PREDATORS
by Chimera Bloom
Part 12
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Somehow despite Kellis' obvious physical distress they managed to return to the Lodge. The trip had been difficult for Narlene. On more then one occasion she thought that the warrior was going to black out. But thankfully, they boarded a speedy transport that had them well underway.
But once they arrived at the Lodge, Narlene realized that her troubles were just beginning. She needed to get the warrior into her private rooms. And much to her extreme dissatisfaction, Narlene's quarters were located on the fourth floor.
Gently, she tried to guide the stumbling warrior to the staircase. But Kellis was protesting. She was mumbling incoherently. Her body was shaking with drug induced tremors. Even her mouth seemed unable to hold onto its own saliva.
"Come on, we have to keep moving." Narlene said physically forcing the warrior towards the stairs.
"Noooo…" Kellis mumbled trying once again to fall into a heap on the floor.
If the warrior went down again, Narlene wasn't so sure that she would be able to get her back up. The warrior's physical state was growing more severe. And for the briefest of moments Narlene actually feared the worst.
Jolari root could be toxic when given in large doses. That's why Narlene had made absolutely certain that she had administered the herb in only the safest of quantities. But Narlene couldn't quell the rising fear that Kellis had ingested a large quantity of rollen juice. And Narlene knew that sometimes a lethal interaction could occur between the two substances.
"We have to go." Narlene said forcibly pushing the warrior with all her strength.
After several seconds of a growling struggle she managed to force the warrior into the stairwell. Before beginning what was sure to be a long and difficult climb, Narlene scanned the lobby with her eyes. As far as she could tell, it was totally vacant.
She tried to stop the nervous pounding of her heart but found the task near impossible. She had just drugged the tribe's premier warrior. And if all went according to plan, tonight would permanently seal the golden cat's future. She had every right to be frightened. The things she was about to do were dangerous and downright criminal.
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"I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name." Elila said allowing the hybrid across from her to take her hand.
"I'm Soudarra." The hybrid answered obviously very pleased to be sharing a private moment with the heron.
"Did you get in touch with your runner?" Elila asked wondering if the hybrid had managed to sneak out to send a communiqué.
"No, I'm afraid not. Tell me Elila…Is it all right if I call you that?" Soudarra asked gently guiding the heron into a darkened corner.
"Fine." Elila answered slightly bemused by the strange turn of events. It wasn't everyday that a jungle cat attempted to earn her affections.
"How does someone like the Alpha's daughter come to know so much about the betting wheel?" Soudarra asked giving her a feral smile.
Elila couldn't stop the slight wave of nervous laughter that crested over her form. It's not that she was really frightened of Soudarra. After all, they were in a room full of people. There was just something about her smile. There was something unsettling about the stubby look of her feline fangs adorning her mouth. There was just something about Soudarra that reminded her of the cobra.
"Well, I did live in the swamp for most of my life." Elila answered, nervously glancing around the room.
The heron didn't understand where all this nervous anxiety was stemming from. She was in no apparent danger. Sure, Soudarra was a bit more affectionate then she would have liked. But there was no reason for her feeling of near panic.
"Ah, well that would explain it. Tell me Elila, do you miss the swamp?" Soudarra asked leaning in close to her body.
The touch was intimate but far from repulsive. The heron wasn't exactly pleased to have a virtual stranger impede on her personal space. But there was nothing about this situation that should cause her body to practically tremble.
Soon enough though, Elila realized that it wasn't Soudarra's unwanted affections that were causing her panic. It had to be the venom. Suddenly, Elila realized that it had been hours since she had taken the medication. And now if her shaking hands and raw throat were any indication, it was wearing off.
"Are you all right?" Soudarra asked suddenly realizing that there seemed to be something drastically wrong with the heron.
"No…" Elila whispered watching the room spin around right before her very eyes.
She briefly remembered that the Midali healer had cautioned her to seek medical treatment right away. Even Pedryn had told her to find her tribe's healer as soon as she returned. If only she had listened. But now it was too late and as her heart hammered away in her chest, Elila began to wonder if her body could withstand the venom.
