She walked around her castle

She walked around her castle, shivering, it was cold tonight. She could see her breath hang in the air, little
silver clouds hanging still where she breathed. The night was still, no wind, no rain, not a single white
against the night’s blackest black. No sound, not even from the surrounding words, except for the soft
clicking of her footsteps against the cold stone steps.

She ached from sitting on the tower’s roof, holding still, watching on the clear night for the dangers that
surround her realm. Few knew she stood up there as she did, though they feared to follow, if they had
been given the chance. They had heard her stories from the townsfolk that lay just beyond her gates, but
as she walked back to her room, they said little for they were safe because of her.

She opened the heavy wooden door to her room, exhausted and hurt, collapsing onto the floor. She hit
the ground with a dull thud, hardly paying attention to anything around her but the firelight dancing on
the darkened walls, the drapes of her bed. She rolled onto her side, with an enormous effort, holding
herself in an awkward angle. She couldn’t hold back her screams anymore, letting go one that might have
awoken the nearest village. Except no sounds came from her throat, though it ached as it stretched. A
second dull thud, softer and less heavy came from her shoulders. She lifted herself into a sitting position,
her back aching from the unusual sitting position.

She hung her head forward and opened her wings. They moved with a hesitation of pain laced in every
muscle. She felt a wetness drape down her back and pool around her thighs. She touched it, half aware
of her blood that was now dripping her from fingertips. Sparkles, shimmers played with each other in the
deep red, the firelight making them dance. Tiny diamonds sang their song as she watched, trying to ignore
the pulsing that beat inside her chest. She made to stand, faltering with the second step, almost falling
onto the cold stone floor again. She steadied herself, holding dance on her feet, sore from the climb up the
tower. She undressed herself, moving closer to the fire for its tongues of warmth, licking her skin, basking
in the low glow. She stood naked, a hand against the mantle, leaning half her weight, balancing the weight
of her wings behind her. She sighed and a great flap of wind rang around the room.

A quiet footstep came by from the window. She could only see black boots, the tip of a sword. Her
strength too drained, she continued to gaze into the fire. Tears seeped down her chilled cheeks, dripping
onto the floor by her feet.

A low whisper came from the black boot. “Why do you cry?”

She laughed, in spite of herself, wondering how she could possibly answer such a question. “Perhaps
these are tears of joy, for my realm is safe tonight.”

The black boots took a few steps forward, asking again, “Why do you cry?”

Her heart skipped a beat, anger tearing into her mind, her wings folding against her back, fading into their
place, as if they never existed.

The low whisper came again. “Why have you hidden them from me?”

She gave a great sigh, placing her chin on the arm that was held out against the mantle, staring out at her
nighttime visitor. “And what would you have done if you had known?”

She had not meant it with such forcefulness, but perhaps it was better that way. But she still could not see
his face, though she saw a flicker of movement as his hand went to the hilt of his sword.

“I cannot protect that which I do not know,” he said quietly, though there was no mistaking the anger.

She continued to look out, though her gaze went past him. “No, that is true. You cannot.”

He walked into the fire light, she noticed the grief on his lined face, the unmistakable anger in the
clenched jaw muscles that bulged just below his cheekbones. His eyes burned bright, hurt and love
fighting for their rightful place. “No. I cannot,” he whispered. “I was sworn to protect you, all of you.”

“I did not ask it of you,” she replied back, her voice thick with emotion, knowing where this was going to
go.

“Ask? No. You did not ask for my protection. But that is not the point,” he whispered back. His voice was
barely higher than a breeze, but the fierceness was palpable.

She looked away. “I did not make you choose this path. I did not make you swear an oath.”

“But I did, didn’t I?” he said. “And I cannot hold to my oath if I don’t know what I’m protecting.”

She looked at him, her gaze still and glazed. “I am the guardian of this realm, and all those who seek my
help.”

He shook his head impatiently. “Yes, I am aware that this is your castle. And that these are your people.
That isn’t the point.”

“Isn’t it, though?” she shot back, anger and frustration welling up in her throat. “They require me, my
guard, and I give them what they do not have.”

“I am not sworn to protect them. Only you. And that means knowing how to do so, in every way,” he
replied, calmer than she expected. His patience only made her more angry.

“I did not ask it of you,” she said. She turned her head away from his, breathing heavy to steady her mind.

He took a few more footsteps until he was at her side. He lifted a gloved hand, placing it on one of her
wings, softly, gently.

