Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. If you haven't read both story's chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. Thanks to my Beta and my readers. Also, an awesome shout out to Luckdog, hope you all enjoy this chapter. ;-)
Xena & Gabrielle,
A Turn of Fate,
By, Ahkiken
Chapter 29: Souls' Rejoice
The sky blue kimono was opened, draped loosely off a porcelain-skinned shoulder as a moaning bard braced herself on the wooden wall for support. The position she joyously endured was common for Xena to indulge in, but for Gabrielle, having her thighs straddling Xena's face, was a rare treat indeed. Each swipe of her soul mate's tongue brought marvelous sensations to Gabrielle's core.
"Xena..." She moaned, bringing a hand down to grip the Warrior Princess' black hair.
Xena's oral pleasuring increased when she flattened her tongue to deliver long, wet lashes from the petite woman's vaginal opening to her clitoris. Next, Xena's fingers traced Gabrielle's toned stomach before slowly fondling her breasts. Finally, she settled with placing two of her digits inside Gabrielle's mouth, which the Samurai sensually sucked. After a couple of moments, Xena removed her fingers from within Gabrielle's gaping aperture, using both hands to clasp the cropped blonde's waist, manipulating her movements.
The bard's mouth stayed open while grunts and moans of approval for Xena's ministrations seeped out, growing in volume. Greenish blue eyes squinched shut once Xena latched onto her bundle of nerves, creating a glorious suction with clear intent to push Gabrielle to the precipice of release.
An iridescence of colors burst behind Gabrielle's closed orbs in accompaniment of her moanful cry, "Mmm, Xena!"
Recovering quickly, Gabrielle hastily extracted herself from Xena, denying herself the enjoyment of having her orgasm's copious wetness ravenously devoured by the blue-eyed warrior beneath her. Descending Xena's frame, Gabrielle discarded the kimono and decided her lover should be nude also; unwrapping the fur off Xena, revealing her gorgeous body. Their lips and tongues joined together as Gabrielle hungrily tasted her own pussy's secretion. Settling the apex of her slick sex on strong thighs whilst setting her leg between Xena's sodden slit, Gabrielle started gyrating against the bronze, velvety skin.
Xena raised up, tonguing the short-haired woman's pinkish pale nipples; licking them lavishly, biting them gently as they became erect, then drawing them into her mouth, sucking roughly. Gabrielle's head fell back in ecstasy, her hands clutching the raven mane of Xena's. Gabrielle gasped when Xena reversed their arrangement, wanting to be on top. Wrapping the smaller woman's legs around her waist, she rubbed their slippery clits together, bringing exquisite pleasure to both of them. The women's mouths connected in a seared kiss while their sheen-coated bodies continued to grind as one.
Gabrielle's arms hooked Xena's shoulders, feeling the burning rise of her climax again. Disengaging their kissing, Xena arched her back, increasing the speed of their passion. Gabrielle held on Xena tightly as she sucked her dark nipples, listening to her groans and the sounds of their pounding sweaty bodies echoing in the cabin. Once Gabrielle came a second time, spasmodically thrashing uncontrollably, Xena felt a sense of vertigo from the musky scent of their copulation. Sweating profusely from her exertions, she collapsed on the right side of the bard.
Breathing heavily, Gabrielle regained her composure, glancing at Xena lying prone beside her. Xena turned over on her back, gathering Gabrielle into her arms, caressing her dragon tattoo.
"I might fall in love with this." Xena panted in the candlelit dwelling, recouping from her dizzy, sexual haze.
"Huh?" Gabrielle inquired.
"Your tattoo." Xena clarified. "It looks beautiful on you."
"Oh." She said. "Thank you, I like it, too."
"I need to give my gratitude to the Muses."
Memories of the nine sisters' demise surfaced in Gabrielle's mind as well as Eli's words about the Twilight of the remaining gods and goddesses.
'The Twilight is still running its course.'
'What did he mean by that? Are all the deities of the world under threat of being destroyed? Why was Eli so enigmatic about-'
"Gabrielle?" Xena interrupted her rumination.
"Yes, Xena?"
"I assumed you fell asleep. Where did you wonder off to?"
"Just thinking." Gabrielle responded.
Xena was worried. "You don't deplore what we've done, do you?"
