Part 1
Contains Act 2 Spoilers -
The party had journeyed for several days, crossing the treacherous terrain of the Shadowland, their eyes ever watchful for any sign of danger. Exhausted and road-weary, they finally arrived at the camp just outside Baldur's Gate. The city's silhouette loomed in the distance, promising both refuge and peril.
With a sense of relief, they made their way to an abandoned castle that had long ago fallen into a state of ruin. Its crumbling walls offered a semblance of shelter against the elements and the dangers of the world outside.
As the sun began its slow descent on the horizon, casting the sky in hues of fiery orange and deep purple, Tav felt a stirring of curiosity. With the evening's cool breeze rustling through the trees, she decided to scout out the dense woods around their camp.
Leaving the camp behind, Tav followed a meandering trail that led deeper into the forest. The fading daylight filtered through the canopy of leaves overhead, creating an enchanting dappled effect on the forest floor. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves, and the distant chirping of crickets serenaded the path.
Tav's footsteps were muffled by the thick carpet of leaves underfoot as she ventured deeper into the forest. She let her fingertips run along the trunk of towering trees as she walked past, adorned with gnarled roots and vibrant ivy. Shafts of fading sunlight pierced through the gaps in the foliage, painting fleeting patterns of light and shadow.
As Tav explored further, she stumbled upon a small clearing of tall grass bathed in the warm, golden glow of the setting sun. Here, the forest seemed to hold its breath in reverence to the departing day. Wildflowers nodded in the breeze, and a gentle stream gurgled nearby, offering a tranquil respite.
Tav marveled at the serene beauty of the forest, captivated by the peace that enveloped her.
The moment was cut short as Tav suddenly picked up the faint sound of footsteps approaching. Her heart quickened, and she instinctively went on guard, hand poised near the hilt of her dagger.
As the footsteps drew nearer, Tav crouched, ready to respond to any threat. Her eyes scanned the forest, searching for any signs of danger. Then, emerging from the shadows of the trees, she saw the silhouette of a tall figure.
Relief washed over Tav as she recognized the familiar form of Halsin, the arch druid who had joined their party after breaking the curse on the shadowlands. The lush leaves adorning his shoulders billowed gently in the evening breeze as he stepped into the clearing.
"Tav," Halsin greeted, a warm smile spreading across his lips as he walked closer to her in the middle of the meadow. "I thought I might find you here."
Halsin was a striking figure, his tall and muscular frame exuding an air of wisdom and tranquility. His skin, tanned from a lifetime spent in the sun-dappled forests, bore the creases of age and scars from past encounters.
Tav's guard gradually relaxed as she tilted her head inquisitively to look up at him, her tension ebbing away like a receding tide.
"Is there something you need, Halsin?" Tav asked and watched with a mix of curiosity and intrigue as the wise elf stood before her in the tall grass. In his large hand, he held a small glass jar of honey, its contents shimmering like liquid gold in the waning light of the setting sun.
Halsin's long brown hair brushed against his broad shoulders as he shook his head and extended the jar toward Tav. "I brought you a gift," he said, his voice a soft, soothing melody amidst the rustling leaves and gentle babble of the nearby stream.
Tav accepted the jar, her fingertips gently brushing against Halsin's as she took hold of it. The honey exuded a sweet, intoxicating aroma that seemed to capture the very essence of the forest itself.
"Thank you, Halsin," Tav said with a hint of surprise, genuinely touched by the gesture. She took a moment to appreciate the beautiful golden hue before she looked back up meeting the arch druid's hazel eyes that had been observing her expression and asked, "This is a treasure from the forest, isn't it?"
Halsin nodded, his gaze drifting to the surrounding trees. "Indeed," he replied. "Honey from the bees that dwell here."
Tav's blue eyes twinkled mischievously as she teased Halsin, her voice carrying a playful tone. "I have always wanted to ask if you like honey," she quipped.
Halsin smiled knowingly, though his eyes narrowed into a playful glare. He had heard similar jests before, and Tav's reference to his bear form was unmistakable. He leaned in closer to her, shadowing her from the sun. "Ah, Tav," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Not very original of you. I thought you would be able to come up with something better than that."
"You got me," she chuckled and raised a hand up in admittance, "But sometimes, the classics are just too tempting to resist."
Halsin held his mock glare for a moment before he couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. Tav grinned at the sound of Halsin's deep appreciative laugh before she found it to be infectious and laughed lightly along with him.
Eventually their laughter subsided into soft chuckles, but the warmth it had brought to the forest clearing lingered in the air. With a smile that seemed to radiate the wisdom of ages, Halsin extended an inviting hand towards the jar of honey and said, "Come, let's try it."
In the warm, golden light of the fading sun, Tav held the jar aloft, she was about to remark that they had nothing to use to scoop up the honey when Halsin surprised her. He dipped a finger into the jar, scooping up a generous dollop of the sweet, amber liquid. Without hesitation, he brought his honey-coated finger to his lips and tasted it.
Tav watched in fascination as Halsin's eyes slid shut and he hummed lightly with appreciation. The honey seemed to transport him momentarily, as if he could taste the very essence of the forest itself.
Halsin's reaction only enticed Tav to try it right away, but she realized that her hands were rather dirty from traversing the forest.
"Do you have anything I could use?" Tav asked, looking up at Halsin with a hint of dejection. She extended her hand, fingers splayed, showing him her grime speckled palm. "I'd hate to use my hands; they're rather dirty at the moment."
