Chapter 33 – Dance Of The Butterflies

For two weeks now they had worked with the Rangers trying to locate Dar'khan since he had somehow survived yet another failed attempt at harnessing the remaining power of the Sunwell.

Remnants of the Sunwell's power had been detected by the Blue Dragonflight and they sent one of their own, a young Blue by the name of Kalecgos, to help find its source and protect it. This time however, it had been in the form of a young girl named Anveena Teague who turned out to be an avatar in human form for the Sunwell.

Dar'khan had managed to kidnap the girl, and tried to extract the power. Again, it literally back fired on him as she used it to try and destroy him.

Once more the Rangers thought the Magister-come-necromancer had perished, but still Tiene was not convinced. And so, she and Camnath kept up a search for the elusive and extremely slippery, traitorous, Dar'Khan.

Tiene had kept Lor'themar informed on progress, as he now focused on the protection of Anveena, keeping her in a secret location so the power would not be abused again.

Latest sightings of Dar'khan had been reported all over Ghostlands, but he always managed to give them the slip. However, a source that had hailed from the discovery of a book written in the Magister's own hand, informed them he was holed up in the south of the region in a structure called the Tower of the Damned within Deatholme, a scourge citadel.

Camnath told Tiene of a hideout he had near to Deatholme in the hills, so it was the plan to rest the night there and deal with Dar'Khan once and for all the next day.

She followed closely as he scrambled towards a cave entrance. Camnath had used this cave many times in the past as a base for missions he had accepted in the area. He had concealed its entrance with a collection of vines and grasses available in close proximity. Having scouted the area prior to their arrival to ensure it was still safe he left some provisions for their overnight stay.

The cave did not go too deep into the mountainside, but far enough to offer adequate shelter. They had reached the hub of the cave, and it opened into a rough rectangular area. A circle of stone near its centre housed sticks and dried mosses to make a fire. Camnath lit it quickly by scoring a flint on one of his blades. He leaned down and gently fanned the sparks until they took hold of the kindling. Before too long there was enough light for Tiene to look around.

The realisation that this would be the first night alone together settled over Tiene. Butterflies, long since having died in her belly, suddenly fluttered into life again. But she was a changed woman. Those little wings no longer represented nerves, just sweet anticipation. She noted the furs spread on the earthen floor to provide comfort and somewhere to sleep. Blankets were folded up on a small ledge just above, with rolled up hides to use as pillows or cushions. Small pots, plates and cups were all stored together off to the right of the main entrance.

Camnath unrolled one of the blankets and placed it round her shoulders. She smiled her thanks, fingers brushing his as she pulled the blanket tighter. A look passed between them, then he turned and grabbed the two rabbits he had left earlier from near the entrance. Glancing over his shoulder he told her he would be right back, and he disappeared out the cave again.

She settled down in front of the fire, embracing the heat as it warmed her numb fingers. Seasons were changing, and it was taking time for her to adjust to the new order of things. Having grown up in perpetual spring, the drop in temperatures was challenging to her body.

She stared into the flames. Memories flashed across her mind of Inaris, Duthan and her father. She recalled their smiles and laughter and the relentless teasing her brothers put her through. Their loss would always be hard to bear, but she was learning to focus on the happier times they had shared, and so it eased the pain, if only a little. Soon their deaths would be avenged though.

Camnath came back, with the newly skinned rabbits, skewered ready for the fire. He set them on the uprights and shortly after, the hiss of meat juices were heard as the meat started to cook through. "Lie down and rest while it cooks," he said softly. "I will wake you when it's ready."

He offered her one of the rollups for her head and she lay down. Sleep did not take her though, and she watched him quietly, as he pulled together plates and cups for their meal and turned the meat over every now and again, checking if it was tender. He pulled a bit off and tested it. He looked at her. Raising an eyebrow when he found her still awake, he smirked. "Not too long now."

She smiled back. How oddly tranquil this little setting was. The eve of what could only be described of as the bloodiest vengeance, was being spent in a hollowed out cavern of stone, with the man she had loved and thought lost to her, for years.

"What are you thinking ... about tomorrow?" he asked her unexpectedly.

She stared back into the flames and took a deep breath before answering. "I am thinking I will enjoy taking his head."

Camnath pulled one of the rabbits off the skewer, plated it up for her and passed it over. She thanked him, sat up and started to eat. "It's good," she said, indicating the tender meat.

He nodded and started to eat some also. "You had feelings for him once, did you not?"

Tiene eyed him carefully while she still chewed on the meal. "I was young and fanciful then, Camnath. But, he had flair, style and yes...he was very good-looking then."

Camnath's jaw tightened and he scowled into the flames. When he met her eyes again, she was smirking, her eyes twinkling. She tossed a bone in his direction and laughed. "That's what you get for asking," she said.

He smirked, "I thought you were serious there."

She ripped another bit of meat from the rabbit, using her teeth. With a quick glance at the man opposite her, she felt the need to torment him a little more. "I am! He actually was quite beautiful. He was almost my first."

Camnath looked out from under his dark lashes. "Are you teasing me, Tiene?" his voice was low.

"Maybe," she grinned, tossing another bone in his direction. He swatted it away. His eyes were dark, dangerous. She continued chewing, watching him closely, the smirk playing at the corner of her mouth still. Certain games of Sauren's had rubbed off on her, but hers was not intended to cause pain.

He put down his plate. Unclasping his belt and scabbards, he laid his weapons to the side. "You are being unkind, Tiene," he said quietly as he stared into the flames. He glanced sideways for a moment, and her expression changed from mischievousness to one of uncertainty. He continued. "I have saved myself for you, all these years. And still, you tease me so."

