Chapter 28 - Curiosity
Link could still hear the faint sound of music in his room for at least half an hour after departing the main hall.
It was questionable whether the silence following meant the party had ended, or the musicians simply weren't playing as loudly, but he didn't pay the sounds much attention. Instead, his focus was on cleaning his wounds, starting with his legs before moving onto his chest.
Though he tensed while unraveling the white bandages after experiencing so much tenderness due to his injuries, this time, none of them hurt, and the lack of pain piqued his curiosity. Gazing down at the line of wounds traveling diagonally toward his shoulder, he gently prodded the skin near the largest, finding that for the first time, he was able to push without tensing.
Brows arching in surprise, the improvement had a smile curving his lips as he began using the washbasin to cleanse the area before applying the shaman's ointment—not that he'd forgotten his mother's advice.
Yet he saved the attempt of using the light power she'd given him for a smaller injury, waiting until he was finished with his chest before turning his attention to the wound on his palm. Myriad said he could ask Zelda for guidance if the process confused him, and somehow, he got the feeling he'd have to, making him wish he'd thought of asking for her assistance before leaving the party.
Still, there was a chance he'd figure it out on his own—but as he lifted his hand to try, a knock came to the door.
Looking up, he asked, "Who is it?"
"It's Zelda."
Surprised to hear it, Link cussed over the timing, but only because he was still shirtless and had yet to replace the bandages around his chest. Sadly, it would take too long to get them back on, and he not only wanted the chance to talk to her for numerous reasons, but also didn't want to make her wait in the corridor where it was so cold.
So he said, "Come in, but don't be surprised by what you see because I'm not entirely decent."
His comment had her hesitating, but Zelda finally opened the door and stepped inside to find him sitting with his back facing her while cutting some strips of cloth to fit around his chest. Yet her attention was drawn by two lines of wounds across his back that she wasn't aware he possessed. All she'd seen before were the ones on his arms and chest, and these weren't as big, yet they still seemed surprising.
Link had acted so much like himself over the past week and so rarely complained that it was easy to forget his actual condition, and they served as a stark reminder.
Before she could comment on it, he related, "I'm sorry I'm not exactly dressed, but I really wanted to talk to you, and also didn't want you waiting in the cold. The wood stove Dorrel put in here keeps it a lot warmer."
He glanced over again to see her nodding in agreement, realizing she was wearing a white fur cloak suitable for the weather as she replied, "It has grown extremely cold, and I won't lie, it's one of the reasons I came. It's freezing in my quarters."
Smiling, she added as if confessing a secret, "I also wanted to talk to you just because we haven't really been alone lately. It seems like something's always in the way."
As she walked over to the bed, Link agreed. "You're right, and I'm really glad you came because truth be told, I was starting to miss you."
Zelda bit her lip, finding his sentiment touching if only because she felt the exact same way. Saying so, she couldn't stop herself from walking over to sit next to him upon the bed, hoping to help him finish the task of redressing his wounds.
Yet she took a moment to inspect them, still experiencing pangs of guilt for sending him off alone anytime she thought about them.
Having sensed her moving behind him, Link nearly mentioned his need of her guidance, but stopped at the sensation of her fingertips drawing across his back, the touch as light and smooth as a butterfly's wings against his skin.
His eyes shut in response, lips parting with a deep exhale as she traced a pattern that dazed him to the point of nearly forgetting every other consideration.
At the same time, she rasped, "He hurt you so badly."
Her tone was sad, but held a noticeable amount of anger, and the thought of the one who'd injured him thankfully drew Link from his stupor and doused his desire to return Zelda's attention as she sat next to him. Of course, he knew she hadn't intended her touches to be intimate, yet he couldn't ignore how enjoyable they were, and if she'd carried on, they wouldn't have talked at all.
Instead, he related upon spying the morose look on her face, "They don't hurt much anymore, so don't worry. He hurt me but … ."
Shaking his head, Link concluded meaningfully, "He's hurt us both."
For some reason, his comment had her glancing downward with a look on her face he knew meant she was aware of something more than what he'd stated. For a brief moment, it made him wonder if she'd talked to Jada or Nissa about what they'd overheard of her parents. But if so, she didn't seem inclined to bring it up, and instead mentioned, "I know, but I just wish my magic would heal those wounds more quickly."
The comment reminded him of his desire to ask for her guidance, and he snapped his fingers with a quick, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that I spoke with my mother earlier, and she said the power she gifted me with could."
Instantly, Zelda's eyes widened. "She did?"
Nodding, he related, "She told me to try it on a smaller wound first, and ask for your guidance if I got confused. So will you help me?"
"Of course I will," she returned without hesitation, asking, "Have you tried yet?"
"I was just about to when you knocked," he admitted, lifting his uninjured hand with the question, "I'm guessing I'd start by drawing it forth like you taught me to hold a fire in my palm?"
At her nod, he gazed down at his palm and gave it a try.
Initially, nothing happened, but soon, light began to pool in his hand, growing in size until he was holding a gently glowing ball of energy.
As it radiated, Zelda whispered his name, mentioning, "Your eyes turned white for a moment."
"They did?"
Nodding, she proceeded to instruct him by suggesting he place his hand over the wound and will the energy to mend it. Doing so, Link tested it on the injury in the palm of his opposing hand, attempting to focus his will into the power, and yet he couldn't quite achieve the desired result.
After a moment without any change, he nearly pulled his hand away. But Zelda stopped him by placing her own hand against the back of his injured palm and said against his ear, "Focus on the injury, Link, not the power you're using to heal it. If you do that, the power will follow your thoughts and grant what you want."
Taking a deep breath, he nodded and closed his eyes, focusing on the injury and the thought of it healing. Only a moment later, he could feel warmth spreading through his injured hand, and a strange, tingling sensation that was … soothing.
