Sarah blinked rapidly. She was back. Back on this blood and ash soaked ground. She could still smell their burning bodies, hear the hisses creep from their cracked skin as the liquid in them evaporated—taste the death in the air.

Her eyes landed on her own self just in front—falling to the ground and singing her song of grief. She had merely thought that she had honored her coven by returning their bodies to the earth where they would greet the Goddess.

That had been enough at the time for Sarah. She had built Fort Salem on the spot of their deaths so that she would never be far from them, and could protect them and all of their soldiers through the centuries.

She hadn't dreamed that her song would give life from such death.

"Hello, Sarah."

Sarah looked up, suddenly realizing that Tally and Raelle were on either side of her, and one of her closest sisters from her first coven stood before them.

Tally recognized the woman immediately from Sarah's drawing, she captured her likeness exactly.

"Martha," Sarah whispered. Tears welled up in her eyes as she walked forward.

The woman pulled her into an embrace.

"How?" Sarah murmured against her hair.

Martha pulled back. "I am not solely Martha…"

"I know." Sarah looked back to Tally. "Tally explained—that there is a part of you that remains here…"

Martha smiled warmly. "It is good to see you after so long."

"And you. All of you," Sarah told her honestly, hand touching her cheek.

Then, suddenly, hundreds of witches began to appear around them. All of them members from the first few decades of her service to the country. Her first coven was there, each of them. So many of her friends and sisters that fought alongside her, all here…together.

Sarah released a laugh through her cries. It was a mixture of relief, contentment, hope, and deep sadness that she had failed them.

Tally was trying not to cry along with Sarah at the feelings surging through their connection, but as well as her own tears.

Sarah fell to the ground on her knees—the same position she had taken up when she sang her grief.

Tally knelt next to her and pulled her against her chest.

"You never failed them," Tally said through the link.

There was such conviction behind the words that Sarah could feel how strongly she believed that…believed in her.

She turned and looked in Tally's eyes, her hand rising to cup her cheek as she rested their foreheads together. Sarah took in a deep breath and nodded slightly before exhaling and standing with Tally's help.

"We understand that this is a lot…seeing all of us," Martha spoke. "But we need to warn you of the impending war."

"The Camarilla," Sarah said with a snarl. She wiped the remnants of the tears away as fury filled her. "We know they've returned."

"Yes. But they are growing stronger, Sarah. They have been slinking in the shadows for so long, breeding like rats—and now is their time to strike. Their numbers have surpassed any previous risings. This witch plague…it is growing as well. The danger is near, Sarah. There is a great fraction within witchkind, and between witchkind and civilians."

"The Spree—"

"Need to be a part of this fight," a woman spoke up. She approached closer, and Tally and Raelle's mouths dropped.

"Jem Bellweather," Tally said.

"Jem," Sarah began, an exasperated sigh falling from her lips. "You do not understand—"

"I understand well enough. You need every witch in this fight. The Camarilla cannot be allowed to have any more room to grow. They are already too powerful. Too many civilians sympathize as well. You know as well as I that if this is not stifled soon…"

There was a murmur of agreement through the throng of witches before them.

Sarah grew silent.

Tally could feel the turmoil in her. She wasn't completely sure, but she and Sarah both had an inkling that Nicte Batan was still alive and well, and connected to the Spree in some way. And if they needed the Spree on their side…

"We need to find Nicte Batan," Tally told Sarah. Then she looked at Raelle to gauge her opinion.

"I think it's our only option right now," Raelle said.

Sarah's shoulders sagged. She hated to admit that they were right. The worst part about living centuries was that eventually you'd face the consequences of your actions.

It was rather annoying.

She gave a slight nod and Tally rested her hand on her shoulder. The weight and warmth relaxed her tight shoulders.

"It's what is best for witchkind," Sarah conceded. She looked at all of the women that stood before her. Her eyes grazed over each of her coven members, soaking in their features. They were just as she remembered.

"I trusted so many of you with my life," she told them. "And I won't question the Goddess and her workings. If you ask it of me, I'll honor that."

Martha smiled warmly and approached to take Sarah's hands in hers. "Your sisters are here, your daughters are here. We are behind you." She looked to Raelle then. "Raelle, we must speak with you about our bond."

Raelle nodded and glanced over to Sarah and Tally.

"Thank you," Tally said to Martha. "And if you need to get my attention again to pass something on to Sarah, maybe send a less intense vision?"

Martha chuckled and nodded her agreement. Her eyes fell to Sarah. "Go and do what must be done. If you feel us call to you…do not push it away. Allow us in. I know the grief is heavy on you. Let your intended carry it with you."

Sarah had just processed what Martha had said when she felt herself being tugged backwards at a fast speed.

There was a burst of light and when she blinked they were back in the Necro lab.

"General?" Izadora asked worriedly.

