It had grown late as the lively post wedding celebration still going strong downstairs faded from mind as Xena opened the door to her private quarters.
XENA
Ah nothing like returning to the comfort of your own space after a long day.
She turned to Gabrielle and smiled as without warning she scooped her new wife up in her arms and got a quick surprised yell from the young woman before let out a small laugh as Xena carried her inside and into her bedroom.
GABRIELLE
(Laughing) Now what was that all about?
Xena shrugged as she let the young woman down.
XENA
It's just some silly little thing people do where after they get married the new bride is carried over the threshold of their home but since we never left I figured carrying you in here would have to do.
GABRIELLE
Oh that's an interesting tradition.
Gabrielle paused as a thought came to mind before continuing.
GABRIELLE
So in that case should I have to carry you too. Right?
Gabrielle looked Xena up and down for a moment as took inventory of the height difference between them as well as the fact that due to Xena's years of combat experience, while still very feminine had a much sturdier build than the younger woman, and Gabrielle was admittedly not the most physically adapt person. So Gabrielle knew that doing something as simple as carrying Xena even a couple feet wouldn't exactly be an easy task for her as the Conqueror smirked at the comment having already been well aware of all of this.
XENA
(Joking tone) You're welcome to try.
Knowing that the woman wasn't serious Gabrielle just smiled as she shook her head and Xena chuckled.
XENA
Well anyway it's been quite the day so why don't wego get a little more comfortable.
GABRIELLE
I'd like that.
Xena held her arm out for Gabrielle to take.
XENA
Then shall we?
Smiling, Gabrielle took the Conqueror's arm and Xena led them into her bedroom where they settled down among the lare bed of pillows that were always set up at the foot of Xena's actual bed.
GABRIELLE
Today was really beautiful wasn't it Xena?
XENA
It really was something.
Xena sat leaning back against a couple pillows while she gently and idly ran her fingers through Gabrielle's golden hair as the young woman sat nestled in her arms.
GABRIELLE
Everyone worked so hard to get everything ready, and it all turned out just so perfect.
XENA
I'm happy it was everything you hoped it would be.
GABRIELLE
It really was and so much more
Gabrielle looked up at the other woman.
GABRIELLE
Thank you Xena, today was more than I ever could've dreamed.
XENA
Gabrielle...
Xena sat up completely as she took Gabrielle with her and gently reached up to turn the young woman's face to look at her.
XENA
I thought I told you before, you never need to thank me for anything. It's only because of you that after being lost in the darkness for so long that I was finally able to find my way again. You've given me a new beginning in life. A new reason to live. You've given me so much that nothing I do could ever be enough to measure up to what you've done for me.
Xena lightly stroked her thumb over Gabrielle's cheek as she continued.
XENA
Gabrielle, all I want is for you to be happy. I would give you the world if you asked. So having everything that went into today in order to make sure you were happy pales in comparison to the lengths I would go for you. Everything I have and everything I am is yours.
Xena smiled.
XENA
You are the most important and dearest thing to me in all this world. I love you Gabrielle. More than I ever thought I could love anyone. I never wanna imagine a life without you.
GABRIELLE
... Xena.
Deeply touched once again by the Conqueror's words, Gabrielle found herself at a loss for words and instead leaned in as she placed a light kiss on Xena's lips and remained close after with her forehead resting against the other woman's as she linked her hand into Xena's.
GABRIELLE
I love you.
With a soft smile, the Conqueror raised her free hand and softly held the side of the of young woman's face as the two peered deeply into one another's eyes for a long moment before their eyes closed, and their lips slowly met once again as the kiss lingered slightly longer than the one prior. And was gradually followed by another and then another. And each slow caress of their lips becoming progressively more impassioned than the others before it. Becoming lost in the moment, Xena let go of Gabrielle's hand that she had still been holding and slowly glided her palm up the young woman's arm and around to the upper part of her back and lightly pressed Gabrielle against her as the Conqueror moved her lips from the other woman's and began letting them trail down her neck. While feeling her long held desire for the woman in her arms growing more intense by the second as it had now become a full-fledged hunger, Xena continued further downward as her lips gently brushed the top of Gabrielle's chest that was left uncovered by her dress for a moment before she began to leave a series of light presses of her lips on to the soft skin there too until she heard Gabrielle say her name after having not registered what she had been saying when she said Xena's name a few times before and quickly pulled away when she realized what she was doing as she let go of the younger woman and moved back from her.