"No." Gabrielle answered, kissing Xena's breast. "Though coming into my room while I was sleeping, I'm not sure whether this was your plan or not. Either way, I wanted to make love to you."
Xena sighed, happily. "This wasn't planned. I only came here to bring you your weapons. I placed them on the side of the cot."
The Samurai peeked over to see her katana, the chakram, and her twin sais, lain out on the floorboards. Smiling, she returned to Xena's arms.
"Good excuse as any to find yourself in my cot." Gabrielle jived.
Xena chuckled. "Thanks. I figured it would go over well."
Gabrielle laughed softly. "Lucky for you, sex is a great stress reliever, unlike your chakram. I can't make it rebound back into my hand and I cannot ascertain how to cause the disc to divide in halves. You gave it to me in hopes of giving me headaches, didn't ya?"
"No I didn't. I gave it to you because I wanted you to know everything I know." Xena confuted, stopping her caress. "I'll teach you how to use it if you want me to."
Another memory sprung up the painful day Xena taught Gabrielle the pinch. Not long afterwards, instead of romance, they had broken apart and Gabrielle's heart got dismantled. Learning of Xena's true intentions that motivated such an outcome barely hindered the bard from reasserting her anger.
Xena could feel Gabrielle's tension. "I've seen the markings on your katana, too."
Gabrielle was taken aback. "You did?"
"Yeah." She resumed playing with the tattoo. "I'm honored you engraved my name on your blade."
"I couldn't cogitate on a more fitting symbol to bestow its steel." Gabrielle lifted slightly to gaze at Xena. "You'd hurt me horribly, but you were the sole person I thought of that means the world to me. Nothing else will come before or after you."
Deeply touched by Gabrielle's declaration, Xena kissed her passionately. Becoming aroused, the short-haired blonde really got into the kiss, her small extremity found its way to dark curls, until Xena broke their tongue-locking.
"We should get married first."
"What?" Gabrielle was dumbfounded.
"When we reach Japa, we should get bonded. Then we'll take care of Yodoshi." Xena explained.
Gabrielle contained her wary excitement, nuzzling her lover's neck. "Don't play, Xena. Don't play."
Xena garnered Gabrielle's direct attention by eye contact. "I'm not joking, and I know I've fucked up by trying to push you away, causing us both profound sorrows. However, I was veracious when I stated I'll be damned if I left this life without you as my wife."
Gabrielle's heart sped in tempo. Although they just shared each other's body, could she rely on Xena keeping her word to marry her or would the dichotomous female lead her on towards heartbreak once more? Gabrielle desired to agree, but she didn't want to take that risk.
"You must be vain if you think because I have forgiven your actions and gave my body to you, my variance has diminished. It hasn't, Xena."
Xena's hands gently touched Gabrielle's face, staring in her orbs with earnest intent. "You have my heart and love. I have your soul and life. Say you'll marry me again."
Gabrielle began to thoroughly ruminate on her decision. She knew what her answer should be, but couldn't bring herself to profess it. Xena was offering a marital life again, nonetheless, Gabrielle didn't forget she lied to her about leaving her for Akemi, bringing them both sadness. But the Warrior Princess did confess the truth and the blonde did forgive her.
'No... Xena will bring me disappointment. Our marriage will only be temporary, then she'll be off to die for Japa. However, Harukata did announce it's possible for Xena to be resurrected, but there is a chance Amaterasu won't accept it. What if the sun Kami does grant Xena's life back? What if it's all lies, constructed by Xena to placate me, just to have access to my body in her cot and mine until we get to Japa? What am I to do? I can't go through my soul getting ripped to tatters again. Damn it, I'm conflicted! Sex complicates everything!' Gabrielle mused.
"What's your reply, Little Water Dragoon?" Xena asked, grinning.
"Don't call me that." Gabrielle frowned. "I don't like that nickname."
Xena's grin faded. "I didn't know."
"How could you? We haven't been on speaking terms for almost a month." Gabrielle averred, moving off Xena's chest. "You truly have some nerve Xena, to premise I would jump at the opportunity to marry you."
"I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I didn't mean to insult you." Xena apologized, gloomily.
"I'm not finished, Xena. What makes you so positive I'd marry you without insurance?"
Xena tried to confine her jovial appearance. "What are you saying?"
"If the Shogun can secure your revival from Amaterasu, I'll become your wife." Gabrielle affirmed.