"You did it," Zelda related at the same time, and though her tone was soft, it was also jubilant.
Opening his eyes, Link lifted his hand to see that she was right—the wound in his palm had disappeared.
Immediately, they shared a bright smile, and Zelda urged him to try again. So he moved onto the next of the smallest, and once more, he successfully healed it. Sadly, it didn't work on all of them, and in fact, the bigger ones actually hurt in response to his attempts. Yet several of the wounds were now gone or much smaller than before, leaving them with hope that he might actually make a full recovery within the week.
"I suppose I can keep trying every time I redress my wounds and in addition to healing myself, I'll get more practice using this power," Link qualified as he stood at Zelda's insistence so she could start the process of bandaging the wounds still marring his chest and back.
"Yes," she agreed with a smile that wouldn't be wiped away. Not only was she happy knowing he'd recover sooner now, she was grateful to be spending time with him at all.
It also didn't take as long to redress his wounds since there were fewer now, and she was grateful for it considering the sight of his bare chest was more distracting than she wanted to admit.
Yet the moment she stood before him and their eyes locked, all thought fled her mind. The warmth of his gaze was dazing, causing her heart to thump with longing—and the same longing was visible in his own sapphire eyes.
The roll of bandages fell to the floor at the sight of it. In turn, each reached for the other, arms tangling as their lips met in a kiss that stifled their gasped moans. Both knew how much they'd longed for the other's company, but until that moment, they hadn't quite realized how deeply that longing reached. Each brush of their lips was filled with as much affection as it was drenched in urgency, their tongues mingling with no less intensity.
After several long, breathless moments spent just that way, their lips finally broke as Link nuzzled his cheek to hers and rasped, "I've missed you."
Eyes closed, her lips parted with a deep exhale as she clutched him tight, finding herself in complete agreement. Furthermore, it was impossible not to think about how warm he felt against her—who needed a wood stove when the man she loved was holding her so protectively.
Or … was it possessively?
Either way, she found herself blushing. Whether it was their kiss, his confession, or even the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt, something had her feeling … funny.
Very funny.
It was the same sensation she'd felt when he'd kissed her in Zora's Domain. Her entire body was alight with awareness of him, of how close he was, the only difference being that this time, she felt no reluctance at all. Whatever boundaries she'd sensed before no longer seemed to exist, and she wasn't sure why.
Perhaps what she'd heard from both Lyonel and Impa over the past two weeks had eased her discomfort. Realizing no one would stand in the way of her relationship with Link provided a much needed sense of security, and as soon as the thought struck, she found herself infinitely more curious about matters of intimacy than before.
Not that she had the chance to say so, only managing to rasp, "I missed you too, and—mmf!" before Link cut her off with another kiss.
Moving much slower this time, she sagged against him as his fingers slipped into her hair, each stroke of their tongues redoubling her arousal until she let a soft whimper into his mouth.
Her response didn't make his own ardor any easier to bear, and Link knew he'd have to stop to prevent this from going too far—not that he wanted to. This was the absolute best he'd felt in weeks, and nearly all he could think about was kissing his way to her throat, her shoulders, anywhere he could reach.
Yet he forced his lips away from hers, exercising restraint if only because this simply wasn't the right time. Still, as Zelda buried her face in the crook of his neck, he cradled her close, and not even a cold gust of air coming in through a broken crack in the shudder covering his window couldn't cause him to move.
Still, Zelda didn't seem to appreciate the cold air, at least, not on his behalf. Instead, she looked back to see the crack in the shudder, then glanced around and asked, "Where's your shirt? It's snowing again, and that wood stove is warm, but only if you're dressed properly."
"I sent most of my clothes to the laundry, and I have a shirt in the chest, but it's not thick enough to really make a difference."
Pursing her lips, Zelda stepped back and reached for the tie of her fur cloak. Undoing it, she pulled the garment off, revealing a sleeveless nightgown with a row of numerous buttons down the bodice.
She realized it looked strange to wear such a thing with a pair of knee high boots, and yet fashion had been the last thing on her mind when she'd left her room. Instead, she'd slipped on the warmest pair of shoes she could find and sneaked out under shadow to prevent anyone from seeing her.
After all, it was late, and the last thing either of them needed were rumors spreading because someone saw the Princess visiting her friend so late in the evening.
So she didn't care a whit about how she looked while lifting her cloak to wrap around his shoulders—and he protested.
"Zelda, you need that more than I do."
When he tried to remove the cloak and give it back to her, she swatted his hands back down, shaking her head. "No, this gown is warmer than it looks."
Link pursed his lips, knowing that couldn't possibly be true. But if she insisted on lending him her cloak, then there was only one way to handle the situation.
"Alright," he started, turning to scoop her up from the floor, and the gasp she let had him grinning as he sat on the bed with her in his lap.
"Link! Don't, I might hurt your leg!"
"You won't," he replied, having settled her so that her bottom was between his thighs before taking the edges of her cloak to wrap around her.
The garment was just big enough to cover them both, and once she realized she wasn't causing him pain, she relaxed and bit her lip, making it difficult to tell if the curve of her mouth was a smile. Yet it must've been because she quickly grabbed him in a hug, resting her head to his shoulder with the words, "You're so stubborn."
"Only when it means your comfort," he countered, winding his arms around her beneath the cloak.
Following those words, they grew silent for several moments, simply enjoying being with one another—not that they weren't both consumed by thoughts of things that still needed to be said. Yet neither of them wanted to ruin the moment with serious matters, finding they'd spent so little time alone together that it was difficult to speak of anything truly important.
