I'm heading back to work next Sunday. I'm going to try and get the last chapter (I think it will be the last chapter anyway) done before I start my nonstop traveling and things get hectic but I can't guarantee anything. This is a bit of a longer chapter though and it has yet more sex. Whether that's good or bad is up to you. As always, I'll be editing this during the next few days.
I've chopped this chapter in two for those who don't want to read it all in one sitting.
They leave early in the afternoon, loading up the El Camino with Tamsin's assortment of weapons before starting the drive to No Man's Land. Mayer had given her directions and Tamsin was vaguely aware of its location. She knew enough to realize it was in the midst of the wilderness, in an isolated area far from the city. As they drive down yet another dirt road, Kenzi began to hum dueling banjos from Deliverance. Tamsin snorted in amusement while Bo glared at her best friend.
"Kenzi," Bo heaved a sigh, somewhat exasperated.
"What?" replied Kenzi, looking the like the portrait of innocence from where she sat next to the window. She gestured to the mass of trees and the general backwoods eeriness of their surroundings. "Look at where we are, it totally fits!"
"She's kind of right," Tamsin remarked as a smile formed on her features. "This is redneck central."
"I shouldn't have let you become friends," said Bo in a mutter. "Of course you'd always defend each other."
Kenzi rolled her eyes expressively then she quickly formed a sly smile as she said, "Don't worry about it, Bo. I'll never replace you as Tammers favorite fae. She'd throw me over in a hot second if you told her to."
"Enough," stated Tamsin forcefully, shooting Kenzi a glare. "We're ending this conversation."
"You're no fun," said Kenzi with something of a pout.
"I thought that was obvious already," said Tamsin in droll tones. "Besides," she murmured as she leaned forward, studying the upcoming path as the road died off. "I think we're here." She exited the car and walked to the trunk, deliberating over the weapons as the other women joined her. Studying the options, she handed Kenzi a shotgun, and Kenzi released an excited squeak as Bo stared at Tamsin with mild disbelief. Giving Bo a sword, Tamsin explained, "She can't miss with it."
Her pistol in its holster, Tamsin grabbed a sword for herself, sliding it into the scabbard on her back. Weapons distributed, they started on the worn down path, Bo leading the way. Tamsin absently patted the inside pocket of her jacket, wanting reassurance the spell she bought off a dark fae warlock was still in there. It wasn't anything earth shattering, just a simple transportation spell that would remove them to the location where it was anchored. Tamsin had carved off a piece of the bar from the Dal Riata for the casting and if things got bad, she planned on magically getting them the hell out of dodge.
No Man's Land wasn't like Brazenwood in that there was a gatekeeper and land mines to keep people in and out. Its reputation spoke for itself and that's what kept people from going there. Those who lived there policed themselves and as they neared the territory, Tamsin could see abandoned cars, and several oversized trailers. Kenzi snickered, saying they found fae trailer park terrorists but before Bo or Tamsin could reply a massive ball of fire flew at them. The valkyrie cursed and dropped to the ground, pulling Kenzi with her, well aware that Bo could take care of herself. When she looked up, several Salamanders were approaching, and they were the worst sort of fire fae. They had nasty dispositions and a tendency to burn things first and ask questions later. By the look of them, they were enthralled, and Tamsin didn't know the extent of Aife's control but they had to stop them before they were burnt to a crisp. The revelation of her true face was always a strange experience, like stripping back the layers and leaving herself naked to the world, it left her vulnerable as she displayed her powers but Bo and Kenzi were there to keep her safe. She trusted in them as she strode forward, telling the Salamanders they didn't want to do this, and slowly, one by one, they started to drop but just as her mask fell back into place, the last of the enthralled threw his fire at her. She cursed and tried to move aside but it was was jarring, shifting from one form to the other, and she couldn't move as quickly as she needed. Tamsin felt the fire burn through her leather jacket and she couldn't help but release a scream. Bo rushed to her side, helping her extinguish the flames, and she grimaced, clutching onto her arm.
"Fuck, I hate fire fae," Tamsin muttered, looking for anymore attackers.
"Are you okay?" asked Bo worriedly, inspecting Tamsin's injuries.
"I'll be fine," said Tamsin and her gaze became alarmed, "but it looks like we have more company."
There had only been a dozen in the initial attack and now there was at least thirty. Tamsin shook her head, trying to erase whatever exhaustion she felt. It was difficult at first, using her powers after rebirth was as tricky as using them at the end of her life cycle. At both ends of the spectrum she wasn't at her full strength and that was unfortunate considering their current situation. It was only moments and then they were attacking, all of them elementals, and Tamsin cursed again. Aife had been smart with her choice of thralls. These were fae who could thrive in any environment and could make anything their weapon, pull the water from the air and attack with a swath of destruction. Just as some were doing now and it was too much. Bo didn't want them dead but Tamsin wondered if that was an option at this point. Then she saw the succubus stop in the middle of her fight, dropping one of the wood nymphs, and her eyes were bright blue. She heard about this, Bo's ability to take chi from multiple targets, but she had never witnessed it. There was something mesmerizing and terrifying about it, watching them drop like flies and their strength flow into Bo, and Tamsin was frozen by the sight.
