Where Magic Flows
M. Lauren
Lay the Answers: Part Two
Lifting her hand to the air, Gale carried the letter away from the balcony. As they stood side by side, Anna and Elsa watched it go. Up into the dark night sky their heed to Cleyo disappeared as it fell to the distance. Their plan was in motion and there was no taking it back now.
Anna's fingers slipped between hers. Together they turned from the railing and headed back inside. While Mattias and Hildr had left, Kristoff and the Natturas remained. Honeymaren watched them from her spot in the doorway. Her arms were folded. The skin of her face had paled and she looked as if anger might burst from the seams of her pursed lips.
Honeymaren barely acknowledged Elsa before spinning on her feet. She left the room at a near stomp and departed to the hallway. The sight of the red lace fluttering away at her feet had Elsa's heart aching. Now wasn't the time to be causing problems between them, but Anna and Elsa were determined to do what they believed was the next right thing.
"You should go talk to her." Anna suggested.
With a slight frown, Elsa sighed. "I will, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you first."
"I've got it," Ryder stuffed his hands into his pockets. "If anyone can handle an angry Nattura, it's a second Nattura in a better mood."
Elsa smiled at him appreciatively. Ryder's shoulders pulled back as he left the room in search of his sister.
"I'll go check in on Sven," Kristoff stepped toward them. He kissed Anna's cheek and gave Elsa's arm a quick squeeze.
"I'll come find you in a few. I love you, honey." She shrugged as he nodded back in reply.
Once they were alone, Elsa returned to the dining table. She fell into a chair and Anna joined at her side. The room was now dimly lit with candles. It was dark and late; but how late- neither were certain.
"What's going on?" Anna whispered, failing to catch her sister's eyes.
Elsa's hands clenched in her lap. She wouldn't look up. "I need you to know… I lied in my letter to Cleyo…"
She felt Anna tense beside her. From the corner of her eye, Elsa could see Anna's chest raise as she reeled in a deep breath.
"Okay…" she sang evenly. "-but you're obviously telling me, which means you weren't lying for my benefit. You were lying for someone else's, so should I guess or are you going to tell me yourself?"
Lifting her head, Elsa's jaw wavered. "I didn't tell Cleyo to meet at the Valley of Living Rock…"
Anna's brows furrowed. "You didn't? That's what we decided..."
"I-I know, and that's why I'm telling you now…" Elsa's lips pulled to the side. She ran a hand soothingly over her long braid. "I've arranged to meet her at the entrance to the forest."
Anna's teeth grit in understanding. "That's the complete opposite direction." Elsa nodded. "But you're telling me this so our plan moves forward as discussed…"
She nodded again. "You'll still wait for my sign if need be…"
"Who is it that you don't want to know?" Anna shook her head and her palms raised. "It's Honeymaren, but why?"
Elsa tried to find the words, but couldn't. 'It's not the right time' rang on repeat between her ears.
"Do you not trust her?" Anna asked. Her forehead wrinkled, already disbelieving the answer she feared.
"Of course I trust her. It's just… I know her. Honeymaren will find her way to me and we can't have that. She needs to be kept safe, even from herself."
Anna tipped her chin as she thought. Blue eyes lowered skeptically toward her sister. "What's going on between the two fo you? Even you have to know that what happened here tonight with her is strange… It's like she read your mind or something? And the way she reacted… I don't understand it."
Stifling a sigh, Elsa bit her lip. "I wish I had the words to explain it to you… Unfortunately, too much has changed lately to know where to begin…"
"-but you're both alright, though?" Anna asked.
"Yes, we're fine, but I need you to promise to hold Honeymaren back…" Elsa's attention diverted. Her eyes scanned the far wall as she avoided her sister's gaze. "Don't let her follow me tomorrow. Don't tell her where I've gone… Please, just trust me... Remember it's for the best, and I will explain everything to you later."
Anna leaned forward in her seat. Her hand came to cover Elsa's. When her attention pulled back to her, Anna smiled. "I trust you, and thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the truth."
"It's for the best." Elsa found herself reiterating. Yet whether that was to convince herself or Anna, she didn't know.