“Don’t,” she whispered.

“Do they hurt?” he asked quietly.

“All the time. They are heavy, and bearing their weight, can take its toll. But it is all right.” She gave him
a weak smile.

“Is it?” he asked, his brows furrowing at he noticed the wetness on the undersides, the glistening of red
diamonds reflecting the dancing flames. “Why choose this?”

“It is not a choice,” she sighed. “It is what I am meant to do. It matters not how I do it, just so long as they
are safe.”

“At what cost?” He held up his gloved finger tips, touching them to her shoulders, her arms, tracing thick
lines of blood that contrasted with her white skin. “You are warm,” he said, as an afterthought, “I can feel
your body’s heat through my gloves.”

“It is the fire. It gives me life,” she smiled, for the first time in the night.

“And you give me mine. And I would’ve sworn the oath even if it wasn’t given to me. I would’ve found a
way.”

“Inside my castle? Yes, I imagine you would have,” she said, a bitter smile remaining on her flushed
lips. “And what would you like from me?” Though, she was sure she knew the answer.

“All of you. But I cannot protect you if you don’t let me.”

“This is my castle, it falls to me to protect it and those who need its protection,” she snapped.

“It is not the castle I have sworn to protect. Only you. And I cannot do that unless you open your wings
for me to see.”

She gave a great shudder, wary and fearful. “And what would you do?” She looked back into his eyes,
solid walls keeping her heart from him.

He walked behind her, his rough gloves lightly touching her belly, pressing himself against her back,
feeling the pressure. He put his head on her shoulder, his lips close to her neck.

“Everything I know how,” he whispered.

luck

Rain dropped on her head as she stood there, against the hard rock of the side of the mountain. Storm clouds loom overheard, drops splayed across her neck, her shoulders, darkened by the water, hiding her beauty. The wind plays against her wings, red marks appearing and disappearing on her light skin from the stings. She shivers. Booming thunder pounds across the sky, streaks of lightning mixing in and out of the pillow greys in the sky. She could not see the moon, could not see the stars, though the sun still trying to ease out its rays from beyond the clouds’ barriers, with no luck.

Luck, she thought, that’s what all of this is about. Even the sun has to count on luck, and the events of another before it can do what it was meant to do. She closed her eyes against the storm, smiling to herself, wrapping her wings closer around herself. There was a chill in the air, her skin showing the cold, though she did not feel cold. Rather, there was a sense of warm emanating from within her belly, a growing flame of inner fire that she held onto, something she found courage in.

She blinked her eyes, looking up into the sky, wondering when the storm would end. It was not the worst of it yet, that much she knew. Even darker clouds were appearing in the distance. She braced herself against the edge of the cliff and took off, her wings opening slowly as she let the winds caress her. The soft skin stretched out within her wings, the light from the great sparks in the sky illuminating them. It was dangerous to fly in these conditions, but there were chances she had to take. On her own, by herself, knowingly. She knew what she was leaving behind, and that she didn’t know what to expect.

Wind curved in and around her body, sometimes striking her a little harder than she liked. But that was how chances worked, she thought to herself. No path is smooth. This was her chance to begin her life, she knew. She didn’t know how she knew, but she knew.

She heard sounds coming from below her, and looked down. A circle of color was swirling, playing in the rain, snapping at the small droplets. She could only make out a couple of them, they were moving so fast, in and out of the clouds. She didn’t want to be seen, didn’t want to partake in the play, so she flapped her wings heavily, rising above the lowest layer of clouds. She felt bad, not wanting to play, fire coming out of her nose at the thought of her craven actions. But that’s what change does, she thought quietly, miserably, alone.

Opportunities come and go, she knew, as the thunder boomed into her head, momentarily making her dizzy. She rolled within the clouds, feeling the pillows touching her skin, cooling her skin, her temper.

The clouds abruptly ended, suddenly she was open and vulnerable. It unnerved her how quickly it stopped. Changed, she mused. How ironic. Once her eyes accustomed to the brightness of the sun, streams of rainbow beaming across the sky, she tried to focus in on where she was. The thunder still shook the very air she flew in, but it was getting fainter as she flew farther away. She beat her wings harder, eager to see his face, his eyes.

And there he was, green, gleaming, sitting still on the edge of a cliff. He was sitting so still, she thought he was sleeping, but then he crouched down suddenly, and lifted into the air, his wings spread so wide, they could wrap around her twice. The sun shone off his muscles, his scales flickering as he climbed higher to meet her in the sky. She huffed, red and orange flaring out of her nose, knowing that he meant to crash into her, his way of showing his excitement. She steeled herself against the impending strength, closing her eyes, slowly beating her wings to maintain her height.

