Archive of Our Own

The shadows wrapped around them as Laudna led the trio back to their chambers, a quilted quiet blanketing them as they stole through the castle. Imogen could feel Fearne’s sidelong glances as they crept. Mercifully, the need for silence stopped Fearne from saying anything, though Imogen sensed from the way her mouth opened and snapped shut a few times that she had a few things to share.

Imogen largely ignored her, mind still silently sifting through the events of the last few hours. Her eyes remained fixated on the floor just behind Laudna, watching where her heel left the flagstones and swearing it left behind a flurry of dark, eddying shadows. She counted every step, measuring the distance between them and feeling her throat tighten with every stride that receded away from her. It felt like she was carrying something heavy in her stomach, a cumbersome leaden weight that surely must have echoed through every muffled step she took.

It was only when Fearne placed a tentative hand on her bicep, guiding her through a narrow passageway, that Imogen realised how tightly she held herself. Her arms were wrapped in a vice grip across her torso, hands tucked up under her armpits against the cold despite the warmth of Fearne against her. Trying to hold the pieces of herself together - the pieces that felt like they might fall out of her chest if she didn’t. 

Eventually, they reached their chambers once more. Laudna’s eyes glittered brightly as she took both of their hands and squeezed, smiling tiredly at each of them.

“Thank you for being there with me, my witches,” she whispered conspiratorially. Fearne beamed back, squeezing both of their hands in turn. Imogen willed herself to return the look with a weary smile that flickered briefly across her face and didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Laudna released their hands, quietly opening their shared bedroom door with a small click. Fearne made to follow her in, but Imogen lifted her hand, finally tearing her gaze from the flagstones to look up at Fearne with an unintentionally hard stare.

“Do you mind stayin’ with Orym tonight, Fearne?” She fought hard to keep her tone level. “I’d really appreciate some alone time with my girlfriend.” She hadn’t intended it to come out quite so possessive. But despite everything, Imogen still felt a small thrill rush through her at the word, a treasured secret finally able to be shared with their closest friend. 

Shame about the circumstances.

And so her voice betrayed her, squeaking slightly on the last syllable.

“Oh. Oh. ” Fearne’s voice rang with disappointment. She glanced between them: from Imogen, her lips set in a thin line and eyes tight at the creases; to Laudna, who froze with her hand resting on the door handle, eyes flickering uncertainly to the lavender haired woman.

“Yeah. Yeah, of course. Although,” Fearne grinned, “I promise I won’t interrupt, or anything…” Her smile faded for a moment at Imogen’s stony expression, but she was undeterred. “Unless you want me to!” She chanced, grinning again. Laudna’s gaze flitted, confused, between the other two.

Fearne. Imogen spoke sternly inside her head.

“Right, right, maybe not…” Fearne trailed off, before averting her gaze and rapidly turning on her heel to let herself into Orym’s room.

Laudna went in first, the room cold and dark after being empty for most of the evening. Laudna busied herself lighting the lamps at the side of the bed. She watched Imogen with a concerned expression, eyeing her sidelong like some wild creature she was trying not to spook. Movements slow and deliberate; no direct eye contact.

Imogen entered the chamber slowly, like a ghost drifting across the threshold. Her gaze immediately caught the shadows that danced across the walls like dark tapestries, thrown up by the flickering candles that burned low in their sconces. The shapes wavered, and for a moment she could have sworn the stark silhouette of another woman - wearing a long, high-necked dress with pointed shoulders - flickered mockingly upon the wall. A cold, sharp feeling crept up her throat as fury burned through her veins.

She turned her back on the room as tears prickled like acid at the corners of her eyes. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she gripped the door handle until her knuckles turned white, throwing red Ruidian veins into even sharper focus.

“Promise me.”

Imogen tried to fight it, the torrent of emotions that she’d kept restrained by necessity - Fearne had been there, she couldn’t let her see how fucked up she was. And more, worse - she couldn’t let Delilah see her vulnerability, learn her weaknesses.

She’d kept calm in the moment, powering through on adrenaline alone, until she knew she was safe.

“Imogen…?” Laudna’s voice wavered, laced with worry as she hovered uncertainly on the other side of the room. 

Now that she was alone with Laudna, the walls crashed down and Imogen was assailed by the barrage. Now it surged inside, a storm of dark despair threatening to overwhelm, to drown her.

She should talk to Laudna. She wanted to talk, desperately, to unpack the events of the evening and figure out a way forward. It was why she had asked Fearne to leave. And yet, when she opened her mouth to speak, she couldn’t. The air turned to ice in her chest, words crumbling into ash on her tongue.

With each shuddering breath Imogen forced into her lungs, she fought hard to untangle the roiling knot of emotions in her chest. The confusing medley congealed, slowly, into one feeling that stood out above the rest.

