Nystri climbed up and over the front of Amorastra's shoulder then stood on her knees above Amorastra's sternum. Nystri's hips rose just slightly above Amorastra's chin. Amorastra brought a hand up and held it against Nystri's back then slid herself up the hammock. Her head was tilted down more and she was able to look into Nystri's eyes. Amorastra's eyes sparkled and she bit her lower lip. Her breathing was light and easy. Nystri could feel the warmth from her nostrils. 

Nystri tried to swallow her anxiety and doubt, "Am'ai, I—" She faltered and looked away, then back with pleading eyes. 

Amorastra's smile spoke to Nystri. Spoke of patience and kindness and admiration and— most of all—love. She rubbed her fingers over Nystri's back. "You want more, but you're unsure what that means," Amorastra said.

Nystri reached across her body and squeezed her shoulder, "Partly. I've lived many years yet have never known romance. I have read of it, though. I found many old correspondences in the royal library. Lovers separated by great distance. Those words roused a hunger inside of me. A hunger I had to try and sate by myself late at night in my chambers."

"Oh, my Queen." Amorastra tilted her head forward a little more until her brow was flush against Nystri's forehead and her nose rubbed on Nystri's chest. She brought her other hand up and firmly held Nystri from each side. Nystri closed her eyes and pushed herself into the embrace, reaching out with both hands to hold Amorastra's cheeks. 

Amorastra kissed Nystri's stomach over her clothes. "I'm sorry you had to endure those lonely nights. I'm here now, and we shall prepare a feast so grand as to satisfy any hunger." As she spoke into Nystri's stomach each word resonated throughout her body, sending little shudders along every muscle. She hugged Amorastra tighter and felt Amorastra's lips press further into her stomach.

Her legs quavered and her chest vibrated—partly due to her hammering heart, and partly because her wings were beating hard, pushing herself further into the embrace. Amorastra pulled back, but Nystri held tighter and beat her wings even faster. She could feel the curl of Amorastra's smile spreading well past the span of her torso.

Nystri took a deep unsteady breath. Then another. Her wings stilled.

Amorastra's thumbs began to massage the back of her shoulders. "All's well, Nys. Don't rush." Her voice was low and quiet, then she began to hum. A melody Nystri had never heard. A melody no one had ever heard until that moment. A melody shared between lovers.

Each note seemed to squeeze through the cracks of Nystri's fear until those notes filled her, like a jug of wine filling a glass. Her legs steadied, and her heart slowed. Nystri began to sing wordlessly. Her high voice a counterpoint to Amorastra's hum, as if their souls already knew every jot of the music. 

Their song ended on a long note each held. The simple harmony of two.

They giggled together and Nystri said, "That was beautiful, Am'ai. Thank you."

"You are quite welcome, my Queen."

Nystri started to sink slowly further on her knees. She kissed the tip of Amorastra's nose, then sat fully on her knees. She was eye level with Amorastra's lips. Deep purple with an undertone of pink.

She placed a hand over those lips again. Her palm against the bottom, and fingers curling around the top. She caressed the gentle curve of that upper lip with her thumb, then ran her whole hand along them, as you might to smooth out a silken sheet on a bed that was already perfectly smooth. Just to enjoy the feel of it.

She could feel the heat and wetness of Amorastra's breath against her skin. She looked up to seek reassurance from Amorastra's eyes, but found them closed. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes, as well.

She raised her other hand and pressed each into the sides of her lips, then leaned forward. Her forehead made contact first, then her lips. Amorastra's lips puckered and she pressed herself a little more into them, massaging with her hands as she let the kiss engulf her face. She rubbed her face on on Amorastra's lips, exhaling sighs of pleasure.

Slowly, tentatively, her hands tugged at Amorastra's lower lip. Their kiss slowed and Amorastra's lips parted. Nystri rested her forehead on the upper lip, peering past Amorastra's teeth as she tried to catch her breath. 

Her hands tightened around the lower lip as Nystri became aware of the tongue waiting beyond those teeth. Pink, wet, and shimmering as it undulated. She felt it calling to her. Her mind went back to that first night at the camp, as it had many times since then.

