appollonia asked, while mixing the drink with a wooden spoon.
Shale steadied her stomach as Blake searched for the bucket. She wouldn’t let herself throw up. Not only would it be humiliating, Blake might not kiss her for the rest of the evening. That single thought gave her the motivation she needed.
Shale took the mug, drawing in a deep breath before the stench of it hit her. She swallowed a few mouthfuls, but had to stop. “Gods.” Shale breathed unevenly for a few moments, making Blake ready the pail. “You weren’t kidding when you said you had worse.”
“I’ve had some Amazons accuse me of trying to kill them,” Appollonia said.
A ghost of a smile appeared. “That was going to be my next statement,” Shale said. She scanned the contents of the mug, dismayed to find it only half empty. She made herself finish the rest, and sheer willpower kept it down.
“Now I feel worse.” Shale wasn’t exaggerating, her nausea had increased substantially.
“I know,” Appollonia said. “But it will help if you can keep it down.”
“Oh, it’s staying down,” Shale said, as much to convince herself as anyone. “I’m not drinking that again.”
“Can I borrow this?” Blake asked Appollonia, gesturing to the pail. “Just in case,” she told Shale.
Shale nodded. Precaution was never a bad thing, especially when her stomach felt as though it was doing back flips.
“Please, keep it. I have plenty.”
“Thanks.” Blake rubbed her thumb over Shale’s arm. “Do you want to stay here for a bit to let your stomach settle?”
“No, we can go.” Shale wanted some privacy, and the comfort of Blake’s cabin. She’d had enough of being at the healer’s. Twice in one day was enough for anyone. “Thanks for patching me up.”
Appollonia smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“I’ll go and fetch Kale. She can carry you over.” Blake moved to stand.
“There’s no need,” Shale said.
Seeing that Blake was about to argue with her, presumably to say that there certainly was a need, and there was no way Shale was going to hop across the village with only Blake supporting her, Shale pointed at the door.
A few moments passed, then the lodge door opened and Kale came in.
Blake smiled and shook her head in amazement. “I’ll never get used to that.”
“How in the...” Appollonia uttered.
“It’s a twin thing,” Blake answered for Shale, causing her to snicker.
Kale frowned at the surprised expressions that were being directed at her. “What?”
Shale held out her newly stitched forearm. “What do you think?”
Kale observed it approvingly. “Nice.”
Blake shook her head in disbelief. “Clearly this is something only warriors understand.”
Shale smirked up at Kale. “You’re just in time.”
“This is getting to be a habit,” Kale noted, bending down and lifting Shale without another word passing between them.
Appollonia’s jaw dropped, and Blake stifled a grin. Shale could have been referring to anything, but Kale instinctively knew what she wanted. It really was quite extraordinary, the connection that they shared.
Blake followed Kale out of the lodge, and Kale headed for Blake’s cabin.
“You know the offer is always open, Kale. You’re welcome to stay, too,” Blake said.
“On the floor,” Shale put in swiftly.
Kale chuckled. “I kind of figured you two would have the bed,” she replied, letting them know that she knew about their relationship. “Thanks, Blake, but you both deserve your privacy.” Her tone became mischievous. “Besides, if the rumors about you two are true, I won’t get any sleep.”
“Kale!” Shale smacked her hard on the head.
“I’ll drop you if you do that again,” Kale threatened.
Blake laughed, surprising Shale. “Well, I’ve certainly heard worse rumours.”
Shale’s eyebrows rose, and her eyes twinkled at Blake.
“I’ll come by often though, if that’s all right?” Kale asked.
“Sure. Anytime you like,” Blake said.
Shale smiled at Kale, relieved beyond words that Kale was making an effort with Blake. She kissed Kale’s cheek in thanks.
“Shale! We’re in public. Don’t make me drop you.”
KALE’S STOMACH RUMBLED loudly, reminding her and everyone else in the cabin that they still hadn’t eaten. “I’ll go and scavenge some food, assuming there’s any left.”
Shale’s head was in Blake’s lap, and Blake was lightly tickling the nape hairs on the back of her neck.
“You’re spoiled rotten, Shale,” Kale said.
Shale smiled up at Blake. “I know.”
Their eyes locked, and they gazed lovingly at each other.
Kale rolled her eyes. “You know, I think that sickness of yours might be catching. I’m starting to feel nauseous myself.”
Shale stuck her tongue out at Kale. “Go fetch Blake some food.”
“You don’t want any?” Kale asked, heading for the door.
“No. I’m not hungry.”
“You should try to eat something, Shale,” Blake said. “You need to keep your strength up.”
Shale firmly shook her head.
“Do you still feel sick?” Blake’s brow creased when Shale nodded. “It’s been a while since you’ve had it. Is it helping at least?”
“Yes. My knee’s not as bad.”
“Good.”
“I’ll eat something tomorrow, but I’m really not up to anything now.” She looked beseechingly at Blake.
“All right,” Blake said softly.
“I’ll just get two plates then,” Kale said. “Do you want something in particular, Blake?”
“No, a mixture’s fine. Thanks, Kale.” When they were alone, Blake added, “I think Kale’s been drugged or something.”