Her confirmation filled Xena's heart with enormous joy. She made an internal vow not to ruin Gabrielle's trust in her.
"I'll accede to that." Xena concurred, hugging Gabrielle.
"No games." The Amazon prevented Xena's hug. "If you screw me over this time, I'll never forgive you. I'm serious."
"I won't. I'm not doing anything stupid like lying to you or fooling around with someone else again. I love you too much to lose you. You're all I care-"
"Xena?"
"Hmm." She hummed.
"Shut up and kiss me." Gabrielle demanded, gaining a sweet one. "Now we have to talk about our honeymoon."
"Egypt it is, but it'll have to be put on hold till I come back to life." Xena avowed, lying on the cot fully.
"I know, but we can still make plans. Once Japa is saved, we can set sail on a fantastical journey. I know of a secret pathway we can take to get there. First we have to start by circling the plains of uncharted lands." Gabrielle seductively conveyed, while her forefinger circled Xena's plush lips, trailing down her chin. "Next, we can traverse passed them to more wondrous sights."
Gabrielle's digit and voice caused Xena's libido to rise. "Tell me more."
"Secondly, we have to bypass a thinning watery path. We must tread carefully, for our voyage could be met with dangerous obstacles." Her finger moved to the center of Xena's chest. "Traveling the waterway can be treacherous and we could become shipwrecked on the slopes of the Alps."
Xena listened to the melodious tone as Gabrielle's forefinger touched her left breast. She licked her suddenly dry lips, completely enticed by the bard's lubricious storytelling.
"Wrecking our vessel would be unwise. I wouldn't even advise stopping there for a detour of sightseeing. To traipse the mountain, we could wander aimlessly forever, never quite reaching the top." She drew invisible rings around Xena's nipple, coaxing Xena to sigh voluptuously.
Gabrielle glimpsed the hardening of Xena's crest, but chose not to delay her tale by dallying with the teat; it would disrupt the yarn utterly before she achieved her main goal. Steadfast in her recalcitrance, Gabrielle ceased the provocative teasing, bringing her digit further down from the tempting bosom.
Kissing her soul mate romantically, Gabrielle's finger expressed physically what she whispered while leaning comfortably on Xena, "So we'll have to continue onwards, passing the rocky peaks and the ripples of aquatic waves, heedful not to get sucked into whirlpools like this one."
Running circular patterns around Xena's navel, the Amazon's index dipped into it and Xena parted her legs. Bringing her questing forefinger out of her fiancee's depression and below a quivering, muscled abdomen, Gabrielle knew Xena anticipated her next destination with high esteem.
"The final leg of our trip could be tricky, but I promise it'll be well worth the repeating process." Gabrielle grazed Xena's dark down, slipping between her silky vulva.
"Mmm..." Xena mewed, parting her limbs more.
Gabrielle bit her bottom lip, halting her own moans from feeling Xena's hot liquid. "Yes, a majestic waterfall, but this isn't our journey's end. Thus the tricky part I've mentioned begins here."
Gabrielle repeatedly trailed Xena's lustrous folds back and forth. Looking at her sexy lover, the petite Samurai loved the glossy hue Xena's eyes irradiated. Unwilling to stop herself from the titillation, Xena began to sluggishly swirl her hips; avid for Gabrielle's penetration.
"Gabrielle..." Xena couldn't fathom how long she could constrain herself from imploring the bard to enter her.
"Patience, my love. We're almost there. By commencing the recurrence of sailing here, a mirage is created from the redound of treading its waters." Adding her middle finger, Xena grunted, grabbing Gabrielle's upper arm as the storyteller elucidated, "The waterfall's stream is gushing now. Soon it'll divulge its secret source to get deeper into Egypt."
The brief touching of Xena's turgid nub, coaxed her to ascend to higher heights. Each time Gabrielle passed over her saturated orifice, Xena pondered why she hadn't entered it; surely the superfluity of her drenched vagina was enough. Her orbs fluttered while trying to keep them fixed on the blonde's lusty eyes. Noticing the alteration of Gabrielle's irises from its original coloring of aqua to emerald, Xena had grown hopeful she wouldn't have to wait longer. She prayed for Gabrielle to just fuck her.