Anger. Imogen was furious at the unfairness of it: that Delilah was there, ever-present and insidious, manipulating Laudna. Anger - and a strong sense of betrayal - towards Laudna, for asking Imogen to promise to give up on her, for making her swear it in front of Fearne. Anger at Predathos. Anger at Ludinus, at Otohan, her mother - for causing all of this, for twisting their strings of fate into this mess, condemning them to a life of searching for power at whatever cost. For making it so they couldn’t just run from it all:  abandon this dark destiny and hide somewhere far away, retire to a quiet life raising horses in a cottage. Together, away from all of this. 

And now she’d acknowledged it, a seething, festering rage gripped her heart like a withered hand. Imogen inhaled slowly, trying desperately to grasp onto something else - anything - to quell the rising tide of anguish that bubbled in her chest. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she pressed her palms flat against the door, the rough grain of the wood pricking her skin as she spread her fingers wide. Her forehead fell forward against the panels and she breathed in deeply again, the earthy scent of timber filling her nostrils. She tried to imagine herself in a forest somewhere, outside, away from this cold castle with its cold heart and colder secrets. She felt the band of her circlet push uncomfortably into her forehead, sure to leave a red, angry indentation. The pain held her in this room, in this moment.

Through the dead silence of the room, Imogen could hear Laudna shuffling restlessly behind her. Her eyes were squeezed shut - almost painfully so - which meant every sound was amplified. Fabric rustled as Laudna fiddled with the skirt of her dress, methodically rifling layers of lace and chiffon through her fingers. Then bones and joints crackled against each other as she pulled her hair into a bun, capturing the strands that had worked their way loose in the scuffle earlier. Imogen knew the quiet sounds of Laudna so well now, she didn’t need to see her at all to read her movements. 

Imogen wasn’t sure how long they stayed like this, pulling ragged breaths into her lungs as Laudna squirmed anxiously behind her. Eventually, she felt the floorboard buckle beneath her boot as Laudna took a tentative step closer.

“Don’t.”

Imogen felt like spikes were erupting over her body in a shell as she curled tighter into herself, her forehead throbbing now where the circlet stabbed into her skin, and she pushed herself even closer to the door - the cold, unyielding wood her only shield in this place. A primal, inexplicable need to protect herself coursed through her veins, and she might burst into flames if Laudna came any closer, if she broke through the defensive barrier she scrambled desperately to construct around herself. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter.

The floorboard creaked again as Laudna recoiled. A quiet, chagrined whimper permeated the silence, a sound which lanced straight through Imogen’s walls like a knife between her ribs. Imogen couldn’t help herself.

She yielded, a little.

“Just… I need a second, okay?” Imogen was gulping for air as panic clawed through her chest, a wave of turmoil threatening to fracture her as the weight of the evening’s revelations crashed slowly through her mind. She opened her eyes, fixated on her hands that now wrung together hopelessly; one small part of her acknowledged with dark humour that she’d picked this habit up from Laudna.

“Imogen,” Laudna started again, gently. “We don’t need to - to think about any of that, just yet. It’s not - it’s not anything we can change, right now.” That despondent, resigned tone was back, quietly accepting that this was her fate.

That Delilah’s hold on her was absolute; that whatever the evil bitch told her must be true.

That there was no way out.

Imogen’s internal conflict swelled again, a crackling storm of hurt that splintered through her chest and down her arms to her trembling fingers. Hot, searing hatred roiled inside - for every hurt Delilah had ever inflicted on Laudna. For trying to take Laudna from her, for manipulating her, for making Laudna believe her vitriolic mantra.

More, worse -

For spying on their private moments, poisoning every quiet moment of happiness they’d had - that they’d fought for - clawing back tiny moments of comfort and joy from the jaws of relentless danger and terror.

And most of all, pain. Pain, biting and raw, that Laudna could accept her fate so easily. Could give up on her, so easily.

Just like everyone else did, eventually.

Imogen tried to force the surge back down, to mash it back into her chest, but it raged like some feral beast, claws raking at her insides. Fresh wounds stung - the panic that Laudna might leave her; that Imogen could be alone again, rejected, lost -

“Imogen, please say something.” Laudna’s voice was barely above a whisper, pleading.

Imogen choked back a sob.

Rage.

Anguish.

Spiralling powerlessness.

Down, down, down.

“Please, darling,” Laudna breathed. “I need to know what you’re thinking…” Her voice was quiet, so quiet. Timid, even. Like she was scared of Imogen, scared of her response. That was new, for Laudna. She’d never been afraid of Imogen, even in her worst moments.

Imogen knew it was selfish, to be worrying about her own isolation when Laudna was the one sharing a body with the evil bitch, but she couldn’t help it, as the anguish swelled and started to engulf her.

Another sob - lonely, loneliness, going to be so alone -

So Imogen suppressed it the only way she could think of. The only way she knew how to fill that gaping, hungry void of emptiness that threatened, that she was deadly sure would consume her if Laudna’s music went quiet in her life again. If she had to live without it.