Without further hesitation she reached past Amorastra's teeth and placed her hands atop her tongue. The tongue rolled and surrounded her hands. She moved them in further, until both arms were inside her mouth, all the way to her shoulders. She moved her head up slightly as she did, resting her cheek against Amorastra's philtrum.

She playfully grabbed and wrestled with the tongue until she could take no more. "Am'ai," she said, her voice a little hoarse. "Suck on them? Like that night?"

Instantly Amorastra lips closed over Nystri's arms and she began to lightly suck. Nystri began to moan lightly, nuzzling her face against Amorastra. 

Amorastra worked over each arm throughly with her tongue, pressing and twisting, all the while the suction increased, pulling Nystri against Amorastra more and more until her breasts pressed hard into Amorastra's lower lip.

Nystri moaned louder, surprising herself, but she did not pull back. Instead, she began to move her hands again, searching for the edges of the tongue. So slippery, but she finally managed to grasp it firmly and began to pull. 

Amorastra's lips opened with a light pop as Nystri pulled the tongue further until it passed her lips. She looked down at it and Amorastra curled its tip backwards, inviting her. She knelt low and pressed her face against the pink flesh, moaning once more. Amorastra gently explored Nystri's face, then her jaw, and neck. 

Nystri suddently pulled back and raised up to stand on her knees. Her eyes were resolute as they met Amorastra's. "Am'ai. I don't just need more. I need everything." With a frantic motion she raised the hem of the long-sleeved mothwool shirt, but it was tight and stuck fast. She pulled and twisted, straining and grunting lightly, desperate to be rid of the cloth.

"The laces, love," Amorastra said with an amused gentle smile. "And relax. We've a long voyage ahead of us and you have me all to yourself."

Nystri froze at the reminder and looked away. She concentrated on the laces on the back of her shirt and whispered a word. The shirt hung loose around her petite frame and she took it by the hem once more and began to lift it, revealing the skin of her stomach. 

"Wait, Nys." Amorastra's eyes sparkled and Nystri felt the thud of Amorastra's heart through her legs. "Would you undress for me? Properly? Stand on the bed and really let me watch you. I'd offer to help, but …" Amorastra tapped her her long pointed nails together.

Nystri chuckled. She took a deep breath, then let out a shuddering sigh. "Would you really enjoy such a thing?"

Amorastra nodded slowly and licked her curled lips. "Very much so."

Nystri straighted her back and stood. She smiled back at Amorastra, "Then I shall gladly indulge you, Am'ai." She hopped onto the bed.

Amorastra let out a low hum and said, "Allow me to do the honors for you first, my Queen." Carefully she rolled out of the hanging bed. As one foot touched the ground she brought herself into a slow dancer's spin, bringing the other leg up, then extending it. As she faced Nystri she opened her eyes and smiled coyly.

"Undress? You?" Nystri laughed. "You are literally in the nude all the time. I've never seen you wear a shred of cloth, aside when you've a glamour about you."

Amorastra exhaled sharply through her nose and her smile grew. "Watch and learn, my Queen." She closed her eyes let her head lull from side to side, then let her arms rest at her side and began to sway her hips. Slowly her arms and hands began to move. Up and down her bare thighs. Side to side. Then she turned, her profile to Nystri. She bent at the knee a little and let her hand run up the back of her thigh, over the curve of her ass, onto the small of her back, then she brought it around to her stomach and up where she cupped her breast. A tiny moan escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered and she looked at Nystri through a half-lidded gaze. 

Nystri had nearly fallen as she watched and now sat at the edge of the bed, drinking in Amorastra's show. 

Amorastra smiled and let her hand finish sliding up her chest. Her other hand joined in unison pushing up across her neck. She let her head roll slowly into her hand's touch as her fingers went through her hair, finally arriving at the base of her horns. On each horn was a golden ring which Amorastra grasped tightly. She turned to face Nystri and with her hands on her head she extended her elbows as far out and back as she could, her chest pressing outward as her shoulder blades came together. She wiggled the rings loose and locked eyes with Nystri as she brought them up and around the curve of her horns. 

