Chapter Text
She was floating in a deep pool of seemingly endless darkness… It was peaceful here. There were no worries or pain. Her head was usually racing with so many thoughts but here, in this inky infinite darkness, there were hardly any thoughts at all. Slowly, she began settling back into herself. It was unclear how long she had been gone, floating in that sea of nothingness. Her body felt foreign and drained. She reached out to her well of power… and she reached… and she reached… it was almost all gone.
Strange…
Someone was laying on top of her, speaking into her ear and stroking her hair.
That’s nice…
“And that is when Anacostia decided it would be the perfect time to test her theory that she could fly by jumping off the roof of the building. Such a wild and reckless thing she was then. I haven’t the faintest notion who she got such a trait from. But anyways, I was so shocked that she had jumped, I almost did not teleport in time to catch her. Truly, the child was a menace.” Sarah’s voice was calming and full of mirth as she shared the memory.
Tally settled further into herself as she focused on the sound of Sarah’s night-kissed voice.
“Then there was the time that Nicte decided it would be a good idea to take Anacostia to a brothel for her sixteenth birthday. Let’s just say that decision ended well for Anacostia but not at all for Nicte.”
That breeze was blowing gently through her mind and she snuggled into it. Sarah paused in her story, then her alluring voice filled Tally’s mind.
“Welcome back, Sunshine.”
Tally hummed softly in her mind, letting Sarah know she was there but not fully settled.
“You had me very worried there for a moment… or two… maybe three,” Sarah murmured against her ear before pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek.
Suddenly, Tally became very aware of how terrible she felt. Not emotionally but physically. Her body ached, worse than it ever had before. She was nauseated and famished all at the same time, her chest ached, and her head felt like it might split in two. She felt feverish and… empty. Her power… where was it? This thought snapped her back to herself so violently that she physically gasped. Mentally, she dove for her well only to find that over half of the vast well was gone... Far more than half. “Flicker?” She almost sobbed as she searched for the presence of that little being that had come to mean so much to her.
“She’s alright, just recharging… perhaps sleeping is a better description for her,” Sarah explained, running her hand soothingly over Tally’s hair.
“What happened? There was so much.”
“Open your eyes and you might begin to understand,” Sarah murmured, pressing another kiss to her cheek. Tally willed her eyes to open... Slowly, they began to crack open with heavy resistance. She could just make out the stars above, but there was something bright and glowing obscuring most of the view. It seemed like she couldn’t focus, and she absolutely could not move. Sarah rolled off of her and moved behind her and pulled her up to lean against her chest.
Tally cried out because any movement at all hurt like hell. Tears stung her eyes at the pain of it, but then she looked at what lay all around them. Where once this place had been a grassy glade, they were now surrounded by bioluminescent plants. Beautiful blooms that looked so similar to the ones that Margaret had grown, only glowing incandescently in the night. The glade now emitted a rainbow of vibrant neon colors. Vines of glowing jasmine and honeysuckle reached up to the sky creating something of a cocoon around them. It seemed that the fireflies were intrigued and had come to investigate as well and floated above and all around them, blinking happily.
“It's beautiful,” Tally murmured in her head.
“It is, sweet one. You made them, and the giant cracks in the ground. You took out a few trees as well.” Sarah informed her, voice growing tight.
“I- it was not my intent,” Tally mumbled in her head, exhaustion thick and heavy in her.
Sarah lay her back down, drawing another pained cry from her at the movement. “We can talk more about it tomorrow. Sleep now, dearest.”
“I hurt too much to sleep,” Tally whimpered in her mind. And she didn’t just mean physically. Some of the memories of what she had seen in the visions had cropped back up and tears were leaking from her eyes now.
Sarah brought a blanket over them and wiped away her tears. “Do you want me to use a sleeping seed?”
“Please, I don’t want to be awake anymore,” Tally admitted in her mind as more tears fell. Margaret was gone and Flicker… she felt so empty and cold without her warm presence swimming contentedly about in her well.
Sarah pressed her lips to Tally’s forehead and gently cupped her face with her hand as she pressed herself against Tally’s side, some of her warmth seeping into her. “I will be with you the entire time.” Then a low hum and Tally felt calm wash through her. Followed by another even lower hum and her eyes fluttered shut as a dreamless sleep took her.
The gentle sway and rock of the ship was the first thing she noticed when she awoke. The second was the sound of voices, one that she loved and one that she had heard only once before.
“Are you going to tell me why you have insisted on coming with us?” Sarah asked, voice strained.
“The mother told me I would be needed,” Khalida replied smoothly, seemingly unphased by Sarah's prickly attitude toward her.
A cold hum from Sarah. “What else did she tell you?”
“That is for me to know.”
“Not if it involves her,” Sarah bit back, a soft rumbling growl rolling out of her.
“I understand your need to protect her, but there are more pieces involved in all of this than her.”
They must have moved the conversation to their minds because it took many more long moments before she heard soft footsteps leave and the door shutting quietly. Sarah sighed heavily before going back to whatever it was she was doing at the large table behind Tally.
Continuing to lay still, Tally took a moment to ponder everything that had happened. Starting with Beltane. It had been like a dream, the entire day, all the planning Sarah had put into making her first real Beltane enjoyable. Seeing Sarah’s beautiful silver shimmer when she saw her in that night blue star-flecked dress… It would be burned in her memory forever. The sex had of course been amazing, the org*sms and desire more intense than ever.
But then the visions had struck. The first one… no big deal. But that voice… she knew in her bones that she knew it. She had heard it before, but she couldn’t remember where. It had said something to Sarah that she couldn’t remember very clearly now. The children in the mines… she had reached across the world and seized that man's putrid mind and changed it. That shouldn’t have been possible. And Margaret… sweet Margaret who had loved her and been like a grandmother in so many ways. Another life lost and she’d been unable to help… She’d just had to stand there and watch.
Silent tears escaped, rolling over her nose and dripping onto the bed. What was the purpose of showing her that when she could do nothing to help? Why did she have to watch someone else she loved die? There were a million other more useful things that the goddess could have shown her… why that? The tears kept coming. How long would it be before they went for her mother? Would she have to watch that as well… and once again be unable to change it…
Perhaps she was being selfish. Maybe in some small way, Margaret didn’t die alone because she had been there with her. Not physically but… maybe that was why. Maybe…
She couldn’t even think of the fourth vision and what it meant or how he’d been able to sense her and trap her. She was too lost in her grief and inability to save the people she cared about. No longer able to breathe, she sniffed as quietly as possible knowing that if Sarah held her she would completely fall apart. Now was not the time to fall apart. There was a quest for a piece of the map, and after that, they would go to the mines. Strength was needed now. Not for her to be shattered into a million tiny pieces.
Gentle hands rested on her and immediately a sob tore from her. Then those same hands were gathering her up and pulling her close. “I’m here, Sunshine.” Tally tried weakly to pull and push herself away but Sarah held tight. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Hours later, after she had run out of tears and Sarah had gotten her to eat and drink something, the brunette took her hand. “We have some things we need to discuss.”