Shale chuckled. “I bet you didn’t think she had a nice side?”
“I was starting to wonder,” Blake said. “I owe Amber big time. Whatever she said clearly worked.”
“Amber? What makes you say that?”
“She gave me this self-satisfied look. I know she played a part in it. And considering Kale’s behavior toward me before, I’d say it was a pretty big part.”
“Hmm.” Shale mulled that over. Despite wanting to believe that Kale was being nice to Blake for her benefit, Shale knew that Kale didn’t just change her mind, she needed to be convinced. “I wonder what she said.”
When Kale came back, Amber, Aris, and the queen were with her.
Shale instantly bolted upright, which did nothing to help her queasiness.
“As you were.”
Despite the queen’s kind offer, Shale remained sitting. She wouldn’t allow herself to be vulnerable in front of them.
Kale placed the plates of food on a table in the corner of the cabin.
Zayla moved to Blake’s side. “Did you get hurt?”
“No, Mother, I’m fine.” Blake patted the hand Zayla rested on her shoulder. “Did Kale tell you what happened with Melaina?”
“Yes. Though I must say I’m shocked. I didn’t realise she was that unstable.”
“Neither did I,” Aris said. “Something must have pushed her over the edge.” She looked at the twins expectantly.
“Melaina was in love with me,” Blake said. “Neither Shale or Kale did anything to her. She was simply jealous of my and Shale’s relationship.”
Aris apparently didn’t know what to say to that, and Amber wore a smug look that said she kne
w all along.
“Actually,” Shale cleared her throat. “Though that was the main cause, I think it was today’s events that did it. Losing her
command was the final blow, so to speak.”
Everyone except Aris glanced at the queen in surprise.
“I stand by my decision,” Zayla said. “And given her reaction to the news, it was the right choice to make. Authority is a dangerous weapon to a woman like that.”
“Clearly my judgement isn’t as good as I’d thought,” Aris said. “Would you like me to step down, my Queen?”
“Certainly not.”
“She had us all fooled, Aris,” Blake said. “You weren’t the only one. None of us could have known what was going on inside Melaina’s head.”
Aris stared at Blake for a moment, then nodded. Her gaze shifted to Shale. “How long had this been going on?”
“Remember the falling tree?”
Aris went quiet for an instant. “And that’s why you disobeyed her order?”
Shale tipped her head slightly.
Aris seemed annoyed by the deception. “You should have told me, I—”
“Would you have believed us?” Kale said abruptly. She didn’t give her time to answer. “We both know you wouldn’t have.”
“Melaina was smart about it, Aris,” Shale said. “I myself wouldn’t have believed two newcomers over my second. We were in a difficult situation. I’m sorry if you feel you were deceived, but that was not our intention. We simply did what we thought was best.”
“Did you know about this, Amber?” Aris asked.
“I did not.”
Aris gave her a pleased nod, then she turned back to the twins. “I need to be able to trust my warriors. I don’t expect to be lied to again.”
Technically, Shale thought, they hadn’t lied, but Aris hadn’t been given all of the information.
“Technically,” Kale started.
Shale glared at her, shook her head, and overrode what she was about to say. “It will not happen again.”
Aris nodded to Shale, letting it go. She then regarded Kale.
“What she said,” Kale stated off-handedly. Aris raised her brow, and seeing she wanted more, Kale added, “No more lies.”
“Good.”
“Well, now that’s settled.” Zayla sat and studied Shale’s injuries, causing Shale to straighten further under her scrutiny. Zayla smiled at her.
Shale wasn’t tense because Zayla was the queen, she was tense because Zayla was Blake’s mother, and she wanted to make a good impression. She hadn’t met a prospective in-law before, and wasn’t quite sure how to act.
Shale had talked to the queen on several occasions, but things were different then, she and Blake had only been friends. Though they hadn’t yet been intimate, they were certainly a lot more than just friends. She wanted Zayla to like her, to feel she was good enough for her daughter. For the princess.
She felt Blake’s hand on her back, and it calmed her, melting her worries away.
“I do hope you’re not in too much pain, Shale,” Zayla said, a kind expression on her face.
“It’s not too bad,” Shale said, giving her standard warrior response. She knew Blake would roll her eyes at that, and her suspicions were confirmed when Zayla chuckled. Shale glanced over her shoulder. “It’s rude to pull faces,” she told Blake knowingly, gratified when Zayla laughed harder.
Blake’s eyes widened in startlement. “How did you know?”
Shale grinned. “Just did.”
Zayla watched the interaction with a smile on her face. “We’ll leave you to your meal. Make sure you get some rest, Shale.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
Zayla stood, and Aris escorted her out.
Kale handed Blake a plate of food, and offered the other to Amber. “Stay and have dinner with us?”
“That’s yours,” Amber said.
“I can easily get another.” Kale lifted Amber’s hand and placed the plate into it. “Yes?”
Amber’s mouth twitched. “All right. Thanks.”
“ALL RIGHT, I’M coming,” Amber muttered sleepily. She untangled herself from the blankets, got out of bed, and padded to the door. At the last moment, she realised she was naked, and quickly slipped on some clothes.