"May I ask you something…" Her finger tapped affectionately against Elsa's knuckle.
"You may,"
Anna's smile widened further. "Do you like her?" she asked and her head tilted.
Elsa held her breath. Her eyes widened and she slowly sat back into her chair. But she couldn't lie to Anna. Elsa never could, and perhaps that's why she'd pushed her away for all those long years.
"I think I do…" she breathed unsteadily. "I mean… I do- I really do… I just, I didn't mean for it to happen, or want it to happen even-"
"It's okay, Elsa. You don't need to explain it to me."
Her fingers closed around Elsa's. With her other hand, Anna reached forward and brushed the fallen blonde hairs from her face.
"Thank you for telling me," she continued. Elsa's stare remained fixed to her face. "I'm happy for you, and you have to know- these things are rarely planned."
Growing uncomfortable, Elsa's back tightened. "We really should continue this conversation another time. It's not important right now."
"-but of course it is." Anna fought. "We're on the brink of war and you're afraid of not being able to keep your loved ones safe. Love is always important, Elsa; more during the bad times than during the moments where we can freely enjoy it… and do you know why?"
Anna's brows lifted and Elsa shook her head.
"-because love is always what sets us apart from our enemies."
Elsa was frowning as Anna's words settled in her ears. "Now doesn't feel like the right time to be dealing with new emotions, is all."
Giggling, Anna squeezed Elsa's hand again. "There is no perfect time, silly… I'll love both you and Kristoff a little differently tonight… because of how thankful I am to have you… Having love during the darkest of times is how we get through them. It makes appreciating the lighter days that much easier, and I'm counting on you to remember that when you lead our first advance against Cleyo."
Elsa smirked. She shook her head. "Maybe I was wrong to question your love expertise, after all?"
"No, you weren't." Anna raised from her chair and pulled Elsa up and into her arms. "-because you, my dear sister, taught me everything about love that I needed to know."
Up on the second floor, another pair of siblings were having quite a different exchange. Honeymaren had closed herself off in the bedroom. Confused but determined, Ryder spoke to her through the wall.
"Come on, Mare… Help me out here! What's going on with you?"
She growled, throwing her head back against the door as she sat. "There's nothing going on!" she fought.
"Why don't you start with explaining to me why you're so angry right now? I know this is about Elsa, I just don't understand why…"
She said nothing, and Ryder sighed. He returned to his feet, splaying his hand against the door. Suddenly a thought formed, though, and he found himself smirking.
"I've seen the way you look at her, you know…" Ryder slowly sang. "My sister… making heart eyes at the fifth spirit… You thought you were being all nonchalant about it, but everyone knew… Honeymaren is in L-O-V-"
The door was swiftly yanked open and Ryder felt hands tightly grip him around the collar. He yelped as Honeymaren glowered down at him.
"Keep quiet!" she scolded. "Are you out of your mind?"
Ryder's smile grew. "Ah… so it appears I was right… All these months I've watched you and thought you were just being clueless, but as it turns out… you do love the Snow Quee-"
Honeymaren's hand quickly clamped over his mouth. She tugged him inside the room before spinning on him.
Her finger raised and directed at his chest. "What do you mean 'all of those months', you dope? That was you! You were the one pining!"
His brow arched. "Was it? I don't know about that… Elsa is nice and everything, but I'm not sure I'm really her type. Besides, call me old-fashioned, but I don't want to step on my older sister's toes."
"What do you mean?" Her eyes continued to lower. "-but you said-"
"Mare, if I hadn't said anything you'd still be in denial over it."
Dropping her jaw slowly, Honeymaren stepped back. "You played me!" she gasped.
"That I did," Ryder's hands perched proudly over his hips. "My sister needed motivating, and there was only one way to do it, I'm afraid."
"Oh my, nature! I could kill you!" Honeymaren lurched forward, and Ryder leapt fearfully out of the way.
She surprised him, though. She caught Ryder in a tight hug and buried her face into his shoulder. "You have no idea how many problems you have caused for me, but I love you for it…" Honeymaren sighed.