Tally nodded, knowing full well that they both had questions and Sarah clearly had things she needed to say.
“I need you to walk me through what happened and why you did not tell me you were about to have a vision,” Sarah began, her tone not at all the gentle one she’d expected. It took her back for a moment and she was unsure how best to navigate this.
“I- well, I’m not certain,” Tally admitted. “One second you were… and I didn’t notice the pressure because I was busy enjoying other things but it spiked just as I um… I was somewhere else and it was like I’d already gotten lost in it all.” Tally rambled somewhat incoherently.
“Why didn’t you pull back? Could you not sense how much power you were using?” Sarah pressed, her voice tight.
“No, I- I couldn’t feel my body or anything at all really. I couldn’t feel the flow.” Tally replied, starting to feel a little prickly at this line of questioning.
“How is that possible?”
“Beltane? Everything else was more intense because of it. Why not my visions as well?” Tally defended herself as she pulled her hand away so she could spin the ring on her finger.
“And what possessed you to reach through space, impenetrable rock, and possibly time itself and seize that man’s mind? Were you really so far gone to not even think of the consequences?” Sarah barked, but Tally sensed it then, the fear in Sarah at this particular memory, though she hid it very well behind her collected features.
“We just did it. There was no time to think.” Tally replied, spinning the ring again, feeling it heat.
“That stunt would have killed a lesser witch. I’m shocked your heart didn’t give out from the strain it was under to keep you alive. So much of your power was gone, in an instant, Tally!” Sarah growled and got up and prowled to one of the many cabinets and poured herself a drink and downed it in one go.
Tally didn’t know what to say. Sarah seemed to be under the impression that she had meant for this to happen… that she’d been in control of anything until Sarah had managed to tether her a little more in her vision of Margaret.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Sarah questioned, perhaps a fraction more calmly.
“No, you seem to have it all worked out. Why even bother asking me this if you’ve already made up your mind about what happened?!” Tally spat as she threw the covers back and stood on very achy and wobbly legs.
“Where are you going?” Sarah demanded.
“Somewhere where you are not.” She could almost feel the wince from Sarah. “There doesn’t seem to be much point in continuing this. I’m sorry that I frightened you and that I lost control. I’ll try harder to not let it happen again.” Tally stated as calmly as she could while pulling on some clothes, though tears stung her eyes.
“Tally, we are in the middle of a conversation,” Sarah started with a calmer voice, moving closer.
“Are we? Because to me, this feels more like an interrogation.” Pants and a shirt would have to be enough for now. She began moving towards the door but Sarah caught her arm. Tally turned and wrapped her arms tightly around Sarah’s waist, seeking her comfort even when she was cross with her.
Strong arms wrapped around her and held her close. Tally could feel her getting ready to say something so she pulled away and strode on shaky legs out of the cabin. But now she was faced with a new dilemma… Where to go to hide from everyone else?
Moving deeper into the ship seemed like a viable option… That was how she found herself in one of the holds of the ship, splayed over some sacks of flour and grain. Not wanting to think and still feeling quite exhausted as she dozed. It was dark and cool down so low.
“You’re in my spot,” A voice full of snark said, rousing her from her rest. It was still dark but she knew the voice. “Trouble in paradise?”
“You could say that,” Tally murmured, moving to get out of Nicte’s spot.
“No stay, I was teasing. I much prefer the spot behind the crates over there.” Nicte said and Tally heard more than saw her move across the hold.
“Are you hiding as well?” Tally inquired, readjusting herself on the sacks.
“Khalida gives me the creeps and makes me want to rip out her throat all at the same time,” Nicte grumbled as she curled up behind the crates.
“She is odd,” Tally agreed, letting her eyes flutter shut.
“Don’t get me wrong. She’s a good person and has witch kind’s best interests in mind. Our personalities just tend to clash until we get on some kind of battlefield. Brought together by mutual enemies and all that.” Nicte said with a huff. Tally could practically hear the eye roll she must have done. “So, what are you hiding from?”
“Everyone,” Tally mumbled, “I’m exhausted, frustrated, and sad.”
“Well, I’ll be over here if you want to discuss. Or we can lay here in silence.” Nicte told her, and Tally could hear her adjusting something from the other side of the crates.
“I just… how much has she already told you?” Tally asked in exasperation.
“Eh, not much. Said you had multiple visions and that you’d used a dangerous amount of magic at once. Shared the one about the piece with us. Told us what we needed to know about the mines and your visit with the scientist. She’s pretty tight-lipped when it comes to you.”
Sarah hadn’t shared the vision of Margaret and Tally was grateful because she certainly wasn’t ready to fully process the loss, much less discuss it with others.
“I see. Well, as you may know, I have no control over when they happen. I just get sucked in. I also get lost really easily in the big ones… not the smaller ones. But, Beltane just made it worse, I wasn’t me anymore the second it took me.” Tally started, and huffed loudly. “And it took me during… well you know… so I didn’t even realize it was happening until it did.”
“Mhmm, that was unfortunate timing I’m sure.”
“Yes, it really was. She tried so hard to make it special and it was. It was the most magical night. I just wish the visions had waited a few more hours to sweep me away.” Tally sighed wearily, she hoped Sarah knew how much she appreciated the effort she had put in. Goddess she loved her. “Anyways, I got through the first one alright, but apparently I was giving it too much. And then it took me to the mines and there were kids there and the guard was about to hurt them. So I lost it a little more and just reached out and seized his mind and planted a little seed to make him protect them instead. Which shouldn’t be possible. I apparently used a massive amount of power to do it, and I could have maybe died.”
“Hold on, you reached through space, possibly time, and altered someone’s mind from across the world?” Nicta reiterated, curiosity and disbelief evident in her voice.
“Apparently…?” Tally replied, uncertainly.
“Goddess that’s insane! Do not ever do that again, but holy f*ck… I am both proud and horrified!” Nicte practically cheered. “I see now why she was so freaked out about it.”
“Was she?” Tally inquired curiously.
“Oh yes. Should have seen her face when she carried your unconscious ass on board.”
“Why can’t she just say that?”
“What did she say?” Nicte paused for only a moment before letting out a sharp laugh. “Oh wait, let me guess. She tried to have a conversation, but it ended up with her interrogating you to some extent.”
“Yes, exactly that,” Tally grumbled, and huffed again.
Nicte chuckled audibly, low and gravely. “Been there before. Should have seen her during Anacostia’s rebellious phase. Absolutely glorious.”
A long sigh left her as she pondered everything. “I don’t know how to fix it…”
“Fix what?”
“Sarah and I… she’s mad and I can’t change what happened. So how do I fix it?”