XENA
I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me.I just... lost myself for a moment.I know that's no escuse, but I didn't mean to... Or what I mean is I shouldn't have just...
GABRIELLE
Xena...
Gabrielle smiled as moved her hand to cover the older woman's.
GABRIELLE
It's okay.
XENA
No it isn't. I shouldn't have assumed that just because we're married now, you'd be okay me doing that. And for that I'm so sorry. I swear to you Gabrielle I would never want to make you uncomfortable by doing anything to you or touching you in any way that you weren't okay with or don't want.
Looking into Xena's eyes and seeing the amount of remorse and concern on her face, Gabrielle made an attempt to alleviate the woman's worry.
GABRIELLE
But it really is okay. You weren't doing anything to make me uncomfortable at all.
XENA
Are you sure?
Xena softly held her hand to Gabrielle's cheek.
XENA
Because I don't want you to think that just because it's our wedding night that you do something you aren't ready to do. Or that I'll be disappointed or upset if you don't want to be with me in that way.
Gabrielle smiled as she laid her hand over the Conqueror's.
GABRIELLE
I know and I'm sure. I love you Xena and I wanna share my life with you. And that includes everything that comes with it.
The full realization of what they were talking about finally taking over completely and her imagination beginning to take her to some fairly sensual places as a result, the young woman felt herself begin to blush slightly as she continued.
GABRIELLE
Even the things I haven't done before.
Understanding, Xena gave a soft smile as she leaned in and placed a light kiss on Gabrielle's lips before taking her new wife by the hand gently pulled her to stand as she led her the short distance to the bed where they shared another kiss. Still keeping their lips pressed together, Xena let her hands roam down Gabrielle's sides and then up her back where she found the string behind Gabrielle's neck that tied her dress closed and pulled it causing it to come undone. Then pulling back just a little, Xena took hold of the back of the dress and slowly pulled it forward as she helped Gabrielle slip her arms out of her wedding gown before sliding it down the length of her body before standing back up and losing her breath as she laid her eyes on the woman she now saw as being the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen as the candlelight seemed to illuminate the now nearly nude woman iin front of her.
GABRIELLE
What?
Xena smiled.
XENA
You really are so beautiful Gabrielle.
Kissing her again, Xena then slowly let her hands climb up Gabrielle's stomach and smooth over her breasts as she got a pleasing and tantalizing sigh in response while she continued to gently massage the smallish peeks for a few moments before finally pulling her lips away and moving her hands down to the other woman's underwear and crouched as she slid them down and let Gabrielle step out of them before running her fingers up the young woman's leg as she stood back up to let her hand stop over Gabrielle's mound where she lightly let her fingers very lightly begin to massage up and down the young woman's femininity and heard a soft, delighted sigh escape Gabrielle's lips as she continued for a couple more moments and Gabrielle began to feel a slightly warm, tingling sensation starting to build within her depths and grabbed onto Xena's arm as she began to breathe just slightly harder. Seeing this, the Conqueror learned close and spoke softly into her wife's ear as she took her hand away.
XENA
(Soft tone) Lay down.
Doing as requested, Gabrielle laid in the bed while she watched the Conqueror shrug off her outer robe and let it just fall to the floor behind her before proceeding to strip away the rest of her clothing as well. And when she stood completely bare beside the bed, Gabrielle gazed up at Xena's naked form and found herself silently wondering if the woman standing before her was actually a goddess as despite the scar on Xena's chest that was left behind by Draco, Gabrielle couldn't help but be somewhat amazed on how the woman could possibly be even more unbelievably stunning than what Gabrielle could have ever pictured.
