Author's Note: Things are getting steamy, and if you are not OK reading that, skip ahead a couple of chapters. You knew this was coming, so I'm hoping this didn't come as a surprise :)
Naina settled onto the bed in what had become her room, fresh from a shower, her fingers deftly working through the tangles of her long hair. A gentle knock interrupted her routine.
"It's me, Valera," Valera mumbled through the door.
"Come in," Naina responded as she continued to tend her hair.
As Valera entered, her gaze fell upon Naina, causing her to freeze, and her cheeks and ears to flush a deep peacock green. Emitting a soft, startled noise that resembled an "eep," she suddenly found immense fascination with the floor, and then tried to sort out her breathing without choking on the spot.
Naina raised one of her eyebrows as she looked at Valera. "Is everything alright?" she asked, still focused on her hair.
"Nainayoudon'thaveanyclotheson," Valera said quietly and trying to talk quick as to distract herself. With very, very little success, we might add. Her pulse quickened, and she found it extremely hard to breathe normally, while her body was getting all kinds of signals originating from between her legs.
"Daew! Sorry!" Valera exclaimed, hastily pulling her blanket up to cover her torso and feet. "I'm just so used to having the place to myself. Sometimes I forget that being naked isn't exactly normal," she admitted, offering a sheepish grin.
"I mean, I don't mind, you look so beautiful," Valera whispered. "But only if you want. I mean... I mean, I'm not opposed to looking at you, but ... I mean ... " she mumbled. "I'm making an ass out of myself, aren't I?" she said with a nervous smile.
Naina smiled warmly, brushing her hair back as she rose from the bed, allowing the blanket to fall gracefully behind her. "Valera, you're not making a fool of yourself," she reassured gently. "I don't mind at all. Look at me."
Valera slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes widening as she took in Naina's mesmerizing beauty. The pale, dew-kissed skin on Naina's body shimmered under the soft glow of the room. Valera could feel a warmth spreading through her, a mixture of desire and anticipation. Her breath quickened, and her heart raced in her chest.
The absence of body hair -- her elven heritage -- on Naina's slender frame accentuated her graceful curves, from her slender waist to her shapely hips. Valera's eyes locked onto Naina's perky, small-ish breasts, aching to feel their softness against her.
Her lips parted in anticipation as she watched Naina's every move, lost in a trance-like state. Naina's gentle smile sent a surge of electricity through Valera's body, intensifying the longing she felt. As their eyes met, Valera found herself drowning in Naina's pupilless emerald gaze.
"You're stunning," Valera managed to utter quietly.
Naina's cheeks were red, and her ear tips felt so hot she thought they glowed. "Nobody's ever looked at me like that," she mumbled coyly. "Or said anything like that about me."
Valera raised her hand hesitantly and then looked at Naina from her toes to the tips of her ears. "Can I ...?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Naina nodded at her. Valera took a step forward and brushed her fingers lightly against Naina's upper arms.
"So soft ..." she muttered, as she traced her fingers along Naina's arms. She felt her shiver under her touch, sending pleasing signals through Naina's body. Naina bit her lower lip to muffle a moan. Valera was captivated by Naina's body, and her fingers danced on her skin, making soft swirls here and there. A smirk formed on Valera's lips, and she turned her gaze back to Naina's eyes.
"Is now a better time to tell me about the pairing you mentioned ...?" she asked with a devilish grin on her lips.
Naina smiled at her. She turned around to walk to her bed, and she heard Valera gasp as she did so. Naina smiled, sat on the bed, and patted the spot next to her.
"Sit down then, Valera," she said.
Valera walked, like in a dream, and sat beside her. Naina turned toward her, and sat cross-legged on the bed, which didn't make Valera's breathing any easier.
"It is said that the elves of old could meld their souls together," Naina said. "In a ritual, they would open their hearts completely to their pair, and tie them better than any physical link ever could. It is said that this pairing was only possible between elves, whose souls had been chosen to be together."
"The ritual would make them break down their walls and present their unguarded hearts to each other. It is said that the ritual -- and indeed the ability -- to form pairs like that was what gave elves the ability to live together, as our life spans are many times over what the Terrans, Pomians, or even those from Core Worlds have," Naina explained.
"If at any point, you feel you don't want to go on, tell me," Naina said. "The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Just tell me, and I'll stop, please?"
Valera nodded. "Of course," she whispered. "If you do the same."
Naina nodded, then she raised her right hand, palm towards Valera, and separated her pinky and thumb from the rest of the fingers. She gave Valera a slow blink and smiled coyly. "Join with my heart, Valera," she whispered.
Valera settled across from Naina, mirroring her gesture by gently placing her right hand against Naina's. "Just guide me," she murmured softly.
Naina nodded in understanding, reciprocating the gesture with her left hand, matching the movement she had just made with her right. Valera followed suit, echoing the motions. As their palms connected, Valera felt a comforting warmth emanating from Naina's hands, wrapping her in a sense of security. Naina gently spread her hands, guiding Valera's along with hers, and then reclined, drawing Valera down with her.
Naina still held on to her hands, as they were spread on her sides. Valera was lying on top of Naina, with her face just an inch from hers, their breasts touching through Valera's clothes.
"Do you want to go through it?" Naina asked softly.
Valera nodded. "I trust you completely," she said, looking into her eyes.
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