Kenzi rushed forward though, going to Bo when it was done, and talking to her. It was only when Tamsin approached them that she realized Kenzi was making sure that Bo was still Bo. That she hadn't let him take hold when she drained all those fae and Tamsin's heart leapt in her chest, full of fear, but those blue eyes faded back into brown. Letting Tamsin know her worry was unfounded. At least until she saw a figure emerge in the distance. "Shit," Tamsin muttered and her companions looked at her in confusion. "Your mom is making her appearance," she supplied, nodding to Aife who was walking towards them with a good fifty more fae behind her. Honestly, when was it going to end? How many had she enthralled anyway?
"I don't think a shotgun is going to do it," said Kenzi, nevertheless holding the gun in a tight grip.
"Nobody else is getting hurt," said Bo with determination, striding forward to meet Aife. "Mom!" she called out and Tamsin looked to Kenzi who held up her shotgun with a nod then they followed after the succubus. When they reached her, Bo was standing in front of Aife who was wearing an amused smile. "I don't want to fight you."
"Really? Because you just devoured half of my army, sweetums," said Aife thoughtfully, tilting her head to one side, her gaze going over the thirty something fae that Bo had taken out just moments ago. "And no leftovers for mommy, that's not nice."
"They attacked us, crazy lady," Kenzi accused and Aife's eyes narrowed at the smaller woman.
"You're fae," stated Aife, a dangerous tone in her voice as she walked closer. "How did that happen?"
"Mom, please listen to me," Bo pleaded, stepping in front of Kenzi, and reaching for the older woman. "I'm here because I need your help. After we escaped from that horrible place where they were holding you, my father came for me."
"Your father," Aife whispered and her attention was immediately on Bo. In a flash of movement she was in front of Bo, holding her face in her hands, looking deep into her daughter's eyes. "Oh yes," she murmured with something akin to glee, "I can see him lurking in there. He's got his hooks into you, hasn't he baby girl?"
"Yes," said Bo and her fear was entirely visible now. "I need your help," she repeated, covering Aife's hands with her own. "Please, I don't know if I can beat him on my own."
"You are strong," murmured Aife, pulling away, though her hand lingered on Bo's cheek in a tender touch. "I know you're fighting him but it isn't doing much good, is it? He's more powerful than any of us. I can attest to that."
"There has to be a way," enforced Bo, almost desperately, "you escaped, didn't you?"
Aife didn't respond, she just slid backwards in a smooth movement, and considered her daughter. "Come along," she said finally, turning on her heel. "We should discuss this in a more comfortable setting."
As she left, Aife raised her hand in an entirely elegant motion and snapped her fingers, causing her small army of fae to follow after her. Tamsin watched her exit, her eyes narrowed at the subtle display of power. It was more than obvious to her how the elder fae managed to escape from Odin now. There was a tenacity in her, something that kept her from ever being completely beaten down, no matter what happened to her. Aife's resilience probably only grew stronger with each new act of cruelty and that made her a particularly dangerous enemy. This was good, Tamsin thought, standing at Bo's side.
They had a chance if Aife was with them.
Tamsin wasn't especially surprised to find that Aife wasn't living in a trailer or a shanty like the other fae in No Man's Land. Somehow or other, she was occupying a rather large Tudor house that looked like it should be in the middle of an upper class suburb instead of the wilderness. Their journey was accompanied by countless eyes on them from the fae hiding in the safety of their lesser quality homes and Tamsin could feel their fear as they walked past. It was a reaction Tamsin understood.
The enthralled fae lined the entrance to the home, holding the door open for them, and a few trailed behind Aife as they followed her into a grand sitting room, complete with chandelier and large bay windows. Aife perched on a love seat, her gaze astute and vigilant, studying them as if they were insects in her spider web. "Tell me about daddy," Aife demanded.
"He took me to where he is," said Bo, swallowing hard, sitting next to her mother. Kenzi sat in a nearby chair and Tamsin remained standing, her hand on her hip, watching the mother and daughter with careful eyes. "I was there with him for almost a year but it didn't feel like that. It was more like weeks and he said he wanted to teach me things..."
"Oh, I bet he did," said Aife with a mocking smile curving on her lips. "He's always wanted that." She lifted her hand, her fingers running through Bo's hair, and she murmured, "It's like a whisper at first, isn't it? Then it gets louder and louder and soon it becomes impossible to know what thoughts are yours and what belongs to him." Aife slowly turned to Tamsin, taking her in with a knowing gaze. "You belonged to him too, didn't you, Valkyrie?"
"I was under contract," Tamsin replied and Aife laughed, pulling her hand away from Bo, and walking over to her.
"Oh yes, that is what your sisters prefer to call it," Aife drawled as she circled Tamsin. "Still," she remarked airily, "a slave is a slave is a slave. You and your sisters were imprisoned by him just as much as I was, don't you think?"
"No," said Tamsin, her courage steadfast as she looked Aife in the eyes. "I think you had it worse."
"Yes, I was his favorite," remarked Aife and her smile was twisted in its pain. "A special project," she announced grandly, turning back to Bo, reaching out to her gaily, "because he knew I would bring him you. My beautiful girl."
"What does he want with me?" asked Bo, holding Aife's hands, trying to focus her mother.