Ryder's hands softly combed over his sister's back. "I know, you can thank me later… For now though, why don't we go back to you telling me what's wrong?"
Groaning, Honeymaren dropped her arms from around him. "I wish I could… The timing… it's just not great."
He shrugged and his eyes stayed on hers. "I know, but I think you should at least talk to her before she goes. It's not fair to let her leave for battle with Cleyo while thinking that you're still angry with her."
Honeymaren returned to the bed. She sank down onto the edge and buried her face into her hands. "Well, I am angry! Why isn't everyone else? Elsa is going to get herself killed going up against Cleyo like that, and everyone is so willing to just stand around and let that happen!"
Slowly, Ryder came to sit beside her. "Unfortunately, our other option is to let everyone get killed by Cleyo instead. And letting Elsa talk to her is kind of our best shot at this, Mare. Besides, you know Anna and Kristoff and Mattias would never let anything happen to her. We'll all be ready to step in if and when she needs us. We have to trust her to get us that far…"
He briefly silenced and his head turned.
"Unless… unless that's not why you're really upset with her? Did something else happen between the two of you? Did you ask her out? Did she turn you down? Oh man, I always wanted to be the cool younger brother who kicked peoples' asses when they hurt my sister, but I don't know if I stand a chance against Elsa!"
Honeymaren pushed her arm into his, effectively silencing him. "Shut up, would you?" she teased. "It's nothing like that! I'm just… angry; and for lots of reasons!"
"She's angry with me because Honeymaren doesn't believe I'll use the distress call. She thinks I would sacrifice myself to Cleyo to end the war."
Both their heads snapped up to the doorway. Elsa was there and leaned against the frame. Her arms were crossed. Her lips, pursed. If Ryder wasn't mistaken, he was certain Elsa was a little angry at Honeymaren, too.
They watched as she took a single hesitant step into the light of the small bedroom. Ryder instantly stood. His hands buried into his armpits and he shrugged.
"I'm, uh, I'm gunna go…" he uncomfortably sang as he tiptoed toward the door. "Elsa…" Ryder nodded. "I'll-uh, see you tomorrow before you leave…"
She offered him a quick smile and Ryder cleared the room in record time. He closed the door behind him, leaving Elsa alone with Honeymaren. When she turned, Honeymaren was glaring down at her hands. She refused to look up, though her strict jaw told Elsa that Honeymaren was fighting it.
A tiny sigh escaped her lips. Elsa buried her fears and bridged their distance. Her feet came into view beside Honeymarens, and her hands wrung at her waist.
"I don't need magical powers to know what you were thinking…" Elsa explained.
"So, this is you admitting it's true, then? Do you plan to sacrifice yourself to Cleyo?" Angry brown eyes tentatively raised to meet soft blues.
"What makes you assume that?" Elsa asked, remaining perfectly still.
Honeymaren shook her head. "I could feel it. That plan came into your mind… You thought it, and then this wave of confidence swept over me. I felt your drive and passion, and your fear… I knew immediately what you were thinking…"
"I'll admit, that idea did cross my mind for a brief moment, but that doesn't mean I intended to move forward with it. I like the plan we've put in place, and I believe in it." Her arms crossed.
Honeymaren eyed her skeptically. Her lips pursed tighter together.
"Listen," Elsa continued. "You're going to have to give me the benefit of the doubt here. I know you think you understand what's going on, but it's not fair for you to make assumptions. It took me years to learn how to control my abilities; to understand them fully… I know you think you know where my head was at that moment… but that's not who I am anymore."
Reaching out, Honeymaren didn't look at her with affection like Elsa had anticipated. Her eyes were still cold and angry.
"Prove it," she demanded.
"What?" Elsa took a step back.
"Show me what you're feeling. Prove to me there's no guilt- no lies!"
Her hand remained in the air between them. Elsa considered it skeptically with her gaze low.
"Would you not trust me if not for Ahtohallan?"
Honeymaren straightened her spine. "If it weren't for Ahtohallan, I wouldn't have felt your sacrifice at all."
Eyes continuing to lower, Elsa returned to where she'd stood before. Her feet planted between Honeymaren's and she pushed her arm aside by the sleeve.
