Existence was an abject haze of regret, nausea and pain as Drell emerged through the slipstream, stretched thin by the sensation of falling. Naught remained within her stomach for her to violently vacate, a small mercy for which she gave thanks to the Thrones Above.

Another groan torn from her lips, she righted herself with no little amount of help from the steel wall. Betrayal came from beneath as her own legs swayed, unsteady as the floor seemed to quake. This too passed, and the orc halfbreed righted herself once more. Thrones willing, she would not need to slipstream anymore, at least within the next foreseeable while.

Faint noises drifted to her ears as Drell stood and panted, barely kept upright. The past few days had pushed her body to its breaking point, and she intended to push it no further. She neared the final destination now, and it seemed a foe impossible to overcome. The crash of steel on steel brutally invaded her ears once, another wince wrung forth.

Tired eyes gazed at the doorway which led to the ship's lower level, in vain search of the disturbance. Drell grunted, heaved herself off the wall and limped past it. Whatever trouble the trio had uncovered now, they could deal with it themselves. They were big boys and girls, and all that.

For now, nothing mattered but Veska.

The crimson-skinned woman lay exactly as Drell had left her, unmoved and breathless. The hole within her chest gaped, it's very sight enough to cause pain.  Panic flooded Drell’s heart as she saw her lover lay without breathing. She surged forward, eyes wide. Only to pull up short and smile in pained relief as she remembered Veska’ words that succubi had no need of such mortal concepts.

Her own pain not inconsiderable, Drell stiffly sat herself next to her lover and wrested the nectar free. With hands that shook from tiredness and temptation, she pulled the cork free and blew out her breath so as not to inhale the sweet, ambrosiac vapor. Clear drops spilled upon Veska’s cheeks as she guided the bottle close to her mouth.

A clear drop that shone as sunlight meekly left the bottle’s entrance and dripped into Veska’s open mouth. The response was only matched in abruptness by the sheer violence. Veska screeched in agony and sat bolt upright, eyes pulled awake and hands upon her throat.

“Bloody fucking pits!” She hoarsely gasped. “Why?”

Drell just hugged her hellish wench and let herself be flooded by relief. Much as her doubt has been, Fate smiled on her this day, and her ploy had worked after all.”

“The only substance I could think of to heal you. Pure, distilled lust.”

“It burns.” Veska stated weakly, a shiver in her voice. “Hurt and hunger all at once.”

Drell chose her words carefully in a silence that stretched on as she weighed the best way to tell a succubus she had just made her swallow holy substances.

“So,” The orc spoke pensively. “This did come right from between the legs of a goddess of lust, and has the unfortunate effect of being overtly flooded by holiness.”

“Give me that.” The succubus demanded and Drell obliged. A look of vague disgust drifted over Veska’s face as she examined the bottle. Wariness and want, all mixed into one expression.

“On one hand, holiness is the anathema of all demonic creatures and there is nothing on this plane that hurts a creature such as myself to such a capacity. Mortal pain is dulled to me, magical wounds are annoyances that can be endured. But the anathema that is godly presence? It is an agony unlike any other.” She spoke solemnly.

“On the other hand, it is pure lust. Without exaggeration or other elements at all. Clear, condensed sexuality and need. Even something as unholy as me jerking off into it would have no effect on diluting this.”

Without another words she threw her head back and drained the entire flask. Drell grabbed her just as Veska’s body began to convulse, and held her tight as shrieks of unbridled agony filled the room. The succubi’s claws raked upon the flesh of her back, torn right through her clothes as she thrashed. In pain and empowered all at once she writhed and lashed like a hurricane. Drell held on with all her might, the storm within her grasp.

Hand across Veska’s back as the succubus bucked, bit and clawed, she took some comfort that for all the pain it brought, the nectar worked fast. She could feel the massive, gaping hole physically close beneath her touch. Veska’s pain was not for naught, in the end.

Abruptly as she had began to flail, Veska fell limp and hugged Drell back.

“I never want to experience that again.” She hoarsely coughed.

“It seems we are united in agreement once again.” Drell made the attempt to at least be somewhat witty. She failed as Veska drew away, concerned.

“I would invoke your Thrones to describe how tired you look, but I would not chance Fate on the slim sliver that one would randomly smite me for the sheer blasphemy.”

That brought a faint smile to Drell’s lips. One that grew even wider as Veska abruptly leaned in and kissed her full on the lips. Stunned as she was, there was some happiness inside her. The had fought and fucked in a whirlwind within the past few weeks, but this was their first kiss. She returned the favor in kind, and her eyes widened as Veska’s hand seized the nape of Drell’s neck and pulled her closer.