Nicte barked a laugh. “Oh Red, nothing is broken. When you are with someone, it’s not always sunshine and daisies. You do things that hurt, worry, or anger each other throughout life. It’s normal. This is normal. Don’t panic, you’ll likely be curled up in her bed by the end of the day.” Then she paused. “And if anyone should be mad, it’s you. You have an insane power that you are still mastering. You have struggled with your visions already, then the goddess decided to sprinkle some Beltane magic all over it. It isn’t shocking what happened. And after five hundred years, Sarah should have learned a better way to express when she is scared or worried. You are twenty… you are doing amazing, Kitten. And who the f*ck knows if the goddess wanted you to seize that man’s mind. She works in ways no one understands.”
Letting those words settle into her, she realized that Nicte had a point. How strange that the witch who had terrified her upon their first meeting had become something of a confidant. And she was giving Tally relationship advice… “How old are you?”
There was another low chuckle. “Three hundred and twenty-two.”
A groan escaped her, then a giggle. “I am an infant,” Tally quipped, pulling a laugh from the older witch.
“Don’t worry, Red. You’ll be old and wise like me someday.”
Nicte woke Tally from her slumber and forced her to leave the dark hold for dinner. She made sure to walk her out with her arm draped over her shoulder and leaned in to whisper something ridiculous that made Tally laugh. She could feel Sarah’s eyes on them and knew that Nicte was back to her old games of attempting to make Sarah jealous.
“Do you think this method of getting under her skin will continue working?” Tally inquired softly as they stood in line for food.
Barking a laugh, Nicte leaned in to purr into her ear. “Oh Red, I don’t think I know.”
Abigail and Raelle appeared and swept her away to sit with them in a secluded corner where she had to tell them everything. Everyone seemed in agreement. She should never use her magic like that again, but it was impressive that it had worked. Raelle had linked with her again- apparently, she had also linked with her while she was sleeping- and eased the ache she still carried in her body considerably.
There was another ship The Melody- which was captained by Nessa Clary- sailing with them on this mission and to the mines after. It was a larger ship and thus their pace was a little slower than usual.
After dinner, she had gone to help Francis with cleanup and had immediately been faced with the woman’s antics.
“Everyone saw who you ended the reel with, young lady. The two of you gleamed like stars in front of the entire city.” Francis chided but there was a twinkle in her eye that told Tally she wasn’t really mad.
“Surprise?” Tally tried, and gave a half smile.
Francis smiled and patted her cheek. “There is no one worthier of you than her. But my previous statement stands. If she mistreats you, let me know. I’m not above poisoning her food.”
A laugh tumbled from Tally’s lips and she hugged the witch. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
After everyone had gone to bed, she lingered on the deck. With nothing better to do, she stretched her sore muscles and proceeded to leisurely move through some of the movements Izadora had taught her. Her mentor had stayed behind with Scylla to study the bioluminescent plants Tally had created. Apparently, she thought they might have some undiscovered properties that might be useful.
Anacostia wouldn’t train with her as she was apparently banned from using magic while she recovered and her well somewhat replenished.
She was halfway through her movements when she started to get a little angry with Sarah. Everyone else seemed understanding of what happened and here she was grilling her like she hadn’t been in her head. She knew exactly what had happened. She knew exactly how far gone Tally had been when she stepped into her mind. But instead of expressing her concerns in a meaningful way, she made her feel like a child. On top of all of that, Tally had lost someone and Sarah’s response after she had cried herself dry was to interrogate her.
“Who are you imagining hitting right now?” That alluring voice said from right behind her.
Without much thought and knowing that she would dodge, Tally dropped low and spun trying to sweep Sarah’s legs out from under her. “No one,” Tally grunted. “But I am angry with you.”
Sarah spun out of range and began circling Tally, completely unphased, hands clasped behind her back. For whatever reason, this only angered Tally further and she darted forward, attacking. Sarah spun away again, but Tally read what she would do before she did it and spun after her and threw some very half-hearted punches at her face, not truly wanting to hit her. Sarah dodged effortlessly, caught her wrist, twirled her, and wrapped her arms tightly around her so that her back was trapped against Sarah’s chest.
“Why are you angry?” Sarah asked softly against her ear as Tally struggled to get out of the hold.
Tally huffed in frustration. “Everyone else has been rather understanding of the situation except for you and they weren’t in my head to actually know what was going on.” She flung her wrists towards the ground breaking Sarah’s hold and darted away. But Sarah moved with her pulling her back against her again. “You interrogated me as if I were being rebellious or as if I did any of this intentionally. When you KNOW I have very little control when I go in there normally, let alone high on Beltane magic.”
“It was not my intent to make you feel misunderstood,” Sarah interjected, trying to keep Tally close but she had broken away again. This time moved so fast that she got behind Sarah and hopped up on her back. Not at all an attack move but would possibly be annoying.
“Well, you did. And you made me feel small. And foolish. I know I’m young. I know I don’t know anything, but I’m doing my f*cking best! You, out of everyone, should know that.” Tally growled before hopping down and storming away. “Find a better way to tell me you're scared or that I worried you!”
Sarah turned and caught her wrist but let go when flames billowed unbidden from where their skin had met. The flames must have been hot because Sarah had let go so quickly and stepped back as Flicker emerged from her skin. Not as her house cat form or the massive lioness, but a large leopard. Her eyes burned blue as she swiped at Sarah’s legs. Backing away even further, Sarah stared in shock at the being. Tally watched as Flicker sat in front of Sarah and flicked her tail in frustration.
The two stood looking at each other as if they were having some sort of private conversation that she wasn’t a part of. Sarah must have said or implied something Flicker didn’t like because she hopped to all four feet and stamped them against the deck. Then without warning, Flicker turned and flicked her tail in Sarah’s face and bounded back to Tally, tackling her to the deck and rubbing her large warm body all over her.
I’m glad you are okay as well, Tally thought as Flicker began seeping back into her body. Going so soon? She asked. The being sighed and Tally knew she was still tired and recovering. Then she realized how tired she was, in her very bones. When would all of this end…? How had the other witches done this for centuries?
Sarah’s footsteps sounded almost cautious as she approached. Tally’s brown eyes found azure blue that looked forlorn at the hurt she had caused. Reaching up a hand, Sarah helped her up and Tally went straight into her arms, burying her face in the older witch’s neck. Sarah sighed in what seemed like relief as she wrapped her arms around her. They were silent for long moments, Tally giving Sarah time to say whatever she needed to.
“I am sorry for making you feel all of those things. I do know how hard you are trying and I am so proud of you. You are doing so well. Not just for your age or how much you know. You are doing far better than some people who have been around for centuries. Never doubt the value and brilliance you bring to all of us.” Sarah's words sounded so genuine and soothed the aches that had followed Tally throughout the day, filling her with peace.
“Are you still mad?” Tally whispered as she pulled herself tighter to Sarah.