Still, Zelda couldn't stop herself from dwelling on what she already knew. At the party, he'd admitted his desire to reveal the truth, and her restlessness over the thought of her parents' survival grew until it was interfering with her enjoyment of being alone with him again, proving the time was now.
Even if it wasn't, she simply couldn't keep silent any longer.
Rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, she whispered, "I know my parents are alive, Link."
Almost instantly, his body grew rigid against her as she went on to add, "I don't know how it's possible, but I know my dreams were trying to tell me that very thing. So … if you know how it's true, please tell me."
Silence ensued her words, and without looking at his face, it was difficult to tell whether he was stalling, or merely searching for the right words. Yet she soon felt his hand seeking hers under the cloak, and as he took it, their fingers threaded together.
The simple gesture provided more comfort than she could've said, and as Link began to speak of his encounter with Ganondorf for the first time, she hung on every word.
"I hadn't planned on speaking to him because I knew he had no intentions of listening, but Ganondorf had other plans, and said the only reason he let me live was to send you a message. So when I tell you this, I'll be doing exactly what he wants."
Zelda remained silent, though he'd spoken the last with so much anger and resentment she could barely resist the urge to hug him more tightly. Yet she feared any movements might cause him to change his mind, especially knowing now that one of the reasons for his silence was to thwart the Evil King's wishes.
So she waited patiently for him to continue, which he soon did.
"He told my mother this as well, just after she was woken, and she never repeated it because she had no way of knowing if he was lying to set a trap for you. But your dreams confirmed that he was telling the truth, and she also knew they meant you'd find out in your own time which … I guess you did."
With that said, he pinned Zelda's gaze with his own, his expression more sorrowful than before in relating, "Ganondorf thinks the moment you learn the truth, you'll eventually come running to the palace and bring him part of the Triforce, meaning your ignorance is the only thing that's kept you safe but … you're right. Hadinaru and Nissandra are alive."
Taking a deep breath, he explained as gently as possible, "They're being held in the palace under some kind of magical slumber Dragmire put them in to use against you. He did this because as soon as he found out you'd survived, he knew you were one of the two to gain a piece of the Triforce."
Sometime during his explanation, Zelda looked away with a mixture of discovery and sorrow etched in her face. This was the reason Lyonel hadn't detected any signs of life—the magic Dragmire used was obviously intended to trick everyone. At the thought, the tiny spark of hope that had flickered inside her over the notion of her parents' survival nearly sputtered out due to the worry she felt for the situation they were now trapped within.
Worried she might make a rash decision, Link watched her carefully, his brow knotted with concern. The sensation only redoubled when her fingers squeezed his just as her eyes shut tight. Perhaps she was bothered by the thought that Ganondorf was using her parents against her, or she still hadn't come to terms with the notion that her parents were alive despite having figured it out without needing to be told.
Either way, when she started trembling against him, Link gripped her more tightly, murmuring gently against her ear, "Zelda, say something."
The concern and affection in his voice combined with the way he kissed her temple snapped her restraints. Instantly, she began crying in earnest, parting her lips to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.
So Link lifted a hand to her cheek and used his thumb to wipe one of her tears away, relating, "I'm so sorry, Zelda. Another reason I didn't want to tell you was that I knew it would hurt you even worse than I was hurt in the fight."
He was right. Considering the situation had her heart feeling as if it had been strung up in a bed of barbs as she turned a pair of glistening violet blue eyes up at him and rasped, "Link … knowing they're alive—"
Her voice hitched as more tears fell, her eyes squeezing shut before concluding, "I mean, do you think we'll be able to save them, too?"
As she took a breath to try and contain her emotions, she felt Link's thumb beneath her chin as he lifted her face to his. Looking up, she spied a set of sapphire eyes filled with determination as he answered with the utmost sincerity.
"Of course. No matter what happens, you know I won't give up without a fight."
Once again, he was right, and for the first time since she'd realized that her parents were actually alive, she truly allowed herself to consider what it all meant. This was no longer a matter of simply saving the kingdom. Instead, it was now about saving their families, and despite how dire the situation was, she couldn't help a momentary smile in mentioning, "I thought it was the children who got into trouble, not the parents."
The comment brought a smile to Link's lips, though her own amusement was quick to fade with anger rising in its place. She'd been cheated, as had Link, the thought sending her fist down into the mattress before she covered her face with more tears.
Frowning, Link shifted to pull her in closer, fully understanding how she felt. It reminded him of the talk he'd had with Lyonel, and how angry he'd been to realize his family was actually there all along.
So he related, "Father made a good point to me when he told me the truth. He said little has changed, and he's right. We're still fighting to stop Ganondorf, and though I know it's hard to accept their circumstances, the only thing that's different is having a real chance to meet your parents."
There he goes again. Sniffling in an effort to get her crying under control, Zelda couldn't help feeling as if Link was making the task even harder. He always said precisely what she needed to hear to feel better, and she was so glad he was there she couldn't stand it.
She also knew she wouldn't change the story for anything. He was right to say that their circumstances were hard to accept, but if they played their cards right, it also gave her a chance she'd yearned to have for as long as she could remember. That aside, Link's mother was in a similar situation, and would be much harder to rescue than her own parents, but she had faith.
Somehow, they'd free all three and return everything to the way it once was—and they'd do it together.
As she pulled her hands away from her face and Link started wiping the tears from her cheeks, she watched him with the thoughts in mind. Somehow, in that moment, her love for him seemed staggering, and before he could remove his hand from her cheek, she grasped his wrist and leaned up to kiss him as fiercely as she knew how.
The movement was so abrupt it surprised him, not that he denied her, letting a low groan into her mouth before she broke contact and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
With her chin upon his shoulder, she rasped, "There aren't any words to tell you how much I love you, Link, and it breaks my heart. You always make me feel so much better, and I know how silly it might sound, but I feel like I can't get close enough to you."