"We're fine," Sarah answered. Her voice was a little shaky and she silently cursed herself for that. She couldn't let them see her rattled.

Tally stepped up then. "Raelle and Her are discussing their connection now," she told both Izadora and Abigail.

"Are you okay, Tal?" Abigail asked as she stepped forward.

"Yeah, I'm good," Tally replied with a smile. She grasped Abigail's arm and gave it a light squeeze. "I saw your ancestor Jem."

Abigail's eyes widened. "You have to tell me everything."

Tally nodded her agreement before turning to look at the General.

Sarah remained silent, but the biddies had stood and stared—locked in a silent conversation.

Raelle appeared a moment later, looking a little dizzy but fine otherwise.

"How did it go?" Tally asked.

"It went…good. Really good. She told me what I can do—"

At this, Alder turned around to look at Raelle.

"And you are really going to like it, General," Raelle told her with a smug smile.

Alder couldn't help but match it. "I can't wait to see what it is."

"But not right now because I think you need to rest," Tally told Sarah pointedly. Then she looked at Raelle. "You too. We've all had some craziness and I am pretty sure we could all use a break. At least for twenty-four hours."

Alder chuckled. "Well, I guess that solves who wears the pants in this relationship," she teased.

Tally was blushing at Alder mentioning them in a relationship; Raelle had laughed so hard she snorted; Abigail was snickering behind her hand; Izadora was looking rather speechless.

Alder nodded her head to the door. "I need to speak with Izadora briefly."

Abigail, Raelle, and Tally moved to the door as a unit.

"I can't believe Alder told a joke," Abigail murmured to Tally as they exited.

"She's actually really funny," Tally told her.

"Hard to believe, but less so after that," Raelle added.

When the door closed behind them, Sarah smirked and met Izadora's gaze.

"The Mycelium told me something interesting," Sarah said. Her hands were clasped behind her back as she stared at the wall.

"Which was?"

"She referred to Tally as my intended."

Izadora's eyes widened. "Intended?"

"Yes."

"What do you think of that?" Izadora questioned softly.

Sarah chewed on her lip. "We slept together and the connection is wide open now. It's effortless to feel her. I can feel her emotions as easily as my own now. For example she is happy and laughing at something amusing Collar said…and still blushing from my joke."

"You slept with a cadet?" Izadora asked, baffled. She just couldn't believe the General would actually do it.

"She knows what our bond is," Sarah continued on unperturbed. "She just won't say. Whatever it is, Izadora, it's strong." She turned and looked at her friend. "I couldn't resist it now if I tried…if I even wanted to."

Izadora hummed, but offered a small smile to her friend. "Powerful work is afoot then. Something very old…" Izadora trailed off. "I think I have a hunch where to look. It will take a little time."

Sarah nodded.

"Intended…" Izadora mused. "That sounds an awful lot like a destined union."

"I thought the same thing," Sarah replied. "You don't think it could be…"

Izadora remained silent.

"There's only been a dozen confirmed cases in the hundreds of years I've been alive. It's incredibly rare," Sarah spoke. She swallowed thickly, not wanting to get her hopes up, but also…hoping.

"It's not impossible," Izadora retorted. She already knew that was what she would be looking into next about the connection.

Alder turned from the wall and moved to the door, offering Izadora a nod in thanks. When she opened the door and stepped through, she could feel that her biddies were above ground with Tally, waiting for her.

She smiled and strode toward the top. When she broke the surface, sure enough, her little group was there waiting.

"I know you want me to rest," Sarah began, holding up a hand to cease Tally's impending retort. "I need to sing the trees back into the earth."

Tally blushed prettily and Sarah couldn't help the light laugh that escaped her.

"Would you like to come along?" she asked.

Tally nodded and fell in step with Sarah as they walked to the first tree. Tally watched with rapt attention as Sarah and the biddies surrounded the tree, their hands digging into the fresh earth as they began. The seed was beautiful and Tally could almost feel herself become grounded at the sound. Shortly after, the large tree was sturdy in the ground again, it's roots at rest deep below the soil.

They moved to the next, and then the next, and so forth. After nearly an hour, they approached the last tree. It also just so happened to be one of the oldest trees on the base—and with visitors at its uprooted trunk.

"Anacostia!" Tally called out.

The Sergeant turned at the call of her name, eyes lighting up when she saw Tally beelining for her.

She gave her a quick hug before Tally realized the Sergeant wasn't alone. There were ten little fosterlings, all under the age of 7, staring at Tally with big smiles.

"I see we are learning about our lands today," Sarah said as she approached, drawing Anacostia's line of sight.

"General," Anacostia greeted. She offered her a smile, but it was tight.

Sarah sighed internally at the response from Anacostia. It stung—the coldness Anacostia would show her.

Time, came the joint sentiment from the biddies.