But the crash didn’t come. She peeked through one eye, seeing another fierce black eye staring back at her. He was flying around her, breathing rings of red and gold, smothering the both of them in his flame. His warmth felt good against her wings, allowing the inner fire to grow from within. He flew up next to her, his great wings beating the air so fiercely she struggled to maintain her balance. She could no longer, so she made her way to the cliff he had just been sitting on.

The landing came abruptly, harshly, and she stumbled into the hard, unforgiving rock. He landed lightly behind her, slightly smirking at her unfamiliarity of the mountain. She rose, shaking her head, trying to right her daze. She felt a push against her head. He was looking at her, watching her, hesitant. He sat back, then moved forward, unsure of his movements, uncertain what to do next.

With a little bit of luck, this, he, was what taking chances was about, she thought., as she moved her snout under his jaw, closing her eyes, breathing a heavy sigh.

.

he looked beyond the gate

He looked beyond the gate, stunned. She was walking towards him, her face marred by the leaves of the trees lined along the sidewalk, the metal bars that were slowly rolling open. Her hair was longer than he remembered, brown, not the blonde he remembered. It surprised him. He remembered it brown, but that was a long time ago. She was smaller, her body has changed into something older, something with more ripeness. This wasn’t the child he remembered. Gone was the bounce in her step, the floating-like quality she used to exude with her confidence. She walked with purpose now, and was headed straight for him.

But her eyes, those hadn’t changed. He caught glimpses through the brown branches, her blue eyes detectable, like contrasts only nature could build. She had a sad smile on her face, it seeping into a frown as she grew closer to him, it was obvious then that something had gone wrong. He felt the air leave his chest, ice dropping into the deepest pits of his body, his feet felt as heavy as boulders.

He stopped walking, waiting for her to slowly stride up to him, not sure why she was even there. He hadn’t seen her for months and months, she left him. She tucked a brown strand behind her ear, shyly, unsure, her eyes dodging from spot to spot as if looking for an escape. But that didn’t make any sense. Her very appearance startled him.

“Well, aren’t you a surprise?” he said quietly, his throat dry with confusion. He licked his lips, thrusting his hands into his pockets, not sure what to do with them

“Hi,” she replied.

The emotion that seeped out of that single word hit him like thunder, he shook down to his feet. He pushed his hands deeper into his pockets, making fists, knowing his knuckles were whitening.

She looked at him, noticing his discomfort, damn her. He looked away from her, past her, watching the cars drive by slowly on the street they were standing on. Some slowed as they gazed over at them, making him more uncomfortable. He fidgeted his hands inside his pockets, the denim rubbing roughly against his skin.

He looked back at her, catching her staring at him. She bit her lip. He hated when she did that. His resolve was depleting.

“I…couldn’t do it,” she said, eyes clouding, glistening.

He didn’t need an explanation. He knew what she meant. His face darkened as he thought about what to say next.

“You don’t have to say anything,” she continued, reading his thoughts.

Stealing them more like it, he blustered from within his mind. How did she do that?

He found his voice, meek as it was. “What would you like me to do?”

She turned her head around, looking behind her, gazing out over at the bluish skies, the grey clouds hovering over the mountains in the distance, causing their trouble.

“I don’t think you can, really,” she answered, her head still turned away from him “Do anything…”

The answer frustrated him, but he stayed, rooted to the spot. She was there for a reason, that much was plain. But even he wasn’t sure what it could be. It was heartbreaking to look at her, to look at the years they had spent together, to look at this woman who had changed so much from when he first saw her. For a moment, he saw the anxiousness of youth in her flushed cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her body.

“Come,” he said, not sure if this was the right decision, holding out his hand, the cool air starting to claw its way up his arm.

“Where are we going?” she asked timidly.

He looked down at her sternly, her back straightening in response.

“I’m sorry…I…don’t know what to do…or say…” she sputtered, the wind catching her words, taking them away.

He took her hand firmly, curling his fingers through her delicate ones.