“I was never mad. You were right, I was scared. I might have had too much time to think about how different it could have gone had I not been there to tether you. Had you not had enough power to pull off that exceptional bit of work. Or had I not been able to rip you from the last vision? What if I had failed you? Too many what ifs.” Sarah pulled back and moved to cup Tally’s face so that she could stare directly into her eyes. Tally could see the tears glistening in them. “I- Tally, I don’t know that I would be able to cope if something happened to you.” Then she pressed a desperate kiss to Tally’s lips as if she might disappear at any moment. After several moments she pulled away. “I’m not always good at expressing my emotions, especially the negative ones. But I will do better for you, Tally. I don’t ever want to make you feel that way again. Can you forgive me?”
“Already forgiven,” Tally murmured sleepily as she lay her head back on Sarah’s chest, listening to her heartbeat. Any energy she had gained today had been spent on that sparring session.
Sarah scooped her up easily. “Let’s get you back to bed, sweet one.” Tally hummed and mumbled some unintelligible response as her head lulled against Sarah’s shoulder. Sarah sweetly got them both into some night clothes. Tally fell asleep the second that she was safely wrapped up in her lover’s arms.
“I have questions,” Tally said after she woke again in the afternoon to find Sarah sitting in the bed next to her, once again reading.
Sarah started, seemingly not having realized that Tally had woken. “I may have answers.”
“That voice in my vision… she knew your name… who was that? I’ve heard her voice before but I can’t remember where.”
Quiet for a moment, she looked like she was pondering how best to answer. “Some call her the mother… others the goddess. She knows all of our names, true and given.”
“What do you think is in this cave?”
“It could be a great number of things. It wasn’t very clear this time.” Sarah explained, closing her book and setting it to the side.
“What can you tell me about the mines?”
“We have tried many times to make it into the mountain. It is well guarded and over time, they have developed weapons and protections against our magic.” Sarah sighed heavily and looked weary; this was something she had clearly worried over for years. “At one point, I heavily considered destroying the entire mountain just to spare them any more pain since we couldn’t get them out. But they would either re-open the mines or move to another location that might take us years to find. So we have instead focused on intercepting the transports and for the vast majority, we are successful. Not very many have slipped through.”
Tally pondered this information and what it meant. She could sense how this had weighed on Sarah over the years. In an instant, she felt as though that weight transferred to her. The goddess had said she was the key, but what if she failed them? “Do you think I’ll actually be able to do something?”
Sarah looked down and Tally knew she was doing that thing where she read her like a book. Turning slightly, she reached down and pulled the hand that Tally was unconsciously biting the nails of away from her teeth and laced their fingers together. “I think that even after doing something that has never been done before… like reaching through space and maybe even time itself to plant a seed in someone's mind… you still have no idea how powerful you truly are.”
“You might be right,” Tally admitted, as she looked at their intertwined fingers.
“Of all the people you have met since leaving your home, who do you think has the biggest well?” Sarah asked gently.
“You,” Tally answered easily.
“Correct. Now list the rest in the order you think they fall,” Sarah instructed softly.
“Nicte, Khalida, Petra, Nessa, Anacostia, Izadora, Raelle, and Abigail. But Raelle and Abigail’s have gotten bigger since I arrived I think.” Tally rattled off easily.
“Good, there are a few people missing, but the order is correct. And Abigail and Raelle are still young like you so you are correct they have gotten stronger. Your well can continue growing as you age. It does slow down the older you get though. Now, where do you think that you fall in that order?”
Tally was silent for a long moment unsure how to figure this out. She could sense other people's wells and she knew how big hers felt on the inside but not on the outside. “I’m not sure.”
“Best guess then,” Sarah nudged gently.
“Maybe just above Raelle?”
Sarah laughed softly and raised Tally’s hand to her lips where she pressed a kiss to the skin of her knuckles. “Try just above Nicte.”
Silent for a long moment, Tally was unsure if she had heard correctly. “Pardon?”
“You my little witch have the second largest well of power of all the witches that have ever set foot in Fort Salem. Depending on how your own well continues to grow, you may someday match or surpass me.” Sarah informed her and watched as her words settled into Tally.
“That can’t be right. I’m just-”
“Don’t say you’re just Tally like it means you aren’t powerful. When you finish training and mastering your power, you will be the second most powerful witch alive… that we know of at least.”
Tally said nothing, trying to process what this meant. Sarah let her process for a moment longer. It was after all a lot to wrap one's head around. “So I really might be able to kick Nicte’s ass someday?”
A loud laugh left Sarah at this being the first thing that Tally said. “Yes my dear, especially if you master your sight a little more and can use it to predict movements. I have no doubt that you could. You might even be able to thrash me some day, I’d dearly love someone a little more challenging to spar with.”
“Why haven’t you sparred with me yet? Or be the one to train me?” Tally asked curiously.
“I didn’t want to be the one to train you. Or the only one to train you.”
“Should I be offended?”
“No, I-,” Sarah began as she seemed to be trying to find the right words. “I have cared deeply for you since the beginning. As you know, training can be quite brutal and intense. When I began to suspect that you might feel the same for me, I did not want to complicate it anymore for you. I wanted the relationships of mentor, teacher, and love interest to stay separate for you. That of course does not mean that I will never train you. Obviously, I already have in some areas. But I- did not want to be the one to brutally whip you into shape. I am notoriously a ruthless teacher.”
“You didn’t want to be the one to break my nose every day?”
“Exactly, I have no desire to harm that beautiful face of yours.”
Tally smiled fondly up at the witch and climbed out from under the covers and straddled her lover as she slowly began tracing patterns across Sarah’s exposed skin.
“I think I only have one more question,” Tally mused, distracted once again by the older witch's beauty.
“Only one? I don’t believe it,” Sarah teased, lifting a hand to tuck a strand of stray hair behind Tally’s ear.
“Ha. Ha.” Tally quipped, rolling her eyes playfully. “The powder. Do you know what it is or how it was able to trap me?”
Sarah suddenly looked almost haunted as if the mere memory of that moment shook her. She pulled Tally down and held her tightly.
“I’m alright. You saved me… again. I think it is my turn to save you next time.”
A watery chuckle left the brunette and she said hoarsely. “You’ve already saved me, sweet one.” She paused and Tally was about to ask when but Sarah continued. “They have always had some form of weapons made specifically to fight us or prevent us from using our magic. But, over the years, they have perfected them. Izadora believes that the powder was a refined version of what they have been using to craft their weapons. We are uncertain how it was able to trap your mind… the only theory that I have is that the vision was happening at that present moment. You were viewing it as it was happening, this would mean your mind was not separated by time.”
Thoughtful for a moment before she spoke again. “So I should proceed with caution if I were ever to have another vision with them.”
“You should proceed with caution in all of your visions… please.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good girl.”
Tally hummed and pressed a kiss to Sarah’s cheek. “I will do my very best to not scare you so much ever again.”
A soft chuckle left Sarah and she gave her a tight squeeze. “I would greatly appreciate it. That level of stress can’t be good for my health. I am an antique you know.”