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Zelsi walked across the room trying her best not to be noticed. Which for her was a very difficult task. Her low cut dress, elegant beauty, and primal sexual energy nearly always made sure that she alone was the center of attention.
But for once, she wanted to be inconspicuous. She had paid her drunken warrior suitors a brief goodbye. She had promised a quick return and the concubine had every intention of living up to her word. There was just one small thing she needed to do first.
Walking to the side of the table she reached down grasping a cup with her hands. It had been the one that Kellis had used. Quickly, she brought it up to her face deeply inhaling the fragrance.
Instantly, she could tell that her instincts had been correct. There was definitely the aroma of something spicy in the drink. Carefully, she dipped one long slim finger in the remaining fluid and carefully drizzled it across her tongue. It was a taste that she would know anywhere.
Zelsi had to stifle her chuckle. She had to give Narlene credit. She never would have imagined that the girl would go this far. Jolari root wasn't easy to come by. It was expensive and strictly regulated. She couldn't imagine where the girl had even got it.
Zelsi returned the cup to the table thinking that she finally had all the information she needed to keep the girl off her back. But in that instance, her mind wandered to a darker place and she knew that Narlene's intentions were anything but innocent.
Jolari root is a dangerous substance. Zelsi knew from personal experience just how toxic it could be. And the concubine seriously doubted that Narlene had any experience with it.
And not only that, but Zelsi couldn't begin to understand why Narlene had gone to all this trouble. If the girl simply wanted to bed Kellis mere rollen juice would have been sufficient. The girl had to have a more elaborate scheme if she went so far as to use jolari root. Zelsi slumped against the table as she realized that the girl was about to start something that could only possibly end in disaster.
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Elila felt her body slide down the wall behind her. She couldn't even hold herself upright. It was almost like gravity had suddenly become her worst enemy.
"Elila?" Soudarra whispered trying to figure out what had caused the heron's sudden illness. They hybrid began to panic. She didn't have the most polished reputation as it was. She certainly couldn't afford to be seen with the Alpha's daughter in this obvious state of physical distress.
"I need a drink." Elila whispered feeling the flames in her throat roar into a sweltering blaze of heat.
Soudarra crossed the room back to the bar. Quickly, she brought the heron a glass of water hoping to somehow ease the situation. But as she watched Elila gulp down the fluid she knew the girl was only getting worse. Now her eyes were glazed over and her lips were turning a pale shade of blue.
Soudarra knew that she just couldn't stay with the girl, not when she was like this. She had no idea what was causing Elila's illness but she knew that someone would blame her. And she just couldn't handle another scandal.
Even though she felt terrible for doing it, she turned and ran leaving the girl to fend for herself. She knew that sooner or later someone was bound to miss the Alpha's daughter. It's not like Elila was exactly hidden or anything. Someone would have to find her, eventually…
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"Just a few more steps…COME ON…you can do it." Narlene pleaded with the warrior to summon the few drops of extra needed strength.
Through only sheer determination Narlene had gotten the inebriated warrior up four flights of stairs. In only a few more steps she would have the warrior in her bedroom. And that's all she needed, to get Kellis all alone and vulnerable to her whims.
"Here we go." Narlene said pushing the warrior right through the door to her suite.
And without a single drop of grace, Kellis fell to the floor in a heap of drool. Narlene rushed to her side hoping to get the warrior the few extra steps to the bedroom. But she could tell that it would be a hopeless task. The warrior's eyes were dilated and rolled back in her head. Her pulsed was low and her breath was weak.
Part of Narlene was growing concerned. She knew that Kellis shouldn't be this out of it. But she hadn't come this far to back off now. Instead, she decided to go ahead with her plans. After all, this might be the only real chance she got.
Carefully, she lowered herself to the floor next to the unconscious warrior. Quickly, she began the rather difficult task of removing the warrior's leathers. She had spent countless hours imagining the naked flesh of Kellis' body. And now, she was finally going to get to see it, every single beautiful inch of it.
But in her fantasies, this scenario had always been so romantic. It was their wedding night and Kellis took great care to slowly undress right before her eyes. She wouldn't want to frighten Narlene with the strength of her body.
Narlene knew could never be afraid. She needed this far too much. She craved this contact for everything she was worth. After all with the sheer touch of her flesh, Kellis could give her a brand new life.
