CW:

  ZIGDARA POV! Almost smutt but talk of mutt and WOW! Smutt in next chappy probably and most likely because WOW these two have fun chemistry!

  Ina’s first lover finds me mid-stretch of the final six motions of my Ki-Ritta. I only can really see her feet from this angle, but after so long with this group I can easily tell even her ankles from the others.

  Expect her to walk past and find something warm to drink but… she doesn’t move.

  “Good morning, Lady Yrelia.” I greet without breaking the stance.

  “Isn’t it?” She replies, adjusting to lean against the doorframe and… apparently taking my old offer to never overworry much if she or the others find themselves interested in watching my morning routine. “Waking up and not having to worry about the biting cold just outside the blankets and sweaty skinship is… pretty amazing.”

  “Yes,” I chuckle, moving to my next position. One that lets me catch her glimmering eyes and sleepy smile before settling into my next pose. And… Also no-doubt emphasizes some very interesting flexes of muscles. “I’d be lying if I told you that I don’t long for the warmth we’ll find along the final roads on our Path.”

  “Fuuuuck. And it’s going to be spring by the time we get to the coast.” Yrelia agrees, and I can practically see the way this girl smirks when considering that.

  So much that it takes me till I’m moving again to notice that she’s not said more, or left.

  And she waits till our eyes meet to ask. “You’re like… almost done, right? Just a few more big stretches?”

  “Closer if you need me for something.” I agree and offer.

  “No, no just… was going to get you some breakfast. Lure you into… spending the day with me, maybe?”

  Don’t bother hiding a curious head tilt and smile while I adjust my neck position to keep eye contact with her. “Oh? Any specific reason?”

  The girl grins in a way that makes me start to understand, easily and once again, why Ina fell into the arms of this girl before all others. “A few. But also because everyone else has plans I don’t wanna like… try to wedge myself into. Ina and Jevita are tits deep in Maktaba research. While Kque has roped Tasii into helping her pull Rahdian out into a special day for that girl. Are going to wander out into exploring the city and such.”

  “And what of Kque’s mothers and the two they seem to have adopted?” I ask.

  “Weeell… Athem and Thodep are two steps from pouncing on each other, and I’m… not really that close to Kque and Tasii’s four mums. Not really sure I’d like to… try to change that? At least not today. Also I can’t try to seduce them on principle.” She explains, hiding what would have very much been a dip in her mood with the implications of those final words.

  “Yes, parents of lovers should very rarely become more. At least not easily and without careful considerations.” I chuckle gently and move to sit up straight. “But I accept. So long as Rahdian feels safe traveling without a Duenna at her back in a new city.”

  “Doubt she won’t, but we’ll ask before they step out.” She agrees. “But first… breakfast?”

  “I’d prefer to shower first, if that’s alright?”

  She grins wider, “A shower sounds perfect, actually. Mind company?”

  “Not at all.” I agree, ignoring her still damp hair.

  Move to rise, find her stepping forward to offer a hand to help. Doesn’t take my full weight, but more than anyone but Tasii and perhaps Rahdian could. Then keeps hold to lead me through the warm home.

  Her flirtations are nothing new, and honestly quite welcome. We both long ago agreed that until Ina and I decided upon our relationship’s more intimate parts that it would remain just that. Playful and delightfully entertaining. Both because it’s an aspect so dear to all around her, but… also because neither of us want my presence to encourage any to be anyone but who they are.

  And we’ve both shared endless skinship on these cold Paths. Even smushed Ina and Aceso between us not three moons ago after they fell into three nightmares in a row one night. Confused and weeping and still half asleep, they pleaded for both their first lover and… and me. Their duenna sleeping the next tent over. Their protector. Hoping that their dreams would finally soften with both our arms around them.

  Didn’t sleep much that night. Too absorbed in keeping myself from crying upon the girls I held for so easily reaching for me to protect them. Trusting me despite… despite the part I played in the life that hurt Ina so much.

  So this warm shower is nothing but comfortable. A bit… crowded. As I am the tallest woman I know, save one, and this house is barely a fourth the size of Delphian and Ophrits’ manor at the Academy.

  “Mind helping me with my hair?” Yrelia asks after we’ve both found the perfect temperature of water to rain down over us.