She silently acknowledged their statement.

She knew Tally had felt it through the bond, as a hug-like warmth seeped into her bones. She sent her gratitude through the link before her eyes fell on the fosterlings. She really did love children.

"Sarie!" the little fosterlings squealed as they realized she had joined them. Their little legs carried them closer.

She knelt down to be at eye level with them. "What has Sergeant Quartermaine told you about this tree so far?"

One of the little girls, a redhead with bright blue eyes like Sarah's, looked at her and excitedly said, "That it's the oldest tree on base a-and its roots go super far!"

Sarah grinned warmly before she sat on the ground and gestured for the fosterlings to join her. The little girl clamored over and sat right in Sarah's lap, drawing a chuckle from the General.

"Why hello, Delia," Sarah greeted with a bright smile.

A surge of warmth went through Tally at the display.

Anacostia looked at Tally then as Sarah began telling the fosterlings about the tree.

"Sarie?" Tally asked Anacostia with a smile.

Anacostia chuckled. "All the fosterlings call her Sarie. She wants them to be comfortable with her and allowing them to call her a nickname is her way of helping that."

"It's adorable."

"What are you doing out here with the General, Craven?" she asked curiously.

"We had a witchbomb thing," Tally answered easily, her eyes trained on Sarah. "She's really good with kids…" Tally couldn't help but feel her heart clench at the sight. She'd always wanted kids, and she couldn't help but look at the redheaded, blue eyed girl—who looked like a blend of herself and Sarah. Her hair, and Sarah's eyes. Tally suddenly was hit with a vision of a little red haired witchling with bright blue eyes and Tally's dimples. She could've cried with how badly she wanted that to be a reality. Her eyes had even started watering. She wasn't sure why it was hitting her so hard.

"You okay?" Anacostia asked quietly at the expression on Tally's face.

Tally shook her head. "Yeah, I'm good, just emotional today I guess."

Anacostia nodded, accepting what she was told. But she hadn't missed the way Alder had tensed up as soon as Tally's eyes began to water, or that she had stumbled over her words as if caught off guard. It was curious.

"So the trees are even older than you?" Delia asked, her blue eyes wide.

Sarah arched an eyebrow, a smile on her lips. "Even older than I," she confirmed seriously, her eyes glinting with mischievousness.

The fosterlings all giggled.

"Now, the storm that caused these trees to be uprooted has provided me with an opportunity to show you all how to replace them in the earth. Someday, when you're older, you will be able to do it as well."

Delia looked over Sarah's shoulder at Tally. "Can she do it?"

Sarah knew exactly who she was addressing. "She can. Tally?"

Tally blushed and Anacostia arched a questioning eyebrow. Alder rarely referred to anyone by their first name around others to begin with…but addressing a cadet by first name…and the behavior…something was going on and Anacostia wasn't sure exactly what it was.

Tally had walked over to the tree and sat next to Sarah, a smile on her face as she waited.

"Now, Tally and I will sing the seed. Each of you make sure you listen to the song. Feel it stir your magic," Sarah instructed before she looked to Tally.

"What does it feel like?" the little redheaded girl asked, her blue eyes wide as she turned in Sarah's lap to look up at her.

Sarah smiled and hummed thoughtfully. "Magic feels differently depending on the work. But, for this seed, well…it feels like a warm hug."

She gave the girl a tight hug, making all the children laugh.

"Now, are we ready?" Sarah asked the children.

At the nod, they began to sing. Instantly Sarah felt a jolt travel through her body and she dialed back the energy that was exuding from her. She hadn't realized that her and Tally's magic would be so…powerful.

Tally had sensed it as well and did her best to dial her own energy back. They found a balance and watched as the old tree slowly righted itself back in the ground. When they finished, the fosterlings were all looking at them with wide eyes of amazement.

Unbeknownst to Tally and Sarah, Anacostia had seen something—something she never saw before. When they began their seed, there was a glowing aura that encompassed them both. The children were all focused on the tree, but Anacostia and the biddies were watching the two women.

Anacostia looked over at the biddies—each of them were wearing small smiles and seemed unperturbed by the aura…but Anacostia had never seen such a display of power. Something was going on between the General and Tally, and Anacostia felt herself flush with anger.

The Bellweather unit were like her baby sisters, and after knowing what Sarah was capable of—despite her love for her—she worried she would hurt Tally, or manipulate her.

"That was so cool!" one of the little boys spoke up.

"It's very cool. You'll learn so much," Tally told him seriously, but her eyes were bright and merry.

"I felt the magic!" Delia piped up excitedly.

"You did?" Alder asked proudly.

"Sarie?" one of the other little ones piped up, eyes wide as he looked nervously at Tally.

"Yes, Byron?" Sarah offered him a gentle smile as she held her hand out.