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"I don't know what I'm going to do with her." Melaryn growled into the waiting ear of her wife.
"There's nothing you can do. She's not your responsibility. If she wants to drink herself into an early grave, that's her business." Neisha answered not caring to discuss Kellis anymore that evening.
"But she has everything. And she's going to loose it all. She can't even control herself. Did you see that way she was carrying on at the table?" Melaryn shrieked out, not caring that they were causing quite a stir on the dance floor.
"Yes, I saw. I think the entire tribe saw." Neisha answered pulling her wife back into a close embrace. Gently, she ran her hands down Melaryn's back trying to calm her flaring temper.
"Elila saw." Melaryn answered in a grave tone filled with regret.
"Mmm…but I don't think she cared." Neisha answered pulling away to stare into her wife's eyes.
"You saw it too?" Melaryn asked, thinking back to the strange aura of indifference that had surrounded the heron.
"Yeah, I did. I think most people did. And you know what, I think it's high time." Neisha answered feeling a small inkling of pride for the heron's decision to stand up for herself.
"What? You're the one whose always telling me not to worry that one day Kellis and Elila will finally find each other." Melaryn said gently wiping a stray piece of blonde hair from her wife's eyes.
"Yes, I did. But honey, things have changed. You and I just didn't see it. We're both too close to Kellis to ever be objective. We only ever saw them together. Come to think of it, I can't even remember the last time that I was alone with Elila." Neisha answered in the soft soothing tones that Melaryn loved to hear.
"What does that matter? It's not like you two would spend a great deal of time together anyways. You're married and have two beautiful children that take up most of your time." Melaryn said thinking of their small beauties waiting patiently at home.
"It does matter. I can't remember the last time I really spoke to Elila. But tonight, I saw someone I didn't recognize. And truthfully, I think it's for the best." Neisha said not wanting to hurt her wife's feelings. She knew how protective Melaryn could be of Kellis.
"For the best? This is a disaster! Kellis has now slept with practically the entire village. I wouldn't be surprised if an illegitimate child was on the way. And she's the premier warrior set to inherit the throne." Melaryn said thinking of the sorry state of their tribal affairs.
One time long ago, the jungle cats had been a tribe filled with pride and honor. They commanded respect from the entire Kingdom. But that was before Thash. That was before the tribe's Alpha married an outsider. That was long before the birth of the heron.
It's not that Melaryn held Elila responsible for the undoing of their majesty. She knew the heron was nothing more then a victim of circumstance. She blamed Thash, a warrior that could have had it all. Instead, the tribal Alpha flew in the face of tradition and tried to fix a system that wasn't broken to begin with. Kellis' recent behaviar was just further evidence of their tribal problems.
"Kellis has a problem. She drinks too much. And she's sleeps around with all the wrong women. But all of that is her choice." Neisha answered trying to calm her wife.
"Why would she do this? She could have everything." Melaryn whined pressing closer to her wife's body.
"Honey, she's the youngest premier warrior the Fasara have ever had. Success has come to easy for her. She's never had to work at anything. And now, it's doing her in." Neisha answered.
"That's not fair Neisha. She's worked very hard at battle strategies and strength." Melaryn said quite offended by her wife's statement. It's just that she conducted a lot of Kellis' training personally. And she felt a certain amount of pride over Kellis' vast achievements.
"Melaryn, I know how you feel about her. And I love you for your loyalty. But you have to see that she's in trouble. And there's nothing that any of us can do to pull her out. She has to help herself. And sweetie, I'm not sure that this is a battle she can win." Neisha said dropping her head back down to her wife's shoulder.
They were utterly lost in the moment. They were so completely immersed in their shared touch and shared feeling that they were lost solely in each other. If they had only been more observant they might have noticed Elila sitting on the floor in a dizzying wave of nausea and fever.
But no one saw her. No one knew that her heart was speeding up to dangerously high levels. And no one knew that her skin was beginning to turn the darkest shade of midnight blue.
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"This is what I've been waiting for, my whole life…" Narlene wistfully exclaimed as she twirled around the room.