  “Only if you refuse to help with mine.” I chuckle and take up the jars from a nearby shelf. “The Paths are… not the best place to do so. It’s going to take extra work I’d enjoy aid with.”

  “Right? Like… when the waters are cool on a hot day it can be perfect.” She replies while I step up and start rubbing sweet smelling wash through her mess of curls. “Or warmth on a chilly day. But here? When any water we wanna use has to be warmed over the fire and hair dried quickly else it freeze? Yeah… hated waiting but have too much hair to make washing it all a normal thing. At least not here in Arudia.”

  “So we will enjoy very much these easy warm showers.” I agree.

  “Mmmm…. Yup.” Yrelia purrs, obviously enjoying the patterns my hands weave into her scalp. Giggling after a few heartbeats of devoted focus on the motions. “This is my third since we got here last night.”

  “I’m surprised you had the energy.” I chuckle, moving to begin rubbing a different scented mess from the second jar across her back. “The carriage leading the line seemed to be quite… loud. Could swear It almost tipped over a few times from the way you and Tasii tugged Ina and Aceso into–”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  She turns and happily flicks water at my face but… not so much that I need to stop my work on her back. “The Paths were boring and cold and those two practically begged for me to distract them till we finally got here.”

  “Oh, I heard as much.” Is my easy grinning reply. “You ply your passions well, Hetaera Yrelia.”

  She pauses at that, staring straight ahead for a long few heartbeats as I finish.

  “You’re sweet, but…” She begins just as I’m about to worry I overstepped. Turns fully around to eye me with a hand on her hip. “You know I never finished my training.”

  I shrug. “I’ve seen the outcomes of your work, and how deliberately you apply yourself. Don’t think the word should be exclusive to only those a very specific group offer it too.”

  Yrelia smiles, “And here I’m supposed to be seducing you. Now, turn around so I can see if my little self can take care of your messy mane before I need to rinse mine.”

  I obey and even lower myself a touch to maker her job easier.

  She works deftly, but not quickly. Working to carefully get every spot while also not letting even a drop leak to get on my eyes. Obviously experienced with all sorts of hair styles and types.

  Spend almost half of her work settling into… trying to imagine that. Not all her lovers and how she’s learned to care for each one’s unique and special needs and desires but… about my first charge specifically.

  Ina was… nothing like what I expected. There was a shyness. Of course. But it was one she fell into happily, and after asking me if I wanted to share my Amwella with her. And now… our lovemaking is easy. Even with Aceso there and involved in all her motions. She bubbles with nothing but confidence before and has even more now.

  “I’ve been… meaning to ask something. If it’s not too personal. And will probably become more of a thanks regardless of what is given.” Are the words I choose to offer her.

  “Yes, the others know what I might do to you today. Has happily accepted the consequences of leaving me alone with a tall strong pretty duenna without supervision.” Yrelia answers without even a little hesitation.

  Can’t help but let out a rumbling chuckle at that. One that rocks through my body and forces me to steady myself against the wall as Yrelia’s hands begin to weave happy scrubbing patterns into my large back. “Ina and Aceso told me before we even left the Academy that if I tumbled into any of her lover’s embraces they’d be nothing but supportive. Save Rahdian. But… that’s more due to me only now beginning to bring her a sense of safety instead of worse feelings.”

  “Thought so.” Yrelia giggles, leaning forward to place a very gentle and soft peck on the back of one of my arms. “But what’s your actual question? Ask away. Worse I’ll do is not want to answer. And… I’m curious what got you so worried there?”

  Brumble flesh rolls along my arms despite the gathering steam and warm flowing waters.

  “Just… Wanted to ask about your and Ina’s first nights together. Before she became a lover to Tasii and the others.” I begin. “How you… well, seduced her. Made it so she always calls you her first lover.”

  “Awww. I’ve only heard her say that once outside of… very intimate moments with me.” She coos, and I can feel the smile as she balances out that first kiss with a second on the opposite arm.

  “It’s… only been a few times. But from the warmth and certainty of her claim I’ve wanted to ask since before the Obelisks broke. Understand how you enthralled that girl from within so few days of setting your gaze upon her.”

  “Hmmm… Well, I was hopelessly smitten, knew from those first moments I was going to try and give that girl whatever she needed. Just hoped… Like...” She whispers, then trails off while slowly moving a line of kisses to the center of my back. Pauses to rest her forehead there for a long while.