She needed to feel Laudna, feel her presence, her touch. Needed to know she was there, that she was tangible and reachable, in that moment. Needed… fuck, she needed to know Laudna was still hers. 

Imogen flew across the room, shedding her defensive walls like a cloak. Exposed like this, all the pain and raw nerve endings burned even more deeply, but this yielded to a different kind of ache, cleansing and restorative. Her lips collided with Laudna’s and she kissed her, hard.

Their mouths moulded together effortlessly, and Laudna’s arms were ready to receive her in an instant. The embrace came as easily as breathing, just as natural and just as essential to Imogen’s survival. Tears spilled silently over the corners of Imogen’s eyelids, running down her cheeks only to be caught by Laudna’s spindly fingers curving around her jawline. Even now, after everything, Imogen marvelled at how seamlessly they moved together, like some well-rehearsed dance imprinted deep into muscle memory. Laudna’s looming frame folded down around Imogen; the hand that was not on Imogen’s face encircled her waist to pull her closer. Imogen’s tense form softened against the taller woman, warmth flooding the space as her flat palms slid around Laudna’s spine, before they balled into the fabric of her dress to pull her down, to pull her closer. One hand settled on the small of Laudna’s back while the other rested at the base of her neck. They stayed locked together for one instant, then another.

Grounded like this, it didn’t matter what trick of the shadows Delilah used to interfere, what dark magic that evil bitch could throw around - Imogen knew this touch. Glassy skin, soft, pliant lips, delicate fingers. This was Laudna - her Laudna - everything else be damned.

Imogen settled, for a moment.

Eventually, she pulled herself away, taking a step backwards to catch her breath. Laudna stared back, dark irises obfuscated by widened pupils in the dim light.

The dark fog that had crept into Imogen’s periphery cleared a little with the kiss, rupturing the bubble of tension and ushering in a wave of clarity and calm. She bit her lip and smoothed her hands down the front of Laudna’s dress where it had become rumpled.

Gods, she’s so beautiful.

The anger that burned inside Imogen quieted momentarily as she stared at Laudna’s soft expression. Other feelings bubbled slowly to the surface, ones she was perhaps even more terrified to confront. Sifting through the emotions that gripped her, Imogen sensed something colder than rage. Some deep despair, a powerlessness - 

No, not that -

Too painful - 

She held tightly to the anger because it was easier - less piercing, less scary. Imogen’s brow furrowed and she started to retreat again.

But - she couldn’t maintain it when Laudna started speaking.

“I - I have to admit I’m a bit… confused, Imogen,” Laudna breathed. Her voice was barely a whisper, as if she were afraid of spooking Imogen.

“I know, I know,” Imogen whispered. She laughed humourlessly, tucking her hair behind her ears. It felt like a hand was squeezing her throat, restricting the airflow, and it was painful to speak. The throbbing at her temples warned of a migraine setting in imminently. She breathed in, deeply. “I’m… havin’ a lot of feelings right now, Laud. I just need a second to unscramble ‘em.”

Laudna reached out helplessly, spiderlike fingers cradling Imogen’s cheeks.

“Imogen, I feel like I’m trying to convince you of something. But I don’t know what that is, I don’t know what you need…” Laudna’s voice was low and pleading.

Tears beaded at the corners of Laudna’s eyes as she gazed down at Imogen, and she moved to clutch desperately at her forearms, trying to impress some unfathomable message into her with her delicate touch.

“I don’t know either, Laud…” Imogen’s fingers clenched into fists that left white half-moons in her palms where the nails dug in.

“Then perhaps… can you tell me one of the things you’re feeling, at least?” Laudna’s face crumpled with worry, and Imogen’s heart ached again.

“It’s confusin’, Laudna,” she whispered, trying to organise her reeling thoughts. Everything felt fuzzy inside her mind, and a dull ringing still echoed faintly in her ears.

“I think… I’m angry.” This struck a chord in her chest, the resolute sound of something clunking into place. She focused on that, trying to make sense of it for Laudna. 

“At Delilah? At… at me?”

She gulped. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Ok…” Laudna deflated a little, and dropped Imogen’s forearms. Imogen stepped back, putting safe distance between them again.

“How could you ask that of me, in front of Fearne?” Imogen had meant to sound firm, but it came out as more of a pathetic sob. She shivered, and tried to stand up straighter. “Askin’ me to swear to do the one thing it would absolutely kill me to do, without the chance to talk through it, just the two of us? I thought - I thought we were a team, you and me.” Imogen couldn’t help the pout that came across her face; it felt petulant, but she needed to get it out.

Laudna grimaced, and her hands began to twist together. “I’m sorry, dear. It all got a bit… fraught, and I suppose I got a bit caught up in everything that was happening.” She frowned, and looked down. “I guess I just wanted to make sure that you’ll be alright, no matter what happens to me. Having Fearne witness it just made it seem like… like I might have some assurances there. Like she might look after you, if I…well.” She trailed off, and chanced a glance back up at Imogen furtively. 