XENA
(Slightly teasing tone) I'm guessing from the look on your face that you like what you see.
Seeing the almost wide-eyed look on Gabrielle's face that was swiftly followed by the younger woman quickly averting her eyes when she was caught staring, the Conqueror smiled as she moved to kneel on the bed beside Gabrielle as she gently turned the young woman's face to look at her again.
XENA
You know you don't have to feel embarrassed because you find someone attractive. Least of all your wife.
GABRIELLE
I get that in my head, but I just... Xena I've never done... this before and...
Gabrielle paused not knowing how to word what she wanted to say but didn't get to continue before Xena leaned over and gave her a soft kiss before pulling back just slightly.
XENA
That's okay, I know.
Xena gave Gabrielle a reassuring smile.
XENA
Don't worry Gabrielle, you'll do just fine. Trust me.
GABRIELLE
(Uncertain tone) Okay.
XENA
Now just relax. We'll take it slow, and you just do whatever feels right. Okay?
Gabrielle nodded and the Conqueror moved to kneel over her as they shared another passionate kiss and the dark haired woman reached down between them and softly skimmed her fingers along Gabrielle's center, her excitement despite her minor nervousness made evident by the quiet, but clearly satisfied inhale Xena heard the young woman make when she touched Gabrielle in her most intimate area for the first time where she could already feel the level of moisture between the blonde woman's legs. Continuing to lightly stroke her fingers along Gabrielle's core, the Conqueror lowered her lips to kiss the woman beneath her and began planting. Iight kisses along the young woman's neck and down to her chest where she layed a series of soft kisses on each of the soft mounds before letting her lips just barely graze Gabrielle's nipple and received a small, soft mew from the other woman in response. Then after a moment the Conqueror lightly ran the tip of her tongue over the small pink peak a couple of times before taking it into her mouth causing Gabrielle to take a small blissful inhale as she felt Xena begin to suck. Her mouth occupied by Gabrielle's breast, Xena continued lightly teasing her fingers up and down the young woman's feminine treasure as she took slow, gentle stokes before gradually beginning to press just slightly firmer as she went on.
GABRIELLE
(Blissful sigh) Xena.
Feeling both her desire and excitement increasing, Gabrielle parted her legs further as her nervousness had been completely forgotten, and she let the sensations of Xena's loving touch fully occupy her whole being. Without even thinking, the young woman's hips began to roll in response to the Conqueror's still light petting of her sex. As she was hearing the clear signs that Gabrielle was enjoying what she was doing, Xena could no longer ignore her own burning hunger for the young woman beneath her that she had been suppressing for so long it was taking nearly everything the Conqueror had to maintain the slow paced approach she had felt would be best for their first time together and not instead completely surrender to the ravenous desire that she had for the other woman. Because while she may have done such a thing in the past with whomever she had chosen to share her bed with, when it now came to Gabrielle, like everything else, Xena wanted the experience to be different. Not only because she didn't want to take things to quickly and risk overwhelming the inexperienced young woman, but because where it had been before, with Gabrielle it wasn't just simply about the act of sex itself. Now it was more about what Xena felt within the deepest depths of her heart and soul whenever she thought of the young woman and how she could possibly convey what she was feeling. And only hoped that her unyielding love for Gabrielle would be felt by the other woman through her actions both then and in everything else she would do going forward.