Gabrielle gained supreme satisfaction at Xena's distressful ardor, her double digits maintaining their pace on the Warrior Princess' heated sex. Getting lost in the silken flood that pooled out of Xena, Gabrielle unintentionally slid inside her, synchronizing their gratified vocalization from the invasion. Gabrielle's cognizance focused on the tightness of Xena's warm haven; she surmised Xena may have resorted to masturbation during their separation, but now knew the truth contrary to that thought.
"Ah, we've made it to the designated location. Upon our metaphoric arrival in Egypt's harbor, what pacing should I set to get to its docks, Xena?" Her plot coming to a close, Gabrielle stroked Xena at her leisure.
Xena squeezed Gabrielle's arm and her other hand entwined in golden tresses. "Sail faster."
Gabrielle obliged, entering and exiting her with ease. "Is this what you want, or shall I go slower for-"
"Mmm, do not slow down." Xena interjected, oscillating her hips to meet Gabrielle's fingers. "Fuck me."
Gabrielle's loins were set ablaze from Xena's vulgarity. Enclosing her free arm around Xena, she held her in a cradle-like posture as the velocity of her thrusts ensued. The bard appraised the mighty warrior, who was contiguous to her and reduced to a whimpering, wanton woman. Espying her countenance and sable hair spread out on the cot, she noted how feminine Xena looked. Gabrielle's lasciviousness primed her to eat Xena out, however, she ignored the delicious notion, choosing to attack Xena's sexual core with vigor until plenitude.
Gripping her soul mate strongly, Xena exclaimed, "Right there! Oh, Gabrielle, don't stop!"
"Come for me, Xena." She commanded, penetrating her with powerful strokes, her thumb rapidly pressing Xena's tumid button. "Come."
Feeling Xena's inner walls clenching her fingers and the shudder that followed, signaled she was on the verge of her orgasm. Gabrielle ardently kissed Xena, swallowing her voluminous cries from her orgasmic gratification. After moments of Xena tremulously ejecting the sticky fluid from her body, she became still in Gabrielle's embrace as they remained osculating. Swapping several more fervent kisses, it simmered down before they discontinued it, then Xena rested on Gabrielle, basking in the afterglow.
When a few minutes went by, Gabrielle withdrew her sleek digits and timorously queried, "How was it?"
"Sensational." Xena praised, breathlessly. "Although you damn near had me begging for you to make love to me with your fingers. Why did you tease me for so long?"
"You felt too good. I could've done that all night. It's a shame my fingers automatically entered you." Gabrielle admitted.
Xena was surprised. "Entering inside me was an accident?"
"It was unintentional, and I'm rueful you didn't come twice like I did."
"You want to do it again?"
Salacious ideas enliven Gabrielle, but watching Xena suppress a yawn ended her lewd cogitations. "You're exhausted. Age must be catching up with ya."
"I'm not." Xena lied, not wanting to admit how drained she actually became after their lovemaking.
Gabrielle noticed Xena's somnolent demeanor. Instantly she stood onto her feet, puzzling Xena till she retrieved the fur to cover her with it. Next, Gabrielle sat on the cot adjacent to Xena, reclining against the wall.
"You're sleepy, Xena. I can see it in you."
Xena started to feel guilty. "I want to make love to you again. Honestly, I do. But I haven't slept well at all this month. Living without you, I'd lost tranquility."
Gabrielle pulled Xena onto her chest while she tenderly caressed her shoulder and twirled her raven strands. "I had a tough time sleeping also."
Xena snuggled into Gabrielle firmly. "Unlike earlier, you don't seem tired now."
"I'm refreshed from our intimacy, but my sleep was sporadic once we parted. I'd missed your serene presence, until I utilized the meditations I learned from the Shogun and his teachings." Gabrielle elucidated. "Still, some nights were harder than others."
"I can relate." Xena conceded, knowing it was her fault for their desolation and restlessness. "He taught you well, by the way."
"Practice makes perfect, Xena. Although I have you to thank for showing me how to give pleasure, not the Shogun."
Laughing at Gabrielle's jest, Xena retorted, "Harukata better had not demonstrated the art of intercourse with you. I'm referring to your battle skills. You've gotten quicker and learned aikido."
"He's an amazing instructor." Gabrielle's appreciative smile was tarnished by reminiscing his deception. "I hate that he knew of your fate and hid it from me throughout our training."