Imogen’s incredulous laugh came out as a bark, and she ran her fingers through her hair in exasperation. Cold sweat clung to her fingertips where they touched her scalp. “Alright? How could I possibly be alright, if you were gone?! Don’t you realise how impossible you sound?”

Laudna visibly winced at her retort. Her voice came out almost as a croak, as if it hurt her to say the words. “But you could be happy without me, Imogen. You have so much love to give, even if I’m not… not around.”

Imogen just shook her head slowly, unable to accept what she was hearing.

Laudna interrupted the silence, after a moment.

“I am sorry, Imogen. That was unfair of me. To involve Fearne, like that. I apologise.”

Imogen sighed heavily - sorry for involvin’ Fearne, but not sorry for what she actually said.

There was nothing to be heard except her pulse thudding relentlessly in the cold quiet that followed. Unable to stand the sound of her own fractured heart any longer, she continued.

“I’m mad at you for - for just acceptin’ her hold over you, Laudna.”

“Oh.” Laudna swallowed, hard. Imogen could sense how she held her breath, dreading what Imogen was about to say. Laudna’s whole frame trembled like some branch caught in the first gusts of wind before a storm.

“She says you’re bound forever, that you’re dependent on her as much as she is on you, and you’re just… so resigned to it.”

Laudna deflated further; she looked down and started fiddling with the hem of her corset. “I don’t know another way to look at it, Imogen. We need her.”

Imogen shook her head slowly. “Right now, yes. But that doesn’t mean forever. We can get rid of her when we’re done with all this.”

Now it was Laudna’s turn to shake her head, smiling sadly as she did. “We tried that, dear. She came back. So now I think she’s here for good. Might as well get used to it.”

“But the whole world is fucked, Laudna! So much has happened these last few months - crazy shit , magic stuff - stuff we could never have dreamed of understandin’, or bein’ a part of. Who knows where we’re gonna be in three months, or three years?” Imogen took a step back towards Laudna, gripping onto her biceps as her voice came out low and earnest. Her eyes crinkled into a smile, despite everything.

“She’s not a life sentence, sweetheart.”

Laudna sighed heavily, looking down, refusing to meet Imogen’s gaze. ”Life. What life?” She paused. “Maybe it’s easier. I’ve spent thirty years with her already, Imogen. I don’t know how to change that. I thought we might have been rid of her, and I… I ruined it all by letting her back in.” Laudna’s eyes squeezed shut painfully at this, before opening and looking up at Imogen through half-lidded eyes. “It’s easier not to hope, anymore.”

That hurt. Rage sparked back inside Imogen, squashing down that cold helplessness that had started seeping through her bones. She clenched her teeth before continuing, exasperated.

“Well, I don’t want what’s easier! When have we ever done what’s easy?” Imogen fought to keep the tremble out of her voice; almost successful, but not quite. “Don’t give up, Laud. Don’t give up on me.” Her voice betrayed her, breaking on the last word as tears spilled over her brimming eyelids.

Laudna rushed towards her, hands outstretched and clasping Imogen’s cheeks. Her fingers wound like vines into the tangled strands of Imogen’s lavender hair, finding their familiar place like roots growing into the ground. Imogen whimpered, leaning into the touch even though her skin prickled.

“No! I could never give up on you, Imogen. Never.” Now Laudna’s voice was low and desperate, wide eyes boring into Imogen’s pleadingly.

Imogen’s face crumpled, the words she had been trying to bite back spilling out of her lips.

“...Then how come it feels like you are?” She stepped back, lips pursed. The edges of her vision throbbed with a faint red glow, and a shuddering breath escaped from her lungs.

A cavernous darkness opened up in her chest, inch by inch, every time she inhaled. In an instant it swallowed up the anger and frustration that had clawed through her all evening. It left behind a wallowing blackness, a pit of despair that swirled and grew and threatened to engulf everything inside her. It felt like the very edges of her consciousness were fraying, as the thought of living a life without Laudna billowed wider and wider, like a sail attached to a broken mast in a tempest. Imogen’s hands shook, and she found herself crossing her forearms over her abdomen and gripping hard, hopelessly trying to stop everything falling out. 

“Imogen, darling, please listen to me.” Laudna’s voice almost came out as a hiss of desperation as long pale fingers swept her hair back from her forehead. She reached out a hand to Imogen, before it faltered in the cold air between them and fell limp at her side. She drew in a shaky breath before continuing, voice quiet and beseeching.

“I’m not planning on going anywhere. I wish to spend every waking - and sleeping - minute by your side, darling. And I want to fight this thing -” she gestured vaguely towards the window, to the red moon tethered somewhere in the sky - “together, with every ounce of strength and magic we have.” Despite everything, Imogen’s heart thudded more quickly in response to the words. But then Laudna sighed. “I just want you to be prepared. For when I… when I fuck it up again.” She grimaced. “It’s my fault, letting her back in.  So I suppose Delilah is my… inevitable punishment.”