“So don’t,” he whispered, “And just come with me.”  

she opened her wings

She opened her wings, the wind curling through the feathers, ruffling them with its soft caress. Her dark hair wisped around her bare shoulders as she gazed down over her protector. Something awoke her. Something she felt, it stirred, it bothered her, even as he lay quiet in his dreams, his face pale and unfocused. She gave a laborious flap, her shoulders groaning in anticipation for flight, but pulled them back in when she saw that her movement caused him to stir. She folded back in on herself, the weight disappearing as they folded into her back, thought the burden they carried weight no less, open or not.

He opened his eyes, deep, brown, like the middle of the ocean, unseen and unsettling. Images flowed across them, dreams that had not yet passed outside his sight, disturbing his thoughts, confusing his whereabouts. He caught a glimpse of the wings being pulled to her sides, the feathers forming a strong hold on her shoulders, as then melded into her skin, as if they never existed. He hadn’t known what she was when he stumbled onto her path. He still didn’t quite understand how she was able to see things that hadn’t actually happened yet, or understand forces that were not caused by herself. Or him.

She finally figured out why she gravitated towards him. He was her protector. Her wings opened again. He was waking, tired and restless. He looked over at his side, startled and anguished her presence wasn’t right next to him. but she reached out, her fingers extended slightly, and pulled him to her, wrapping her wings around him, curling his body towards hers, embracing his warmth. His heart settled, his breathing calm, and he sighed, peering out over the rustling feathers as the sunrise flickered up over the clouds.

he was pacing

He was pacing, his large paws quaking the ground as they hit, his nails clicking the hard concrete with each step, his massive head held down low, eyes on the floor. He was breathing hard, waiting, waiting, watching, but nothing was coming. He stopped, took a large breath, taking in all the swarming smells that were flowing smoothly into his nostrils. He shook his head, the thick coat around his neck swaying back and forth, orange and black glimmering looking through the bars.

Where was she? She was never late. She always came at the same time, when the sun was high in the sky, bearing meat and extra cold water. But she was not here yet today, and the sun was too far west for his liking. He sat back on his hind legs, leaning against the cool bars, trying to shade some of the heat from being absorbed by the orange and black stripes in his coat. He growled under his breath, a low forceful moan seeping out of his mouth.

A noise. He got up, frantically stomping in front of the bars, the noise getting louder. He could hear her familiar footsteps, the sound of her laughter, a deep throaty sound that gave the immense feline shivers every time he heard it. He stuck out his tongue in anticipation of the treats should would be bringing him today. His yellow eyes watched as the shadow turned the corner, excited. He loved when she stepped inside his enclosure and sat with him on the grass. He would nuzzle her sides as she scratched behind his ears. He hoped she would indulge him with a belly rub today. He hummed softly to himself, still pacing swiftly back and forth.

Two voices. He turned his head, his fierce eyes narrowing suspiciously. Why were there two voices? And another was decidedly masculine. He felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end, he didn’t like this, sharing his space with someone else other than her. She walked around the corner, trailing behind her was second figure, decidedly taller and more muscular than she.

He growled low, a warning sound moving through the metal bars. She tensed, frowning in his direction. She put a hand on the other’s chest, a movement that made him snarl, and walked over to the bars. He pressed his head against the cold metal, his thick fur pushing through the openings, purring deeply, rhythmically alongside the increasing beating of his heart. She walked to the side of the enclosure, opening the bars deftly and quickly with a silver key tied was around her neck. He met her eagerly, pushing his enormous head against her hip, nuzzling the side of her body.

She was warm, in her shorts and tank top, he could feel the heat of her body against his head, his cheeks, through his fur. She sat on the grass a little ways away from the opening of the enclosure. He followed, sprawling out on his back, laying his head in her lap. He purred louder when she laughed, running her thin, tanned fingers over his cheeks. He opened his jaw to lick her with a bright pink tongue, rough against her leg.

He turned. The other one was coming through the door, hesitantly. He rolled onto his side, the ground shuttering slightly as the weight of his paws hit the soft soil. He looked at her, suddenly furious, jealous, of her sleep smile. Why didn’t she smile at him like that? He got up onto all fours, slowly walking over to the other one. He looked back at her, watched her as she got to her feet, her face changing from pleasure to worry. Good, he thought. The other shouldn’t be in here when she was with him. She was his.

He snarled, and the other stopped. He turned around, his back to the other one, and stood in front of her. She looked at him with suspicious as he began to walk towards her and push in deeper into his world. He heard the footsteps of the other one try to follow, and just turned his head, eyes glowing like fire, baring his sharp teeth, daring him to come any closer. He pressed her farther inward, a little bit harder against her leg. She resisted, but she was no match for him. He looked up at her face, illuminated by the midday sun, her blue eyes sparkling like the pool of water he liked to swim in when it got hot out. She frowned at him, pushing him away from her, and he was suddenly ashamed.