He was one of the younger ones, only four years old with chipmunk cheeks, dark hair, and the cutest smile. He wobbled over and shyly tucked himself against Sarah's side.

"She's pwetty," he whispered in Sarah's ear.

It wasn't much of a whisper, because Tally had heard him.

"She is very pretty, you are correct, Byron," Sarah told him with a bright smile.

"Hi, Byron," Tally greeted. "Aren't you a charmer."

"Sarie t-told me that before," he replied with a proud grin.

Sarah couldn't help the laugh that spilled from her as she looked to Tally.

Anacostia cleared her throat. "General, I was wondering if I could have a word? Craven, could you walk the fosterlings back to their caretakers? They're just over there." She pointed to a group of men and women sitting and talking near one of the buildings.

"Yes ma'am'," Tally replied with a grin, pulling one from Anacostia as well. "Let's go little ones!"

They followed after her like little ducklings and Sarah couldn't help the smile that blossomed as she watched her go. She scooted backwards, sitting with her back to the trunk and patted the patch of grass next to her.

"What did you need to discuss?" Sarah asked. Her head tilted back and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sun on her face.

"What's going on between you and Craven?" Anacostia asked. Her voice was stern, leaving no room for debate.

"Why is that any of your concern?" Sarah retorted, not even opening her eyes.

Anacostia bristled and Alder sighed.

"Why do you ask?" she asked softly, eyes opening to look up at Anacostia.

"I love the three of them and I don't—"

"Want them to get hurt and any association with me is dangerous," Sarah interrupted. "Not just because of the danger my proximity will put them in, but because you don't feel they are safe from me. You are not the only one that shares that sentiment."

Anacostia waited a moment. "You really shook my trust."

Sarah nodded. "I did." She looked at Anacostia. "I am sorry. For breaking your trust in me. Truly."

"You don't regret it though…puppetting the President."

"No," Sarah replied immediately. "Everything I have done and continue to do is for witchkind."

"You mean yourself."

"No," Sarah seethed, eyes blazing. She could hear a crackle of a storm in the distance and took a deep breath. "No," she repeated, softer this time. "My methods are not right. They don't agree with my personal feelings on it. But I have had to separate how I feel from what needs to be done. If I stopped to feel regret…three hundred years of regret…I would be crushed by the weight. A war is coming, Anacostia, make no mistake."

Anacostia mulled over it for a minute before she finally joined Sarah on the ground against the tree. "A war with who? The Spree?"

Alder shook her head. "No, the Camarilla."

Anacostia blinked. "I thought for sure…"

Alder suppressed the urge to chuckle. Anacostia was an excellent liar—she'd learned from her after all. Alder already knew, of course, about Anacostia and Scylla's activities to attempt and infiltrate anti-witch groups.

"How did you learn this?" Anacostia asked. She wasn't really expecting an answer, and the surprise showed on her face when she got one.

"The Mycelium. She is…comprised of all the souls of the witches who have died on American soil. When I lost my first coven to the Camarilla, I sang a seed. One that was so powerful that I have been blind to what I had created for centuries. Until now."

"Wait, you created the Mycelium?"

"Yes," Alder replied. "I could show you if you prefer?"

Anacostia's eyes widened. "Sarah…"

"Please…daughter," Sarah said softly, her hand opening to rest and wait for Anacostia to take it.

When she did, she was pulled in by Sarah—images flew by her as she showed her the meeting from earlier. When she finished, she released Sarah's hand and sat back against the tree, absorbing the information.

"I…" Anacostia trailed off.

"I know," Sarah said with a smile.

Anacostia returned it.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Sarah began. "As you saw, we will be attempting to make peace with the Spree…temporarily, until our enemy is defeated. I would like you to continue investigating with Scylla the ties to the Camarilla within these anti-witch circles, as well as any Spree informants that may help us find Nicte Batan. I'm unsure what her role is but she is still out there somewhere, and I feel it in my gut that she is with the Spree."

Anacostia's eyes widened comically. "You know about…"

Sarah chuckled. "Of course. Anacostia," she chided as she looked at her, "you forget, my little fosterling, that I have caught you sneaking off base in your youth. Your methods have not changed."

Anacostia had the decency to look embarrassed. "There is something else though…"

At this, Alder's eyes narrowed and she wordlessly nodded for her to say what it was.

"General Bellweather has been overseeing Scylla and I and our activities."

A pit of anger and betrayal swam in her gut.

Fucking Petra, she thought angrily.

"I'm sorry, for going behind your back I—"

Alder held up a hand, and then placed it over Anacostia's. "I am not surprised you did, and I thank you for telling me. I understand why you would. I broke your trust and that is my crux to bear. Going forward, I would like us to be as honest with each other as possible. This is not a time for secrets," she said seriously.

They grew silent, basking in the small rebuilding of trust that had begun.