She would have preferred to be doing this on a bed surrounded in candlelight. She would have preferred this to be gentle and slow. She would have preferred to be basking in love and the concept of forever.
But instead, the warrior was past out cold and she would just have to make due. She had locked them away in her suite carefully checking the bolt. She didn't want to be interrupted. Tonight, was far too important for any sort of intrusion.
She gazed down at the nude body of the warrior. Her long supple limbs were shaking with the impact of drug-induced tremors. Her skin was coated in a fine sheen of sweat. Even her facial features were swollen and contorted under the pressure of a boiling fever.
"Shh…stop moaning." Narlene whispered cupping the warrior's face in her hand. She didn't want the warrior to cry out again. No one could know that they were even here.
"Now, I have to get ready. But you'll be fine while I'm gone." Narlene said stroking the long blonde tendrils of Kellis' hair.
Looking down at the body that she soon would possess, Narlene couldn't help but focus on the perfect pert breasts. She stroked her hand across the side of one, gently cupping it from beneath. She felt it swell and harden beneath her touch.
"See, you need me. I knew we'd be perfect together. Just perfect…" Narlene whispered to the unconscious hybrid beneath her.
If anyone else had heard the woman speak, they might have been able to do something. But Kellis was all alone and helpless with the raving woman who had obviously lost her grasp on sanity. Turning away from the warrior Narlene walked to the nearest mirror admiring her gaze. Her smile was lopsided and her eyes were a bit wild. She seemed crazed, but Narlene knew that it was only her need for Kellis that was driving her mad.
"Soon my love…no one will ever be able to break us apart." Narlene whispered as she looked at the reflection of the helpless warrior.
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She tried to focus on the sound of her breath. If she could still reach for air then she would live. But Elila felt her heart buckling under the potent venom. She had to get help.
Try as she might, the heron found that she couldn't use her voice. The pain in her throat was excruciating. It felt like someone had poured molten lava right down her mouth.
Unable to call out for help, Elila realized that she would have to move. Struggling against the nearest table, she finally managed to get her legs underneath her. It was a strange moment when she finally stood. It felt like here legs were gone and she was floating on nothing more then air. She grasped the edge of the table with her hands trying desperately to move towards the other people in the room.
Even though it seemed like she must have walked a sheer mile, she realized her body had only moved an inch. Looking around the room she couldn't see anyone near to her. Her vision was blurry and tunneled as she struggled to simply move further.
"Oh my god!" The heron heard someone's voice call out.
But Elila couldn't respond. From their frantic and excited tones she could only assume that they had seen her form. Unable to stand any longer, she collapsed against the table and let her body drop carelessly to the ground.
"Someone help!" The voice called out again rushing to her side.
"Elila…Elila.. Can you hear me?" The voice called out again.
Vaguely, the heron was aware of the fact that someone was slapping her face. She felt someone shaking her body with panicked gestures. But she couldn't do anything to respond. Slowly, Elila felt herself slipping away into the nothingness of a shear black night.
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She stepped from the shower letting her naked body absorb the tiny droplets of moisture that remained on her skin. She wanted this night to perfect. She wanted to be perfect for Kellis.
She scented her skin carefully so that her body carried the rich aroma of the orchid. Next, she lathered her skin in moisturizer wanting to be soft to the touch. And when all that was done, she painted her lips wanting to give the warrior the most perfect kiss.
To finish her look, she wrapped her body in the thinnest white night gown that she could find. She had purchased it special, just for this hallmark occasion. Narlene wistfully smiled, as she remembered the way that her mother had almost caught her with it.
But luckily, thanks to a loose floorboard and a quick slight of hand, she had managed to hide the sensual item from the prying eyes of her mother. It simply would have been a disaster if her mother had even guessed what she had planned. Her mother had one vision of her future and Narlene quite another.
"Well mamma, things will be different now." Narlene said smiling at her reflection in the mirror.
Narlene knew that she looked simply exquisite. She was glad that she had taken that extra time and care to do this for Kellis. It would mean so much to the warrior, even if she wasn't awake.
"Now, my love. It's time to start our life together." Narlene whispered, walking towards the warrior ready to seal their joint future.
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"You guys, there's something wrong with Elila. Get help!" Haluaris screamed at her circle of friends. But none of them even bothered to move, they all just stared down at the girl in clear disdain.