"It doesn't sound silly," he replied, knowing the feeling all too well as he turned his head to brush his lips along her neck. The sensation drew a shiver through her that made it difficult to focus as he added, "I'm just glad you feel better. It makes me feel better."
A brief smile curved her lips as she hugged him, fully understanding the sentiment—not that she considered it for long. Instead, a thought came to mind concerning the safety of her parents, and she sat back to relate it before more could be said.
"We can't tell anyone about the King and Queen, Link. As you said, ignorance is my only protection, and it's theirs, too. If word spreads that they're alive, Ganondorf would have his chance to use them against me."
Holding her gaze, Link could easily see her determination, and she was right. The moment word spread, Ganondorf would realize Zelda knew they were alive, and he'd waste no time using it to his advantage.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone. Hopefully, it will make Ganondorf think I decided to keep the secret instead of sharing it with you, and I have to admit, I'm relieved."
Canting her head, Zelda inquired, "By what?"
"By your reaction," he confessed. "I knew you wouldn't impulsively run off to save them, but a part of me feared the possibility. I had to remind myself that Ganondorf doesn't know you, and you're much more rational and understanding than he hopes."
"Understanding?"
Link nodded. "He thought I could choose to tell you and risk sending you to him, or keep the secret and risk damaging our relationship once you found out I'd known they were alive all along."
Zelda's brows drew together in irritation over the false king's presumptuousness, and she leaned up to kiss Link before remarking, "You're right, he knows nothing about me. He also doesn't realize his leverage only means we have a common tie that will strengthen our bond against him. Your mother is in no less danger, and I want her freed as badly as I want my own parents to survive. So, for as badly as I wish I could help them now, I'm following your example, and I know we'll be successful as long as we work together."
Link had yet to consider that. At the time he'd learned of the King and Queen's true fate, he was unaware of his mother's identity or what it would mean in the long run—and he wanted to laugh. Ganondorf thought he could drive them apart, never realizing he was only pushing them to work together even harder for their common goal.
If nothing else, it proved their bonds were strong enough to endure his tampering, and always would be.
Instead of mentioning it, however, he asked the woman before him, "Do you know why I love you so much, Zelda?"
Zelda shook her head, leaning against him as he related, "It's those same reasons you couldn't put into words. You have a way of making me feel just as good, and even though you've embraced your role as a princess, you're still the same girl I knew in Kakariko. You're generous, kind, smart, and I know our fight is worth it, but to me, you're what makes it seem worthwhile."
Exhaling low, he concluded, "We talked about how nice it would be if we could've stayed in Kakariko and never had to face these problems, and it would. But if there was a choice, I'd rather be here with you now because everything we've been through so far has proven our feelings are more meaningful than we would've ever known if we'd stayed home."
As he spoke, Zelda felt as if her troubles were melting away. He sounded so sincere that her heart swelled with emotion, and there was no denying the truth of his statements. During their travels, their feelings had been tested but remained strong—if not grown even stronger than before.
The thought provided a much needed sense of optimism for the future. Perhaps problems would arise that she'd yet to consider, but it almost didn't seem to matter when considering how far they'd already come together.
So for now, she focused on simply being with the man she loved, allowing her mind to relax with nothing more to worry about than whether she was hurting his injured leg, and who knew? Maybe after she'd rested, she'd be able to figure out a way to save their parents without too much trouble.
In an effort to get started, she gave Link a simple kiss and settled back again. Yet the look they shared proved they were both thinking the same thing—it wasn't enough. So he leaned toward her for another just before their gazes locked and they smiled in amusement at their behavior.
Finally, they both leaned in for something more substantial, wrapping their arms around one another as their lips parted and tongues met.
For several blissful moments, they remained locked together just that way, and the thought of stopping never crossed their minds. Instead, the only thing Zelda could focus on was the way Link's hand trailed up her arm, leaving a path of sensation behind that had her skin tingling.
In turn, she found her own hands against his abdomen, fingers tracing the hard contours with just as much enjoyment. Link must've liked it as well because he broke their kiss to trail his lips down her neck as his hands grasped her waist. In turn, her gown shifted, causing the strap to fall from her shoulder—and he wasted no time pressing kisses across it.
The wind had caused the shudder covering the window to lightly tap against the frame all evening, but suddenly rattled when a harsh gust hit it. A brief burst of cold air rushed over them as a result, but Zelda barely noticed it.
Instead, Link's attention had her convinced it was summertime.
The notion was just as breathtaking as it was frustrating. She longed to know why his kisses were so maddening, why every inch of her body responded so vividly to a single touch. Furthermore, if she kissed him in the same places, would he react the same way?
Putting it to the test, she turned her head and started kissing her way across his jaw and to his throat, moving in a similar path to his shoulder. In response, his head lifted with a low groan of enjoyment that had her heart fluttering.
She never realized just how much his reactions would excite her, but knowing he liked it made a world of difference, her curiosity growing even stronger.
As Zelda kissed her way across his upper chest and swept her hands over his back, Link found himself torn between shutting his eyes in bliss and watching her while wondering over her sudden need to explore him so intimately—not that he was complaining. He barely had the capacity to think, let alone voice any protests, staring in disbelief that she was giving him such attention.
The way she explored was nothing short of maddening, her lips warm and smooth against his skin as her fingers traced patterns against his back and sides. Every movement was filled with a pleasure he couldn't describe, and yet, when it captured the attention of a notable part of his body, he knew it was time to stop.
Sadly.
"Zelda … ," he trailed, striving to keep his tone even in suggesting, "we should slow down. We're on a bed, alone, and I … really don't need to be so tempted."