"So…Craven," Anacostia began again. Her eyes were trained on the redhead across the way, continuously looking over at her and Sarah with a range of emotion.

Sarah sighed heavily. "This…this is more complicated."

Anacostia's eyebrows rose as she turned her attention back to Sarah.

"Tally and I are connected. I do not mean by the biddy link…that was severed without issue we found. I am unsure what the connection is, and Izadora is working on figuring it out."

"What kind of connection?"

"An intimate one," Sarah answered softly. Her eyes were trained on Tally as she spoke with the fosterlings more. "I mentioned to you she was having side effects from the severing, well at the time we weren't sure what caused the side effects but…she's been experiencing my memories in her sleep, which is why she was lacking sleep…I could feel it. One night it was too strong to ignore and since then we have been trying to find methods to manage it so that she can actually get some rest."

Anacostia remained silent, not wanting to interrupt the words Sarah shared.

"It seems that the only time she truly sleeps peacefully is when she is near me."

"Like when she was asleep in your office."

"Yes," Sarah replied softly, her gaze resting on Tally still.

"There's more to it though, isn't there…" Anacostia trailed off.

"Yes."

Sarah finally met her gaze and Anacostia saw a range of emotion in her eyes that she couldn't place.

Sarah sighed and began, "I told you this wasn't a time for secrets…so I will be completely honest, Anacostia. But, I must insist you do not share what I say with anyone. I am trusting you with this, daughter."

Anacostia nodded.

" 'Ayás imé wèlá," she said simply, her voice soft. "This connection…it blossomed in a way I didn't even believe was possible. In all my centuries I never…" She released a shaky breath, "I know her and she knows me. We can feel each other's emotions, even when physically apart. I don't know what the connection is specifically, but what I do know is how I feel for her…I am terrified, Anacostia, for her."

Anacostia's eyes widened.

"This connection is a gift from the Goddess. I feel it in my soul and it pains me that it is happening now when the Camarilla are rising again. They could…" she trailed off, unwilling to vocalize the fear.

Anacostia gripped her hand tighter. "I know."

Alder drew a breath. "If I can't be there to watch out for her…"

"I will. You know I will," Anacostia said firmly. Her eyes softened as she asked her next question, "Does Tally know you love her?"

Sarah shook her head. "No, she doesn't."

"Why haven't you told her?"

"I…" Sarah trailed off. "I don't want to pressure her. But…"

Anacostia nodded in understanding. She hummed thoughtfully. "You're afraid she won't return your feelings."

Sarah gave a terse nod, swallowing thickly. "It's still early." She looked at Anacostia then, her blue eyes soft. "I am courting her, though."

Anacostia grinned. "Is that what that braid is? I remember you mentioning them to me once."

"It is. The beads were my mother's," Sarah told her, voice soft and filled with adoration.

"Big deal," Anacostia commented with a tilt of her head. She approved of it.

They both looked over to Tally then, feeling a set of eyes on them that could've burned a hole. She was staring at them, clearly concerned.

"She can feel your emotions right now, can't she?"

Alder nodded. "I can't even hide them from her now," she said with a chuckle. "Some things I can, but it's very difficult."

"Why is that?" Anacostia asked.

Sarah laughed. "The storm this morning…"

Anacostia thought a moment, then realization encompassed her. "You and Tally…"

"Yes. And now the connection is…as open as I believe it can be. It's effortless to find her, feel her, speak with her…"

"You can communicate telepathically or via farspeech?"

"Telepathically."

"Proof?" Anacostia asked with a smirk.

Alder merely chuckled and tilted her head back against the tree.

Wordlessly through the connection she sent her request. Anacostia snorted at the speed with which Tally sprung up and darted toward them, realizing half way that she looked far too eager and needed to dial it back.

"Is everything…" she began to ask as she approached.

"She knows."

"Oh," Tally squeaked.

Anacostia couldn't help but laugh. "I honestly never thought I would see the day with you," she told Sarah before looking back at Tally, "but I can't say I'm too surprised. I know Tally's had a thing for you since she arrived."

Tally's face was as red as her hair and Alder laughed, hand extending for Tally to take.

Little does she know you've been pining just as long as Tally has, Corinne said pointedly through the link.

The others chuckled their agreement and Sarah sent them a quick glare.

This side of base had cleared out. With Tally's departure, the fosterlings and their caretakers had departed, leaving only the biddies and the trio at the tree.

When their hands met, Alder pulled her down between her legs and released a deep sigh against Tally's shoulder.

Anacostia watched them curiously, a soft expression on her face as she took in the way Alder visibly melted before Tally, and vice versa.

"Are you okay?" Tally asked through the bond, turning to meet her eyes.