Xena internally tensed from Gabrielle's understandable dismay. The Warrior Princess had to take responsibility for the Shogun and his Samurai's deceit. Because of her decree of silence, everyone refrained from telling Gabrielle anything; though one unknown person shattered their oath. She would make him pay dearly for that blunder.
"Don't blame Harukata." Xena proclaimed. "I requested for him and his warriors to swear on their honor not to inform you."
"I've been told." Gabrielle continued Xena's pampering.
"By whom?"
"Zicalus." Gabrielle answered.
"He forfeited his honor." Xena got angry. "That fucking worthless scum. I'm gonna kick his ass again."
"No you're not." The bard protested. "Zicalus didn't yield his integrity. When he disclosed the truth, I already had knowledge of it."
"From Eli's visit?" Xena questioned.
"No, I knew beforehand. It wasn't Zicalus and I'm not telling you who it was that evinced the information, either. Can't have you going about terrorizing anyone. I haven't forgotten your fracas on the main deck."
Xena didn't forget as well. "It was necessary. The men wouldn't listen to me."
"And Zicalus?" Gabrielle inquired. "Did he deserve the beating you gave him because he fed me nut bread on the top platform?"
'Yes!' Xena cogitated, self-righteously. "I knew he was feeding you, but it wouldn't have happened if he hadn't tried proving himself to you."
"To me?" Gabrielle was baffled. "After observing your antics with the Samurai, he presumed it was a sparring match and chose to participate. It had absolutely nothing to do with me."
"You don't have to defend him. I can tell he likes you."
Halting Xena's coddling, Gabrielle became bemused. "Don't make allegations you can't prove. You even dared to falsely allege I was infatuated with him. It's you; you're possessive and jealous, Xena."
Surrendering the debate without admitting to Gabrielle being correct about her jealousy, Xena remained quiescent while the cropped blonde remembered she was supposed to meet the blue armored Samurai in the armory. She had promised Zicalus a training session and didn't want to disappoint him. Idly twirling Xena's hair again, Gabrielle decided she would depart her lodging once her lover fell asleep.
Falling victim to Gabrielle's tenderness, Xena shook off the lure of slumber to query, "Why aren't you under the fur with me, so we can sleep?"
"I can't." Gabrielle pronounced. "Zicalus is waiting for me."
Xena eyes widened from Gabrielle's statement. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I just said." Gabrielle uttered. "I have to go to him."
"Why?" Xena asked, feeling her heart drop into her intestines from fearful thoughts. "It's none of my business, and I know we weren't together because of me, but have you two become intimate?"
"If we are, would you be mad?" Gabrielle gauged.
Images of Zicalus embracing Gabrielle with kisses and caresses, assaulted Xena's brain. She concentrated on her emotions, fighting to dispel the anguish swelling within. Xena had to be reasonable; her wrongful exploitation of Akemi severed their relationship. It's only logical Gabrielle would seek comfort in another.
"I won't lie, I'll be crushed, Gabrielle. Hearing you have to go to him, is disconcerting."
Gabrielle cupped Xena's chin to peer into her orbs. "I'm not with him, Xena. I have to go to Zicalus cause I promised to train with him this evening and I'm beyond late. You're the woman I love and nobody in the world can usurp your place in my soul. No matter what happens, even if this Omphalos shard distances us from each other, I will always gravitate to you."
Xena tilted her head to kiss Gabrielle's palm and the index finger the silver circlet was attached to. "You aren't going anywhere. Do you hear me? Eli is going to help put a stop to whoever is doing this. We are going to destroy Yodoshi and save the remaining temples in Japa, then the shard will cease being powered."
Tears cascaded down Gabrielle's cheeks. "I'm afraid, Xena. I want to have faith all will be fine, but I'm terrified it won't be."
She couldn't take the visage of Gabrielle crying, nor the lack of her conviction. Lifting upwards, she closed the gap that betwixt them to seize the bard's mouth with hers, breaking the final barrier their division generated. They both capitulated to the concupiscence that ignited from their souls' rejoice of being reunited. Sliding off the wall to lie on the cot, Gabrielle's fears melted and her emergent lust for Xena had to be satiated. The Warrior Princess' connection to her soul mate acknowledged the Amazon's amorous needs.
Tugging Gabrielle underneath the furs with her, their lovemaking renewed.
To Be Continued...