Amazonia (15 page)

“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 content
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.

“Please, Blake.”

Blake didn’t tease, running
her palm over the dark hair and cupping Shale possessively. She brushed
over Shale’s clitoris, causing her to lurch upward.

“Easy, Shale. Your leg.”

“What leg?” Shale asked
dazedly.

Blake chuckled, and continued
her descent. Placing a hand on Shale’s stomach to try and hold her down,
Blake lowered her head, kissing Shale sweetly before her tongue darted out
to caress her velvety folds.

“Blake,” Shale whispered,
writhing against her.

Blake lapped at Shale’s
wetness, then entered her, savouring the taste. Shale’s hips lifted,
straining to get closer, but Blake gently pushed her back down.

When Shale’s writhing
increased, Blake suckled on her clitoris, causing Shale to buck against
her.

“Yes! Right there. Please,
Blake.”

Blake pressed harder against
her, and Shale gasped, arching her back, literally seeing stars.

Blake waited for the spasms
to subside, then drew back, grinning as Shale sank down onto the bed with
a satisfied sigh.

Blake climbed up Shale’s
body, draping her own over Shale’s while she waited for her to recover.

After several moments, Shale
released a throaty chuckle. “Wow.”

Blake laughed and kissed her.
Shale’s hand encircled her breast, squeezing lightly.

Shale bent her right leg,
raising it to press intimately against Blake’s hot center. Blake
whimpered, and pushed onto Shale’s thigh, rubbing herself firmly against
it.

“Shale,” Blake moaned, her
breathing growing more ragged with each roll of her hips.

Shale’s desire reawakened
with a vengeance, Blake’s frantic movements stimulating her in every way
possible. She watched Blake for a bit longer, and then lowered her leg,
smiling at Blake’s sound of protest.

Shale didn’t keep her
waiting, her hand immediately snaking down Blake’s toned stomach and into
the curls beyond. She slipped two fingers inside Blake.

“By the gods,” Blake uttered,
impaling herself further onto Shale’s fingers.

Shale nearly withdrew, then
thrust back inside. Blake cried out in pleasure, and started to rock
against Shale urgently.

Despite the motion, Shale
held her gaze. “I love you, Blake.”

A smile. “I love you too.”
Blake kissed her, sliding her tongue into Shale’s mouth and dipping her
fingers into her warmth at the same time.

Shale groaned loudly, and
sucked on Blake’s tongue, feeling the pressure building inside her.

They stroked each other in
sync, creating a steady rhythm between them.

It wasn’t long before Blake’s
rocking grew frenzied, and Shale was right behind her.

“Shale.” Blake panted. “Oh
yes, Shale. Oh, yes!” Her muscles tightened. “Oh! Oh, Shale!” Her back
arched as a powerful wave of euphoria washed over her.

Blake’s breathless moans,
along with calling her name, triggered Shale’s own ecstasy.

Their earlier words of
devotion made their climax so much sweeter, and they collapsed against
each other, gasping for breath.

BLAKE WAS LIGHTLY tracing one
of Shale’s scars—the large straight line across her back. “I could kill
the man who did this to you.”

“And I thought I was the
warrior.” She chuckled. “You’ll have a hard job.”

Blake brushed her lips over
the scar, then rolled Shale onto her back so she could look at her. “And
what’s that supposed to mean?” She creased her eyebrows in mock annoyance.
“You don’t think I could do it?”

“Actually, no,” Shale said,
point blank.

Blake frowned, her annoyance
becoming real. “I’m perfectly capable of fighting, Shale. I may not be up
to your standard, but I can certainly defend myself.”

“I’m sure you can.”

Blake’s frown grew more
pronounced. “Then why don’t you think I could kill him?”

Blue eyes glimmered amusedly.
“Because he’s already dead.”

Blake let out a bark of
laughter. “Ah. I see your point.”

“I killed him straight after
he sliced me.” Shale paused, as if thinking over Blake’s reaction. “You’re
the most capable person I’ve ever met, Blake. And though it’s true I’ve
never seen you fight, I’d be happy to have you alongside me in battle.
Because I know that when you set your mind to something, it will get
done.”

Blake gave her a dazzling
smile. “Thank you.”

“But it’s probably not wise
since I’m too easily distracted by you.” Shale grimaced, and Blake
realised her words had slipped out unintentionally. She clearly hoped
Blake wouldn’t notice, for she quickly tried to change the subject. “So,
what do you—”

“Hang on.” Blake stopped her,
recalling how Kale had looked at her after the sparring accident, as if it
had been her fault. She suddenly understood. “You were distracted because
of me, that’s why you lost focus.” Blake was flattered and horrified at
the same time. “I’m so sorry, Shale.”