"I stole you away," Aife whispered, kneeling partially on the love seat, her touch loving and almost desperate. "Escaped from that horrible place. Lou Ann helped me. He should've never brought her to me, that was his mistake," she laughed. "I couldn't enthrall him but I could do it others and they were the ones who freed me. Who helped me take you from him. You were never his to own, not my daughter. I would never let him have you. I promised myself that."
"Mom," Bo's voice was commanding and forceful but there was a gentleness in it too. Tamsin thought that was what pulled Aife out of her crazed musings to focus on Bo again. "I need to know what he's planning."
"He's safe, where Dagan banished him," said Aife finally. "Ruling over his own small kingdom, pulling pawns from our world into his with the help of his Valkyrie slaves. It's not enough though. Ysabeau will be my voice and under her they will submit to my command. That was what he told me." Aife's eyes narrowed and she looked at Bo with a severe expression. "Only I refused to let him have you."
"You saved me," murmured Bo and Aife smiled, happy Bo acknowledged this. Looking at them, they were the picture of a loving mother and daughter, and Tamsin wondered if this was all Bo had ever wanted. To have this sort of relationship in her life. Maybe when this was all over, something could be done to help Aife, to repair the damage that Odin inflected to her mind during her centuries of captivity. "He's trying to do it though. Make me his voice. It's like what you said before, the whispers that get stronger? I can hear it sometimes and I need to stop it, Mom. I won't let him win." Bo swallowed hard and her eyes darted nervously towards Tamsin and the blonde could see the apology in them. The silent plea for forgiveness then she turned back to Aife and continued, "I feel so angry sometimes and that's when it happens. I've already done things, I tried to control Tamsin, and it's been twice so far. I don't want to be that way... I don't want to be anything like him."
"You're not," Aife spat this out almost viciously, "you never could be." She rose to her feet and looked at Tamsin, her gaze analytical and Tamsin knew she was being weighed and assessed. Her worth being determined. "Is this true?"
"Bo overcame his influence," said Tamsin by way of a response, her tone even, and her expression resolute. Aife wanted to know what she was made of? What her value would be in this war against Bo's father? Then she would show her the same bravery she knew the elder fae possessed in order to escape him. Let her see that she wasn't afraid anymore. Not when she had Bo to fight for. "Nothing happened. She wouldn't let it."
Silence and then Aife looked to Bo, a proud smile painting her features. "Of course," she said this in a lilting tone as if Bo shrugging Odin's influence was to be expected. "It doesn't matter though. He's not going to give up," Aife mused and then she frowned severely. "Not when it comes to his little girl."
"What should we do?" asked Bo and Tamsin could see the plea there, however slight. Bo wanted someone to give her the answer, to tell her what to do, because she had no idea where to begin with Odin. And Aife, however crazy and unstable she might be, knew more about her father than anyone.
"It's really quite simple, darling," said Aife with a charming smile. "We're going to kill daddy."
When they regroup at the Dal Riata, Tamsin doesn't know what to expect. She suspects that Trick won't be happy that she went to Bo over him. As much as he loves his daughter, he doesn't trust Aife or her intentions when it comes to Bo, and it isn't like Tamsin can argue with him over that. Aife is hardly a blameless figure in the history of the fae. After the Great War she led the rebellion to restart the bloody massacres with her assassination of a dark fae elder and then upon her escape from Odin she restarted this campaign. Although Tamsin felt Aife's fixation on creating civil war and seizing power for herself was more a result of the helplessness she felt at the torture she experienced at Odin's hands. While his prisoner she had no control, not even over her own body, and when she was freed of him Aife wanted to regain her sense of self.
And have a nice taste of revenge as well.
It was an impulse Tamsin could relate to and she was more than happy with Aife's plan to execute the dark king. They just had to find a way to get the light to work with Aife. Tamsin didn't think the dark would be much of a problem. Over a thousand years had passed since her attack and that was more than enough time for the dark to forgive her sins. To them, she was far less of a concern than the vengeful dark king they had displaced. Aife joining them on a quest to kill him would just serve to increase her popularity with the dark as she was already seen as sympathetic figure by some in their numbers. Of course, dark fae had a fondness for people who reveled in their power. This was a trait Aife had in abundance.
"You went to Aife without consulting me," Trick said this with the sort of gravitas only a fae of his age could possess. It was solemn and severe and Tamsin had to repress the urge to flinch at his tone. Bo never wavered though. She held his gaze and didn't seem the least bit phased by his anger. Tamsin supposed that was one of the benefits of growing up outside of fae society. She wasn't inhibited by the same social norms as other fae but in a way it was dangerous as well. The succubus had a habit of disregarding the opinions of those older and wiser than her. Respect went a long way in the world of the fae and Tamsin wondered if Bo showed a little more of it how much further she might go. "Why?"
"She's my mother, Trick," said Bo strongly though there was a plea there, one that asked for his understanding. That was what got to him. Tamsin could see his stance soften as he gazed at Bo and she continued, "I had to see her." She wore a wry expression and sat down on the small couch in his study. "I know you've got your family feud going on but I needed to talk to her. I had to find out if she could tell me anything about my father and his plans for me."
"What did she say?" asked Dyson, his voice echoing with concern.