Imogen’s mouth set in a hard line, and she began to shake her head slowly; before she could protest, Laudna continued.

“You deserve so much more than me, already, dear. I don’t want you wasting your life on a lost cause.”

Imogen’s nostrils flared as indignation crackled through her chest. She found her footsteps drawn towards Laudna like a magnet, needing to close the distance, to make her see how godsdamn wrong she was.

“I get to decide what I waste my life on.” Conviction rang loudly through her voice, now. “And I choose you. Every time.” Imogen inhaled sharply before continuing, the air still stinging her lungs, but she needed to make Laudna hear her. “And if I’m spending it with you, it ain’t wasted, Laudna, no matter what anyone else says. Includin’ you. It’s my choice. Even if it means that lyin’ bitch is along for the ride, for the time being. I’m choosing you. ”

A light flashed deep in Laudna’s obsidian eyes, and Imogen could have sworn Laudna’s gaze flickered down to her mouth, for a second. But then she bit her lip, chagrined, suppressing whatever urge had sparked at Imogen’s words in favour of pushing her away. Imogen’s skin prickled as if she’d been stung, as Laudna continued.

“Imogen, I don’t know if I can give you the life you deserve. I’m.. stuck.” Her hand gestured down at her slight frame, a look of disgust on her face that made Imogen want to surge forward and kiss it off of her. “I’ve not aged in thirty years. You’re” - Laudna’s voice began to crack ‘- “you’re going to grow older, and even more powerful and wonderful, and I’ll be stuck in the same broken body I died in three decades past. You deserve a future with someone whole , not some broken old thing.”

“Don’t you dare, Laud,” Imogen whispered, and she reached out to pull Laudna’s forehead against her own. Her skin was cold, clammy, but Imogen didn’t care, there was enough heat burning in her own veins for the both of them. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.” One hand caressed Laudna’s cheek as the other reached down to tangle their fingers together.

“You’re sure as hell not broken, sweetheart. Look at all the incredible things you’ve already done - we’ve already done, together! I would not be who I am without you. You’re powerful, Laudna. And that’s you, it ain’t that bitch in your head. But together, Laud, we can do even greater things. Our magic, combined together, both of us? It’s… it’s infinite, what we might be able to achieve.” Imogen squeezed Laudna’s fingers, fighting the urge to let electricity surge between them. 

“And I don’t care if you don’t age,” she added quietly. “It’s still you that I want.”

Silence rang between them, for a few heartbeats. The room was impossibly still, like someone had cast a time stop on them. The rest of Imogen’s senses were heightened tenfold as a result, Laudna’s forehead still pressed against hers, the skin soft and papery. Laudna’s fingers rested like porcelain twigs cradled between Imogen’s. The only sound was the quiet rush of air being sucked into both of their lungs in shaky breaths, Laudna’s breathing fast enough to match Imogen’s, for once.

Imogen’s eyes were closed as she continued, the words floating around them, almost sourceless, enveloping the two women intertwined.

“I just want you to fight it, Laudna, that’s all. Don’t accept that everything she says is a given. Because I think you’re capable of so much more.”

Laudna’s voice came out as a whimper - when Imogen opened her eyes, she saw that Laudna’s were scrunched shut.

“More what?”

Imogen’s reply was a breathy chuckle.

“Living! With me. Free of her. Together.”

“Imogen - “ Imogen felt Laudna start to pull away, and so she pushed back.

“Don’t you want that farm we talked about? Raisin’ horses in a field of pink flowers? Bakin’ in a cottage at the top of a hill, overlookin’ everything we’ve grown.” Imogen’s vision had been blurry from tears for a while, but the image burst in sharp, detailed technicolour in her mind’s eye.

“Imogen…” Laudna’s whisper was almost helpless. Imogen felt the taller woman pressing closer into her forehead.

Maybe Imogen was being cruel, for talking about something they’d both yearned for so much, and yet seemed so unattainable right now. But she could feel Laudna’s mask breaking. Her resolve, her resignation to this hopeless, lonely fate was crumbling, and beneath it all Imogen could see the fragments of what the other woman really wanted. It spurred her on.

An eerie calm came over her; the black hole inside, receding inch by inch the more she coaxed Laudna’s true desires from her, shrank down into something containable. Imogen cocked her head to the side, fingers delicate as a hummingbird on Laudna’s chin as she tilted her face up to meet her eyes, brighter and more earnest than they had ever been. Laudna’s gaze flickered uncertainly, before finally making eye contact, lip wavering.

“You said it earlier, to Fearne.” Imogen’s voice was hushed, but clearer than it had been all evening. “Thirty years you didn’t have anythin’ to live for. Just existing. Maybe I need to remind you of your options. Make up for it.”

Laudna cleared her throat, uncertainly. Something primal started to simmer underneath Imogen’s skin, and a slow smile crept across her face. She fought again to keep her voice free from any quivering, trying to project a confidence she wasn’t sure she felt; hoping she’d find it somewhere along the way.