"I'll show you something else, but then you have to make your decision. Choose for yourself what you want to believe."
Her chin raised sharply and sternly. Elsa's teeth grit behind her lips. The expression she wore nearly matched Honeymaren's, but then suddenly it softened. Her blue eyes grew a little wider. They were glazed and appeared scared, even.
With her hands rising to the sides of Honeymaren's face, they began to shake. Elsa's soft fingers laced beneath her jaw and into the soft hair at the base of Honeymaren's neck. She lowered to her slowly. Her heart was in her throat. When her eyes closed, Elsa acted on instinct. She pressed her lips into Honeymaren and dragged her to stand.
Their noses brushed. Elsa's hands tightened their hold. Honeymaren pressed into her and laced her arms behind Elsa's back.
Elsa kissed her until she couldn't think; until her lungs burned, and until something wet brushed against her cheek.
The sensation had her startled and suddenly separating from Honeymaren. Her eyes remained closed as she reached up and touched her own face. The soft pads of her fingers came away damp. She blinked rapidly, staring down at them; wondering when she had started to cry.
But when her attention returned to Honeymaren, Elsa realized it wasn't her eyes that had shed tears. Standing there on shaky legs before her, Honeymaren was crying. Her body shook and she turned her face toward the wall.
"Why are you crying?" Elsa asked her. She stepped closer, but Honeymaren raised her hand.
"It's too much…" she whispered. "What you're feeling right now… It's too much, and I'm experiencing it all…"
Ignoring her hurt, Elsa pushed Honeymaren by the shoulder to sit at the edge of the bed. She stood before her. Her arms crossed and she shook from the shock of their kiss. "What did you feel?"
The veins in Honeymaren's neck bulged. "...enough."
"-but was it guilt there, or shame… or anything besides the love I feel for you?"
Her face turned to the floor.
Elsa looked down at her expectantly. With each silent second that passed between them, she felt herself growing weak. Honeymaren was the strongest, most stoic person she knew. And in the last month, Elsa had seen her more broken and emotional than ever before.
And it was all her fault.
With gentle hands, she forced Honeymaren to look at her. She quickly brushed the tears from her cheeks. When her face was dry, she laced their fingers together. Elsa directed them up to the skin of her pale jaw.
She curled Honeymaren's palm around the side of her throat before allowing her own hand to fall away. "What do you feel?" Elsa asked her again.
When Honeymaren didn't answer, Elsa forced her hand down lower. She didn't stop until tan fingers settled with a slight curl over her heart.
She closed her eyes. "What do you feel?"
Elsa listened as her whisper disintegrated into the room. She felt the warmth of Honeymaren's touch expand throughout her chest. The fingers there seemed to vibrate with each beat of her own heart.
"Fear…" Honeymaren finally responded.
"And?" Elsa prompted. She opened her eyes to see Honeymaren sitting there and biting her lip.
"Love…" she answered again.
"Go on."
Honeymaren blinked. "I feel caution… and excitement… and-"
Her brown eyes drove wide.
"What?" Elsa's head tilted.
Blushing, Honeymaren dropped her hand. "I-I feel want… desire maybe..."
Though her own cheeks darkened at Honeymaren's discovery, Elsa couldn't help but laugh. "That's a new one for me, too, I'm realizing. But I think I'm beginning to understand it."
"You want me?" she gawked.
Elsa shrugged. "I want you… because you love me..."
The tiniest squeak escaped Honeymaren's throat. Her lips parted and her eyes flickered over Elsa's face.
"But I need you to hear me when I say- how I feel about you and my family is not worth losing through sacrifice… However, something could happen to either of us tomorrow… or the next day, or even the one after that. But I think I'm starting to realize that while I'm afraid to leave you or lose you, I would regret not having told you this more… And I know I've said it… but I'm in love with you, Honeymaren. I think I'll love you in this life, and in the next; and for however many lives come after that. And I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I'm sorry it took me until our world was falling apart to see how important to me you've grown to become, but everything happens for a reason, right? Perhaps I was given this moment so I could have something to fight for that was totally and completely mine.