Tally sat up and smiled down adoringly at Sarah. “I’ll keep that in mind, ancient one.” She giggled before her face turned to something more sincere. “I wanted to say thank you for everything you did to make Beltane special for me. You were very successful not just in making Beltane enjoyable, but in making me feel so special and cared for.” She fidgeted with the fabric of Sarah’s tunic as she tried to find the right words. “That you would put forth so much effort… it means so much.” She raised one of Sarah’s hands to her mouth and pressed gentle kisses across her knuckles. “I am sad that the visions took me before I could show you how much I-” The words once again lodged in her throat. Would she ever get them out? “I’d like to show you now if you’ll let me.”
Sarah looked up at her with that knowing smile she still sometimes wore. Leaning forward, Tally captured her lover's lips and kissed her languidly. If she couldn’t say the actual words, she would have to say them some other way.
Her hands moved to cup Sarah’s jaw, thumbs running over cheeks, before sliding to tangle into dark flowing locks. One of Sarah’s hands moved to cup her cheek, the other rested over her ribs.
Tally thought back to the first time they had sex. How she had worshiped Sarah’s body the entire night, exploring every sacred inch of her. That night had been uncharted territory and she had claimed it as her own. Sarah had done the same, ruining her for all others. But in this moment, she didn’t just want to worship her… no, she wanted to cover her in the love that she felt but couldn’t yet express.
Pulling back with a smile, she noted the dazed look on Sarah’s face. Deliberately, she reached forward and tugged the string at the top of her tunic, pulling the tie free. It was like unwrapping a present… how she peeled the fabric back revealing Sarah’s collar bones. From one side to the other, she trailed fingertips across each delicate arch that seemed to reach out to her. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to each one before trailing up the column of her neck, across her jaw, and once again to those supple lips, she would never get enough of.
She almost missed the softest of whines that escaped the brunette. One hand had pulled the fabric to the side and over her shoulder. Breaking the kiss, she pressed her lips to the smooth ivory skin that had just been exposed. She was in no hurry as she made her way to the base of Sarah’s neck where she bit almost teasingly, pulling a gasp from the witch beneath her.
Lips, tongue, and teeth traversed the expanse of her neck. Nipping at her ear lobe, Tally couldn’t help the desire that pooled between her own thighs at the breathy pants and moans. Her hands slid under the hem of Sarah’s tunic and trailed loving patterns across the smooth skin beneath.
Lips were pressed together again and this time, Tally drew Sarah’s bottom lip between her teeth biting softly. A wanting whimper fell from the brunette whose hands had found purchase at the nape of Tally’s neck, the tips of her fingers tangling in copper treses. Breaking the kiss, Tally rested their foreheads together as her thumbs brushed over the skin just below the rise of Sarah’s breasts. She trailed her fingers along the border of her breasts, across the tops to circle around their sensitive centers.
Foreheads still pressed together, Sarah was desperately trying to pull Tally closer. She kept ducking her head to try to claim Tally’s lips again. But Tally just kept turning her head, keeping their foreheads resting together, teasingly denying the kiss. That was until her thumbs finally brushed over peaked nipples, pinching just enough. She ducked her own head and kissed her lover deeply, swallowing the soft moans that left her.
Tally shimmied lower and nestled between the now open thighs. Sarah was wearing nothing other than her tunic, neither of them were. Tally kissed newly unveiled skin as she pushed the fabric up, towards the breasts that were waiting to be lavished. Goddess, she hoped she lived a long life. A long life that she could spend loving Sarah. She felt such a rush of endless love for the witch whose breast she had just taken into her mouth. The one whose chest rapidly rose and fell as she threaded her fingers into her copper locks, pulling her closer.
“Tally,” Sarah panted breathlessly when she switched her attention to the other breast, trailing her tongue around and over the hardened nipple. She poured her feelings for the witch into every touch she pressed or trailed across the expanse of Sarah’s body. “Tally I-.”
Tally pulled back, leaning forward to cup the brunette’s face. Not doing a single thing to hide the love she felt that she knew must be gleaming in her dark eyes. “Sarah,” She whispered before claiming those waiting lips. She would love this woman until her very last breath, she was certain.
That bit of bright golden light in her chest seemed to be burning so brightly and only seemed to increase the intensity of her emotions. She thought about how dark and empty she had felt before meeting Sarah. Remembering that bright little flame that Sarah had placed in her palm all those months ago… how it had been the first spark of light she had felt inside herself in so long. Had she even really been living before she’d locked eyes with her? At that moment, Tally realized that Sarah had steadily set her aflame. Stoking the fire that burned within her until she shone as bright as the midday sun.
She would burn for Sarah… She did burn for Sarah.
Sarah was dragging Tally’s tunic up and over her head, letting it tumble to the floor beside the bed. Tally tugged desperately at Sarah’s tunic until it too had been stripped away. Lips locked again as two sets of hands began roving over exposed skin.
“Tally please-” Sarah breathed as her hips rolled, seeking some kind of relief.
Tally couldn’t resist and her hand found its way between Sarah’s spread thighs. She trailed her fingers along her sex, the brunette’s slick heat already quite evident. Dipping her fingers into her folds Tally couldn’t stop the moan that climbed from her throat as she discovered just how wet Sarah was.
“All for you,” Sarah panted, her hips rocking against Tally’s fingers as she desperately tried to find some friction. “Tally, I need-” Her head fell back against the pillows, dark tresses splaying around her in a dark halo.
Tally slid into her and watched as her face contorted into one of divine pleasure. She would never get tired of the way Sarah felt wrapped around her fingers. The rhythm she set was slow and deep as she plunged in and out. Thinking the entire time how much she loved her. She loved her… Endlessly.
Sarah was rolling her hips in time with Tally’s thrusts keeping up as Tally slowly increased her pace. “Yes Tally,” She chanted, her walls already beginning to tighten. “More,” She begged, and Tally couldn’t help but take in the pleasure danced across her face.
Lifting one of Sarah’s knees, Tally pushed her thigh back to press against her torso, allowing her fingers to sink more deeply into her dripping core. Something between a guttural groan and a growl flew from Sarah’s lips. Tally added a third finger which had Sarah moaning without restraint. She curled them, making sure to hit that spot as she plunged in and out.
Sarah was moaning unintelligible words as she began to tighten around Tally, her body starting to go rigid. Tally pressed her palm into Sarah’s cl*t and groaned as felt Sarah explode into transcendent bliss, head thrown back, one hand gripping Tally’s neck, the other fisting the sheets as she came.
I love you, Tally thought over and over again in her head as she kept her pace steady, guiding Sarah through her org*sm, bringing her down gently. Both women breathless.
She could feel a boost in her power but what little energy Tally had was spent as she collapsed into waiting arms. Sarah rolled them so that they were both on their sides, facing each over. Gently, she captured Tally’s lips in a languid kiss. Sarah rubbed their noses together before she slowly pressed sweet kisses across Tally’s face as she floated into sleep, safe and warm in her lover's arms.