She took a step forward and bent at the waist bringing her face close to Nystri's. "Hold these for me, would you, love?" She kissed the side of Nystri's face and placed the two golden rings next to Nystri and stood. She began to dance slowly for Nystri once more.

Nystri suddenly recalled breath was vital to life and took several. She fanned her face and placed a hand over her chest. "I do believe I see the appeal now."

Amorastra grinned brightly and laughed, "I'm glad, Majesty. Though I would caution you." As she spoke her hands and legs flowed from pose to pose. "My performance for you is my love made manifest. It is not some standard that I have set." Her hands finally reached her head again. She tilted her tiara up and pulled it slowly from her hair.

Nystri let out a small bark of a laugh, "If it were I would be in some trouble, because I don't think I could match you even after a thousand years of practice."

"We all have our gifts, Nys. You, for instance, are a fantastic kisser, especially for your first time." Amorastra lowered the tiara onto one of the bags that Pebble had left out, then took the rings and dropped them in the center of the tiara. She then stood before Nystri and made a grand gesture, "And, thus, my Queen, am I properly nude for you at last."

Nystri began to giggle and Amorastra joined her, then lifted her from the bed and held her to her face and they spun together laughing. 

"I love you, Am'ai," Nystri said as she kissed Amorastra just below the eye. 

Amorastra rolled them back onto the bed. "As do I love you, Nys. Now, about your clothes." Amorastra tugged at the hem of Nystri's shirt."

Nystri swallowed her anxiety and doubt with ease. She slid off of Amorastra and walked just a few steps to the other edge of the bed. She looked into Amorastra's eyes and then began to imitate the beginning of Amorastra's performance. 

"Nys," Amorastra said quietly. Nystri stopped and looked down into Amorastra's eyes. She continued, "I was sincere before, you know. There is only one way in which I believe you should be imitating my performance: Be true to yourself and this manifestation of your love. I am here to receive you as you are, not as who you might think you need to be."

Nystri managed a smile and nodded. She closed her eyes, hugged herself, and breathed deep. She listened to all of the feelings raging inside of her. Fear, joy, embarrassment, love, shyness, and lust. She opened her eyes and found that she couldn't stop smiling. Amorastra looked up at her with those caring eyes. Nystri took one more deep breath and turned around, presenting her back to Amorastra.

Nystri fluttered her three wings pushing the loose shirt to her shoulders, but the laces held. She reached behind her back and slowly pulled the long laces out, then dropped them on the bed. She turned to her right and fluttered her wings again, pushing the shirt off of her shoulder. She looked down at the bed, then slowly up into Amorastra's smiling eyes.

"Very good, my Queen," Amorastra said. Then, in a lower, more sensuous voice, "Keep going, love."

Those words of encouragement flowed through Nystri's core. She smiled and licked her lips. She tilted her head and pulled at the sleeve, slowly revealing more of her arm, until the sleeve dropped free. Nystri covered her chest with her left arm and raised her right hand with its index finger out. She shook her head and her hand in unison. 

Amorastra giggled and bit her lip.

Nystri turned her back to Amorastra again, this time more quickly removing the sleeve. She turned quickly, still covering her chest and threw the shirt onto Amorastra's face.

Amorastra laughed, "That was fabu—What's wrong?"

Nystri's shoulders drooped and she looked down and away. She looked at Amorastra with shimmering eyes, "I thought I was doing so well, then you laughed at me." She looked away again.

"Nys, no. No no. Nys, my love." Amorastra reached out and ran her thumb over Nystri's face, letting it rest gently against one side. Nystri leaned into the touch. "I would never laugh at you. And you are doing well, Extremely well! And throwing the shirt was marvelously sexy! My Queen, listen to me. Mirth is a vital part of making love. Funny things will inevitably happen in moments of passion. Just a moment ago we laughed together. I always want that for us. To take those moments of joy and embrace them as another aspect of love. When we do embrace them, our laughter can only enhance our intimacy. In short: Giggles are sexy."