"Please…she probably just drank too much." Shaenebel scoffed not personally caring what befell the heron.
"No! There's something wrong with her. She's turning blue." Halauris screamed again. She couldn't believe that her friends were acting this callous. She was well aware of the fact that none of them were exactly on friendly term with the heron, but this was ridiculous.
"It's venom." A soft voice called out from behind.
Halauris looked over her shoulder to see a hybrid perched over the heron's fallen form. The girl knew right away just who she was. And in any normal circumstance Halauris would never even have spoken to her. But since her friends weren't going to help, that left her with only one option.
"What do you we do?" Halauris asked well aware of the fact that the heron's breath was coming in weak and shallow bursts.
"We have to get her to a healer. She needs medication. She's not going to survive much longer." Lineva answered looking around the room for one of the tribe's healers.
Lineva mentally cursed herself for being so unaware. It had only been a few hours ago that the heron had sat right next to her. Even though they hadn't spoke, Lineva didn't notice a single thing wrong with the girl. Elila had seemed fine. But now she realized that something terrible had befallen the girl right under her very eyes. And now, as she scanned the room she realized that all the healers were gone. Looking down at Elila, she knew the girl wouldn't survive much longer.
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Lineva scanned the room hoping to find one of the tribe's healers. But it would appear that they were very much on their own. As a warrior, she was trained in immediate emergency care. But she was afraid that dealing with the effects of venom was something that went way beyond her expertise. Not only that, but Lineva didn't know one thing about treating someone with swamp lineage. And given the grave circumstance of Elila's present condition, she certainly didn't want to guess.
Kellis would know what to do. Not only was she the best warrior in the tribe, but she was also a highly accomplished healer. And Lineva knew that the heron spent much time with the towering golden warrior. Surely, she would know what to do for Elila.
"Have you seen Kellis?" Lineva asked wondering if the warrior could easily be reached.
"She left a while ago with Narlene. She's completely intoxicated. She can't help us." Halauris answered feeling a bit desperate.
Lineva nodded, briefly remembering that she had seen Kellis drink more then her fair share at the banquet. With Kellis gone that left her wondering where the team's official healer was. Since the Gallion was often known for its bloody qualities they always traveled with their own healer. But at the moment, Lineva didn't see her anywhere.
"Where's Fiali?" Lineva asked the girl knowing that the heron was running out of time.
"I haven't seen her. I don't think she bothered to come to the banquet. You know her wife just had a baby. She's probably half way to the village by now." Halauris answered wondering what would befall the tribe if Elila died right there on the floor.
"Melaryn, we have to Melaryn." Lineva snapped feeling the need to move. She needed to feel useful. But Halauris stopped her with a strong hand on her shoulder.
"She left with her wife. By now, they're already back at the Lodge. Elila can't wait that long!" Halauris said placing a flat palm on the heron's chest.
The feelings that overcame her were strange with their intensity. She desperately and furiously wanted Elila to live. Halauris just didn't think she could handle it.
Halauris found it odd that she would have such a visceral reaction to the heron's failing pulse. She and Elila certainly weren't friends. But the girl didn't think that they were enemies either. She knew that Elila and Narlene were deeply embittered to one another. But Halauris had no such ill feelings towards the heron. In fact at times, she was almost fond of her.
But losing Elila now was causing more then just a general panic. Elila was a fellow tribe mate. And Halauris always felt the loss of another jungle cat, not matter how intimate their relationship.
And yet, she knew that losing the heron could be utterly devastating. With Elila gone, there would no civilized way for the tribe's Alpha to be determined. There would be an uproar. All of Thash's long time critics and enemies would come out for one last chance at winning the throne. And in the end, the entire tribe would be in chaos.
"Here give her this." Lineva screamed feeling her ability to be calm and focused drain away with every shallow breath the heron took.
"What is it?" Halauris asked tentatively holding the cup in her hands.
"It's rollen juice. It should help to release some of the pressure around her heart." Lineva said knowing that she was taking little more then an educated guess.
At the moment, they didn't have anything else to try. Carefully, Halauris opened the heron's mouth dribbling the fluid down the girl's throat. At first, nothing happened.