“We can have that life we’ve always dreamed about, Laudna. After all of this is done, we could do it. Really live. Let me make you feel somethin’ worth living for.”

And she kissed her.

Imogen surged forward and kissed Laudna until she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think straight, couldn’t remember her own name. It was like a storm crashing through Imogen’s entire frame and flooding through into Laudna at every point their skin touched. Her fingers grasped roughly onto whatever parts of her she could reach, roving frantically and trying to impress her need into the other woman. A surprised squeak escaped from Laudna before she sank into the kiss, slight form collapsing against Imogen’s and letting herself be swept up. Laudna gripped tightly onto Imogen as the sorceress enveloped her, and for a second Imogen let herself believe that Laudna was clinging to her like an anchor, keeping her grounded through the storm.

She pushed Laudna back, marvelling not for the first time how weightless she felt beneath Imogen’s touch. They stumbled over towards the bed, feet shuffling inelegantly as both refused to yield their hold on the other for even a second. Imogen felt Laudna bump into the mattress and placed a hand in the centre of her chest, over her heart, gently guiding her to fall backwards into the cushions with a grin on her face.

Imogen found herself sitting over Laudna, straddling her hips. Heat roiled in her core despite the relative cold of the night air outside the shuttered window. The sky could have fallen down out there, for all Imogen knew. Right now she was laser-focused on the woman lying beneath her. Laudna’s bony hips dug into the underside of Imogen’s thighs, reassuring her that this was real, that Laudna was there with her. Imogen looked deep into her eyes, drinking in the sight of the pale cheeks flushed with pink. Laudna’s eyes shone brightly back at her.

“I mean what I said, Laudna.” Imogen’s voice was husky now. “I’m not givin’ you up that lightly.”

This time Laudna rose up to kiss her, lips locking onto hers as she was pulled in closer. Shivers ran down Imogen’s spine as Laudna’s hand grazed the back of her neck to hold on to her more tightly. Laudna’s more zealous movements helped affirm to Imogen that what she had said had rung true: that Laudna wanted this as much as Imogen did, despite everything Delilah tried to poison her with. Every cool, gentle touch was a promise that Laudna hadn’t given up on her, and it fuelled Imogen all the more.

She returned Laudna’s caresses with vigour, hands wandering fervently beneath clothes to expose skin: she sent shivers running across it wherever they made contact. They soon fell into the well-practiced part of all this, shedding clothes effortlessly and moulding their bodies together like the sea crashing into the shore. By now, Imogen knew how to untie every lace on Laudna’s corset so that it sprung open in moments, allowing Laudna’s dress to fall away. Laudna easily undid every buckle, every button on Imogen’s skirt, knowing exactly how to remove the layers of fabric without needing to break off their kiss. They tumbled into the sheets in a well-rehearsed dance, and Imogen marvelled at how comfortable they were with the rhythms and quirks of each other’s bodies already. 

Their lives had been closely intertwined for a while now, but Imogen still wondered at how their relationship had evolved so seamlessly. Neither were experienced at this, the physical parts of loving someone, and yet she felt like she knew Laudna as confidently as she knew herself. They had stumbled into this intimacy together, fumbling and hesitant but sure, so sure this is what they both wanted. It felt like they had always meant to end up like this, so perfectly enmeshed in each other. All the years travelling, the shared experiences and jubilance and heartache in equal measure, had been building to this - the inevitable progression from travelling companions, to friends, to lovers. This transition had never felt awkward, or intimidating, for them; it was simply the next natural step in becoming an irrevocable part of each other. For them to know each other so completely.

Delilah wasn't taking that from them - Imogen wouldn't let her.

Clothes shed effortlessly, Imogen tangled her legs with Laudna’s, a thrill shooting through her as the other woman’s breathing became more ragged. She felt so powerful, kissing Laudna like this. Goosebumps rose on Imogen’s lightning-marked skin with every whimper she drew out of Laudna. Every sigh sent a heady flutter straight to her heart, feeling how receptive Laudna was to the lightest touch.

Imogen sat astride Laudna’s hips. Pushing her down gently, her lips roved over the pale expanse of Laudna’s exposed chest, enraptured as the pale skin across her breasts flushed a soft pink. Laudna giggled quietly, eyes rolling back in enjoyment as her fingered tangled loosely into the mess of Imogen’s hair. That inebriating power swelled deep inside, burning away the helplessness that had opened in her chest like a void. She knew with conviction what she wanted - what she needed - to banish that creeping darkness that threatened to consume her.

She needed Laudna to know how vibrant she was, how indelibly bright and enchanting and alive - and how she made Imogen feel the same. And Imogen was damned sure she knew a few ways to show her.

“You’re not a dead end, Laudna,” Imogen purred in Laudna’s ear, pulling a scarred earlobe into her mouth and sucking every so gently for emphasis. She grinned as she felt Laudna squirm beneath her, and the fingers that tangled through her hair flexed with delight. Imogen felt sweat trickling down between her breasts, but she didn’t care, not with Laudna underneath her like this. Her usual debilitating self-consciousness melted away when they were entwined so intimately.