His reaction had been the same as Trick's when they arrived. Anger and confusion that they had gone to Aife without telling them anything about it. While she could see why they felt this way, Tamsin honestly believed it was for the best that they weren't included. The light would always have a certain viewpoint on Aife and her crimes. She would forever be a pariah because of the assassinations she coordinated and her plans to incite another civil war. When it came to the dark, Aife was more of a figure of grudging admiration because she exhibited the sort of ruthlessness they often embraced. Certainly, the dark didn't want to be ruled by her anymore than the light but they held a strange sort of respect for her that would let them work with Aife. It wasn't a sentiment that Tamsin could ever see the light reciprocating in regards to the woman.
"I wasn't planned at first," said Bo, giving a broken sort of laugh. "That he went after my mother as an amusement and it was only after he was banished by the dark that he realized her real worth. How being the child of the Blood King and a succubus made her thrall stronger than any he'd ever seen. And when combined with his own abilities, their child would have an even greater ability to control the masses." Bo swallowed hard and looked up at Trick with an imploring gaze, as if trying to get him to see the good in her, that she wasn't what Odin wanted her to be. "Aife said I was born to rule in his place."
"Well," Trick said with a sigh, reaching out to squeeze Bo's hand in a gentle hold, "from what we know of your father, that sounds accurate. Did Aife have anything to say about defeating him?"
At this question, Bo hesitated, looking away from Trick and seeming at a loss. That's when Kenzi stepped forward and offered, "Mama Succubus says that we should off him." She moved her index finger across her throat, creating a gurgling sound effect to emphasize the gesture. Bo formed an empty sort of smile and Kenzi rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She said the longer that big daddy is around stronger his control over Bo is going to get."
"I see," said Trick solemnly and he shifted his attention to Tamsin. "Other than Aife, you have the most experience with Odin and his abilities. Do you agree with her assessment?"
There were so many different ways she could answer this. Bo was strong. She had said this so many times, to Trick, to Aife, and to Bo herself, but Odin... he was something different altogether. He was a monster not a man and in his presence she felt lesser always. There was an innate intimidation and mercilessness in his thinking that she knew was granted from his ability to manipulate all who came into his contact. How could you possibly respect anyone or anything when you knew full well that you could easily shift them to your side? None were his equal and all were his potential servants. The only consideration he would give Bo was due to his own vanity. She was his daughter and as such, she was an extension of his will. Bo didn't matter to Odin as an individual, she only mattered as a herald of his warped gospel, and in her role as his chosen regent.
"Yes," Tamsin finally replied, her jaw clenched. "He's a threat and the longer that he isn't dealt with then the more chance he has of influencing Bo. I've seen what he does to people and there's no coming back from it. The damage done to Aife's mind alone is proof of that." Tamsin mulled over Aife's words, crazed as they were, and she knew they held importance. It wasn't the safest option but it was the only viable method for defeating Odin that Tamsin had ever heard. "Aife has found a way to disable the koushang that Odin has been using. With that, she thinks it's possible to overpower Odin."
You remember those shots Lauren gave me?" asked Bo almost anxiously. It seemed to Tamsin as if she was trying to not only convince Trick of the validity of this plan but herself as well. "I was thinking, if I took them all at once, then we went after him they'd help keep him out of my head. If Aife takes care of his koushang, we both could take him out."
"It could work," said Trick, though there was a definite undercurrent of concern in his voice. "But how do we get to him? Tamsin, you can't take us there, can you?"
"Not anymore," Tamsin said this without any inflection, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm not under contract. That means I'm banished from automatic entry to Odin's super torture time realm." After she said this, she thought about the upcoming open council session. The entire dark fae community had been alerted it would take place this weekend. It was a coming out party for Vex as The Morrigan and for the reformed Council of Six. The dark fae elders who would be present were among those responsible for Odin's banishment. She had already told Trick that she would speak with them, to ask for their help in defeating him, but now she had another request in mind. To ask them for way to get into his realm. They had to know this as they were the ones who trapped him there in the first place. Tamsin took in all of the worried expressions that surrounded her, the fear and the concern for Bo, and the succubus' words echoed in her mind.
You have us now. We'll be your clan.
Seeing their faith in her and the trust in their eyes was all it took for Tamsin to decide. It didn't matter that she was dark and they were light, they cared for her and believed in her, just as she did in them. She would not let them down. "The dark fae are having an open council session this Saturday," she began. "Among the guests will be many of our most powerful fae elders. Some of which helped to banish Odin after the Great War. I'll go and plead our case, try and find out from them how we can get into his realm. I figure that's the best chance we've got." She arched an eyebrow and looked at Trick with a droll expression as she remarked, "But you've got to convince your prissy judgmentals to work with us and Aife too. We'll need everybody in on this one if we're really going to take him out. We need to come in with a major overkill in firepower."
"I think I can handle that," said Trick dryly. He looked around Bo to speak to Hale. "You can set up a meeting?"
"I'll get with Mirasol and the High Council," Hale nodded, already reaching for his cell phone.
"Fantastic," Tamsin drawled. Then she directed her attention to Bo, forming a smirk as she tilted her head to one side. "How about it, succubus? You want to be my plus one and go to the annual dark fae ball? It'll be like Cinderella but not."
"Sounds fun," said Bo and she wore the first genuine smile since they started this discussion.
"Whoo hoo! It's gonna be one big dysfunctional fae family takedown," Kenzi whooped, rising to her feet, and forming her finger into a gun, mimicking shooting their invisible enemies. "We've got this thing in the bag." She paused and they watched her expression shift. "Hey, Tammers," she started rather hesitantly. "What about the other Valkyries? Will they fight us?"