Shale shook her head
adamantly. “Please, don’t be. It’s hardly your fault I find you so
irresistible.”

Blake couldn’t help but
smile, and she ever so gently touched Shale’s injured knee. Her hand
shifted, remembering that another scar was on the inside of Shale’s upper
thigh. Blake searched, feeling Shale twitch as she found the mark and
tracked along it. “Did that hurt?” she asked innocently, trying her best
to keep a straight face.

Shale smiled playfully at
Blake. “No.”

“You’re sure?” Blake was
grinning now. “I wouldn’t want to cause you any discomfort.”

Shale shivered, though Blake
knew it had nothing to do with the temperature.

“Are you cold?” Blake teased,
bringing the blankets up to cover their naked bodies.

“You’re causing me discomfort
right now, Blake,” Shale told her hoarsely.

She chuckled. “Do you want me
to stop?”

“No!”

“Well, I’m no healer, but
maybe I can ease this discomfort of yours. Where exactly is it?” Blake’s
hand moved a little bit higher. “Here?” At Shale’s headshake, she went
higher still. “Here?” Blake tormented her for several more moments,
enjoying this game, then Shale gasped, letting her know that she’d reached
the spot.

“I only know of two ways to
cure pain, Shale. Either rub it till it goes away, or kiss it to make it
better. Which do you suggest we start with?”

Shale’s moan was its own
answer.

BLAKE HAD BEEN gone for most
of the day, and Shale was bored stiff. She’d spent a lot of the time
chastising herself. She was a grown woman, surely she could keep herself
entertained? But apparently not.

Though the pain in her knee
had lessened somewhat over the last few days, it was nowhere near ready to
be walked on.

Kale had been over on many
occasions, sometimes with Amber, sometimes not, but neither had visited
today, when Shale was slowly going out of her mind.

Shale knew she was being
unreasonable, there must be something she could do. She turned on her side
and closed her eyes, trying to pass the time that way. Even though she
felt like she’d got enough sleep to last her the month, she soon felt
herself drifting off, thanking Hypnos for his mercy. She was soon cursing
his son, Morpheus, however, when she found herself once again dreaming of
her fallen tribe.

Shale hadn’t dreamt about
them for over a week, and had hoped the nightmares had stopped for good.

This time it was different.
Not only did Shale realise she was dreaming, she was the one holding the
sword. Which didn’t make any sense, her guilt wasn’t that extreme. As she
sliced and hacked her way through her friends, Shale saw that her hands
were much larger, stronger.

She knelt over a disarmed
Senna, and stabbed her repeatedly in the gut, spilling her entrails onto
the ground. Once Senna was dead, Shale let out a howl of triumph, elation
coursing through her blood.

Shale jerked awake, sitting
up and grabbing the nearby pail just in time. She threw up into it, not
stopping until she had emptied her stomach. Tears coursed down her cheeks,
and she sobbed despondently, vowing never to sleep again. To her eternal relief,
Blake chose that exact moment to enter.

Blake took one look at Shale,
and her face dropped. “Shale?” She kicked the door shut and hastily moved
to her side. “What’s wrong?”

Shale couldn’t speak she was
crying so hard. She threw her arms around Blake, gripping her fiercely.

“All right, Shale. Shh.”
Blake enfolded her in a tight embrace. “Easy. Take it easy. Shh. I’m here,
I’ve got you.”

Shale’s body wracked with
sobs and she struggled to breathe.

Blake pulled away slightly,
cupping Shale’s face. “Easy now, catch your breath. Deep breaths, Shale,”
Blake said, lengthening her breathing so Shale would copy her.

Shale was so distressed, it
took a moment to register, but then she imitated Blake, gradually slowing
her breathing.

“That’s it, Shale. Good.”

“I killed them,” Shale
finally said, her voice raw with grief.

“Who?” Blake asked, looking
confused. She brushed away Shale’s tears, but more kept falling. Shale was
visibly shaking, and Blake wrapped a blanket around her.

“My tribe. In my dream, I
killed them.” Shale let out another sob.

“Oh, Shale,” Blake whispered,
holding her close once more. “That wasn’t your fault. I thought you
believed that?”

“I do. It wasn’t like that.
It was as if I was there...seeing what happened.” Shale frowned, becoming
frustrated. “I know how that sounds...it’s the only way I can explain it.”
She leaned back to read Blake’s expression. “You must think I’m crazy.”

Blake pushed dark hair off
Shale’s face, holding her gaze. “I don’t think that at all. I just wish
there was something I could do to help you through this.”

“You’re doing it right now,”
Shale said, drawing a shuddering breath. “I couldn’t get through this
without you.”

Blake kissed her damp
forehead. “I’m here for you, Shale. I’ll always be here.”

Shale gave her a watery
smile, then sank into Blake’s arms again, needing to be held.