Imogen began planting kisses along Laudna’s neck, her jaw, her lips, until their eyes were level. She clutched Laudna’s cheeks between her hands, boring into Laudna’s glittering black eyes, trying hard to impress her point into Laudna’s consciousness.

“You’re the most vibrant soul I’ve ever met, you know that?” She punctuated this with a soft brush of her lips against Laudna’s. “I’ve seen inside people’s minds that don’t have half the joy and light you do, Laudna. You’re incredible.” Her voice was a hushed whisper, a quiet affirmation only meant for Laudna to hear. Tears welled at the corner of Laudna’s eyes; Imogen kissed them away. In response, Laudna pulled her down and kissed her purposefully, a soft smile dancing briefly across her lips before tugging Imogen closer. Imogen’s stomach flipped as heat flooded through her core once more, smugly knowing her point had had its desired intention. 

“Gods, I love you, darling,” Laudna whispered against her lips, as if she were uttering a prayer. Imogen’s heart ached. She responded by pushing Laudna deeper into the soft pillows beneath her which collapsed like dandelions in the wind. Imogen’s skin almost glided across the sheets as she pressed herself closer to Laudna. Entangled as they were, another fantasy revealed itself to her. In her wildest dreams Imogen had never imagined her and Laudna might be in a place like this, making love. Nestled alone, together, in a bedroom with stone walls inside an actual castle; a real feather mattress beneath and sheets made of spun silk from Issylra cocooning them. Living as decadently as one of those princesses in stories she’d heard of back in Gelvaan as a little girl, that Laudna spoke of in folk tales she’d read or heard as she travelled from village to village.

Just for a night, they could experience a life of luxury and opulence and simplicity that had always been unattainable - and would always be, such was the path they now walked on. As she held her love in her arms, Imogen realised with painful clarity that they may never again experience something like this; she raged, and kissed Laudna harder for it. Tears burned her eyes once more, as it dawned on Imogen that she was mourning something she didn’t know if they could have again.

She chose to drown out this bleak thought by focusing her attention on Laudna. The warlock’s pale skin almost glowed in the soft lamplight, an ethereal gleam that drew Imogen in irresistibly. She began charting every inch of muscle, every juncture and faded scar she came across, tracing patterns with featherlight fingertips before pressing a kiss firmly to every landmark. Goosebumps rippled behind Imogen’s touch as she wound her way methodically across Laudna’s neck, her arms, her chest. The sound of Laudna’s breath hitching in her throat at particularly sensitive areas sent a syrupy warmth flooding through Imogen, settling languidly in her core.

Imogen was good at this, she had learned. Every sigh from parted lips, every shiver that danced across Laudna’s skin sent a ripple in turn through Imogen and she smiled, smugly. For right now, there was nothing but this, nothing but them. She wanted to make this moment last forever, their sacred escape from the rest of reality. All that mattered was connecting with Laudna, reading her every movement and making her feel good. Reforging their tether that had begun to fray.

A curious thought crossed Imogen’s mind, and with a grin she paused, chin resting on Laudna’s sternum and smiling thoughtfully up at her. Laudna’s head had been thrown back into the pillows, but she lifted herself up to pout at Imogen, confused by the pause in her ministrations.

“You stopped,” she mumbled, and Imogen was giddy as she recognised the distinct note of disappointment in Laudna’s voice.

With a strength she wasn’t entirely sure she had, Imogen flipped the two of them over. She slid her hands behind Laudna’s shoulder blades, switching their positions with exuberance so that Laudna’s slight form was now on top of her. It almost reminded her of tossing hay bales around back on the farm, a lifetime ago, so light was the other woman. Laudna shrieked in surprise, before erupting into giggles and collapsing on top of Imogen, burying her head in the crook of Imogen’s neck as lightning-scarred arms came up to envelop her.

Lust and confidence coursed through Imogen as her hands trailed across Laudna’s back, drawing her in closer, closer. Imogen bit her lip, considering, daring herself to ask, before jumping in.

“I wanna try something, Laud. Tell me if it’s not okay?” 

“Yes, yes, I will, darling,” Laudna murmured against Imogen’s lips. “Please, love, don’t stop kissing me like that…”

Imogen blushed as she obliged, drawing Laudna closer and planting another messy kiss on her lips. A pang of hesitancy rushed through her, but then Laudna was pulling Imogen’s lower lip between her teeth with a quiet hum, and fuck, if this felt so good, what she had in mind could only make it better, surely. She pulled back for a moment with pursed lips, looking eagerly into Laudna’s eyes as she reached out with her mind. Her thoughts wandered tentatively, brushing against the borders of Laudna’s consciousness and asking to be let in. 