"I am now. We had a difficult discussion but I believe we are better for it," Sarah replied, her head leaning forward to press against Tally's. Her hand rose to lightly touch the courting braid at the back, something of a habit she had begun doing as a small reminder that Tally had allowed her the honor.

Tally hummed in understanding.

"So," Anacostia began, drawing both witches' attention. "Once you figure out what the connection is exactly…then what?"

Sarah sighed. "I will have to speak to the powers that be and explain our relationship. I not only want to know what the connection is because I am curious, but because I need something tangible to show them if possible. Otherwise…"

Anacostia's eyes widened with realization. "They'll think you're puppetting her—"

"Yes, and Petra will have all she needs to try and dispose of me," Sarah finished.

Tally remained silent, simply enjoying being against Sarah, but tensing at Petra's scheme.

"Shit," Anacostia murmured.

"Indeed."


"Well today went better than expected," Tally mused from her spot on Sarah's bed.

They had finished speaking with Anacostia and Sarah had informed her of the request for Anacostia and Scylla regarding the Camarilla and the Spree.

Sarah joined her on the bed, laying on her back and opening her arms for Tally to curl into.

"It did."

"Do you want to talk about it more?" Tally asked softly, head tilting up to regard the older woman.

"No," she replied softly, eyes meeting Tally's. "I think I am alright at the moment. It was a heavy day."

"Okay. If you change your mind at all, I'm here for you," Tally told her. She placed a kiss on her jaw.

"May I ask you something?" Sarah inquired, stroking down Tally's cheek with a finger.

Tally offered a small smile, waiting for Sarah to speak.

"Earlier, when we were with the fosterlings…I caught some heartache from you," Sarah explained softly.

Tally could feel the blush creep up her neck.

Sarah chuckled and cupped her face sweetly. "Why the heartache, sweetheart? And why the blush?"

Tally nuzzled into Sarah's neck, tucking herself there as she sent the image of a little auburn-haired girl, with Sarah's bright blue eyes and Tally's prominent dimples. She could feel the breath catch in Sarah's throat—and then her head was gently pried from her spot so that she could meet Sarah's gaze.

"You saw this?" she murmured questioningly.

Tally shrugged. "I mean, yeah, when I saw that little fosterling crawl into your lap I just…saw a girl that looked like us. It's way too early for me to be thinking like that, I'm sorry, I just—"

Sarah cut her off with a kiss as she dipped into the bond, soothing Tally's anxiety and worries. She filled her with as much warmth as she could, letting her know it was okay and that she understood.

When they pulled back, Tally murmured, "It felt so real it just threw me."

Alder nodded against her forehead. She knew she couldn't have children, but she could also feel how much Tally wanted a daughter someday. She wanted to give that to her, but didn't see how that would be possible. So, she soothed Tally as best as she could—filling the bond with affection and gentle caresses against the walls of her mind.

Tally returned the affection instantly, curling around Sarah in both the bond and the physical.

Sarah hummed happily and dipped her head to catch Tally's lips in another kiss. She had kissed a lot of people in her hundreds of years, but none of them even came close to the way it felt to kiss Tally. It was as if her lips were made for her. Her head cradled perfectly in her hand as she threaded her fingers through red locks. Tally moaned as Sarah raked her nails down Tally's scalp. When her mouth opened, Sarah took the opportunity to slide her tongue in—drawing out another deep moan from Tally

She lightly bit her lip before soothing it with her tongue, and then sucking it between her own before her tongue was back in Tally's mouth. They went until breathing became much harder—and pulled back to take in some air. Sarah didn't waste much time though, sucking in a breath before she shifted downward so she could latch her mouth to Tally's neck. She kissed the spot twice and then bit down, hard enough to leave an imprint.

"Fuck," Tally groaned.

Her nipples had stiffened against her bra, and she could already feel her underwear sticking to her center. Sarah seemed to have an instantaneous effect on her body—her kisses alone were enough to drive Tally crazy.

When Sarah's tongue ran over the bite, Tally couldn't help but gasp at the sensation. Sarah moaned breathlessly as their emotions crashed against each other to become one, and Tally felt as if she couldn't breathe properly without Sarah's lips against hers.

She reached down, grasping part of Sarah's jaw and throat, and pulled her up to kiss her passionately. The surge of desire that poured over Tally caused chills all over her body. Sarah's desire for her. It was better than any drink or drug or food Tally had ever had in her life.

Tally needed to claim Sarah, properly. She wanted to ruin her for anyone else, if there would ever be anyone else. The thought sent an anger through her that she didn't know she possessed.

Sarah pulled back. "I want you to claim me," she said against Tally's lips, waiting for Tally's eyes to open and meet her own. "Again and again and again."

When Tally's eyes fluttered open, Sarah lightly licked up the center of Tally's lips—slowly. She could feel the rush that surged through them both.