She stopped eating. She had not expected this. Guilt washed over her now. Putting her plate to one side, she pulled her knees under herself and crawled over to him. Tentatively, she put her hand on his shoulder. "For me?" she was genuinely moved by his confession.

He sat for a moment, his back to her, head down. "Camnath, I had no ide..."

Before she knew what was happening he'd spun round and caught her in his arms making her fall back onto the furs. He lay on top of her, smirking. "No, silly! Of course not," he laughed. "I could not remain a virgin forever you know."

She recovered from the shock and started swatting his arms. "Oh, I see! Who's the tease now?" she laughed lightly.

"In fact, I've lost count how many lovers I've had," he said, pretending to count on his fingers.

She playfully slapped him across his arms again. "You are wicked, Camnath Sunspear."

His face became serious. He swept a stray lock of hair from her face and softly stroked her cheek. He marvelled at her soft skin and the bright, mischievous eyes. He took a deep breath. "Others have had my body, Tiene, but my heart has always been yours."

Her fingers traced his mouth. Such a wonderful mouth, full of unmentionable promises.

"You had mine from the moment you fell on your face in the grass," she smiled.

He roared with laughter. "Oh, no! I remember that day!" He rolled off her and covered his face with his arm, still laughing. "I was dreadful at that."

"Yes. You were," she agreed, swapping position with him. She raised her upper body on straight arms and stared down at him. "That was our first kiss too."

His arm slid away from his face. "You didn't want me to kiss you though, did you?"

"Oh, but I did want you to. I just panicked. I didn't know what to do after."

They held each other's gaze. "And now?" he asked, his voice soft and deep. "Do you know now?"

The image of his walking away from her years before flashed across her memory. It was a pain that had never left her, even now, as she looked down at his handsome face. She wanted that pain to leave her. "If you kiss me, you'll find out," she whispered.

He cupped her face and pulled her down. His mouth closed over hers, his tongue prying her lips apart. She responded, allowing him to probe and returning the gesture. Her hand moved down his chest, undoing the fastenings on his leather jerkin and moving down again to loosen the ties on his britches. Her fingers slid slowly under the leather and she found what she wanted. He was already hard for her. A soft moan escaped his lips. He gently pushed her head back. "Well," he smiled. "I guess you do."

Her belly butterflies burst into life again. "Love me, Camnath," she whispered. "Please."

She would never need to ask twice. Sitting up he started to undo her clothing while she slid his jerkin from his shoulders. He sidled out from under and kneeled behind her. Tugging at her britches, he eased them down to reveal her smooth bare flesh. He threw them to the side. Her vest, discarded nearby.

The remaining ties on is britches undone, he cast them off and drew her body against his, leaving her in no doubt pleasure awaited.

He cupped her right breast. "I have dreamed of this moment, for a very, long time," he whispered, nuzzling her earlobe and down to her neck. She could feel his warm breath carressing her skin.

"As have I," she replied. Turning her head sideways his mouth met hers again, tongue tips dancing.

Butterflies...

With feathery touches which fired every nerve-ending in her body, he softly kissed her neck, shoulders and traced his lips down over the soft flesh of her back. She trembled when his hands travelled up to caress her shoulders, gently pressing her torso down until her hands sank into the deep, rich furs. His fingers moved lightly back along her sides, and came to rest on her hips. Smoothly, tenderly, he took her. Loved her. Quiet moans of pleasure reverberated deep in his throat as he watched the dancing flames reflecting on her back.

The ghost of her previous lover melted into nothing, as finally, her true love made her his. Years of aching, longing for even the briefest of his touches, had just been transcended. A flush washed up over her from deep within, unfolding, unravelling, celebrating, as it streamed to every extremity. Her hair cascading over her shoulders as their pace quickened. She softly called his name.

Silken wings beating...

Strong hands glided up under her belly to her breasts and gently, easing from her and he turned her to face him. One hand cupping the back of her neck, he kissed her deeply and lowered her down onto the warm, sumptuous furs. She lay with her eyes closed, the ghost of a smile on her lips, her cheeks bathed in a lovers blush. Caressing her hair, he drank in the soft contours of her face in the warm glow from the fire. "I love you, Tiene," he whispered.

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him tenderly. "And I love you, Camnath. I always have, and always will."

As he brushed his mouth against hers, her arms folded around his shoulders, surrendering to him completely. Once more he took her. She had never been loved so tenderly.

Colours swarming, soaring...

Their release came, and she clung to him, feeling the muscles in his back ripple as he drove her to heights even Sauren had never taken her to. Their moans echoed around the small cave, like a thousand lost sighs embracing their freedom after years of yearning and dreaming.

Their bodies, glistening from their love making, rippled with the reflection of the flames. They lay within each other's arms, enjoying small, sweet kisses, bathing in the feel of each other's skin.

Her eyes aflame, and golden hair fanned over the black furs, she was perfection. She had always been beautiful to him. Now, lying underneath him, panting softly with the flush of their passion still in her cheeks, she was even more so.

Looking up at him, she asked, "Was I worth the wait then?" She tugged lightly at his long hair as it brushed over her collarbone,

He smiled, his mouth hovering over hers. "Most definitely." With a hitch of his eyebrows, he asked, "Was I?"

She shrugged and wrinkled her nose. "I think ...you're in need of more practice."

She squealed as he rolled over, pulling her with him and smacking her behind, playfully. Their laughter resounded through the cavern.