"I don't know," said Tamsin honestly, thinking of the few sisters she had contact with while in Odin's realm. "It depends if he's managed to break their spirits but some will help us," she said this confidently, thinking of Sigrun and Brynhild. "They'll do it to have their freedom again." After she said this, Tamsin tried to keep the memories from surfacing, the flashbacks of the time spent in his dungeons, trapped in his torture devices, and all the ways he killed her. Each more horrible than the last and it was only the gentle touch of Bo's hands on her face that drew her back to the present and she moved on instinct at first, jerking away, as if it was him touching her. Only it was Bo and she could never be him and Tamsin sighed and relaxed into her touch, finding comfort in it, enough that she could try and ignore Dyson's gaze burning into them. She didn't want to hurt him with this, he was a good man and she cared for him as a friend but Tamsin would never deny Bo or her feelings for her. That was her promise to herself, her attempt to return to being a person without regret and who wasn't ruled by fear. "I'm okay," Tamsin said in a reassuring murmur, covering Bo's hand with her own. "Really."
Bo didn't reply, she just smiled tenderly, her touch and expression full of love and devotion and it was all Tamsin could have ever wanted. Then she turned to her grandfather as she reached down to hold Tamsin's hand. "There's something else," Bo said this rather seriously and he frowned as he looked at her. "Aife's got an army of fae under her thrall. We need to free them. She's my mother and I want her help but I won't let her do that to people. They should have a choice to fight."
"And now we're missing a human chick," said Kenzi wryly, shifting awkwardly on her feet.
"Don't worry," Trick reassured, walking over to his massive stack of books, "you can help me find another way to free them. One that's more convenient than cutting their hands one by one and reciting an oath." He then gave Kenzi a significant look and she heaved a sigh, trodding over to the elder fae with the beginnings of a whine forming on her features. "Read this," he instructed, handing over a distinctly large tome and Kenzi stumbled a bit under its weight. "It should have some information on the different methods for overcoming a succubus' thrall."
"Fabulous and fun," said Kenzi tiredly, flopping down on a chair and preparing to read. Sensing Tamsin's amusement, she glared at the valkyrie and pointed at her, wearing a thoroughly pissy expression. "You need to get me the down low on sucking info out by touch. This is not Reading Rainbow and I'm getting sick of taking looks in books. Anansi braille ASAP."
"I'll look into it," Tamsin promised, chuckling and going over to Trick to help out with the reading.
Dyson and Bo soon followed suit, and they set up a small research session in Trick's study, pouring over the tomes and sharing the information they found. There was a camaraderie in this that Tamsin hadn't experienced in centuries and it warmed her heart to be experiencing it again. This was why she was going to fight and this was why they were going to win. Their belief in one another and their desire to help, it was so damned goody two shoes, but it was glorious all the same. It was the way of true heroism and it was what Valkyries championed above everything else in this life.
It was why Tamsin loved Bo.
By the time they're done with research and planning, it's well into the evening. As they walk into the shack, Bo sighed heavily and began unbuttoning her leather corset, tossing it onto the couch. "I'm taking a bath," she announced and Tamsin nodded absently, going to the refrigerator and retrieving a beer. She had just popped the top on it when Bo sidled up to her and lifted an eyebrow as she cocked her head to one side and offered a teasing smile. "You want to join me?"
This shouldn't have been surprising, it was something utterly Bo in that it was sweet and sexy, but there was a familiarity to the question that tugged at Tamsin's heart. It was almost like she was more than a friendly fuck or a pleasant distraction with how Bo was looking at her. The succubus cared for her, Tamsin knew that, because she cared for everyone but Tamsin was starting to think it might be something more. There were echoes of Tomoe in how Bo treated her and it made Tamsin so very afraid, because she knew with all that you gained from those type of feelings you could lose equally as much.
Still, Tomoe was her past, and Bo was her future. Tamsin wouldn't allow fear rule her anymore and so she stepped closer to Bo, entwining their fingers as she replied in a slow drawl, "How could I possibly say no to that?"
"Well," Bo remarked playfully, happiness alight in her gaze as she pulled Tamsin after her and headed towards the bathroom. "I was hoping you wouldn't." She walked over to the tub and turned on the tap, testing the heat of the water before putting the plug into place. Bo turned to Tamsin who was slipping out of her shoes and socks, a serious expression on her face as she held up two different choices in bubble bath. "Sensual Amber of Paris Amour?"
Tamsin put on a face of mock contemplation, then tapped on the pink bottle. "Paris Amour," she said seriously.
"Good choice," congratulated Bo and she turned to add the bubble bath to the water. "According to the bottle, it's a dreamy blend of French tulips, apple blossoms, and sparkling pink champagne that is inspired by a romantic stroll through Paris."
"Paris wasn't such a romantic stroll during the French Revolution," said Tamsin in wry amusement, pulling off her shirt and hopping out of her jeans. She moved over to Bo, hands warm on her sides as they slid upwards, removing first her shirt then bra. Bo put the bubble bath down and turned to face her as Tamsin unbuttoned her black pants. "Other than that, it's a nice enough city," she said this in a conversational tone as she kneeled, helping Bo step out of the pants, one leg at a time. Tamsin peered up at Bo, a slow smile curving on her features as her hands trailed up her legs. "Have you been?"
