Midnight Lamb
Is it still me that makes you sweat?
Am I who you think about in bed?
When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking
As you're sliding off your dress?
Then think of what you did
And how I hope to God he was worth it
When the lights are dim
And your heart is racing as your fingers touch his skin
The barn, shrouded in the dim, sultry light of a dying sun, served as an intimate backdrop for the ardent symphony that played out within its rustic confines. The air hung heavy with the echoes of breathless moans and sighs, reverberating with the notes of carnal pleasure. Valrissa, a tiefling whose name was whispered with reverence, and Gale of Waterdeep, a renowned human wizard, engaged in a passionate dance that seemed to defy the laws of nature itself. Their movements flowed seamlessly, a meticulously choreographed ballet of desire, where their bodies intertwined with a familiarity that bespoke a longing that spanned epochs.
As they continued their intricate dance, they twisted and turned, lost in the sensual choreography of their desires. The hay beneath them, a golden sea, bore witness to their fervent union, its strands tossed in wild celebration. With the final crescendo of their lovemaking came silence, save for the quickening of breath and the rhythm of their hearts, which pounded in unison, matching the urgency of their desire.
Valrissa, her ebony hair cascading in untamed curls, was the first to release herself from their passionate entanglement. With nimble fingers, she slipped into a simple black tunic that clung to her slender, beautifully scarred body, while leather trousers contoured her thighs with tantalizing precision. Gale of Waterdeep, still breathless, watched, his eyes lingering on the curves and contours of her form, like an artist studying a masterpiece.
Gale, his breath ragged from their escapade, let out a half-choked laugh, his eyes holding a hint of suspicion. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, revealing a physique that glistened with the remnants of their recent ardor. With a casual flick of his wrist, he summoned his perfectly fitting purple robe, attempting to regain a veneer of composure.
In the midst of post-coital bliss, Valrissa couldn't help but notice Gale's restless fidgeting, akin to a child hiding beneath the bedsheets to escape an unseen terror. An impending revelation hung heavily in the air.
Gale, still struggling to find his words, finally broke the silence. "My Goddess Mystra," he began, his voice urgent, "she is to take me as her lover, and I must be there for her. I'm sorry, Valrissa, but this has to end. You won't see me again for a very long time. I'd like to still consider you one of my dearest friends." His words, though spoken with urgency, didn't quite align with the turmoil in his eyes.
Valrissa, her emotions concealed behind a veneer of indifference, responded with carefully chosen words. She had sensed Gale's waning affections long before this uncomfortable conversation. Her voice, though steady, concealed the tremors that threatened to erupt. "Very well, Wizard. I've grown slightly bored of our clandestine encounters. A friendship is a fine thing to have, especially one connected to a goddess. I'm more than happy to end this affair with mutual respect and feelings." Her words were a delicate balancing act, a façade to mask the quivering within.
Gale's wide smile and invitation for one last glass of wine betrayed his longing to cherish the time they had left. His emotions were torn between his devotion to Valrissa and his allegiance to Mystra, his priorities revolving around power and opportunity.
Valrissa, though equally torn, accepted his invitation with a conflicted heart. She thought, "He may marry that goddess or be lost forever. I won't let our time together be in vain. I'll join him and then be rid of him." Leaving behind the barn, their bodies still tingling with the evidence of their passionate encounter, they made their way to Gale's favorite tavern in Baldur's Gate.
As they walked in silence, Valrissa's thoughts wandered to her life as a tiefling rogue, always an outsider due to her horns and spaded tail. She couldn't help but question whether Gale still found her unique qualities appealing. Her thoughts raced, "Maybe he no longer desires what makes me different. Mystra must be something truly extraordinary. I shouldn't let this affect me."
Gale, noticing her distraction, attempted to bring her back to the present. "Would you keep an eye on Tara for me? She needs guidance, and she's taken a liking to you." His words were meant to be an anchor, a reminder of their shared responsibilities.
Valrissa smiled and reassured him, "Of course, I love Tara. She's a sweet girl." Gale felt a measure of relief as her words reached his ears.
They reached the bustling streets of Baldur's Gate, each step echoing with the memories of their shared encounters. Valrissa couldn't help but reminisce about the day she had stolen a vital magical scroll from Gale's satchel, an act that had led to their first encounter. A thrilling chase had followed, ending at a dark, secluded alley. It was there that Gale had, rather awkwardly, asked her to dinner. Their first date at Elfsong Tavern marked the beginning of their passionate relationship.
Reaching the tavern once again, Valrissa noted the familiar ambiance, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She couldn't help but comment, "Brings back memories, doesn't it?" Her words held a wistful undertone.
Gale, though uncomfortable, acknowledged the nostalgia in his own way. "I suppose it does," he admitted, "Cheers!" They clinked their glasses together, rekindling the memories of their past rendezvous.
The rich, full-bodied wine rekindled a sense of longing and desire between them. Valrissa, her tone teasing, couldn't resist a playful comment. "It's good. Thank you, Gale. Are you looking forward to working more with Mystra?"
Gale, absorbed in thoughts of his goddess, nodded and shared his plans to bring Mystra a gift of Netherese magic. He spoke of his role as Mystra's chosen and the obligation he felt to fulfill her expectations. Valrissa couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness about his newfound devotion.
Gale, sensing her discomfort, decided it was time to say goodbye. He expressed his concern for her safety and offered his parting words, "I'm sorry, Valrissa."
Valrissa, her patience wearing thin, scoffed. She wished he could see through the façade and understand her true feelings. "Please, I'll be fine. I don't need anyone checking up on me. You enjoy your life, Gale. Do not worry about me." Her frustration was evident as she ordered another glass of wine.
Gale, bracing himself for the inevitable, prepared to leave. He embraced Valrissa one last time, her tears staining his robe as he clung to her. The scent of lavender, vanilla, and red merlot filled his senses, and he couldn't help but savor the moment. With reluctance, he let her go, his emotions in turmoil.
With a whisper that hung in the air, Valrissa expressed her true feelings, "I love you." But it was too late; Gale had already stepped into an Ethereal portal that had appeared before him, leaving her alone.
Heartbroken and torn between anger and despair, Valrissa retreated into the noisy tavern. She sought solace in the glass of wine before her, a refuge from the harsh reality that lay ahead.