There was a rumbling in her dream that seemed oddly out of place as it had started snowing. But the sky had been clear only moments ago on the sunny beach she was sprawled out on. It was so strange how dreams could change at the drop of a hat…
Her eyes fluttered open to find that the rumbling hadn’t been in her dream at all. It was coming from right beside her and goddess it was cold in here.
Oh!
Rolling over she found the source of the violent rumble of power. Frost and ice were slowly creeping across the cabin, spreading from the point of origin that was curled into a tight little ball.
“Sarah, you’re dreaming, my love,” Tally said gently as she wrapped her warm body around the icy witch. Small tufts of steam were rolling up from her own body into the frigid air. “Sarah, wake up.”
A broken wine left the older witch and Tally’s heart clenched. Never having heard or seen Sarah show an ounce of fear or uncertainty in all their time together. A violent need to soothe and protect surged through her at the sound.
“My love, it’s okay. I’m here.” Tally said, planting kisses across the bare shoulder, both still naked from their activities the night before. Small flecks of snow were indeed falling in the frigid cabin. Gently, Tally shook her and watched in relief as blue eyes popped open and she took a deep shuddering breath. “You’re alright. You’re safe.”
Another shuddering breath left Sarah as she covered her face in her hands for a moment. Waving a hand through the air, the ice and frost seemed to flow back into her body and she hummed a seed that warmed the room. “I’m sorry.” She whispered, unable to look at Tally it seemed.
Oh, this won’t do, Tally thought and rolled the witch to face her. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I could have given you frostbite,” Sarah murmured through shut eyes.
“Doubtful, It seems I’m made of fire. Feel how warm I am right now.” Tally said, taking Sarah’s hand and placing it on her chest. “Are you alright?”
Sarah nodded but the tear that leaked out of her closed eyes contradicted this.
“Was it a bad dream or a memory?” Tally asked softly, and Sarah sucked in a breath. Reaching out with her mind, Tally swirled her power around Sarah’s mental shield. She realized it was currently made of impenetrable ice. Usually, it felt like a storm or endless night. How odd that hers changed depending on her mood it seemed… she wondered what hers felt like it was made of from the outside. Did hers change?
Sarah sighed and wiggled closer to Tally who wrapped her arms around her and pulled the covers tightly around them.
“It was both,” Sarah finally admitted from where she was nestled under Tally’s chin.
“Would you like to talk about it?” Tally asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, not missing the sniff from the older witch who was crying silent tears. How like her to carry everyone else’s burdens but try to suffer on her own in silence.
“We can just say it’s a bad memory,” Sarah whispered, clearly not wanting to risk using her voice lest it betray her further.
“You can talk to me, Sarah. You help me with all of my worries and fears. Maybe you could let me help with yours?” Tally nudged gently, running her hand through the silky dark curls, massaging and scratching her scalp.
Sarah was quiet for a long time as she clung to Tally. After a while, she pulled away and went to the cabinet where she kept her stash of whiskey. Pouring herself the largest glass Tally had ever seen. She downed half of it, took the blanket from the bed, and motioned for Tally to follow. She went to the window seat and nodded her head for Tally to sit. She did and Sarah slid between her legs to lay back against her chest. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon, painting the world in pinks and yellows as it chased away the night.
After a long while, Sarah spoke. “You’ve seen the faded scars on my back. Long, long ago- I wasn’t much older than you are now I don’t think- I went out on a mission. It was mostly just me then. Before the others found their way to Salem. It went very badly and I was captured. I didn’t escape for years…” Sarah’s voice was shaky, haunted by whatever memories she was only sharing the surface of.
Tally pressed a kiss into her hair and listened, aching for all the things that Sarah was leaving unsaid.
“Have you wondered where my witch mark is?” Sarah asked so softly that it was almost lost amongst the sounds of the ship.
Tally squeezed Sarah a little tighter. “I have. I just assumed that I have been too distracted and that it is somewhere discreet.”
“It was on my back, in between my shoulder blades over my spine… under the longest and deepest of the scars.” Tally’s breath caught. “My back used to look like such a mangled mess.”
“What did your mark look like?” Tally asked softly, running a hand over Sarah’s dark hair.
“Abigail described it as somehow looking like both a tree branch and a lightning bolt,” Sarah whispered and pushed an image to Tally. A gentle hand- it must have been Abigail’s- traced the mark that lay right where Sarah had said.
Pressing another kiss into dark hair again Tally had to agree. “It is an accurate description.”
“I agree. The point is that things were done to me during that time that I- That still haunt me.”
Tally ran her fingers soothingly through Sarah’s hair, uncertain what to say. Of course, something like that would linger in some ways… even after so much time.
“All of it has faded over the years with the scars. It doesn’t usually affect me. But I have this recurring dream that has followed me since. In reality, after years of abuse and violations, I escaped and made it back to Salem.” Sarah took another sip of her whisky, her hand shaking ever so slightly. “In the dream, just as I’m about to escape, something always happens and I don’t… I get dragged back into that place and I lose all hope until I wake.” She wiped another silent tear away and took another shaky sip of her whiskey. “It truly doesn’t bother me anymore until I have the dream and feel that sense of hopelessness. I was so close to breaking when I finally escaped. And feeling that hopelessness just brings it all back up like it was yesterday. As if I’m still the young, lost, and broken thing I was then.”
Tally opened the door in her mind and whispered against the icy shield. “Come come.”
Some of Sarah’s presence emerged from the ice and Tally encircled her and pulled her gently back into her own mind where she doused Sarah’s presence in all of the comfort, love, and acceptance she could muster. A gasp left Sarah and she… melted. Tally could feel her just basking in the emotions she wrapped her in.
“Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so sorry that happened to you, but I’m so proud of you for not letting it break you. You are so strong and still so giving even after going through so much. I just- I’m proud that you're mine. Thank you for trusting me.” Tally murmured against the dark curls.
No other words were needed.
Well, Tally could have said she loved Sarah… she could feel it flowing through her very blood and sitting in the back of her throat… but the words still did not come. So she bathed Sarah’s presence in it instead, hoping she understood.
Tally slept a tremendous amount for several days. Apparently, using over half your well of power in one go is both incredibly dangerous and terribly exhausting. She would have little bouts of energy here and there, but suddenly she would wilt, as though it just evaporated. Sarah always seemed to know when she was about to crash. Just as she began to sway, Sarah would appear and scoop her up and take her back to bed. If she was already in the cabin, she would just watch with that knowing smile as Tally staggered to the bed and collapsed.
“This is getting very cumbersome. I’ll feel fine and back to normal and poof, nap time.” Tally whined as she burrowed under the covers. “I vow to never use so much magic at once ever again. It’s not worth the recovery. I’m useless!”
A low chuckle escaped Sarah and rumbled across the room. “I would not say useless. I seem to recall you doing some very useful things with your tongue just this morning.”