"I don't have a passport," said Bo and it seemed to Tamsin as if she was holding her breath in anticipation. It was altogether amusing and amazing to Tamsin that she could have any sort of effect on the succubus. Tamsin didn't reply, she just nodded her head and moved closer, her hands firm on Bo's hips, pulling the other woman to her. She dipped her head, breathing in Bo's scent, it was sensual and comforting, and it made Tamsin want to wrap herself up in it and in Bo herself. "Tamsin," Bo's voice was a husky plea and she lifted her head, gazing into questioning brown eyes. "Are you all right?"
There were so many different ways she could reply but Tamsin settled on not replying at all. Instead, she smiled and kissed Bo lightly. It was just a brief press of their lips, a simple affirmation of emotion, then Tamsin ducked around her, reaching down to turn off the tap before the tub overflowed. She smiled again and nodded her head towards the bath. "We should get in before the water gets cold," Tamsin said.
"Right," said Bo quietly, a thoughtful look on her features. Then she stepped into the bath and tugged on Tamsin's hand as she sank into the water. "Come here," Bo murmured, her brown eyes opening and inviting. "Get in. I want to hold you."
No smart remarks or sardonic expressions came in a response. Tamsin did as requested, stepping into the water and lowering herself in front of the succubus. Repressing a sigh of pure contentment upon feeling Bo's arms surround her as she sat in the bath. They sat quietly for several moments, enjoying the feel of one another and the hot water on their skin. Then Tamsin felt Bo brush her hair aside, nuzzling into her neck and breathing her in and it was wonderful.
"Do you remember the last time that you took a bath with me?" asked Bo teasingly, forming a fond smile as she slid her hand down to entwine her fingers with Tamsin's. The blonde huffed and rolled her eyes, looking away from Bo who chuckled. It was not one of her best moments and Tamsin would prefer to not relive it. Bo was silent, holding their hands up, her fingers playing over Tamsin's skin, examining her in a gentle caress. "I knew something was wrong then," she confessed and Tamsin craned her head, looking at the brunette, and it seemed to Tamsin as if she was feeling guilty.
That wouldn't stand, not for Tamsin. There was nothing that happened to Tamsin in this often horrible life of hers that Bo should feel responsible for. All the awful things that happened, they were of her own making, and it was only after meeting Bo that some measure of happiness had returned to her. "You couldn't have helped me," Tamsin said this softly and this was a revelation being dragged out of her. It was something she would prefer to keep hidden but she knew she couldn't. Not if she wanted to rid Bo of whatever feelings of responsibility she had taken onto herself. "I wouldn't have let you."
"Why?" Bo questioned and Tamsin sighed, staring at their entwined hands, raising them up for examination.
"Acacia," said Tamsin finally, "she was killed right around then. That's why I was so messed up." Bo didn't reply, she just held Tamsin tighter, her free hand moving more firmly around the blonde's waist and to Tamsin it felt as if she was being surrounded by Bo's warmth. It was soothing and provided such a feeling of belonging that it made her think of days long gone, when she and Tomoe planned their future together. "Your father wanted me to deliver you to him. I did it a thousand times before, handing over Odin's targets, but I couldn't give you to him," Tamsin trailed off, thinking back to that time, and even now she didn't know why she refused to hand Bo over at first. Why she avoided it so much, her feelings for Bo then were nothing compared to now but even still, she couldn't bear the idea of letting Odin have her. "He killed her and sent me her hand as a message to get the job done. That's why I tried to use that stupid rune jar on you. It didn't work though." Tamsin paused, thinking about this and she looked at Bo with a wry expression. She touched Bo's features, memorizing them with her touch as she murmured, "I think I fucked up the amounts. Subconsciously or whatever."
"I hate him for what he's done to you," said Bo in a quiet but severe proclamation. "What he's done to everyone he's controlled and enslaved." She frowned then sighed deeply, burying her face in the crook of Tamsin's neck, holding her closer as she murmured, "I don't understand how he could do all of those things. How he could keep my mother a prisoner for hundreds of years, torture and rape her, and then speak to me about her like he actually loved her." Bo lifted her gaze and looked at Tamsin helplessly. "What sort of person does that? I mean, is he even a person? There's this feeling I got when I was near him, everything became fuzzy, and all the stuff I knew I should hate him for sort of faded away..."
"That's what he does," said Tamsin softly, trying to comfort Bo with her touch, cupping her cheek. "It's another way of controlling people. He gets in your head and fucks with what you think is right and wrong and soon it's just Odin that matters." They were silent then and Tamsin sank back into Bo's arms, studying her with a lidded gaze, and she could see the worry there, the conflicting emotions, and she could guess the cause. "I'll kill him for you," Tamsin murmured and Bo jerked her head, looking at the valkyrie with wide and disbelieving eyes. "You don't have to do it. I'll take care of everything."
"Tamsin," Bo said her name breathlessly, tears forming in her eyes.
"He's your father," Tamsin said and it was the truth of the matter. As horrible and vile as Odin was, he was part of the reason Bo existed in this world, and some part of Tamsin was thankful to him for that. And while Bo knew of all the evils he had done that probably didn't make killing him any easier for her. That's not the type of person she was. "I understand."