"Look at it this way- I've never had a friend, nor a partner; I've never had someone in my life who can love me in the way in which you do. And you do it so easily… so selflessly... You would have allowed me to continue on through life, blind to my feelings- all so you felt you didn't interfere with my own wants or life plan… But I'm glad it didn't work out that way. I'm glad you told me how you felt so I could come to terms with how I was feeling the same… I'm so happy being loved by you, Honeymaren. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before and I wouldn't trade that through sacrifice, or for anything else that came along."
Elsa sighed. She twisted her finger around the end of her braid. "Having said that, though. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect you; even if that meant upsetting you in some way. I imagine you understand that, seeing how you turned away from the North Mountain to keep me safe."
Her lips pulled to the side. Elsa tried to smile, but the way that Honeymaren was gazing at her had it quickly falling away.
"I don't say that to worry you, of course… I just want you to understand that sometimes, as with most people, the thoughts that pop into my head aren't always the 'end all' of decisions. While we're learning more about this… this thing between us… I need you to be willing to give me the benefit of the-"
Honeymaren's fingers shielded over Elsa's lips. She frowned, shaking her head. "You're ranting…"
When her hand fell away, Elsa laughed. "Was I? I'm sorry…" she blushed.
"No, no, don't be sorry… It's cute. I just can't… keep up…"
Elsa watched her return to the edge of the bed. With her mouth slightly agape and eyes wide, Honeymaren stared at her.
"I can see I've made you uncomfortable. I didn't mean to overwhelm you, but I didn't want to leave things unsaid before tomorrow." When Honeymaren didn't respond, Elsa sighed. "Perhaps I should give you some time to digest. I threw a lot at you and that wasn't really fair..."
Her cheeks were burning. Her heart was racing. Honeymaren's eyes never wavered, but Elsa was tired of feeling on display. She pulled her lips to the side and offered Honeymaren a small shrug. Elsa quickly turned on her feet before heading back for the door. Her fingers closed around the metal. She sighed and felt her shoulders drop; but when she yanked back on the handle, it wouldn't budge.
Confused, Elsa looked up to find Honeymaren's hand above her head, holding the door closed. With wide eyes, she spun around. The distance between them was much shorter than Elsa would have assumed. Honeymaren was standing over her. Her hand still splayed against the door beside Elsa's head.
Elsa opened her mouth to question her, but the words were stolen from her thoughts. Honeymaren's other hand had snaked in around her neck. She directed Elsa's back into the wood and was lowering down to her. With her eyes closed, Honeymaren captured her lips between her own, slightly darker ones.
It was like drinking the wine she'd tried earlier. Honeymaren could taste it on her lips, and a similar feeling of warmth spread through her chest. But it wasn't just the wine. She'd noticed it earlier. There was the scent of Elsa's skin, and a flavor that was so distinctly her- it made Honeymaren dizzy as it settled over her.
Kissing Elsa was like breathing in crisp morning air; winter wind with a hint of unknown sweetness. There was the scent of vanilla and something similar to spring daisies. Yet where was it coming from; her hair, her face? She couldn't tell, but Honeymaren would savor it regardless.
Kissing Elsa was like knowing her; really knowing her. Honeymaren could feel and understand each inch of the woman attached to her lips. She felt her love, her fear, her strength, and her desire. With every second she grew more overwhelmed, but Honeymaren couldn't bring herself to pull away.
Her hands drew from Elsa's head and latched posessively onto her hips. Honeymaren dragged her forward, forcing the heat of the stomachs together. She trapped her there. Elsa's shoulders still braced against the door. Her waist pressed into Honeymaren's, but the thirst for her wouldn't quench. There was the nagging sensation that this wasn't enough as Honeymaren's insides began burning.
Elsa, who'd surrendered to the arms that held her there, moved to find her footing. She tied her hands behind Honeymaren's neck. Her back arched away from the door. She steaded herself on her toes, but was suddenly forced away.
With a palm to her chest, Honeymaren directed Elsa flat back against the door. She held her there, tearing her lips away. Her wide brown eyes stared hard. Heavy breaths had her chest desperately reeling and her mind was fuzzy. Yet one thing was certain.