Tally gasped and popped her sleepy head up. “I will always have the energy to be useful in that way. You’re irresistible and you know it.”
“Is that so?” Sarah asked and watched as Tally sank back into the bed, fading quickly. “I imagine you’ll be mostly back to normal by the time we reach our destination.”
There was a soft knock on the door as Sarah smiled and flicked her finger to open it. Raelle and Abigail poked their heads in and smiled before scurrying over to the bed.
“She’s wilting I’m afraid. You’re welcome to stay with her. I should make an appearance above deck anyways.” Sarah said before getting up and striding out of the room.
“Tally, you’re such a sleepy girl this week,” Abigail teased softly as she peered down at Tally’s sleepy form.
Tally mumbled something and patted the bed next to her. Abigail and Raelle climbed in, sandwiching her between them.
“We have something we need to discuss with you, Tally,” Raelle said, poking Tally until she was more awake.
“What?” Tally mumbled, opening her sleepy eyes.
“When is your birthday?” Abigail asked, running her fingers through Tally’s hair.
“Quit, you'll put her to sleep doing that,” Raelle chided, batting Abigail’s hand away.
“I don’t have a birthday,” Tally grumbled, and shut her eyes.
“Oh, that’s funny. When is it?” Abigail pressed, tickling underneath her arms slightly.
“I’m not telling,” Tally growled and clamped her arms tightly to her sides.
Raelle pressed her nose to Tally’s and stared right into her eyes. “We want to make your first birthday with us special. Why don’t you want to tell us?”
“Much like Beltane, it wasn't on a day that we could really celebrate without fear,” Tally muttered, realizing she’d said too much.
Abigail hummed and she and Raelle shared a look. “I told you it would be wise to wait until she was half asleep. Tally dear, were you born on one of our sacred sabbats?”
“No,” Tally lied, and Raelle just grinned.
“This narrows it down significantly. You might as well tell us, Tally.” Raelle urged, their noses still pressed together.
“No, I have revealed enough. Good luck figuring it out.” Tally replied resolutely.
They tried to drag it out of her but she wouldn’t budge. She hated her birthday and it didn’t feel right to celebrate it now, not while her mother was still trapped in hell. She loved her sisters, but this was not something she wanted to continue discussing so she pretended to fall asleep.
Sarah’s footsteps could be heard down the hall and Tally pushed her a thought. “Make them leave please.”
Her steps did not hesitate as she strode through the open door. “Ladies, I will be needing the room back.”
They clambered out of the bed, careful not to jostle the form they thought was sleeping.
“She won’t tell us. You have to find out.” Raelle said insistently to Alder.
“We narrowed it down. It’s on a sabbat.” Abigail explained, also quite insistently.
“What exactly is it ?” Alder inquired, clearly not up to speed on the interrogation Tally had just been through.
“Her birthday of course!” Raelle whispered adamantly.
“It’s up to you. We have to celebrate her first birthday free of that place. It doesn’t have to be excessive but she should get presents and a cake at the very least.” Abigail whispered insistently.
“I see, and what makes you think she will tell me?”
“Come on Alder. Really? You are sleeping together. Get creative!” Abigail barked quietly as they left, shutting the door softly behind them.
Tally opened her eyes and saw Sarah already looking back and making her way to the bed.
“I’ll tell you when mine is if you tell me yours first,” She said with a knowing smirk.
“I don’t want to celebrate it,” Tally mumbled, burrowing under the covers.
“Okay, you don’t have to. Tell me anyway.” Sarah pressed, curiosity evident in her voice.
“It’s on a sabbat. That’s all you need to know.” Tally said resolutely.
“Mine is also on a sabbat.”
This caught Tally’s attention and she peeked out from under the covers to find Sarah smirking down at her. Brown eyes narrowed. “Which one?”
“Oh no, if I don’t get to know yours you don’t get to know mine,” Sarah teased and sighed mournfully. “I suppose we will just never know when to give each other birthday sex.”
This had Tally perking up a little more. “Birthday sex?”
Sarah nodded, maintaining her woeful expression. “Birthday sex.”
Tally looked thoughtful for a moment. “No party and you tell no one?”
Sarah’s eyes were well and truly twinkling now as she made a little cross over her heart. “Promise.”
“I may or may not have been born on the summer solstice,” Tally mumbled, not meeting Sarah’s eyes.
Sarah gasped in excitement. “Mine is the winter solstice.”
Tally smiled and looked up at Sarah then. “Sun and moon?”
“Sun and moon,” Sarah returned before climbing on top of Tally and claiming her lips in a gentle kiss. “You have always been like sunlight to me. I should have known you would be born on the longest day of the year.” She looked at Tally with an expression of such affection that Tally temporarily forgot how to breathe.
When they finally reached the cave, they cleared it in a matter of minutes. The enchantments had decayed long ago, along with any traps. Tally could feel the echos of the blood magic that had once been. It was clear that whatever creature had been guarding the piece had long since perished. Were it not for the footprints already in the mud and debris of the cave floor, one would have assumed that nothing had set foot in here for many years.
The first sign that the King’s men had been there was the helmet that Anacostia found on the beach. The second was the obvious trail that they had broken through the forest. But moving through the cave had been the worst part. Every step, knowing that they hadn’t been fast enough.
The piece of the map was indeed gone. The empty pedestal mocked them all as they approached. All were forlorn, but none so much as Tally. Tears had burned her eyes the whole way there, knowing that they had failed, she had failed. As the only one with second sight, it was up to her to have the visions. Up until this point she had assumed that the visions must indeed come from the goddess herself. While that might be true, perhaps she could still learn to control them. Maybe the goddess only sent them because Tally had failed to conjure them herself. At the sight of the empty pedestal, she was consumed by disappointment and self-hate.
There was a spark of something like hope in her chest and warmth but she ignored it. Turning before anyone else she left on near-silent hurried footsteps. Minutes later, Sarah materialized beside her and walked along with her.
Her power brushed along Tally’s mental shield but she didn’t want Sarah to know what a toxic place her mind had become over the last several hours. Throwing Sarah a half smile she tried to keep the negative thoughts to herself.
“Straight to the mines?” Tally asked, turning her eyes to the approaching waterfall.
Sarah studied Tally’s face, some of her power still brushing along the outside of her mind. “Yes, that is the plan.”
“Great,” Tally murmured, as they walked through the mouth of the cave, the water tumbling down to the pool below. Pausing she watched the rushing water, occasionally catching glimpses of what lay beyond. There was something rather magical here. Sarah’s arms wrapped around her from behind, resting her chin on Tally’s shoulder.
“This isn’t your fault,” Sarah assured her. “We should have sailed ahead of The Melody and gotten here before them. That was my error. But we will get the piece back. We will have them all by the end of this.”
“I should learn to summon them on my own. Then maybe the goddess wouldn’t have to fling me into them at the last minute.”