He stopped. She walked around his large body, shaking her head at him, not looking back. He didn’t want her to go and let out a soft mew of displeasure. He sat back on his haunches, and watched her walk away. He growled as she ambled up to the other, hurt and alone. He hung his head heavily, sorrowfully. And stayed there until he felt the coolness of the night creeping up his back from the sun disappearing. He laid down, his back to the bars, sighing greatly as he looked out over the great expanse of his home.

Sometime in the night, he felt soft footsteps on the ground, the vibration tickling his legs and chin. He could smell her skin, freshly washed, though he didn’t like when she did that. She was humming, a sweet sound whispering through the air into his ears. She stood in front of him, and though it gave him great pleasure that she came back to him, he didn’t show it. She huffed impatiently, kneeling into the cool dirt, touching his white belly with her soothing hands, rubbing his fur, her hands back and forth. He sighed contently, still refusing to open his eyes. She curled up against his warm belly, and laid with him.

She came back as he had hoped he would.

_

he touched her shoulders

He touched her shoulders. Inhaling her sweet scent of vanilla and flowers. They were soft, and smooth, skin of a goddess. Maybe that was what she was, but it didn’t bother him. Tonight, maybe forever, she was his. And whatever she was, he would devour her all and all, without the slightest hesitation, even if it meant it might kill him, it might begin something within him that might never end. 

He rubbed a hand down one of her shoulders, feeling the tender soft skin under his calloused hands. She moved into his hand, welcoming the warmth, mumbling somewhere in between sleep and wake. He looked at her back, watching all her muscles come alive every time she breathed. Her hair was splayed messily across her beige pink skin, the brown in deep contrast to it. He ran his finger tips over on her back, spelling out words, like the game he used to play as a child on the playground. Spell out the word, and have the other person guess what it was. She giggled quietly, ticklish and sexy.

He brushed his lips over the small of her back, skin cold from lack of a cover, him having taken off the white bed sheet she had had around her during the night. Goosebumps prickled her skin. He touched his lips to a hip, feeling her jut forward slightly, another rumble of laughter coming from above his head. He felt her move, lay on her side, looking down at him through waves of curly hair. He looked at her red lips, plump with pleasure, a bottom corner tucked into her teeth. Her eyes were bright with confusion, not sure what he was trying to do. 

He put his chin on her thigh, grinning up at her, his hands on both sides of her legs. He moved his fingers, the tips of them tickling her gently again. She moved a hand, brushing a curly brown strand behind her ear, revealing pink cheeks, flush with excitement. Her smile was timid, shy, unexpecting. She reached down to touch his face, but he pulled his head out of the way, just beyond her reach. Annoyance flickered across her face, annoyed that he was playing with her, toying with her. He smiled, holding a finger to his lips, kissing it, and touching his fingers to her belly. 

He moved over her, crawling up her sides, putting his weight on her body. She rolled on to her back, her hands by her face, a peak of a smile trying to edge into her mouth. He hovered over her, leaning on his elbows, his face just above hers. He kissed her forehead, her eyes closed, awaiting the next place. She arched her back just barely, touching her hips into his. He moved his way in between her thighs. He kissed the side of her head, again inhaling vanilla and flowers, feeling her giggle radiate all throughout her body. It vibrated. He looked into her glowing eyes. 

He kissed her mouth, tasting honey, nectar, wondering what it must be like, what it would be like to taste this every day, every morning. He leaned on her chest, feeling warm mounds underneath him, moving up and down with every slow, easy breath. He curled his fingers through her soft hair, brushing his thumb over her cheeks, the side of her head, looking at her sleepy eyes, not yet fully awake. A sleepy smile that hadn’t fully awaken yet. He kissed her nose and she smiled shyly, jutting her chin up, trying to get him to kiss her again. 

He moved his hands to hers, intertwining his fingers through hers, and kissed her again. He kissed her deeply, breathing life into it, taking life from it. He felt his heart hammer against his chest, against her chest, his eyes tightly shut, he couldn’t see her, but he could feel her. He moved his hands, stretching out her arms, holding them tightly above his head. 

He buried his head into her neck, whispering, whispering, wondering, wondering, waiting, waiting. 

Waiting.   
_

a dream...