"Stop, stop for a minute, please!" Honeymaren wanted to cry as she held Elsa from leaning back down to her.
"What's wrong?" she blinked. Her cheeks as well as her lips had drastically darkened.
Elsa's blatant stare caused Honeymaren to shiver. "I can't…"
"Can't what?" Elsa's hand lifted to brush the hair from Honeymaren's face.
She quickly backed away. Leaving a foot of distance between them, Honeymaren shielded herself with her arms. "It's a lot…" she tried again. "I can't tell if it's you or me… but I feel all of it…"
Blue eyes widened in remembrance. Elsa felt the heat continuing to rise in her face. "Oh…"
As someone new to intimacy, she hadn't thought to ask Honyeymaren about her own experience. Everything Elsa was feeling was unfamiliar. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was strange. The only comparison she thought to make was when she'd learned to allow herself to feel emotions again.
But it was still so different than fear and love and hurt. Elsa had never felt warmer, or more incontrol of her powers. She considered how love could thaw, and that perhaps this intimate moment stemmed from there. Love kept her magic in check, while allowing Elsa the freedom to experience the unknown.
She could feel the pleasant ache in her waist. There was the haze and breathlessness of desire. Like gravity, Elsa wanted to pull herself in closer to each new sensation, but if this was a normal reaction; then Honeymaren was experiencing it tenfold.
It was startlingly embarrassing to consider that Honeymaren could feel all of what Elsa felt herself. Not only was she a novice with unfamiliar urges flooding through her, but Honeymaren had also been made increasingly aware of that fact.
Honeymaren stifled a tiny whimper and ran a hand through her hair. "No, please… don't do that. I can see you're beating yourself up… Your face… Please, I didn't mean-"
"No! I-I'm embarrassed!" Elsa slid away from the door.
With her back to Honeymaren, she crossed to the window. Her fingers found the lip and she clamped down around the wooden sill. All at once, Elsa was reminded of her powers; the ice, the fear, the anxiety. Not even this intimate moment could be simple for her. There would always be challenges. Something would always get in her way.
"Elsa, please look at me…" Honeymaren whispered from directly behind her. "There's nothing for you to be embarrassed about. You didn't do anything wrong! I did!"
Her hands loosened their hold, but Elsa didn't turn. "You? How did you do something wrong? I forgot- I forgot I have this power over you now; this control! I could hurt you!"
Honeymaren surprised even herself by laughing. "I am so far from hurt right now… you have to know that, Elsa."
"But you were scared!" she fought back.
"I was overwhelmed! I'm over-sensitized! I didn't want to take advantage of you." When Elsa still wouldn't look at her, Honeymaren sighed. She turned her back to the window and slid in beside her. "What you were feeling, and what I was feeling- I felt out of control. I was losing myself, and that wasn't right. I would never want to be that way with you."
Her head slid to the side. Elsa contemplated Honeymaren with a frown. "You thought you were forcing yourself on me?"
Shrugging, Honeymaren faced the window again. She looked up at the green crest of a hill leading away from Arendelle. "If I hadn't already, I was afraid I might."
The laugh that passed through Elsa's lips was soft. "Never in my life…" she breathed, shaking her head.
"What?"
Elsa fought to roll her eyes. "You- being afraid to hurt me, or take advantage of me in some way… It's humorous, don't you think? I might not be able to use my powers against you, but I could certainly use them to defend myself."
Refusing to turn her head, Honeymaren grit her teeth. "I'm afraid you wouldn't."
"Hold you back?" She nearly snorted. "If I felt overwhelmed or as anxious as you just did, I would have done the same thing… I didn't… because I was enjoying myself."
She expected to find her blushing. However, when Honeymaren met her eyes, she was surprised to see Elsa looking as confident as her voice had sounded. Her thin lips had curled around their edges. Her hands folded patiently at her waist, and Elsa's expression was calm.
"Where did this sudden change of heart come from? I don't understand it…"
Confidence still at the forefront, Elsa's hand slipped around the tight red fabric against Honeymaren's arm. She guided her back toward the bed. Together they sat, and Elsa turned to her with her legs crossed.