She yawned widely, and the knocking came again.
“All right!” Amber yelled.
She never had been much of a morning person. It didn’t help that she hadn’t got much sleep. She’d spent most of the night talking with Kale.
Amber opened the door, squinting against the light that poured into the cabin. Kale stood there, looking perfectly rested.
“This had better be good,” Amber said.
Kale smirked. “Good morning to you, too.”
Amber noticed Kale was standing strangely, her hands hiding something behind her back. “What’ve you got there?”
Kale smiled mischievously. “May I come in?”
Amber stepped back, sweeping her arm in a gesture for Kale to enter.
Kale moved inside, careful to keep the bundle behind her hidden from Amber’s view. She waited until Amber closed the door before speaking. “I just wanted to thank you again for that talk. You really made me think about things.”
“I’m glad it helped.”
“It did. A lot.” Kale brought out a deerskin from behind her back. “This is for you. I shot a large stag a couple of weeks ago.” She unrolled the finished hide, and held it up so Amber could see it.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Amber smiled brightly, running her hand down the soft fur. “It’s beautiful.” Amber brushed her lips over Kale’s cheek. “Thank you.” She got lost in Kale’s gaze for a long moment. But when she moved to kiss her, Kale leaned back.
“You’re a good friend, Amber,” Kale said quietly.
Amber took the rejection hard, but managed to put a brave face on. “Fair enough.” Taking the deerskin from Kale, she crossed the wooden floor and held it against the wall. “I believe this is the best place for it. What do you think?”
“Looks good. I’ll help you put it up.”
SHALE WAS STUDYING her knee unhappily. “This will take forever to heal,” she grumbled. “I should have just stayed in bed yesterday, none of this would’ve happened. I’d be able to walk, Melaina would still be alive, and...”
Blake placed a finger on Shale’s lips, quieting her. “And Kale would still hate me, and you’d still be an outsider here. Shale, you can’t blame yourself.” Blake shook her head. “I swear, you and Kale are so different, sometimes I’m surprised you’re even related. Kale takes no responsibility whatsoever, whereas you take far too much. I won’t have you blaming yourself over this. It wasn’t your fault.”
“But—”
Blake planted her lips on Shale’s, cutting off her protest. “But nothing. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But—”
Blake kissed her once more, this time longer. “I can do this all day.”
“I’m a slow learner,” Shale replied, an impish expression appearing. She liked that idea. Very much.
Blake smirked, though it was brief. “I’m serious, Shale. I need you to believe me. Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” Shale said, without a shadow of a doubt.
“Then trust what I’m saying now. You can’t take everything on your shoulders, no matter how strong they might be.” Blake rested her hand on the muscles there. “No one can take that kind of strain, so please trust me when I tell you that it wasn’t your fault.”
Shale could tell Blake was sincere, and truly believed what she was saying, but Shale was so used to taking the blame for things, she’d been doing it for Kale all her life. It had become an unconscious response for her.
Maybe Blake was right? Perhaps she was taking too much on her shoulders? She trusted Blake’s judgement completely, and after several more moments of quiet reflection, Shale nodded to her. “I believe you.”
Blake smiled, seeming c
ontent with that.
“Though I must say I was quite tempted to pretend otherwise,” Shale said.” Getting kissed by you all day sounds wonderful.”
Green eyes sparkled. “It does, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Well, you know,” Blake pushed her down so Shale was lying flat on the bed. “I’d hate to disappoint you.” She lay alongside her, grinning when Shale’s arms wrapped around her.
They took their time with sweet and tender kisses, each knowing they were about to make love, but neither wanting to hurry.
Blake licked Shale’s lips, seeking access, and Shale took her inside, their tongues meeting and slowly exploring each other.
Weeks of self-restraint caught up to them, and their bodies were soon craving more.
Shale unfastened Blake’s top and removed it, revealing her small, but perfect breasts. “You’re so beautiful, Blake,” she whispered, caressing a breast with one hand.
Blake took in a quick breath, her eyes closing as Shale’s touch grew more insistent. Shale’s other hand pushed down her skirt, and Blake assisted, shoving the skirt and her undergarments off impatiently, leaving her completely naked.
Blake giggled as she indicated Shale’s fully clothed form. “This hardly seems fair.”
Shale eyed Blake hungrily, her arousal soaring.
Shale was swiftly undressed, taking care of the top half herself, while Blake stripped her lower.
Blake raked her gaze over Shale, her eyes darkening with passion. “Shale.” She swallowed. “You’re stunning. You...” Blake shook her head, as if in disbelief. “You take my breath away.”
Shale’s smile turned slightly bashful.
Their mouths met again, fervently now, and their bodies melded together, bare flesh on bare flesh. Hands roamed freely, delighting in the softness of naked skin.
Shale pulled Blake on top of her, cupped her buttocks, and pressed their mounds together, hard. Blake inhaled sharply, and started to move against Shale, the friction inflaming them further.
Soon it wasn’t enough, and Blake worked her way down Shale’s long body, stopping to lavish attention on her full breasts. Blake fondled them, and licked her rigid nipples, only relenting when Shale urged her down with her hands.