Her lips tasted..sweet. The mix of her own natural heritage and perhaps some of the nectar Drell had spilled earlier.

It was all too soon that Veska pulled away, and all too late as Drell gasped for air. The twinkle within the succubi’s eyes was restored as she gazed Drell up and down.

“I suddenly find myself in the mood for a multitude of sexual things.” She remarked hungrily. “And what better person to thank than my savior?”

The kiss had seized Drell’s attention. This firmly snatched her interest. And yet..

The orc slumped on the bed, her jade body trembling with tiredness.

“The spirit is willing.” She groaned. “But the flesh is weak.”

"Perhaps the flesh could be made willing." Veska teased in suggestion, her tone raw amd sensual.

Though her will yearned for what could come, the labor of a thousand men burdened Drell now, and even as she spoke apologies, the furs and pillows rose up to meet her. Veska gave a little noise of disappointment but joined her a moment later.

"I have spent wholly too much time in this bed already." She grumbled fondly and slipped her arm around the orc's tired form. "What's a little more?"

"You're sweet." Drell mumbled, a slow war against exhaustion inevitably lost.

"Only for you, my orc."

Until, inevitably, sleep claimed her. Once more, she skimmed along the surface of dreams. In and out, never truly claimed by its influence. Try as she might, she could not catch up to its illusive flight.

With a sigh, she eventually gave up and lay with her eyes awake, aware that Veska chose not to sleep either.

"You're thinking." The succubus ventured after a while. "Share, if you are willing."

Drell snuggled closer and let Veska's arm pull her tighter. The succubus' head leaned against Drell's shoulder, comfort found in the halfbreed's presence.

"My thoughts find themselves on you. On us."

“Do continue.” The succubus whispered. “The topic is of great allure to me.”

“I,” Drell spoke and paused lest she fumble the words. “I want there to be more between us.”

“Oh? Not satisfied with the current carnal relations. Perhaps the sex in inadequate?”

Just awoken and already a tease. The orc blushed a little as her lover snuggled closer, well aware of the effect she had upon the larger woman.

“The sex is amazing. Terrific. Fantastic.” She blurted out in a rush.

“You missed momentous, impressive, phenomenal and unthinkably outstanding?” Veska teased and kissed Drell’s ear. “I’m a succubus, dearest. I would feel mortal shame if you described it as anything but.”

“That too.” Drell admitted wistfully. “But.”

“My mother told me everything before the ‘but’ is bullshit, you know.”

Drell only blushed harder and waged her hardest crusade yet: To keep the noticeable stammer out of her words.

“Veska.” She spoke almost breathlessly, her face heated and eyes averted. “I like you. Really like you.”

“Oh, I can tell.” The succubus smoothly grinned and wrapped herself around Drell even further. “I see it in every gaze, smell it every time I draw near to you.”

“Not just like that!” Drell blurted. “You’re so naturally charming. You’re strong, smooth and. And. Oh fuck it. You’re you and I like it so much.”

“Mmmmm.: The immortal sex demon sighed from Drell’s side. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Drell.”

“It’s not flattery,” Drell all but gushed. “Really. I like you. I love spending time with you, even if we’re not fucking or somesuch. I wanna spend more time with you. Get to know you more. Take things further.”

Thrones, she has nervous. Her, the big, strong berserker, blushed like some hayseed seeing a princess for the first time. Her heart thudded against her ribs, and Drell found herself overtaken by nervousness and Veska chewed over her words.

“Drell,” She spoke quietly. “Are you professing your love for me?”

“Thrones damn it, yes!” Drell stammered, her pigment unable to blush any further. “I want you to be my actual lover, not just someone I journey with and fuck now and then.”

“This.” The succubus paused, a smile in her. “You. You endear me, Drell’ahkosha. I have never loved another. Fucked. Hated. Spited. Pretended to hold affection towards, for my own ends. But you. I suppose I could give your mortal love a chance and see what path it leads us upon.”

Silence reigned as Drell failed to process her words. Repeatedly.

“Does this mean yes?” She asked in a small tone.

“By your Thrones Above and Gods Below.” The succubus sighed wistfully. “Yes, Drell.”

The adventuress almost squealed in delight, but a wince of pain brought her back to reality as her body rudely reminded her of its current state. Instead, she simply lay there, head swimming and blissfully happy as Veska’s presence sparked true joy within her.

“We should celebrate this.” Drell finally whispered the suggestion.

“Not should.” Veska rebuffed. “We will. Once you are healed enough to fully enjoy it.”

And that was all Drell needed.