"My sister asked me about us."
Listening, Honeymaren's eyes widened.
"I couldn't lie to her… and if I'm being honest, I don't think I wanted to." Elsa continued. "And while I didn't give her specifics, I did tell her how I felt. Anna made me realize that while fighting this, or taking things slow, had felt like the easier way to go about this… it wasn't the right way."
"The right way?" Honeymaren frowned. Her head tilted as she spun to view Elsa better.
"Northuldra customs are much different from Arendellian ones, as I'm sure you've noticed. That being said, had I stayed here and continued on as queen- eventually I would have been courted. Suitors would have made claims for my hand, and it would all be very… formal…
"But that's not how life in Northuldra operates. So, I'm not sure what customs there are for us to follow there. The right way here may be much different than there, but I feel the need to meet somewhere in the middle, and do what's right for us.
"My plan is- you and I are going to forget about timing; just like Anna said. There is no perfect time to fall for someone else... We're going to ignore the questions and uncertainties, and I'm going to choose you in the way that you have chosen me. So why the change of heart?" Elsa shrugged. "I guess it's because what was important before, isn't important now. My fears and anxiety are small in comparison to what I feel for you. I'm going to take back my life back from my years of hesitation, and I'm selfishly going after something that I want for the first time in forever."
Honeymaren dejectedly dropped her chin. "-but what if this battle between Cleyo and her armies doesn't pan out in our favor?"
Leaning forward, Elsa reached for Honeymaren's hands. They slid into hers with ease. Tan skin against her pale had Elsa smiling, and she shrugged. "Life is unpredictable. I don't have any more control over Cleyo than I do her actions. I can only act for myself, and if this is the last night I have; I'm glad I'm spending it with you."
Brows furrowed. Honeymaren tensed. "Elsa…" she breathed.
Her fingers pressed to Honeymaren's lips. Elsa shook her head, eyes carefully lowering. She released her, and moved onto her knees. When her hands returned, they splayed over Honeymaren's shoulders. Elsa heard the hitch of her breath as she pushed the red fabric down her arms. Honeymaren's expression lifted. Her eyes widened in shock, and the chill of night coursed across her exposed skin.
Elsa's actions were tentative. Her attention never faltered. Even as the dress pooled around Honeymaren's waist, her blue eyes burned into nervous brown. She followed by dematerializing her own dress. She was left seated in front of Honeymaren completely and surprisingly bare. Her hands still waited against the ribbons of red silk. She pushed it further down Honeymaren's thighs before carrying them back up her arms.
Her fingers lightly brushed against the creases of her biceps. Elsa didn't stop until she reached the gentle curve of her neck. Her hands flattened against its smooth surface and curled beneath Honeymaren's ears. Elsa allowed her fingers to flex, tightening their hold.
"Is this alright?" she asked. Her cheeks slightly darkened.
Slowly, Honeymaren nodded. She hadn't managed to turn her attention down to Elsa yet either. Instead, she closed her eyes. She allowed the warmth of the hands around her neck, console the many emotions coursing through her. They guided her away from the confusion, the anxiety, and fear. The heat of Elsa's touch was the gentle reminder that there could only ever be love between them.
Dragging in an unsteady breath, Honeymaren reached up with her own hands. They closed over Elsa's and held her in place. When she reopened her eyes, Honeymaren watched the blue ones before her inching in closer. Elsa's attention fixed on her until their lips were positioned a breath apart.
Whatever happened next, it would have to be Honeymaren's decision. Elsa could only show her how she felt, but she would never force Honeymaren to react to her in any way she wasn't ready for.
"You're beautiful…"
They were so close, Elsa hadn't seen Honeymaren's mouth moving as she spoke. She did hear her words, though. The sentiment had her smiling, yet Elsa still wouldn't move. She allowed Honeymaren to lower to her and press their lips together on her own accord.