“It’s all right, Shale.
Everything’s going to be all right.” Blake hugged her securely. “We’ll get
through this. Together.” When Shale eventually withdrew, Blake noticed the
pail beside her. “Have you been sick?”

Shale nodded. “It
was...graphic. I’ve seen plenty of violence before, but...” She swallowed.
“My tribe. It was too much.”

“I’ll take care of it.” She
gave Shale’s shoulder a squeeze, then lifted the pail and placed it on the
floor at the foot of the bed. Blake clambered onto the bed, encircling
Shale’s waist from behind. Shale leaned back into her, and Blake rested
her head on Shale’s shoulder.

Shale felt Blake’s hand move
up between the valley of her breasts, and come to a halt over her heart.
It was still beating faster than usual, but it was starting to calm.

Blake kissed her neck, once,
twice, then Shale turned her head, her eyes still glistening.

“Thank you,” Shale said.

“You don’t ever need to thank
me for this, Shale. I’m honored you allow me to see this side of you.”

Shale’s gaze darted to the
door. “Kale.” Given her distressed state, she knew Kale would’ve sensed
she needed her.

In spite of Shale’s accurate
predictions regarding Kale’s whereabouts, Blake still jumped when Kale
came bursting in, panting slightly.

Kale spotted Shale’s
tear-stained face, dropped her hunting bow, and went to her, taking Shale
into her arms.

Blake shuffled back a little,
giving them some room.

When Kale withdrew, she
looked at Shale anxiously. “What happened?” Kale lifted a strap over her
head, and removed the quiver of arrows from her back, placing them on the
bed. “Shale?”

Shale shook her head. She
really didn’t want to go through it all again.

Blake laid a comforting hand
on Shale’s side, and answered for her, “She had a nightmare. She dreamed
that she was there when your tribe was slain. That she herself killed
them.”

Kale frowned. “You have to
stop this, Shale. I’ve told you there was nothing we could do. You know
this.”

“I do know that,” Shale said
quietly.

“Obviously you don’t, or you
wouldn’t be having these dreams,” Kale said.

“It was like I was there, but
it wasn’t me.” Shale lifted her hand, examining it. “My hands were bigger,
like a man’s. It was as if I was seeing it through someone else’s eyes.”
Now that she’d calmed down, she was able to explain it more clearly.

Kale’s brow furrowed further.
“That doesn’t make any sense, Shale.”

“You think I don’t know
that?” Shale snapped. She rubbed her temple.

“All right,” Blake stated
softly, her fingers making idle patterns on Shale’s skin.

Shale sucked in a deep
breath, then let it out, getting herself under control. She grasped Kale’s
arm in silent apology. “Can you take me to the stream? I want to wash. I
feel dirty.”

Kale shared an uneasy look
with Blake. “Of course I will.”

“DOESN’T LOOK LIKE you caught
much,” Shale teased, indicating the hunting bow as Kale put her down on
the bed. Her hair was still wet from her bath, but she knew it would soon
dry inside the cosy cabin.

“That was your fault,” Kale
muttered.

“That sounds like an excuse
to me,” Shale said. She felt a lot better now, the cool water having
chased away the remnants of her dream. “What do you think, Blake?”

Blake’s eyes widened as both
focussed on her for a deciding response. “Oh, no. Keep me out of this.”
She fetched her comb, and began to run it through Shale’s long, dark
locks, untangling them.

Kale let out a snort. “Just
when I think you can’t possibly spoil her anymore, you do.”

“I’m not spoiling her,” Blake
said. “I’m simply taking care of her.”

“Looks like spoiling to me.”

“Then you haven’t been in the
right relationship,” Blake said.

Kale stiffened at her words.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...”
Blake stopped as Kale waved it off.

“No, you’re right. I haven’t
been.” Kale smiled somewhat wistfully, and then changed the subject. “Did
Aris finally select who’s going to be her new second?”

“Yes,” Blake said. “Lathana
was chosen.”

“Good choice,” Shale said, as
Kale nodded approvingly.

“I thought so,” Blake agreed.
“Don’t think your names didn’t come up, because they did, but I felt that,
especially in Shale’s case, you both weren’t ready to go back to a
commanding role yet.”

Shale nodded, and Kale
followed suit a moment later, letting Blake know that she was correct.

“One day,” Kale said.

Shale remained silent.

Blake finished brushing
Shale’s hair, then stood and put the comb back on the shelf. “That reminds
me, have you got any more belongings at your camp?”

Shale tilted her head in
thought. “A couple of things. Most of my clothes are already here. Why?”

Kale glanced to Blake. “I’ll
bring them over the next time I’m passing.”

Blake nodded and continued
on, “I’ll ask Chrysanthe to make another chest, then you can keep your
things in there.”