The comment had her sitting back to cast a curious gaze up at his face. Her cheeks were tinged pink with embarrassment, and yet she didn't seem to be bothered, rasping, "I don't mean to move so quickly, but … well, we trust each other and maybe I'm wrong, but I just felt … maybe we've reached a point where we'd like to know more."
"No, you're not wrong at all," Link admitted while looking her over, the mere sight of her enough to rouse his desire.
The way her sleeve had fallen from her shoulder was enticing, drawing his gaze to her breasts confined within the bodice of her gown. Her bronzed blonde hair framed them as it hung around her waist in thick waves, painting a picture he could barely look away from.
How could he not want to get closer to her? For as lovely as she was to regard, she was even more lovely as a person, and he was having trouble keeping thoughts of kissing her in places he'd yet to even touch at bay.
Still, her needs came first, especially for her first time, and he had to point out, "But this isn't the right place, and I'm not in the best condition. I don't want you worrying about ugly scars and bandages."
Shaking her head, she replied, "Scars don't matter to me, though you're right about your condition. Still … ." Sighing, she placed her hands against his chest and slowly pressed them up to his shoulders, confessing, "I can't help wanting to know so much more. I want to know why your kisses make me so breathless, and why my skin tingles whenever you touch me."
Casting a shy gaze up at his face to see that his sapphire eyes were filled with heated enjoyment as they momentarily slid shut, she added, "I want to know why I like seeing that look on your face."
"W-what look?" he asked, voice hitching as his breathing quickened.
"The one that says you're enjoying this as much as I am. Does … does that make me a bad person?"
"Not at all. It's natural to want to be close to the one you love. I just want us to do it right."
"So do I," she whispered, and somehow, the inflection of her voice suggested she already knew she wasn't a bad person, and had only been worried for his personal opinion of her curiosity.
Further proof of it came when she added, "But I trust you completely, and I don't want to pass up any chances to be with you."
Link could certainly agree with that—how many opportunities would they have in the coming weeks to be together as they were now? Even still, he wasn't quite prepared when she sat back and started undoing the buttons of her bodice.
Eyes widening, he took her wrists in his hands, capturing her attention as he asked, "What are you doing?"
Despite a mild tremor passing through her body, there was determination in her gaze as she replied, "I love you, Link. You're the only person I want to be with, so why can't I offer to let you know more as well?"
Holding her gaze, Link came to an important decision—she was going to drive him crazy. Groaning low at the thought, he shook his head and answered, "Because if I get too aroused, it won't be so easy to stop, Zelda, and I love you too much to make any mistakes."
Unbuttoning another clasp, she took a shaky breath and admitted, "I'm not sure we could. Besides, it's not fair. You've had the chance to learn what it's like to be close to someone, to know why you feel this way."
As she finished undoing the last button, he could only stare, able to see the flat of her stomach down to her navel. The inner swells of her breasts were just visible behind the part of her bodice as well—and if that notable part of his body hadn't taken an interest before, it was certainly standing at attention now.
The sight was so arousing he only heard himself replying, "I want to show you why, believe me."
Something in his tone had her breathless. He sounded so certain, the heated look in his eyes as they clearly traveled down her body setting her heart to racing, her throat going dry as she rasped, "Then show me?"
His heart thumped erratically at her request. Deep down, Link knew he could never deny the truth of his desire for her. Of course, he'd done his best to keep a rein on his lustful thoughts, and not simply because it was respectable. He also had no intentions of pushing Zelda into doing something she wasn't ready to do. After all, he'd gotten carried away in Zora's Domain and she'd been overwhelmed.
Yet if she was truly ready to know more, he couldn't think of a single reason not to oblige her request—and maybe she was right. Maybe it was unfair to her to be left in the dark over what it was like to get close to the one she loved.
Not that he had experience with that. But he did know the physical side of things, sliding his hands up and down her arms with the question, "Are you sure?"
Slowly, Zelda nodded. "Yes, I am."
Link could barely catch his breath, realizing his hands were actually shaking as he moved one against her side. Fingers splayed against her ribs, he watched her breast shifting beneath the material of her bodice as he cupped it, watching as Zelda sucked in her breath and shut her eyes. At the same time, the fabric fell away, revealing a pink nipple to his gaze.
Unable to resist, he lifted his thumb to it, eliciting a gasp as Zelda unwittingly grasped his wrist, her other arm tightening its grip around his back. Yet she didn't push his hand away, and merely clutched it tight as he circled the protrusion, feeling it stiffen against his digit.
Her head fell back, allowing him to press a kiss against her throat where he felt her pulse throbbing against his lips.
"Zelda," he whispered breathlessly, "are you alright?"
She took a shaky breath, too stunned to speak, or even think to open her eyes. The sensations his simple touch evoked didn't seem possible, and yet, as he pinched her sensitive nipple and gave it a gentle tug, her entire body thrummed with an ache that seemed to center between her legs.
Clenching her thighs together against the throb, she finally managed a nod in response to his question.
Link watched her biting her bottom lip as if consumed by the pleasure his attention provided, and found himself experiencing the same sensation. The sight of her enjoyment had him dizzy in a manner he'd only ever felt but a handful of times before—and never to this extent.
All because he loved her so completely.
Because of that, he was eager to please her in every way, to make the experience as good as it could possibly be. It was a fact proven by the way his hand continued to tremble as he pushed the other half of her bodice open to give her opposing breast the same attention.
At the sight of her so exposed, he murmured breathlessly, "You're so beautiful."
Zelda heard herself letting a low, desperate moan of his name. Perhaps it was her inexperience, or he simply knew exactly how to touch her, but each movement had her desire for more ratcheting to new heights—and it was frightening. She'd never known such desire existed, hadn't realized it would be so intense, burying her face in the crook of his neck with a whimper.