For a long minute, it was nothing between them but a simple kiss. They relished in the feel of each other's lips. They took in the scent of each other's skin. Honeymaren pulled back to breathe before her hands slid down the length of Elsa's arms. She was forced to stop at the bend of her elbows. Never could she have imagined touching Elsa to feel this euphoric. Perhaps it was her new empathic abilities, or maybe it was just Elsa. Honeymaren had a feeling it was the later, and that thought would have her following Elsa anywhere.
Even when she was pulled off her knees and her dress was removed; Honeymaren surrendered to the lips against her own. Her hands fell from Elsa's waist. She held herself above the bed as Elsa settled onto her back. Honeymaren then released her weight and her hips lowered to Elsa's. The bare skin of their stomachs touched; their chests, their legs. The sensation had Honeymaren gasping against Elsa's mouth.
Elsa was intoxicating and dizzying. Her skin was surprisingly warm. There was no semblance of cold or fear within her, and Honeymaren savoured every inch. While they kissed, her hands loosened her braid. Fingers tangled into blonde hair. She intertwined their legs together and tasted Elsa's lips with the tip of her tongue.
That action had Elsa arching her shoulders back into the pillows. Her hips lifted and her hands came down. They caressed the full length of Honeymaren's back. Elsa worked across every exposed fraction of skin and devoured it beneath her touch. As Honeymaren's lips left hers and started across her jaw, she sighed. Elsa's eyes held wide as her nerves fired.
This wasn't a moment of love. It was a moment of learning. Both Honeymaren and Elsa pulled their hands across each other in a desperate attempt to memorize each crest and curve. When Elsa's fingers found her front, Honeymaren couldn't be bothered to care. She allowed herself to be fondled. The perk tip of her breast ached as Elsa's thumb brushed against it. Yet as soon as her hands were there, they were gone. They sought further down Honeymaren's waist in an attempt to take in all of her stomach.
But she was desperate to see her, too. Elsa had felt every inch of Honeymaren against her. Now, she needed to know; to see. Honeymaren must have had the same thought, because she, too, was arching away. She pushed herself upright. Her legs folded on either side of Elsa's hips and she looked down at her.
Ethereal-like and sparkling, Elsa lay before her. Her blue eyes were as dark, if not darker, than they had been before. And she was as slim as her tight dress allowed Honeymaren to imagine. Her hips, rounded, and her chest rose and fell beneath perfect handfuls of skin.
Honeymaren could call Elsa beautiful again, but she'd be lying. There were no words in this moment; none for which she knew. And so she took her hands and splayed them over Elsa's stomach. They rested there, not moving. Her fingers flexed. Each tip curled needily into pale skin, and she slowly pushed them upward. Honeymaren traced across her torso. She stilled against Elsa's chest before working them back down in the same manner.
Elsa's breathing only continued to heighten. At the same time, she was digesting the full body above hers. She and Honeymaren were oposities in every sense of the word. Her skin was darker. Her breasts were fuller, and even that of the color of her lips. But their differences made sense, and perhaps that was why Elsa felt so at ease. The two of them fit together in a way she couldn't quite understand.
And she didn't need to. As Honeymaren's hands circled her arms, her chest, and her neck; nothing needed to be known. Elsa lifted her own hands and flattened them against her. She marveled at how someone so physical, could feel so soft beneath her touch. From Honeymaren curls of brown to the curve of her waist, she felt like the silk of the dress Elsa had just removed from her. It made sense to her now why seeing someone in this manner was the big feat couples worked toward.
At this moment, she was Honeymaren's, and Honeymaren was hers.
Cheers,
M.
A/N: Before you ask, no. No, they did not have sex. This moment wasn't really about that, and I really didn't want to have to answer a million questions about, "WHY DID YOU CUT IT OFF BEFORE THEY BONED!" ← because this chapter really wasn't going there. (Not yet, chill you dirty, dirty children, you… Your time is coming.) I'm giving both Elsa and Honeymaren that moment to just be; just be- before I, you know, send them both off to magical war and probable death.
Cheers to all my reviewers. I love you all so much right now, and I'm hoping you're all healthy and well.
Next chapter: Elsa heads out to meet Cleyo, and HM and Anna get INTO IT. Note, content restrictions still apply from here on out.