"No, he's not," Bo shook her head, "my father's name is Sam Dennis and he's dead. Odin is just the man who raped my birth mother and is trying to get into my head so I'll do what he wants." She was silent for a moment, holding Tamsin closer as she rested her chin on Tamsin's shoulder. "I have to be the one to kill him," she said finally and there was a quiet conviction in her words. As if Bo knew this was the way it had to be and there was nothing that would change her mind. "I should be upset but I'm not," Bo said, looking lost and almost confused to be admitting this. "I don't feel anything when I think about it." She lifted her head and looked at Tamsin, there was a fear there, and it made Tamsin's heart ache. "It scares me."
"You're a succubus," said Tamsin in a whisper, holding Bo's face in her hands, caressing her gently. Trying to provide some sort of comfort and she felt Bo relax into her touch. "You're a creature of emotion, Bo, and not feeling anything isn't normal for you. Of course you're scared," she said this softly, "that's normal. Fuck," Tamsin cursed and a small smile curved on her lips and she ducked her head down. "I'm scared too. Your dad's a scary guy and we're going after him full force."
Bo didn't reply verbally, she just nodded her head, and they were silent, holding onto one another. Then she looked at Tamsin, her brown eyes pensive. "I already talked to Kenzi about this," she murmured, "but I'm going to tell you the same thing. If we get in there and I can't fight him... if he gets control of me... I want you to end it. I won't live under his thumb and I won't let him use me to make other people miserable. I'd rather be dead."
This was a grave request, one made out of trust, but Tamsin didn't know if she could do it. Even if it was Bo asking. It was monstrous, killing Tomoe, and it had nearly destroyed her but after hundreds of years, Bo had somehow picked up the pieces of her heart and put them back together. She did all that, she had given Tamsin her true self and her freedom, and the idea of killing her was horrifying. Tamsin didn't know if she would ever have the strength for that. She would rather die first.
That thought paramount in her mind, Tamsin replied steadily, "It won't come to that. I won't let it." She could see the protest forming on Bo's lips and Tamsin pressed her fingers over them lightly, cutting it off. "No," she muttered, shaking her head, "I need you to listen. I'm not going to let him take you like he took Tomoe. I'll do anything necessary to make sure that doesn't happen and I won't be alone. Kenzi will be there along with Dyson, Trick, Aife, and a goddamn combination dark and light fae army. We will come down on him like the fucking hammer of Thor and there won't be shit left when we're done." Tamsin formed a shaky smile and cupped Bo's face in her hands, murmuring against her lips, "He doesn't get to have you."
The kiss they share is slow and sweet but it soon turns into something else. Something stronger and more fierce, their emotions are on edge, and there's an honest need for reaffirmation between them both. Proof they were here and they were alive and nothing could control them in this moment. It was theirs to have, along with one another, and when they parted, Bo was breathing hard and she smiled as she said, "Maybe he doesn't but you do."
Tamsin laughed and leaned down, kissing Bo again, pressing for entrance with her tongue and sighing at the taste of her. Shifting her body, their forms wet and slick against one another, lacking that delicious friction but didn't matter, it was good, it would always be good because it was Bo and Tamsin never felt so much as when she was with her. The succubus raised her hips, moving into Tamsin's touch, and when she entered her, they both smiled at the feeling. They were kissing again, kissing long and lazy, as if there was nothing better in the world and maybe there wasn't. Tamsin honestly couldn't think of anything she wanted more than this, more than Bo, and when she felt Bo clench around her fingers, giving proof of her desire, it never failed to provide a dizzying satisfaction. Bo was feeding from her as they continued to kiss and Tamsin had to fight to keep her wits about her, concentrate on the feeling of Bo's inner walls clinging to her, keeping her thrusts steady but it was difficult. So very difficult in the face of such enormous pleasure and Tamsin wondered how it was being fed on felt so very good. It was better with Bo than any of the other succubi she had encountered and it probably had to do with her own feelings. The fact that it was Bo made everything better exactly like Tomoe and there were so many parallels it almost frightened her.
She didn't want to think about having that sort of love again and losing it. The idea was terrifying and Tamsin wouldn't allow the thought to remain in her mind for long. The future didn't matter and the past was only a memory, she had to focus on the here and now, Bo riding her hand, her hips moving in a glorious gyration, and when Tamsin added a third finger then curled them upwards, rubbing her thumb over Bo's clit as the succubus continued to feed, she felt her orgasm. Their kiss ended in several small nips and tugs, Bo laughing against her lips and Tamsin smiling. She was exhausted but it was pleasantly so, and she wouldn't do anything to change it. Although the water was getting cold and she felt like a prune.
The valkyrie said as much and Bo laughed again, moving around Tamsin to pull the plug from the bath and standing up. Stepping out of the tub, she reached for a nearby towel and held it up as she beamed at Tamsin who shakily stood on her feet. Then Bo wrapped her up in the towel, drying her off, and smiling at Tamsin's grousing complaints. Once they were both warm and dry, Bo took her by the hand, leading Tamsin into her bedroom and Tamsin arched an eyebrow in silent expectation. Wondering what exactly was happening and then Bo was in front of her, standing on her tip toes, her arms around her shoulders and a smile on her features that was bright and beautiful.
"Paris Amour," said Bo softly against her lips, forming a cheeky smile, "doesn't it put you in the mood?"
