A/N: i can't even believe episode 8! Valkubus heaven... Anyway, thank you so much for reading and being part of my Valkubus community!
Bo let herself be lead by Shaynon. Every movement was magnified. Acutely she felt the place where their hands touched and each footstep bringing her closer to Shaynon's room. Bo's fear and excitement fused together into a humming along her skin. When Bo walked through the door, Shaynon was looking at Bo the way she had wanted Tamsin to see her. But tonight, Tamsin was in Sal's bed. The thought unexpectedly constricted Bo's chest, forcing her to pause mid-step.
Shaynon reached for Bo. Lightly touching Bo's cheek, she asked, "You alright there?"
Bo shook the thought off and brought her mind to the present. "Yes, I'm fine." In front of her was a beautiful woman and Bo decided that she was going to want for nothing besides what was here and now.
As if sensing the energy shift, Shaynon laced her fingers through Bo's and smiled. Slowly she moved closer to Bo, holding her gaze until the very moment before their lips touched. Shaynon opened Bo's mouth with her lips and held her in a masterful lock, causing Bo to make an unexpected sighing noise at the contact. In her embarrassment, Bo pulled away.
Shaynon smiled. "Noises are always a good sign."
Bo took a deep breath and smiled back as she pulled Shaynon into an embrace.
In the morning Tamsin awoke not to the smell of Bo's rose salve but to the scent of Sal and sex. It was disorienting. She looked over at Sal who was already propped up on her arm watching Tamsin.
"You're different," Sal said frankly.
"What do you mean?" Tamsin sat up against the bedpost, her brow furrowed.
Sal put her palm on Tamsin's cheek. "Your heart has always been buried, my friend. Now it is no longer hidden, but given away."
"Excuse me?" Tamsin's voice was tense.
Sal retracted her hand. " Oh, don't be defensive. You love someone. We both know who it is." She bounced off the bed and walked over to the water pitcher.
Sal poured water into a bowl, beginning her morning routine. This had always been Tamsin's favorite thing about the morning. Watching one gently clean the night off their body with skin tightening cold water. But at this moment Tamsin watched Sal in a subdued haze.
"Leave it to you to fall for the most unavailable person this side of the Buren Sea," Sal said, laughing to herself as she continued to wash.
Tamsin shook her head, but didn't deny it.
Sal raised her eyebrows."Oh sweetie, it's easier to have your heart hidden than stolen, isn't it?"
Lying next to Shaynon, Bo reflected on their encounter last night. Shaynon was tender and passionate. She focused much energy on Bo's sensory experience to the point where Bo didn't get much of a chance to give back. Turning to her now, Bo lightly ran a hand from Shaynon's shoulder towards the inside of her belly. Leaning into her, Shaynon allowed Bo to finally explore. Both of their breaths quickened. Shaynon's firm kisses on Bo's mouth and neck brought her deeper and deeper into her own pleasure until they both collapsed from release.
"We didn't do much talking did we?" Bo joked.
"Sometimes it is better that way." Shaynon rose and began searching for her clothes. "When night turns to day, people remember what really they want."
"I wanted you, Shaynon." Bo sat up in attention, feeling the need to show Shaynon this.
"Remember that we are both learned in Usne's way. What we want in the night isn't always part of our long path."
"And what's your long path Shaynon?"
"Time will tell, Bo. But I know that your path sits with that ranger who has probably been waiting for you downstairs for two hours at least."
Bo felt the sudden heaviness with the loss of this new lover, who was probably well versed in goodbyes, unlike her. "Meeting you was a blessing Shaynon. Nothing less. I hope our paths cross again as friends."
"And you are nothing but sincere and it's appreciated." Shaynon, now dressed, came to the bed and kissed Bo on the cheek before leaving.
Bo dressed slowly, biding herself to remember all that was the night and morning with her first lover. When she reached the bottom stair and looked for Tamsin, she saw the ranger's face move from Bo's eyes to her neck. Compulsively Bo's hand went to her neck and she remembered Shaynon's firm kisses. When she lifted her eyes again, Tamsin was already icy stone.
"I thought you were kidnapped before the bartender told me where you were. Bo, do you realize that there is a price on your head?"
"The portraits of me are not accurate, so I hear. You wanted me to see what was out here," Bo snapped back, frustrated being treated like a child.
"Bo, you have no idea. Don't you get it? We can only avoid the Council's riders for so long. At some point you need to make a choice." Tamsin began unconsciously rubbing her forehead. "Already I am putting Acacia's life in danger, if they can find her. By now, they know we've strayed. If the Council has their way, I won't survive this betrayal."
A sinking feeling came over Bo. How could she have not thought of that already? She had been so absorbed in her own feelings of freedom and lust that she forgot to think about what could happen to Tamsin. She had been naïve.
Bo sat next to Tamsin. She saw her ranger's eyes glimpse again at her neck. A minute ago Bo would have made a remark about it. Instead, she put her head on the ranger's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Tamsin."