Nystri nuzzled Amorastra's thumb again, "I apologize. I didn't understand. Thank you, Am'ai."

"There is nothing at all to apologize for, Nys. Feeling better?"

Nystri nodded and stepped back from Amorastra's hand. She still held her hands over her chest. Nystri cleared her throat. "Now, where was I? Ah, right." She looked down into Amorastra's eyes once more and smiled as she slowly pulled her hands down revealing her small perky breasts and pert pink nipples.

"Oh, my Queen!" Amorastra sucked on her lips and gave a low hum.

Nystri's smile was a mix of joy and embarrassment. Then she raised an eyebrow and began fluttering her wings hard, leaning a little to the right for balance. She leaned back keeping one leg on the bed and the other she brought up under her. She traced her fingers up along her torso, then blew Amorastra a kiss. Amorastra's smile turned to a grin and she giggled lightly.

Nystri then extended the leg she had brought up raising it straight into the air. She bent it at the knee until she could take hold of the boot with both hands. She tried to slide it off, but it was too tight. She lost her balance and fell to her left with a soft ooph.

Before Amorastra could say anything muffled laughter came from Nystri. She pushed herself up and looked at Amorastra. Joy was plain on her face and Amorastra laughed with her. 

Amorastra leaned in and kissed Nystri's face. "I think I could actually help with the boots if you'd like, love."

"Please do," Nystri said and flipped onto her back and shifted so her feet faced Amorastra. 

Amorastra raised her eyebrows, "Now that is a nice view," she said.

"Am'ai!"

Amorastra grinned and took a firm hold of the sole of one boot. She slipped three fingers under Nystri's calf and lifted her leg a little until she could wiggle the one boot off, then the other. 

She slipped a nail under each of the mothwool socks Nystri wore and pulled them off in one motion. Then she promptly ran her tongue along the soles of Nystri's feet. Nystri's moan seemed to say that she was expecting such shenanigans. Amorastra did not push further and retreated to her previous vantage.

Nystri stayed laying on the bed, but wiggled a little until she was almost laying parallel with Amorastra. Rather than whispering to the laces of her pants she undid them one loop at a time, her eyes locked with Amorastra's. Once finished she threw the laces towards where the others lay. She raised her legs straight up, wrapping her arms under he knees. 

She finally broke eye contact with Amorastra and concentrated on the task at hand. She ran her hands over her calves to the bottom of the pants. She pulled and wiggled until the tight pants began to slide off, allowing Amorastra to see her bare hips, then ass, then the pants were ripped the rest of the way off from her legs and she threw them at Amorastra. 

This time they both laughed. 

Amorastra moved closer, eye to eye with Nystri. She was breathing a little quickly. "That was truly stupendously sexy, Nys."

Nystri giggled and kissed Amorastra's nose. 

"So," Amorastra's lips caressed the skin of Nystri's stomach and the warmth of her voice flowed around Nystri, "About that 'everything' you were asking for." Nystri felt the warm wetness of Amorastra's tongue as it barely grazed her.

Suddenly the anxiety and doubt had returned. A torrent of turmoil was sent roiling once more. "I don't know if I'm ready, Am'ai. I'm sorry. Can we keep laying like this?"

"Of course. There's no rush, Nys. I thought something like this may happen. Especially after what you told me earlier about the time you spent alone."

Nystri looked away and Amorastra brought a hand up and held it against Nystri's back.

"If you'll permit me, I do have some speculation and a suggestion."

Nystri kept looking away. "As my lover? Or as my mentor?"

"The wisdom of your mentor, with the care of your lover."

Nystri looked back at Amorastra. "Go on."

Amorastra's smile was gentle. She caressed Nystri's face and hair with her thumb. "When you told me of those lonely nights, my heart broke for you, Nys. I suspect that you having to endure decades of that loneliness in such a way has marred what you so desire. You want me. You want everything. But, as it is now within your grasp you cannot help but think of your dark echoing chambers." She let the thought settle for a moment. "Am I close?"