“Oh, sweetheart. That would not be something so easily mastered. This most special of gifts is different for each user. You mustn’t place the weight of all this on your shoulders alone.” Sarah said insistently, doing her best to reassure and soothe her.
“It’s difficult when I’m the only one that can find them. I’m letting every witch out there down. People are suffering and if I don’t have the visions there is no peace… it will just go on like this forever until we are all in cuffs or collars or dead.” Tally admitted as she stood limply in Sarah’s arms, feeling utterly defeated by her own negative emotions.
“You are not responsible for the lives of all witches. None of us are. We can only keep working towards our goal. Tally, the piece is not lost forever. We missed it today, but all hope is not lost. We still have Petra and her web of spies. Trust us, we will not get everything right every time but we get to try again. It’s not just you who has a role to play.” Sarah said, taking Tally’s hand and guiding her out from behind the waterfall.
Tally was silent for some time as she tried to let Sarah’s words settle and nullify the negative thoughts that lingered. “How did you do it? Before everyone else came?”
They strode through the woods, the trees stretching up high above them, the forest floor surprisingly clear here. The others were somewhere behind them.
Sarah looked thoughtful for a moment and glanced up at the tiny specks of blue that could just be seen through the canopy above. “It was truly the worst and loneliest part of my life. I made little progress. Powerful though I may be, it is impossibly difficult to take on the world and win on one's own. I did not make any real progress until the Bellweather’s found their way to Salem. They were the first ones to truly understand what needed to be done and were willing to fight alongside me. But it took me years to truly begin to rely on someone else for help. I can be quite prideful.”
“What changed?”
“Petra. When they arrived, she was just a cute little toddler. But she grew up and when she had mastered her own power, she sought me out.” A chuckle left her. “Told me that I was an idiot and that she was tired of watching everything eat me alive. She told me that I could either train her as my second or she would become my rival.” Alder shook her head at the memory.
“What did you say?”
“Well, first I windstriked her across the beach but she came right back and gave me the first challenging fight I’d had in years. She has tempered over the years but back then, she was much like Abigail. Her tenacity and audacity knew no bounds.” Sarah paused in thought. “I was awake that whole night and I finally realized that I couldn’t carry it all alone anymore. The next morning, I found Petra and we went on a mission. It went smoothly and if I recall, she actually saved my life. We just kept building and working after that. Then more and more people showed up. After many years, she began recruiting the ones she deemed intelligent and powerful enough for the task.”
Tally pondered for a long moment and asked curiously. “Were you ever more than friends?”
Alder laughed loudly. “Goddess no. Her purpose in my life has always been to knock me down a peg, temper my pride, and help build a world that is safe for witches. The reel has paired us together a time or two for Beltane, but that is the extent of our romantic entanglements.”
“Was she good in bed? She has three husbands. I feel like that means something.” Tally inquired with a chuckle.
Alder laughed again. “She is quite insatiable. I will give her that. However, she is not my favorite Beltane partner.”
Tally gasped and her eyes went wide as she studied the witch. “Who is?!” There was a twinkle of mirth in those blue eyes which had Tally leaping into her arms, legs wrapping tightly around her waist.
“Who do you think, dearest?” Alder rasped as her lips found their way to Tally’s neck.
“Five hundred years is a lot of Beltane partners. How could I even guess?”
Sarah nipped at Tally’s earlobe and hummed into her ear. “Because it’s the only person that matters now. The only person I want the rest of my Beltane’s to be with.”
A blush bloomed across her chest and cheeks as she took in the implication. “You want that with me?”
“Yes,” Sarah said, pulling back and smiling fondly, though desire was clear in her darkened eyes.
“Sarah-,” Tally began but she had no words. She wanted that too, more than anything but words failed her. Sarah’s confession had rendered her speechless. Tally hadn’t really noticed that Sarah had kept moving until her back hit the trunk of a tree. She had no more time to think because Sarah’s lips were on hers, plundering them… claiming them.
“I want you morning, noon, and night,” Sarah purred along the outside of Tally’s mind. “I want every sabbat with you.” Tally opened the door in her mind and Sarah blew in and their minds tangled together. “I want you, Tally.” Sarah had quickly undone the button of Tally’s pants, long fingers already sliding through slick heat to plunge inside her core. “Everything. I want everything with you, Tally.” Her fingers were now pumping in and out as their lips stayed locked in a desperate all consuming kiss. The tree dug painfully into Tally’s spine, but she didn’t care. Too lost in the feeling of Sarah moving inside of her. “I want my weekends, sunrises, and sunsets to be with you. Every adventure I want you by my side.”
The moans that were leaving both witches were absolutely sinful. Tally broke away, gasping for air, but Sarah did not relent as she lay siege to Tally’s neck. Sarah drove her fingers into her curling them to hit that place that had Tally unraveling. Her limbs grew weak as she clung to Sarah’s shoulders. “Sarah,” She moaned, pouring her own desire for everything Sarah had just said into her consciousness. “I want it all with you,” She practically pleaded in her mind, begging the goddess that they would both make it through what was to come. Hoping that they would indeed get everything they wanted. That her wish on that shooting star would come true so that Sarah could be happy.
Alder growled in approval as she sucked on Tally’s pulse point as her palm rubbed against the swollen bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. “Tell me again.”
“I want you, Sarah!” Tally moaned loudly, hurtling towards her beautiful release. “I want you and only you.” Tally poured the blinding sensations she was feeling and her burning want for Sarah into the forefront of her mind, wrapping Sarah’s presence in it.
The brunette groaned and seemed to falter for just a moment. Then she picked up the pace, hitting as deeply as she could in this position. Tally could swear she felt a tremble in the witch who was knuckle deep in her. She continued pouring every good feeling and desire she had into her consciousness, flooding the piece of Sarah’s consciousness with it. “Tally, I-”
Tally was rolling her hips into the thrusts and as she came hard, gushing around Sarah’s fingers, she threw one more feeling into her consciousness… love that she had for Sarah but was still too afraid to verbally acknowledge. A whimpering moan left the witch whose lips had once again found hers as she shuddered and came along with Tally, pouring her own pleasure back into Tally’s mind.
They were a shaking panting mess after they came down. Both dazed. Both gripping and holding onto the other tightly. “How do you do that?”
Sarah was still panting, attempting to regain control of her extremities. “Do what dearest?”
“Always know the right thing to say?”
“Five hundred years of practice? But it’s easier with you.” Sarah breathed as she nuzzled into Tally’s neck sweetly. Then she was peppering soft kisses against the exposed skin of Tally’s neck, her cheeks, her nose, and at last her lips. Tally basked in the affection. “You are so precious to me, Sunshine.”
“You mean the world to me,” Tally whispered shyly in her own mind as she snuggled into Sarah’s embrace.
They stayed sweetly in each other's arms for some time, resting in the afterglow of sex and sweet confessions. Losing themselves in one another for a time as they let the world fall away for just a moment.