That's when he whispered, "If you want me to stop, I will."
It was a simple declaration, but it was all she needed, reminding her of just how much she trusted him. Link would never do anything that would hurt her, and she had no reason to worry, no reason to be embarrassed.
Finally opening her eyes to look up at him, she said so.
"I know you will, but I hope you won't. I just didn't know it was so … ."
As she tried to figure out the right words to use, Link captured her mouth in a deep kiss, slanting his lips overs hers for a long, dizzying moment before whispering, "I know. So just relax, my love."
It took a surprising amount of effort to process his suggestion, her gaze locked on his face as he started slowly kissing his way down her throat. Her lips parted as her chest heaved, the rest of her body tense with anticipation as his lips eventually trailed over her breast.
"Link … ," she heard herself whisper, fingers threading through his hair as she watched his lips latch onto her nipple.
"Link!" Her eyes squeezed shut with her breathless cry of his name followed by a low moan at the heat of his tongue rolling over the sensitive peak. In response, her back arched upward for more, fingers clutching him tight. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she could scarcely believe they were doing this, let alone believe how good it felt, but it didn't matter.
She never wanted it to stop.
Link couldn't get enough either. Zelda's vivid reactions were driving him mad, redoubling his desire as he laid her back across the bed and continued kissing and squeezing her breasts. As her fingers tangled in his hair, her legs parted around one of his thighs, the position taking their erotic activities to a new level, leaving him in a state of arousal that was nearly unbearable.
What snapped his resolve completely was the notion of how aroused she had to be in turn. Was she aching? Wet? Instantly, Link slammed a door on the thought and lifted himself up, panting as he stared down at her with the knowledge that if things didn't slow down, he'd never keep himself in check.
His abrupt stop had Zelda's eyes opening, panting as her fingers slipped down to his shoulders and her glistening violet blue gaze regarded him with confusion.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No," he rushed out, taking another deep breath before continuing, "I just … need to pace myself. Otherwise I'm afraid I'll go too far."
Realizing he was trying to look out for them both, Zelda couldn't resist the chance to lean up for a passionate kiss—and he returned it in full. The sound of his pleasured groan drew a new wave of excitement through her as she pressed herself against him, wanting to be as close as she could possibly be.
Still, she knew he was right to slow down. While their activities had cut through her inhibitions, she had no desire to take a risk and reopen one of Link's wounds. So she was content when he gently turned to lie upon his side, their kiss slowing down considerably.
And yet her curiosity spiked at the notice of something hard pressing against her lower belly.
So as he turned his head to place kisses along her throat, she had to inquire, "Is that … well, you know … ?"
Link had no clue what she was talking about, lifting his head to look down at her questioningly. "What?"
Her blush was so bright he almost thought the room should've been lit by it as she explained, "Against my stomach."
Taking a brief glance down, he finally realized what she was talking about and gave a nod of confirmation, whispering, "Yes … I can't help it."
Despite the way she timidly bit her lip, she asked curiously, "Does it hurt?"
Holding her gaze, he shook his head. "It aches, but … not in a bad way."
His description almost matched the sensation she felt between her thighs, not that she was going to admit it just then. Instead, she asked, "Will it go away?"
He sighed, finding the questions difficult to answer if only because the thought of how he might rid himself of his erection made it more difficult to resist furthering their encounter. Still, he strove to provide a succinct answer.
"Over time, but—ngh ... !"
He grunted the last, cut off by the sensation of her fingers splaying against his lower abdomen and slowly trailing down over his navel—without stopping. Obviously, she wanted to learn more, the mere prospect of allowing her to learn through hands on experience making him harder than he could ever recall being.
She didn't rush the matter, either. Instead, she wanted to make certain her touch was invited, allowing him ample time to refuse her if he was uncomfortable without realizing just how erotically tormenting her methods were.
Yet he never voiced any complaints, his eyes shutting with a low groan through gritted teeth as he wondered whether it would be a good idea to stop her—but it was too late. By the time the thought surfaced, her palm covered his concealed erection and pressed into it.
Zelda couldn't tear her gaze away from his face, his chest heaving as his lips parted with her name coming out more erotically than she'd ever heard it. The sight had her pulse racing as swiftly as when he'd been kissing her breasts, and she couldn't stop herself from rubbing her hand against the bulge through his pants.
"Ah … ! Zelda," he groaned out, lowering his face to her throat as his hips pushed forward to meet her palm.
His response had her dizzy with excitement, eagerness to please him rising up like a tidal wave she was powerless not to be swept away in, and she didn't resist. Perhaps it wasn't the right place or time to take things so far, but the truth was rather simple—she loved him. She'd never love another the way she loved him, and this didn't feel wrong whatsoever.
No matter what awaited them, this moment was theirs alone, and she was going to take advantage.
Link was already coming undone. Zelda was innocent and had barely touched him, yet she'd managed to drive him insane. But for as much as he enjoyed every moment, a part of him was screaming that this wasn't quite … right. He shouldn't be taking all the attention, and when he felt Zelda opening the button of his pants, he couldn't stop himself from grasping her wrist to stop her.
"No, Zelda," he rasped, struggling for breath in adding, "this is … it's not right."
Frowning, she inquired just as breathlessly, "How is it not right?"
Slowly tugging her hand from his pants despite the fact that he was throbbing so hard now he was actually in pain, he answered, "Because I don't want to get all of the attention. I want you to—mmm … ."
Zelda cut him off with a kiss he couldn't deny, though he felt her hand returning to his pants to open them anyway.
Knowing his selflessness had caused him to stop her, she wouldn't be deterred. Link was very obviously enjoying her attention, and she wasn't going to allow him to deny himself just because he thought she should be the one on the receiving end.