"Nope," Tamsin's lips popped on the word and Bo frowned at this response. Then Tamsin bent down, easily hitching the succubus' legs up with her hands, lifting the other woman off the ground and Bo laughed, her legs immediately going around Tamsin's waist. "You're more than enough," she muttered, kissing the line of Bo's neck and breathing her in. "I don't need any stupid pink bubble bath to want you but it was sort of fun."
"Sort of fun, huh?" questioned Bo playfully, laughing as Tamsin dropped them onto the bed with a noticeable bounce. Grabbing the blonde's hand, she pulled her forward with purpose, hooking a leg around Tamsin to keep her in place. She pushed a lock of hair from Tamsin's eyes as she murmured, "That's a ringing endorsement."
"I'm old and simple," drawled Tamsin, sliding down Bo's body. As she did this, Tamsin left a trail of kisses, her hands moving in a lingering caress. "Just give me booze and a pretty lady. I'm easy to please."
"I don't know if I should be insulted," said Bo, her voice hitching as Tamsin stopped her descent, lifting Bo's legs and placing them over her shoulders. Her tongue exploring with a slow and single minded intent. "You're just being mean," Bo accused, tangling her fingers in Tamsin's blonde hair, a smile on her lips as Tamsin stopped what she was doing to look up at her.
"No, I'm not," Tamsin muttered, her hand traveling up Bo's body to cup her breast. The succubus arched into Tamsin's touch and she smiled, lowering her head and releasing a breath of air, lightly blowing on Bo's pussy as she sucked on her clit, tongue flicking it before she pulled away and she heard the succubus curse at her. "That was mean," she mocked, arching an eyebrow and peering at the other woman. Bo scowled at her and Tamsin chuckled, tweaking her nipple, enjoying the way it hardened under her touch. "All right," she said this softly, affection lilting in her tone, "I'm done playing with the pretty lady. Besides," Tamsin snorted and lowered her head, "I know I can't win at sex games with a succubus."
"I'm glad you realize that," muttered Bo peevishly, making Tamsin smirk before she took Bo into her mouth.
The taste of a woman was nothing new to Tamsin. She had lived for a very long time and had been with a great many people, most of which were women. Bo was different though, she was special, just as Tomoe had been and her taste was unique as the succubus herself. Tamsin wasn't surprised to find she enjoyed the taste because it seemed there was very little about Bo that she didn't enjoy on some level. No one was perfect, Tamsin knew that despite what she had told Bo in the bath that day, but they could play perfect roles in each others lives. Bo was just that for Tamsin. She woke her up from the nightmare of her existence, shaking her out of the stupor that years of being under Odin's boot had put her in. That made her irreplaceable in Tamsin's eyes because so much of her defied expectation. What she was supposed to be never mattered to Bo, instead she cared about what could be, and what was. It was the same damned foolish optimism that made the dark hate the light but with Bo it lacked their careless cruelty because unlike the light she acted on her convictions.
When Bo climaxed, her thighs clamped down, and Tamsin smiled, pleased with the reaction as she squeezed Bo's breast and pulled away, kissing first the left thigh and then the right. Resting her face against them as she peered up at the brunette whose eyes had long since turned blue. Tamsin smiled as Bo tugged on her hand, hauling her up to capture her lips in a fierce kiss, and Tamsin moaned into her, opening her legs wider when she felt Bo's hands slide down her body. They were kissing again and Tamsin bit Bo's bottom lip, her voice low and urging, telling the succubus to feed from her. She wanted it, she insisted, and that was the truth of the matter. It was painful on some level but it was incredibly satisfying all the same to have the knowledge that she was sustaining Bo, that her chi was becoming a part of the other woman, and it added another dimension to sex. One that made Tamsin's desire increase and she could feel herself become flush as Bo began to feed, she was wet already but it was more, so much more, as Bo's fingers slid into her.
Penetration had always been particularly enjoyable for Tamsin, the feeling of taking in her lover fully, and it never failed to make her feel close to another person. It created an undefinable connection and when Bo fed from her as her fingers moved deep inside of her, moving with glorious conviction, the feeling was that much greater. There was nothing between them in this moment and nothing mattered but Bo feeding from her and Bo fucking her and Tamsin clung to the succubus, bringing her as close as possible as she raised her hips, urging Bo to increase the strength of her thrusts. Bo had stopped feeding and Tamsin wanted to protest though she felt herself becoming light headed but then she saw her eyes. Glowing bright blue but they were calm and there was such care in them. A gentleness and consideration that made Tamsin bite back a sob as Bo flicked her clit with purpose, curling her fingers, and bringing Tamsin to orgasm. Bo's forehead rested against Tamsin's and she watched her, observant and knowing as Tamsin shifted, releasing the brunette from her body.
Her fingers were wet as they moved across Tamsin, tracing her curves, and Tamsin hid her face in Bo's neck. That same feeling of peace that she had yesterday washed over her again. This wasn't something she had encountered in hundreds of years and for a long time Tamsin thought she would never feel this way. She had seen and done many things in her millennia worth of existence and she would like to think that she knew what was truly important. This feeling she had now? It was the most important thing to her. In fact, it was all that mattered to Tamsin and having it once again was the ultimate reward. This feeling of complete peace and contentment, where everything was right with the world, was perfection.
And Bo was person who gave that to her.