But then Elila was gagging and coughing. Both the warrior and the woman faced each other in confusion. Neither of them knew if this was a good sign or a final act of death. Halauris went back to pouring the thick fluid into the girl's mouth. And when the cup had been drained, Elila's eyes began to flutter open.
"She's getting better!" Halauris cried out pleased that the heron seemed to be regaining consciousness.
"No, the effects will only last a matter of moments. If we don't get her medication soon…" Lineva said knowing that she didn't need to explain all the details to Halauris.
"Okay, we have to take her the Gallion Medical Center. It's right in the middle of the courtyard. They should be able to help her." Halauris said feeling like they still had a chance to save the heron.
"You know where it is?" Lineva asked, realizing that unfortunately she did not.
"Yeah, let's go!" Halauris said rushing to the door.
Lineva quickly followed with the heron wrapped up safely in her arms. Halauris held the banquet door open for them as Lineva jogged through. But before she could go, Halauris turned to look at her friends. They were laughing as they huddled together in a circle of tightly woven friendship. She was disappointed in them. She had wanted to believe that beneath their many layers of cattiness they still cared. But tonight had been nothing more then a blaring example of how wrong she'd been, about all of them…
"Halauris?" Lineva screamed trying to get the girl's attention.
Quickly, the girl joined her and they were off. Halauris ran at a fast pace all the way through the garden. Lineva imagined that their surroundings might actually be very beautiful. But at the moment, she really didn't care much for things like roses and rollen bushes.
Soon enough, they were out of the garden and into a long grassy field. Lineva could only imagine that this was the courtyard that the girl had been referring to. They ran through it at a wild pace trying to reach medical help. Lineva was careful not to jostle the heron as she ran. And from the sound of Elila's heartbeat, she could tell that the girl was holding on, at least for now.
They passed large buildings and even larger glass structures. Lineva could hear many voices off in the distance. She knew that they had wondered over into the predominantly nocturnal tribe area of the Gallion Village.
Finally, she saw a large structure emerge in the distance. She knew it had to be the medical center. But when they got closer she saw the one thing that made her want to scream out in horror. All the lights were off and there didn't appear to be anyone there.
"Oh my god…" Lineva whimpered as she walked the rest of the way up to the building.
There was really no point to keep moving. It was obviously closed. But she still needed to see it. She still wanted to put to touch its structure with her own hands and know that she really did do everything that she could.
"Now what?" Halauris asked desperately turning to the warrior for guidance.
The girl was decidedly optimistic and obviously not ready to give up. But there was nothing that they could do but sit and wait for the inevitable. The Lodge was too far. Their healers were all unavailable. And they were in the middle of enemy territory. Looking around at the surrounding buildings, Lineva didn't see a single ally in the mix. Now she realized, it would appear that Elila wasn't the only one in mortal danger.
"ELILA???" Both the warrior and the girl turned to hear the sound of a frantic voice. It was coming from somewhere in the distance. And it was rapidly moving towards them. But the voice sounded concerned and worried, and Lineva could only hope that the person was coming to help.
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"You know something? I remember the very first time that I saw you. You were so beautiful, so strong, so perfect. I knew that we were destined to be together." Narlene whispered as she stroked her hand up and down the long length of Kellis' arm.
"And do you remember how perfect everything was? Everything was so wonderful….until she came back." Narlene muttered, unaware of the fact that her voice had just dropped into a low hiss.
"I don't understand why they didn't leave her there. Why did they have to bring her back? She was fine out there in the swamp. That's where she belongs…out there with all the rats." Narlene growled thinking of the heron.
"She ruined everything! You used to belong to me! But then she came back. And everything changed." Narlene snapped straddling the warrior's firm body.
She thought that she would like this position better. She thought that it would make her feel closer to Kellis. But it only made her feel colder.
She was trying to imagine the warrior smiling. After all, the long white tresses of nightgown had to be tickling her soft skin. But instead of a smile, Kellis only moaned.
And it wasn't in the full-throated way that indicated pleasure. No, the warrior was definitely in pain. And no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, Narlene couldn't block out the screaming yelps.