So she slipped her fingers into his pants, pushing through her innocent anxiety to find a smooth, thick shaft that was incredibly hot to the touch just as he wrenched his mouth from hers and rasped, "Zelda, you don't have to—ngh!"
Letting a much louder groan of pleasure as her fingers wrapped around it, she effectively stopped his protests with a slow stroke, her palm sliding back and forth against his aching flesh as she whispered, "Let me, Link."
Watching him through a half lidded gaze, she couldn't claim to know precisely what she was doing, but her intuition guided her, not that she needed it to see just how much pleasure he was receiving. As she stroked him slowly, he jerked and let a low groan—and she couldn't get enough, whispering, "Let me give this to you. You've already done so much for me, and I love you so dearly I can't help but want to see you in pleasure."
"That's … ," he trailed on a loud groan, thrusting his hips against her hand before breathlessly finishing, "different."
"No," she rasped, whispering against his ear, "it's not at all. You deserve to be pleased. You deserve more pleasure than I know how to give you and I … I don't know why but … I love seeing it on your face. I need to see it."
Wetting her lips with her tongue, she brushed them against the rim of his ear and added, "So show me … Please? Show me how to make it better."
Link didn't know how he did it, but he managed a nod, so consumed by her sweet attention he couldn't deny her passionate request, nor could he resist taking her fingers to grip her hand tighter around him. When he did, stroking his aching shaft with a firm grip, he moaned her name with a low, "It's so good, my love … ."
As he began kissing her jaw and throat—almost like a thank you—she finally gazed down at her hand concealed within his pants. She couldn't see precisely what she was touching, but it didn't matter. Knowing he was enjoying her touch so much was more arousing than she ever expected, and she wrapped her arm around his back more tightly while increasing the speed of her strokes.
His pleasure spiked as a result, a wave rising so hard and fast he nearly spilled his seed right then and there. Yet he wanted it to last just a little longer, though nearly all he could think about was hiking Zelda's skirt up and wrapping her legs around his hips—and the thought of being inside her certainly didn't help his resolve.
"Zelda, stop," he groaned out suddenly.
"W-why?"
"Because I'm … about to come," he rasped, grasping her hand to pull away before grabbing the first thing he could find that would serve as a towel—a strip of bandage left on the bedside table.
Using his own hand, he grunted as his seed erupted, almost growling Zelda's name in response to the pleasure ripping through his body. Somewhere at the edge of his thoughts, he was aware that she was watching him with bated breaths, and it nearly drove him mad. She wanted to give him pleasure, wanted to see how he'd respond, and she'd certainly succeeded.
So as their foreheads met, he was desperate to return the favor, uttering her name and his love for her again and again until his orgasm finally subsided.
Watching Link, Zelda recalled his claim that it was difficult to put the sensations of intimate acts into words, and it seemed he was right. She couldn't help wondering just how good it truly felt, but going by the way he looked, words really wouldn't suffice.
She also had difficulty believing she'd been the one to bring him to such a state of pleasure, whispering his name as he declared his love for her with a loud grunt just before collapsing back onto the bed, panting.
As he recovered, Zelda hugged him, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder until his heavy breathing began to slow. For several moments, it was the only sound to fill the room amid the flicking light of the candle on his bedside table illuminating their forms, and once things grew quiet, she whispered, "Link? Did it … um … "
She hesitated in attempt to figure out how to ask her question, but Link didn't need her to finish, supplying, "Feel good?"
"Yes." she whispered shyly.
Taking a deep breath, Link opened his eyes and pinned her gaze while shaking his head no.
The response had her frowning in confusion, though she didn't have time to question what she'd done wrong. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her—hard.
Dazed by the passionate gesture, particularly when she felt his hand slipping up to cup a breast again, his thumb brushing her nipple, she could barely focus when he broke contact and murmured, "It felt so much better than good, my love." Lifting his hand to her cheek, he went on, "You asked me once how it feels, and now I want to show you."
A tremor spread through her over the prospect of allowing him to touch her most intimate spots, her breath picking up again. Some modest part of her wanted to protest as well, but he'd done the same, and she'd insisted on being allowed to give him pleasure.
So how could she deny him the same thing now?
Feeling her tremble, Link murmured soothingly against her ear, "Don't be afraid. You can trust me."
As he spoke, she could feel him tugging her skirt up around her hips, making it difficult to rasp the words, "I do trust you, I just—ah!"
Her soft cry came as his warm palm pressed against her inner thigh, slowly moving upwards. In response, she buried her face in the crook of his neck with a low whimper, speechless in the wake of the throb his touch evoked between her legs.
Knowing she was nervous despite her trust in him, Link tightened his arm around her back, hoping to make her feel more secure while slowly lifting his hand as not to scare her. Tracing his fingers up her smooth skin to the top of her thigh, he found her legs were clamped together, and started rubbing the back of her neck to help her relax.
A whimper erupted from her lips at the feeling of his fingers coming to rest against the v at the junction of her thighs, his name sounding just before he urged her to part her legs. She tried to comply, and wasn't certain she'd done so until his fingers slipped down against the slit between them, causing her to jerk.
Why was it so maddening? Had she really done this same thing to him just a few moments before?
"Shush," he whispered against her ear, though she found it impossible to stop squirming in utter astonishment over how good it felt. But the real jolt didn't come until his fingers pressed into her damp slit in slow circles.
"Ah! Link … oh!"
Her sharp cry of his name was one of the sweetest, most erotic sounds Link thought he'd ever heard. Her back arched as he tightened his hold around her and continued searching between her thighs to find the pool of wetness he'd created. Stopping long enough to gently press his index inside—and the slick, tight heat he felt had him hard again in an instant—he gathered it to use against her, slowly circling the most sensitive spot on her entire body.