“There’s no need, they’re
fine in my pack,” Shale said, frowning at Kale when she started to laugh.

Blake gave her an odd look.
“They can’t stay in your pack forever, Shale,” she said. “The chest can go
on your side of the bed.”

“My side of the bed?” Shale
repeated, puzzled. “Don’t go to any trouble, Blake.”

“It’s no trouble. I want you
to be comfortable here.”

“I am comfortable here,”
Shale said, glaring at a now hysterical Kale. “What’s so funny?”

“Blake?” Kale indicated a
very confused Shale. “She’s got no idea what you’re talking about. You
might want to ask her.”

Blake’s hand flew to her
mouth at the oversight.

“Ask me what?” Shale uttered
dumbly.

Kale covered her eyes in
amusement. “We don’t always think along the same lines. I’m the smarter
twin.”

“Hey!” Shale said, pouting a
little. “You’re lucky I can’t get up.”

Blake knelt on the bed and
kissed her. “I want us to live together, Shale. I want this to be our
cabin. Will you live with me?”

Shale beamed at her. “I would
love to.” She softly pressed her lips to Blake’s.

Kale smirked, but didn’t
interrupt them. “I can go if you want?” she offered when they drew apart.

Blake gave her a droll look.
“No, it’s fine.”

“That’s not the answer I
would’ve given,” Shale mumbled, drawing a chuckle from Kale. Shale grinned
at her, but it vanished when she realised the full extent of what this
would mean. “What about you?”

“I’ll be all right. We’ve
lived apart before. Remember I used to live with Aeron.”

“It’ll be no different than
it is now, Shale,” Blake said. “Kale can visit whenever she wants.”

“And this way I get my own
cabin.” Kale smiled. “When I get around to making one.”

“Actually, Kale, I wanted to
speak to you about that,” Blake said. “Normally, Lathana would move into
Melaina’s old cabin— the one next door, but she’s already settled in her
own cabin. I’ve already convinced Aris and my mother that you’re a good
enough fighter to protect me, and of course, I have my own personal
bodyguard in here,” she flashed Shale a grin, “so the place is yours if
you want it.”

“You’re kidding?” the twins
asked in disbelief.

Blake shook her head, smiling
broadly.

“That’s perfect!” Shale said,
happily embracing Blake.

“Yeah, thanks, Blake. That’s
great,” Kale added, sounding extremely pleased that she would be close by
to her sister.

SHALE QUIETLY NIBBLED at the
bread. She wasn’t hungry, she was simply eating it to keep herself awake.
Night had fallen long ago, and she really didn’t relish the thought of
going to sleep. The earlier dream had shaken her considerably, and she
didn’t want a repeat performance.

“I know what you’re doing,
Shale,” Blake suddenly spoke up from beside her.

“Eating bread?” She smiled
down at Blake. “Why are you still awake?”

“That’s just what I was about
to ask you, though I know the answer.”

“I won’t bother replying
then,” Shale said dryly, taking another bite of the bread. She frowned as
Blake sat up. “Is the light disturbing you? I’ll put it out if it is.”
Shale leaned out of bed toward the lantern, which was hanging on a nail in
the wall, intending to extinguish the flame inside.

Blake touched her arm,
stopping her. “No, leave it on.” She got out of bed, and started to search
through some parchments on the table in the corner.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m looking for...ah, found
it.” Blake came back to bed with the parchment in hand. She pulled the
blankets back over her, and began to read.

“Blake?”

She didn’t look up from her
reading. “Yes, Shale?”

“What are you doing?”

“I’ve got some work to do. If
I’m going to be awake all night I might as well be productive,” Blake
said, without a hint of reproach in her tone.

Shale sighed. “Blake, please,
go to sleep.”

“Not until you do.”

Shale’s response was sharp.
“I’m not tired.”

Blake looked hurt. “That’s
the first time you’ve ever lied to me, Shale.” She met Shale’s apologetic
gaze. “I hope it will be the last.”

“I’m sorry.” Shale let that
sink in, and she gripped Blake’s hand. “Truly. It won’t happen again.”

Blake nodded, forgiving her.
Then she returned to her work.

“There’s no reason for us
both to be tired tomorrow,” Shale said.

“That’s up to you.”

Shale exhaled loudly. “You’re
so stubborn.”

“No more than you.”

Shale conceded that, and
silently finished eating her bread. She knew it wasn’t fair of her to keep
Blake up too, but she was quite unwilling to go to sleep. “Can you pass me
the mug, Blake?”

Blake handed her the mug of water,
which was kept on the nearby shelf.

Shale drank thirstily,
washing down the bread. She then gave it back to Blake. “I was thinking
about putting some shelves up on my side of the bed,” Shale said, smiling
at her words. She was so pleased they were living together.