"No one else," Sarah murmured against Tally's lips. Brown eyes—darker than Sarah ever remembered seeing before—shimmered with uncertainty. "Ever."

Tally's eyes widened slightly and Sarah couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Sweetheart," Sarah murmured affectionately, licking Tally's lip again and delighting in the shiver it sent through her. "There could never be anyone else."

She was being incredibly vulnerable, placing that weighted statement at her feet. But it was the truth. Regardless of Sarah's deep feelings for Tally, their connection…the level of intimacy that comes with it—there's no way she could ever connect with anyone else. They would pale in comparison to Tally. Tally—who was looking at her with such intensity that Sarah shivered under her gaze.

Tally inhaled sharply before reaching up to cup Sarah's face, and kissed her with as much emotion she could put into it. She only broke the kiss to roll Sarah on her back, reach down and pull Sarah's shirt off—tossing it across the room and then reaching for her bra. That also went somewhere behind her. Tally looked down at Sarah's chest—rising rapidly as she braced herself on her forearms and looked up at Tally like she wanted to eat her alive.

"Goddess," Tally murmured. Her hand trailed from Sarah's jaw, down her neck, over her clavicle, down her sternum to detour and brush over a stiff pink nipple. She rolled it between her fingers, watching as Sarah moaned softly and arched into her hand. She brought her free hand up to tease the other nipple, smiling when Sarah arched up into her hands as she toyed with them.

She could feel how much Sarah wanted her. It was taking everything she had from interrupting her ministrations. Tally moved her hands to Sarah's belt, quickly undoing it and shimmying back so she could remove her pants and underwear in one go.

Tally soaked in the sight. She was making sure to get a proper view this round. She was completely breathtaking in the low light of the room. Her eyes stopped at Sarah's tight abs. The woman was cut, and Tally had the strongest urge to trace every inch with her tongue. Her eyes then fell to the dark patch of neatly trimmed curls, and then her glistening center.

Tally was pretty sure she had somehow salivated and then became parched all at once. Before she could lean forward though, Sarah sat up—a grin on her face.

She vocalized a seed, and Tally watched as the room became covered in a shimmering gold aura.

"So that I don't destroy any more of the trees, and so that no one can hear us so please, be as loud as you'd like," she requested.

"Well..." Tally began, a slow grin spreading across her face, "in that case..." she pushed Sarah back onto the bed and quickly took a nipple in her mouth, earning a gasp from Sarah.

She rolled it with her tongue, simply enjoying the feel of Sarah in her mouth and the taste of her skin. Tally was still fully clothed, and her belt pressed against Sarah's center suddenly, causing Sarah to release a surprised moan.

Tally hummed and pulled back slightly to glance at Sarah. "You can grind against it and get off if you'd like. I still want to touch you elsewhere first." Then her head dipped back down to capture the other nipple between her lips.

Sarah was soaked, and desperately needed to take the edge off—especially if Tally was planning on drawing out her delicious ministrations. She hadn't expected Tally to be the teasing type, but she certainly wasn't complaining. She ground against the buckle, gasping as she was able to have it brush against her clit. Tally moaned against her breast, and Sarah could feel the pleasure Tally felt.

Tally lightly bit down on the pink nipple before soothing it with her tongue. The noises Sarah was making below her as she ground against her buckle had Tally hazier with lust—if that were even possible.

Sarah could already feel her orgasm approaching and she increased her pace. Tally's moans against her breast, her hair tickling her stomach, and the friction against Tally had her flying over the edge and cumming hard around nothing.

Tally moaned appreciatively as she released her nipple and began kissing down to her abs. She ran her tongue across the line at the top, and traced the rest as Sarah caught her breath.

"You're so beautiful," Tally told her honestly, glancing up from her current spot.

Sarah was still trying to catch her breath as she looked down at her witch. Tally smirked at the thought and her eyes brightened.

"Your witch, huh?" Tally teased.

"I believe," Sarah began, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "that you told me to claim you, just this morning. And I absolutely did." She bucked her hips up, just enough to graze against Tally's chin.

Tally released a deep moan that sent a thrill through Sarah. Shortly after, Tally's head dipped between Sarah's legs to lick a trail up her center. Both women moaned in tandem at the first contact, and shortly after Sarah had moaned—loud.

Tally slid her arms underneath Sarah's legs to wrap up and help hold them open as her tongue dove between wet folds. She was determined to make the General fall apart beneath her. Despite her inexperience she was more than eager to taste every bit of the older witch. And, from the sounds coming from above her, she was doing well.

She tasted divine—which Tally was delighted by but not surprised. She had fantasized about this exact thing for so long…long before she had become a biddy.

Sarah gasped at the thoughts in Tally's head. She could feel herself grow wetter from it, and she released a guttural moan.

"Fuck, Tally," Sarah whimpered.