Instantly, she seized up in his arms, her back arching as she let a cry he muffled by covering her mouth with his to prevent the sound from escaping the room. At the same time, her hips rocked against his hand for more, having gone from shyness to wanting to beg him not to stop in no time at all.
The entire experience was simply too good for words. Having Link so close, kissing him and writhing in his arms was nothing short of maddening. His hand felt huge between her thighs, and the moment their kiss broke, she couldn't stop herself from begging.
"Don't stop, Link! Please … ."
Her desperate plea had Link's heart racing as he watched her respond to his touch. Every inch of her was gorgeous beyond compare, and he knew he'd never feel worthy of such beauty—but damned if he was going to deny himself, or her.
"I won't, my love," he promised breathlessly, finding her legs parting wide for his touch of her own volition.
So he strummed the swollen nub between her thighs, the swift movements causing her to cry out. Gripping him tight, she looked down to see his hand working diligently beneath the edge of her gown, the sight of it alone enough to make her heart pound—not that it wasn't already.
Yet the pleasure was so intense it sent her spiraling out of control in a way she'd never experienced. It almost seemed as if she was heading toward something specific, but Link kept slowing down before speeding up again, keeping her teetering right on the edge of what had to be her orgasm.
"Link, please … ! It's … so hot … ," she rasped, her muscles clenching just before a wave of pleasure exploded inside of her, sending her over the edge in a way she hadn't expected while she exclaimed, "Oh Goddesses, I'm … ah!"
"Shush, that's it," he drew out against her ear, clutching her tight as she thrashed against his fingers, urging, "relax, love. You're so beautiful."
Zelda could barely hear him, even as she felt he was the only thing anchoring her in the storm of pleasure now tossing her about. The only words on her lips were his name and her disbelief, emitting another innocent cry that was muffled by his mouth.
Link thrust his tongue against hers, stroking it hard as the intense waves of pleasure made her squirm against him, holding on tight until her body finally relaxed.
In the aftermath, she found herself clinging to him tightly despite feeling as limp as a rag doll, allowing Link to pull her over as he laid back, still locked in a passionate kiss. She was half on top of him, fully nestled into his side, and yet it still felt as though she couldn't get close enough.
Link … ," she whimpered in coming to rest against him once their kiss broke, realizing tears were rolling down her cheeks. The experience was simply overwhelming, proving why he'd told her in Misty Falls that it was difficult to define how the act felt.
At the time, she hadn't understood.
Now she did.
She was also beginning to understand what he meant by telling her it wouldn't be easy to stop once they began. Nearly all she could think about was furthering their encounter by asking him to make love to her right then and there. It didn't matter if they were in a drafty room of an old outpost. All she cared about was being with him, and if it weren't for his injuries, she wouldn't have hesitated.
Still, despite their inability to continue at present, she had no regrets over what they'd shared at all.
Link didn't regret it either. Though he'd been hesitant about engaging in such intimate affairs, he would never consider their time spent together a mistake. The woman he'd loved and trusted since childhood was secure in his arms, leaving him feeling so comfortable as he rubbed his hands up and down her back that he knew he'd fall asleep soon.
But first, he whispered, "Do you regret it?"
"Not at all," she replied, her cheek against his shoulder as his own rest against her temple. "I love you, Link."
"I love you, too." A soft sniffle punctuated his declaration, the sound wrinkling his brow in curiosity. "Zelda? Are you crying?"
"Yes," she admitted quietly. "But only because I just … didn't think it would be so intense."
The words curved his lips in a smile as he kissed her temple, lovingly stroking his hands along her back. Yet his expression transformed into a grin in asking, "Zelda?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it past midnight?"
"Close I think. Why? Do you … ," trailing, she glanced up at his face and hesitantly asked, "want me to leave?"
Instantly, his grin faded as he shook his head. "Of course not. I just wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
His grin returned. "The happy birthday."
Eyes widening, Zelda gasped, exclaiming, "I didn't even think about that!"
The sound of his chuckling had her heart sinking if only because she knew it meant he was going to tease her for the rest of her days. The thought made her wonder if she should regret their encounter—though she knew she wouldn't regardless.
Still, with the sound of his mirth ending on a yawn, he related, "Don't worry, I'm not going to pick on you. I just hope we do this again next year."
"You're picking on me now," she grumbled.
"I'm not," he returned in earnest, tilting his head to murmur against her ear, "I honestly hope that next year, we can do much more than this."
The thought had her heart skipping a beat. For as curious and even wanton as she'd been tonight, the full act still overwhelmed her to consider, and she could only wonder whether it would be even better than what they'd just shared.
Yet she pushed the thoughts from her mind, already having difficulty resisting the temptation to learn more. Besides, she was feeling extremely groggy, and wanted to think about her future with the man she loved.
Once their troubles were resolved, she knew precisely where she wanted to be—by his side. It didn't matter where he went, she would find a way to make it happen, and knowing it was possible had her heart thumping a contended beat as she relaxed against him.
"I love you so much, Link," she whispered through the quiet darkness of the room as he pulled the covers over them both.
"I love you, too," came his heartfelt response, and the soothing sound of his voice combined with the warmth of his body against her lulled her to sleep without even realizing it.
As she slumbered, Link watched the flickering candlelight dancing across her beautiful face. He had no idea how he'd gotten so lucky, but the small bit of intimacy they'd shared that night alone was better than he could've imagined. She'd been curious and giving, just as she always was, and he couldn't wait until they were in a better position to show her more, to give to her the way he truly wanted.
As he drifted off to sleep, he promised to do that very thing as soon as the chance presented itself.