Nystri had held Amorastra's gaze. Her resolute eyes now bore a ring of sadness. She nodded once slowly.

Amorastra kissed Nystri's forehead. "Everything's alright now." She pressed the bridge of her nose against Nystri's forehead once more and hummed gently. 

After a few moments the turmoil that had been raging was under control once more. Nystri let out a long sigh across Amorastra's skin and kissed it once more. 

"Am'ai? You said you had a suggestion. What was it?"

Amorastra chuckled, "Ah, yes." She pulled back a little to look into Nystri's eyes. "I believe we must wash away those memories with stronger ones. We must change what it means for you to experience those sensations. Instead of anticipating loneliness you can expect joy and love."

"And how under the moon might we accomplish such a thing? It seems impossible."

"Impossible, my Queen? I doubt anything is beyond your capability. Will it be difficult? Oh, extremely. There is no doubt. There will be fear and embarrassment and emotional pain as we pull those memories from your mind so they might be replaced. But, if you can trust me, I shall see you through to the other side of this nightmare."

Nystri looked away as she scoffed and chuckled mirthlessly. "I'm sure everyone I've ever known in my life would name me a fool for trusting one from the circles. A demon princess, no less. Yet …" she looked back to Amorastra. "I do. I trust you. Tell me how I might rid myself of this burden, Am'ai. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good." Amorastra kissed Nistri's stomach and Nystri melted a little at the full warmth of her lips. "The first thing you must do is lay over there." Amorstra nodded towards the side of the bed.

Nystri reluctantly pulled away from their embrace and crawled a ways, then laid down on her side facing Amorastra. "Like this?"

"Start on your back, I think. Good. Now just breathe deep and try to think of nothing. Yes, like that. Just your breath and my voice. That's all there is in the world. Your breath and my voice…" 

Amorastra continued directing her as Nystri tried to keep her mind blank. Yet, thoughts kept creeping in. She shooed each one away. Amorastra's voice made the task easier. 

"Now, my love. Send your mind back. Remember. Keep breathing. Keep your eyes closed. Just remember. Remember a cool moonlit night where the hunger was strongest."

Nystri frowned a little, then did as Amorastra said. She remembered a night more than fifty years prior. Yet, it was as though the memory had brought her back to that moment. 

She was in her chambers in Locks'navia. She wore a light lavendar robe. A cold breeze blew in from the open balcony window. She shivered and pulled the robe more tightly around herself. She stepped onto the balcony and looked out on the city. The lights of the Festival of Tides were bright and cheery down in the valley. Yet, by the time the light reached her she felt only frost and solitude. She cursed the nobles. She cursed Yu'Trellum. She cursed the moon itself for choosing her. 

She stared up at that cursed moon. As she was bathed in its silvery light she felt the malice she had tried to stoke cool and go out. She turned and went inside, closing the balcony doors without a second look at the festival.

She paced the floor of her chambers, then crawled into bed. She laid flat on her back, arms and legs sprawled out. She stared at the ceiling. She tried to review the agenda for the next day. 

Instead, she thought of the letters she had found. She thought of how the duchess had described the longing she felt for the touch of her lover. Nystri thought of how the duchess had told her lover what she wanted the next time they met. About where his tongue belonged. Her eyes were unfocused and she closed them. Her mind wandered. As did her hand. 

She slipped her hand inside her robe and lightly raked the inside of her thigh with her nails. As she moved her hand up she could feel her own heat and her hand snapped upward and a needful tiny grunt passed her lips. With two fingers she deeply, slowly, rubbed her clitoris. It wasn't enough. It never was. She moved her fingers faster and moans began to fill her chambers. Moans of pleasure, yes, but mixed with the pain of loneliness. 

Her other hand joined the first, then she slipped a single finger inside. The hot wetness sounded lightly as she moved her finger in and out, then pressed up and rubbed in small fast circles. Her moans grew just a little louder and she arched her back, getting close.