"Kellis… honey, you have to stop. Someone is going to hear you. Don't you want to be alone with me? I know how much you like me. And I know how much you need me. But you have to be quiet." Narlene said desperately.
She lowered herself fully onto the warrior. She clasped the warrior's face trying to silence the guttural pleas for help. She tried to awaken the warrior, but she refused to even open her eyes.
In all honesty, Narlene was finding this position quite uncomfortable. The warrior's skin was damp and frigidly cold. Kellis was ruining the fine silk of her nightie. And the warrior's mouth was drooling all over her expertly manicured hand. This was certainly not the romantic encounter that Narlene had in mind.
"I know that you're upset. I know I shouldn't have brought her up. It's just that, people seemed to forget what it was like before she came back. But you remember don't you? Before Elila returned everyone knew that one day we would be married. But then she came back and suddenly you didn't seem to have anymore time for me." Narlene hissed, finally rolling off the warrior.
She walked to the mirror checking her reflection. There was a large stain right up the front from where she had laid on Kellis. It annoyed her to no extent. This night was supposed to be perfect. But now it was all stained and ugly.
"NO!" Narlene screamed at her own reflection.
With hands forming into claws she started to tear the nightgown from her own body. Madly she sliced through it trying her best to get it off her skin. She didn't stop until it hung in tattered shreds crumpled around her ankles. She squinted her eyes noticing that her body suddenly bore the wide red marks of blood.
Looking down at her hands she could see the bloody edges where several nails had fallen off. The sight nearly had her reeling in pure agony. Narlene hated the sight of blood. It made her ill.
Then she felt a sharp pain twisting into her right thigh. As she ran her hand over the skin, she felt a nail sticking out from her side. Hurriedly, she pulled it out relieved to finally have it gone.
Now, she simply looked a mess. Her nails would need to be re-polished. And something would have to be done about her scratches. But it was the nightgown that most upset her. She had loved it. It made her feel perfect and beautiful. It had made her feel worthy of Kellis.
But all that was left of it were a few tattered remains. Something would have to be done. She refused to continue her evening like this.
"Okay, this is a problem. But I can work through this." Narlene said trying to reassure only herself.
"Well, I simply can't go around like this can I?" Narlene asked the unconscious warrior.
She walked into the next room fetching her manicure bag off the bed. She noticed how sore her left hand was. That was where she had lost the nail. Even the very tip of her finger was starting to swell.
"Kellis, you have to be quiet." Narlene whispered throwing on a favorite bathrobe.
But the warrior couldn't hear her. Kellis only moaned as her body succumbed to a boiling fever. Gently, Narlene ran her hand across the Kellis' forehead. She watched as the warrior's body shook with violent tremors and spasms.
On some level, Narlene was concerned for her. Narlene knew that she had taken a big risk when she had drugged the warrior. Jolari root was quite a dangerous substance to work with.
But Kellis had left her with no choice. After last evening's incident with Zelsi, she wasn't willing to let the warrior carry on in such an indifferent manner. Narlene had decided that once and for all it was time to lay rightful claim to what was hers. And even if Kellis was mad now, she knew that in the end the warrior would thank her.
After all, Narlene was about to save her from a life with Elila. And she happened to know that she was the only woman who could ever make the warrior happy. There was just too much at stake to stop just because of some mild physical side effects.
Besides, Narlene had witnessed first hand just how resilient the warrior could be. In time, Kellis would recover from this. And then she would be good as new.
They could start their life together. Narlene knew that she could never tell Kellis how their union had come to be. The warrior could never ever know about the Jolari root.
But right now, none of those minor things mattered. All Narlene needed to be concerned with was salvaging what was left of her evening. Quickly, she pulled out a loose fitting dress from her bag.
Even though it was dangerous, she would have to go back out. She needed a new nightgown and something special to cap off what was sure to be a perfect night. But as she looked down at the warrior, she knew there was one distinctive problem to her intentions.
The warrior was making too much noise to be left alone. And even though she didn't think that Kellis would come to, there was always that possibility to think of. She would have to make sure that the warrior would be tightly locked away here in her rooms. No one could know that she had Kellis here. If anyone ever found out, it would ruin everything…
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CONTINUED...