He opened his eyes, awakened by the crisp morning air. There were sharp pains, like tree needles, on his shoulders. Pinecones, with snowflakes whispering their little landing notes in the crevices, poked and prodded his black skin, tiny prickles leaving their marks by the dozen. He winced, pulling out the spikes and spindles. Next to him, he felt movement as she rolled over, waking up, opening her sparkling blue eyes, dazed by the early rising sun. She pressed her fists into the ground. Morning had come, and that meant their night was over. She grimaced, her back aching from the hard, cold ground, chilly shivers reverberating through her body. He sat up and looked over at her.

She was pretty. Like twinkles in the sky. He was bronzed against her skin; hers like porcelain as she leaned her shoulders against his back. There was hardly a sound, whispers crept along the picturesque snow fields, wind blew through her blonde hair.

            She sat up, not knowing what she was going to do next. Her skin, sweat soaked, pieces of her hair stuck to her forehead. Her breath turned to vapors in the cold morning air. She shivered. She looked around, grabbing the warm blanket that lay crumbled just beyond her reach. She stretched her body out, reaching with her spread fingers. Her companion, reacting to the movement, turned around. He surveyed her sprawling back, naked, without a clothing piece draping across. He smiled. Their clothes lay in a pile next to a bottle of wine that had been knocked over in a fit of passion.

            She stretched a bit further when he placed his hand on the small of her back. It was large enough that he could curl his thumb around one hip and his fingers around the other hip. She sighed, her heart swelling at his touch. She turned back towards her lover, grasping his hand in hers, taking it to her lips. She closed her eyes, and kissed his fingers, each one at a time. He groaned and she tugged him closer, taking his head in her free hand. He knelt down, his head at her bare breasts. His lips took one cold nipple in his mouth, pushing on the tip with his tongue. She pushed her chest out, arching her back and moaned.

            Swiftly, he moved, grabbing her back and slid his arms around her body, bringing her close to him. He closed his eyes when her breasts touched his chest. She reacted violently. She plunged her tongue in his mouth and pulled him down on her. She scratched his back, dragging her nails across his skin. Thin red lines appeared. She jutted her hips, hitting his, revealing how much she wanted him. He obliged. He lifted himself off her and plunged back down. His moan, louder than hers, frightened some nearby slumbering birds. Their squawks made the two lovers laugh quietly. He buried his head in her warm neck while his hips pushed inside and pulled out, rhythm flowing through his body, like he was dancing to a song only he could hear. Her breathing became heavier, sweat beads forming on her body, her fingers grabbing and holding onto his hips, guiding him to her pleasure.

            At her request, he moaned louder each time he re-entered her. Sexuality charged the atmosphere, like sparks of lightening just before a strike. She arched her back. Quick as a flash, he lifted her into his lap, her face was looking down at his. She straddled his body, placing her hands on his hard chest, holding herself up. She moved her hips, throwing her head back when she couldn’t take it anymore. He sat up slightly, aroused and feral, biting her shoulder as his body tensed. He let go of her shoulder, a droplet of blood on his lip. She looked down; there were scarlet pearls slowly sliding towards her breasts.

            The drops traveled down her collarbone. He kissed them, tasting the liquid. Its sweetness surprised him. His pupils dilated. Something fierce grazed his face as instinct took over. She watched his transformation, intrigued. She touched the stain, fingertips grazing the lines glistening red in the moonlight. She touched her wet fingers to his lips. She traced their pillowy outline as they glittered with her blood; his eyes narrowed, attack mode. He pounced, rolling her over, pushing his body weight on top of her. She laughed a wild, untamed feral sound that filled the surrounding forests with corresponding howls from the wolves that lived in the surrounding forest.

            Recharged, he fought his way inside her, rage and passion a mixture he couldn’t tell the difference between. She engaged him, grabbing at his back, pushing her legs on the inside of his, forcing them apart.

            His eyes closed. She could feel his hands groping, titillating her nipples, causing her to allow him more access to her body, matching his own intensity. He moved his hands, digging them into the dirt besides her head, raising up his body and driving his hips into her wetness. He arched, and pulsed. A grinding moan, a shudder, another push. She was caught by surprise. She didn’t expect the sudden rush; she giggled, as he lay his body gently back on top of hers.

            She cradled his head in the groove of her shoulder. The moon was slow in the sky, and she could see beginnings of dawn. Red and pink colors glittered the horizon. A long while, they laid together. She thought she heard him whisper….