Halsin looked down at her palms thoughtfully. His dark brows furrowed in contemplation, and then, with a thoughtful nod, he made a decision. Without hesitation, he gently stuck his finger back into the jar of honey. When he lifted it from the jar, Tav could see the tip of his finger glistening with the golden syrup.
Halsin wiped the trail of honey off the lip of the jar, turning his hand as he did so, ensuring that no drop went to waste. Then, he offered Tav his honey-coated finger. "Here," he said, his voice warm and inviting.
Tav's eyes widened in shock as she stared from Halsin down to his honey-coated finger. The gesture felt awfully intimate, yet, if he thought nothing of it, then Tav reasoned that neither should she.
A twig snapped under Tav's foot as she took a step closer to him and slowly leaned forward despite the light pounding in her chest. She could feel him watching her as she parted her lips slightly, her pink tongue emerging from between them. With a shy yet curious expression, she gave the tip of Halsin's finger a delicate lick.
Tav's eyebrows shot up in delighted surprise as the sweet flavor of the honey danced on her taste buds. It was nothing like any honey she had tried before, a taste that was pure and untamed, much like the forest they found themselves in. It was not just good; it was utterly delicious!
"Good, right?" Halsin said, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction at her reaction.
Tav nodded enthusiastically and leaned forward for another lick, and before she knew it, she had enveloped his finger to the middle of the knuckle in her mouth, sucking lightly. She heard him inhale deeply, and when she looked up, his mouth had parted slightly and his eyes were wide, staring at her lips around his finger.
Tav's own eyes widened with the realization she had stuck almost his entire finger in her mouth. Immediately she flushed with embarrassment and stepped back, apologizing quickly, "I'm so sorry, I got carried away!"
"Please, no apologies," Halsin murmured, his voice strained as he eliminated the distance she had created between them, "That was..." Halsin hesitated, looking at her for a moment before he cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip, glossy with the remnants of honey.
The small gasp that escaped Tav's lips seemed to capture his attention, his hold lingering there on her cheek for a long moment. Her eyes slid shut, leaning into his touch ever so slightly to savor the warmth of his large hand and calloused fingers. However, just as her eyes could close completely, her eyes snapped open with awareness.
Tav looked up at Halsin for clarity as to what was happening between them and there was an intensity in his eyes that she hadn't seen before. But he wasn't focused on her. Instead, his eyes flickered down past her lips, traveling down every curve of her body before they shot back up to catch her gaze. A shiver ran through her as she saw a flash of golden light in his eyes. The muscles of his jaw worked as he swallowed thickly.
Halsin briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, when he opened them again, the light from his eyes had disappeared. However, despite his efforts to compose himself, the heat in his stare remained and his voice was heavy with emotion as he rasped, "I'll see you back at camp."
"Wait!" Tav called and reached for his hand. She wrapped her fingers around his sturdy wrist before he could turn away from her.
Halsin watched curiously, his gaze sharpening as she slowly guided his hand up to her parted her lips, her tongue darting out to lick the remaining honey off his fingertip.
He stared at her for a moment as if having some sort of internal struggle before he murmured, "Would you like some more?"
Tav nodded once, unsure what she wanted more of exactly.
Without a word, Halsin dipped his finger into the jar of honey and gently offered it to her. The golden syrup clung to his tanned skin.
A faint gasp escaped her lips as Halsin's finger brushed against her bottom of her top lip, the sweet scent of the honey mingling with his own, earthy scent. She parted her lips, welcoming him into her mouth. Her heart raced as she felt a surge of heat when he grazed her tongue.
With slow, deliberate movements, Halsin drew his finger back, and Tav felt a flash of disappointment. However, it quickly passed as Halsin's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her cheekbone tenderly.
"Another?" Halsin breathed, his voice low and husky as he dipped his finger again into the honey.
He didn't need to ask, Tav's response was clear.
Halsin brought his finger to her mouth again, but this time, his touch was different, more confident. Instead of offering a single taste, Halsin slid his finger further into her mouth, the honey coating her tongue.
Halsin's breathing grew heavy, his chest rising and falling as he watched her with a rapturous gaze. His expression was one of reverence, as if he couldn't quite believe what was happening.
Halsin's finger slid in and out, in and out, and Tav found herself craving more. She closed her mouth around his finger and her eyes fluttered shut as she sucked the honey off his finger. She couldn't resist, and her tongue darted out to swirl around his finger. She heard a deep groan escape his throat.
They continued this dance of longing and want, wondering when the other would break, until there was no more honey left. Tav's heart thudded in her chest, the taste of Halsin still lingering on her tongue. She watched him with a hunger in her eyes, wondering how he would respond.
Halsin gazed back at her, his expression a mixture of desire and uncertainty as he spoke softly, "It seems we've run out."
Tav's breath caught in her throat before she responded breathily, "That's a shame."
A deep rumble came from Halsin's chest as he hummed and stepped closer, his body nearly touching hers. "I would've liked another taste," He said as he reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
Tav felt a wave of desire crash over her, and she couldn't help but step closer as his fingers grazed her cheek, her skin tingling at his touch. Emboldened, she rested her hands flat on his chest and pushed herself up on her tiptoes, her face inches from his. "Come and have your taste then..." she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Halsin's eyes burned with an intensity that sent Tav's pulse racing.