XENA
(Soft tone) I love you so much Gabrielle
Kissing Gabrielle as she paused in her stroking of the woman's core, Xena moved to straddle one of Gabrielle's legs as she began to slowly grind her womanhood against the younger woman. A low, satisfying groan then escaped the Conqueror's throat as she leaned her head back and rocked back and forth, working her area of need against the Gabrielle who could feel the slickness of the Conqueror's avid sexual craving being spread along her thigh. Not becoming too caught up in the increasingly gratifying sensation building as she continued to press her center along Gabrielle's leg, Xena resumed her fingers gliding up and down the young woman's femininity. Gabrielle let out a blissful whine as she felt Xena's hand continue to run her fingers up her center and back down again what she could only later think to describe as an almost warm, tingling feeling begin to build within her depths as her breathing quickened, and she dug her toes into the blankets that she clung to even tighter. Able to see that the young woman appeared to be nearing her climax, Xena sped her strokes up a little as Gabrielle moaned her name. The Conqueror kept that pace for a little bit while maintaining the steady rhythm of her hips as she continued forging her own sex against Gabrielle as she could tell it likely wouldn't be much longer until the young woman reached her climax. It was then that Xena paused in her efforts to find her own release and Gabrielle felt the Conqueror's hand cease in the vertical strokes over her center only to feel her quickly find and begin to roll her fingers over her little bundle of nerves that caused the young woman to throw her head back as it felt as though her core had been set a blaze. Keeping up the small circles she was doing against Gabrielle's little bud, the Conqueror then resumed pressing herself against Gabrielle as hearing the younger woman's elated cries stirred her own desire even further, and she proceeded to then move with an increased vigor than she had before. She rapidly thrust her hips as she pressed her womanhood harder against Gabrielle's thigh as her orgasm began its fast approach. While the Conqueror moved harder against Gabrielle, the young woman's focus was utterly consumed by the undescribable sensation that had built to fever pitch. Until the sensation grew to become so intense from feeling the unrelenting manipulating of her little bundle of nerves that the Conqueror had intently focused on, and Gabrielle felt something within her give way as her back arched off the bed and her body stiffened while she felt her depths rapidly pulse and a nearly indescribable warmth flooded throughout her core. In response a euphoric cry erupted from the woman's throat, as seeing Gabrielle achieve her release brought the Conqueror up to the edge of her own orgasm as she stilled her hand that remained nestled between the Gabrielle's legs and began to relentlessly propel herself back and forth on the younger woman's thigh. Making what sounded almost like an animalistic growl as her carnal desires completely took over, the Conqueror took her hand away from Gabrielle's center as she clenched the fabric that laid on the bed under them and lowered herself to lay on top of the other women while she pushed her womanhood faster and harder against Gabrielle's leg as the sensation continued to build, bringing Xena ever closer to the edge of ecstasy until she pushed hard once more and let out a rapturous yell as an earth shaking wave of pleasure ripped through the Conqueror as she came hard, feeling her nether lands convulse while she jolted her hips forward a few more times until her high began to subside and Xena laid over Gabrielle motionless for a few moments until she came down from her high and caught her breath before lowering her lips to the other woman's, leaving a soft but meaningful kiss before gently brushing a couple strands of golden hair from Gabrielle's face.
XENA
(Soft tone) You okay?
Gabrielle nodded.
GABRIELLE
I'm okay.
She smiled up at the dark haired woman.
GABRIELLE
That was so wonderful Xena. Thank you for making it so special.
A light smile crossed the Conqueror's lips.
XENA
I'm happy I could make your first time feel so meaningful.
After moving from atop the blonde to lay beside her, Xena gathered the young woman into a loving, tender embrace and softly kissed her.
GABRIELLE
I love you Xena.
The Conqueror smiled.
XENA
Not as much as I do you.
It was just a short time later as Gabrielle was snuggled up against Xena, wrapped in the Conqueror's arms while she slept peacefully beneath the blanket that Xena had pulled over them, as in the darkness of the room, the Conqueror contently watched her as she found herself deep in thought and as a result was finding it hard to sleep.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) After everything I've seen. Everything I've done and the pain I've caused. Who could've imagined that the long, dark road I've walked for all these years would end up leading me to you? So much has happened since you've come into my life. Things that I never thought could. And yet because of you, Gabrielle and the way you were able to reach me in the deepest depths of my darkness when no one else could, I'm beginning to believe that just about anything can be possible.
Smiling, Xena turned her eyes to the ceiling and a few moments later slowly let her heavy lids close as she slipped into a deep, calm sleep with one last waking thought echoing through her mind.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) And who knows, just maybe thanks to you Gabrielle, it can be.
TO BE CONTINUED...