Tally couldn't suppress the pride at causing General Sarah Alder to whimper beneath her tongue.

"There's more noises than that, Cadet," Sarah half-moaned.

Tally's eyes darted up to meet blue, and as they maintained contact Tally licked up Sarah's clit before sucking it into her mouth.

"Fuck!" Sarah gasped.

Oh Tally was absolutely feeling prideful.

Sarah was soaked—her essence running down Tally's chin. It was a heady feeling to be like this with Sarah. She couldn't get enough and interchanged licking and sucking now and then—much to Sarah's frustration and delight.

Tally could feel how badly she wanted to cum, but also how much she was enjoying being touched and denied. That was when she realized Sarah Alder, who was always so in control and rarely denied anything, was willing to give up her control for her. That was what broke the last of Tally's restraint.

She effortlessly slipped two fingers into Sarah, curling them as she thrusted and sucked on Sarah's clit.

Tally knew how much Sarah enjoyed her boldness, and she wanted to test it further—hoping that it would have the desired effect on the General.

"You, my dear General, are going to cum for me," Tally told her through the link, never pausing her ministrations.

"Yes," Sarah breathed out as she began to climax.

"You're doing so good for me," Tally thought. She could feel Sarah right on the precipice of her orgasm. "Cum for your witch."

Sarah felt as if she was thrown into her orgasm by the force of what those words did. Tally hit the nail on the head. Being in control of the entire military for hundreds of years was…a lot. The job never got any easier. She couldn't recall how long it had been since she allowed anyone to have control over her.

Tally though…giving her control was the easiest thing Sarah had ever done, because she knew that Tally would be there to catch her, without a single doubt.

So when Sarah was thrown from her climax into her full bodied orgasm—her back arching in pleasure; legs clamping around Tally's head; her hand in her hair to hold her in place as she rode it out—she knew Tally would be there.

She wasn't even sure how long she had been cumming for. It felt like ages to her—then she realized Tally had milked her through one orgasm into another climax.

"Tally," Sarah half-moaned, half-whispered.

She came again, somehow impossibly harder than the first. Her cunt clenched hard around Tally's fingers, stilling them inside her as she rode it out.

Tally thought it was the most glorious thing she'd ever seen. She was pretty sure Sarah glowed when she came the second time. Tally couldn't resist herself with that one. She tasted and felt so good, she wasn't eager to part quite yet. Despite Sarah's firm hold on her fingers, Tally moved them as slow and as deep as Sarah's walls would allow. She licked her clit lightly, feeling how sensitive Sarah was through the link, but how good it felt too.

That was when Tally coaxed a final orgasm out of her.

When she finally came down from her high—soaked in sweat and breathing heavily—Tally slid up her body until their foreheads touched.

"I would have definitely destroyed the base," Sarah thought through the link. She was still trying to catch her breath.

Tally smiled against her lips and chuckled. "What will we do about Beltane then?"

"I'll have to have a barrier constructed around the fort," Sarah said, a little breathlessly, but with a bright smile on her face. "I can't afford to have the whole place destroyed. And I don't believe containing it to just us will suffice…not against Beltane magic."

"We would definitely destroy it," Tally agreed with a light laugh. She laid her body on Sarah's and nuzzled her neck. "You smell good."

Sarah chuckled. "I am covered in sweat and cum."

"Exactly," Tally replied easily, nuzzling her neck some more before planting a light kiss to her skin. "You're mine, Sarah Alder."

Sarah's breath hitched and she tightened her arms around Tally. "I've been yours, my darling."

She kissed Tally's head, enjoying the way the redhead hummed happily against her neck at the affection.

Sarah adjusted their position so she could tilt Tally's head upward with her fingers. Then, with as much authority as she could muster without smiling, said, "On my face, Cadet."

Tally's eyes widened, and Sarah internally laughed at the way Tally quickly scrambled up her body—desperate to follow the command.

When her center was over Sarah's mouth, she sucked in a breath at the sight. She was slick with her desire, and her lips and clit were swollen with need.

Her hands wrapped around Tally's legs and pulled her down, forcing her to place all her weight on Sarah's mouth. She cried out when Sarah's tongue slid inside her, drinking her up. She sucked her clit into her mouth, humming as she watched Tally throw her head back as she rocked against Sarah's mouth.

She slid her hands up over creamy skin, up to the pert, pink nipples to take them between her fingers and roll them.

Alder was determined to make Tally cum for most of the night. It didn't take long for her first orgasm to wash over her. When she went to move, Sarah held on firm, eyes conveying her order to stay where she was.

It wasn't until Tally was near sobbing from pleasure that Sarah finally allowed her to roll off and curl against her—after orgasm four.

Tally laid her head on Sarah's chest, kissing the spot above her heart before she slipped into a dreamless sleep.


'Ayás imé wèlá - "I love her"