Suddenly the cool night air was pushed out by the heat of a hot summer gale. And the loneliness of her moans evaporated away at the sound of a soothing sonorous voice.

"Very good, my Queen. Just like that. Hold onto that memory and together we shall extract it and render it powerless. Keep going." Amorastra kissed the side of Nystri's face. Nystri pulled her head back exposing her slender neck. Amorastra wasted no time in wrapping lips over it and placing her tongue on Nystri's pulse point. Nystri's heartbeat was frantic as she continued to rub and press. 

Amorastra's hands gently held each side of Nystri's body, keeping her in place as Amorastra adjusted her position on the bed. She was on all fours and bent low, kissing Nystri's shoulder, then her chest just above the sternum. She used her thumbs to press against the sides of Nystri's chest, which brought her breasts together. Amorastra ran her tongue over them, then took both into her lips, sucking gently as her tongue flicked each nipple. 

"Am'ai!" the loneliness from her moans was gone, replaced by desperate lust. Amorastra slid her tongue down Nystri's tummy and as it touched her arm she stopped rubbing and grabbed Amorastra's tongue with both hands and lifted herself up. Her moan turned into a roar as the tongue pressed against her. 

Amorastra held her tongue steady, letting her Queen guide her, only moving one hand under Nystri's back for support. Nystri's breath was ragged and she was moaning as much as grunting as she ground her hips into the huge tongue pressed between her thighs. 

Amorastra quickly picked up on the rhythm of Nystri's needsome lust and undulated her tongue in time with Nystri's hips. Nystri wrapped her legs around the tongue, and her grasp was still fierce as her nails dug into it.

She went faster as her desperation grew. "Ah! Am'ai! I love you!" she screamed as the climax wracked her body. Her thighs locked tighter around Amorastra's tongue and she spasmed on the bed for several moments before she finally released it. 

Her body was covered in sweat and her hair was damp. She felt Amorastra's skin rubbing on her side. She turned into the touch, groping with one hand until she found Amorastra's face. She finally opened her eyes and found Amorastra watching her closely. Her smile was wide and proud.

"How are you feeling, Nys?"

Nystri's eyes were unfocused. She opened her mouth, "Ah, gloold. Ugh." Her tongue felt leaden and she was still light headed.

"I'm glad." Amorastra kissed Nystri's stomach and snuggled closer.

A long moment of peace passed and Nystri said, "Am'ai. That. That was more than anything I had ever dreamed. And whatever memory I was thinking of? I couldn't tell you anything about it now." She laughed.

Amorastra smiled from ear to ear. "That is as it should be, Nys. Together we'll heal that wounded heart, one memory at a time." Amorastra nuzzled Nystri as she reached out to hug her lover.

They kept laying quietly, enjoying the afterglow together. Nystri said, "You know. It occurs to me that you already pulled a broken wing from my back. I suppose it's only appropriate that you pull every last leech of a memory from my mind." She sighed contentedly and her eyes began to close, then shot open. She pushed herself up. "Am'ai! I didn't make you feel good at all!"

Amorastra suppressed a chuckle, "I assure you, my Queen. I am more than satisfied. Besides, my anatomy is, shall we say, more complicated. You shall know all my secrets in time, I promise you that. And I am very much looking forward to your explorations." She bit her lip and smiled. "For now? Rest easy, my love. You've worked hard."

Nystri huffed, but knew Amorastra was right. That little session had taken more out of her than she wanted to admit. "Very well," she pouted. "Oh! There's something I wanted to try now that we have matching attire." 

Amorastra raised an eyebrow as Nystri stood and stepped onto her shoulder, then laid down with her head against Amorastra's neck. She hooked one arm around her shoulder, and her hand traced Amorastra's spine. Her other hand rested on a collar bone and her legs dangled between her breasts.

"Oh, Majesty! Brilliant." Amorastra brought her hands up and let the palm of one cup around Nystri's legs and ass, with her fingers resting along her back. The other hand simply stroked Nystri's hair until she fell into a blissful fulfilled sleep.