  Eventually I murmur, not wanting to push her into sharing thoughts before she’s comfortable, “Your hair needs rinsing, Hetaera Yrelia.”

  She giggles at those final words. “You too, duenna Zigdara.”

  “Technically it’s still council duenna Zigdara. For now, at least. Could find myself stripped of all duties at the end of our road. Then I’ll have only my name.” I chuckle and turn to watch as she pulls away. Moves beneath the warm steam of liquid.

  “I don’t think the word should be exclusive to only those a very specific group offer it too.” Yrelia smirks and turns to lock eyes with mine. Expression turning… to something like nothing else I’ve seen directed at myself. I’ve had many partners offer me a look to communicate an interest in my affections. Invitations to move into the first steps of a possible intimate embrace. Some subtle, others a silent scream. Shy and bold, hesitant and confident.

  But this… I find myself frozen. Having to turn her words over a few times in my head before I absorb them.

  Find the irony in her turning my words back upon me, am impressed and flattered and… still unexpectedly caught with my heart racing and skin going a touch cold.

  “I… Thank you.” Is all I can muster out before the silence grows awkward.

  “Welcome, now rinse off so we can get you that breakfast I promised.” She winks at me, and it’s like whatever caught me releases its hold.

  Lets me take a careful breath and turn to begin doing as instructed. Slowly and carefully washing away the bubbly soap while I turn these last few moments in my head a few times. Try to understand… what exactly that look was meant to tell me.

  “One of the first things I learned from my Hetaera mentor when she started teaching me the Pleasure Arts, was something I’ve carried with me a long time.” She speaks steadily from across the shower as she finishes. “Is something that both made me run away from my old life and never look back, and wish I stayed to finish my training.”

  I glance over, find myself unable to ignore how wonderful this girl looks beneath the waters. Impossibly stuck on the edge of wanting to ask for this lesson, and despising the idea of speaking into her offerings and changing their pace.

  She looks back, locks eyes with me. Ask quietly. “Can you guess what it was? I… think you’ll find it pretty obvious.”

  Shake my head. Unwilling to speak into the perfect lilt of her gentle words against the steady beat of falling waters.

  “That, when it comes to offering my performances to someone, It’s not about me. It’s about everyone else. Those watching or enjoying or listening… or getting fucked silly.” She explains. “The Art is about what we, the Hetaera, give to others. How we make them feel. Any two people can bump bits together, even manage a decent second lip dance. But the real Art to lovemaking is finding out exactly what our clients want and need and ache for… them helping them finally taste it.”

  A long pause, and… I somehow know what she’s led me to asking. Feel the words tumbling before my lips before the question touches my conscious thoughts.

  “What did your Ina ache for?”

  She grins that way again, setting my heart to pounding like only my most intense contests of physical ability have caused.

  “Lots of things, but then? On that first night beneath the stars? After only just a bit before telling us about her past? Walked hours and hours answering questions and spilling out just… just all the things? About herself, her interests, worse scars she could barely feel the sting of after finally being free and able to wander the Paths in the body she always needed? That’s easy. Everything a tired hornii girl was willing and able to offer. Which... Just happened to be unexpectedly good sex after a long day.”

  I blink. Startled. Caught between trying to understand this answer and keep my focus as… as…

  Yrelia takes a careful step forward. “And our second time? She needed a Hetaera to pin her to the bed and fuck her silly.”

  She reaches up, places a single finger upon my chest that sends a lance of brumbleflesh racing along my shoulders and back and legs. “But honestly, council duenna Zigdara, I think it’s better that I show you how I seduced her. Give you a first hand demonstration.”

  “Here?” Is my quiet almost stammered reply. Totally ensnared by her words and caught off guard at the pointed twist to them being directed at myself.

  “Nope,” She replies without moving or pulling her gaze from mine. “We’ll use the bed in the adjacent room.”

  “What about breakfast?” I ask.

  Yrelia’s grin gains such a wicked edge as she purrs, “I can think of a few things you can nibble on while I have you stuck between the sheets with me.”

  Can’t help but find my eyes unable to resist rolling down and across her soft curves as she takes a deliberate step back.

  Holds out her hand to me.

  The answer I give, to both her words and pointed offer is a soft murmur, “As… Can I. Yes. Hetaera Yrelia. I think I very much need a woman such as you to lead me in this today.”

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