Laudna’s eyes brightened immediately, and her pupils widened as she yielded enthusiastically. She nodded fervently as yes, Imogen, flooded the sorceress’ mind. A thrill that originated at the base of her skull and shot down to her core ignited inside Imogen. She grinned.

They had never done this before. Imogen has spent years learning to construct her mental walls, and after they found the circlet, Imogen had taken it as a blessing that Laudna’s thoughts were shielded from her. She had wanted Laudna to have her privacy, to never have to worry about censoring herself and her darker thoughts from Imogen’s wandering mind if she didn’t want to share.

But this was different. They had never connected on such an intimate level before, but Imogen wanted more, somehow, to feel bound to Laudna even more deeply. More than physical, more than words, more than emotions. They’d discussed it so briefly when they first kissed, what felt like a lifetime ago. There was something liberating about thoughts being freely given, about wanting to be joined in this way. No secrets, exposing the darkest parts of themselves, and being loved all the same for them.

They both wanted this - Imogen could feel it across their mental link as their thoughts spilled together.

Their minds swirled around each other like milk dropped into tea, suspended around each other in an enticing vortex, one moment of equilibrium held in time before merging into one.

Laudna’s lust flowed through Imogen immediately, sending a thrill lancing straight to her core and stoking the flames of her own desire. The warlock’s eyes shone uncertainly with a moment of trepidation as her thoughts were laid bare before Imogen to appraise, judge and condemn. Desperate to quell any worries, Imogen sealed her lips over Laudna’s and sent forth a thought.

Gods, I love the sound’a your thoughts, honey, and the smile that broke over Imogen’s face was warm and bright and trusting.

Laudna’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, shy but gleeful, and she redoubled her efforts to envelop Imogen in her arms.

Linked as they were, with Laudna’s thoughts bleeding into hers, Imogen changed the pace. She was desperate to be closer, to pull Laudna into her and around her and through her until she wasn’t sure where the boundaries were anymore. But she slowed down deliberately, despite every muscle in her body telling her to speed up. Every nerve fizzled with anticipation, desperate to be close, to intertwine, to wind the tether between them tighter than ever. But she slowed down, focusing instead on the intensity, the deliberation of every motion. Making sure Laudna felt every touch, making sure she revelled in every kiss, experienced it to the fullest extent of her senses. It felt important, to carefully rebuild the fraying strands of fate between them with intention. Every touch deepened and strengthened their connection, fastening them together once more.

She sank into their kiss, drawing Laudna more firmly into her lap. The cool weight of her grounded Imogen, and she set to work on exploring every inch of porcelain skin in front of her. Her fingertips ghosted over the expanse of Laudna’s back, trailing lazy circles and drawing a delectable cacophony of squeaks and whimpers from Laudna.

“I love it when you make those noises,” Imogen purred against the skin of Laudna’s neck, and the shiver that wracked through Laudna’s body was mirrored by the wave of desire that flooded her thoughts, too.

“Then you should keep touching me like that,” she gasped, and Imogen laughed freely.

Well. She wasn’t one to ignore a direct instruction.

This was so easy, when she was inside Laudna’s mind like this. She felt every touch twice - once, tangibly, under her fingertips as Laudna writhed beneath her, goosebumps flooding across cool, alabaster flesh. And again, in her mind, as fireworks erupted inside her thoughts and asked for more, for there, like that, don’t stop. Imogen let Laudna guide her, making micro-adjustments to every caress, whispering in her ear just so and delighting in the potency of Laudna’s reactions.

It was growing harder for Imogen to keep this slow lazy pace, so urgent was her need to devour the woman in front of her. It seemed Laudna felt the same, as she latched her lips onto Imogen’s: a grunt of consternation escaped from her as she was met by a slower, deeper kiss than the hungry one she was searching for. 

This is agonising, please, what is she waiting for? Floated across their mental connection. Imogen drew back, giggling, and raised her eyebrows at Laudna. Laudna whined in frustration, before blushing furiously as she realised Imogen had heard the passing thought. For a moment, Imogen doubted herself, and concern crossed her face, drawing back.

Are you sure this is okay, Laudna? It’s not… not too intrusive, or - 

Laudna responded by grabbing the circlet from Imogen’s sweaty brow and tossing it to the floor with a clang, before drawing her in with both hands on her cheeks and kissing her firmly.

Yes. Yes Imogen, I want you here. Laudna’s breath hitched in her throat, and Imogen shuddered as her warm breath blustered across her face. I want you in my thoughts, darling. I want you to feel how good this is.

Imogen whined - this is exactly what she wanted and more. She grinned.

How good this is, huh? Oh baby, I’ve not even started yet. 

She couldn’t bear her lips not being on Laudna any longer so she pressed a blistering kiss to the crook of Laudna’s neck, kissing firmly over the faint scars that bloomed there. Imogen noticed with satisfaction that a pink flush crept beneath the faded bruises, a burgundy wine stain that almost obscured the marks entirely. Laudna threw her head back in ecstasy, both hands clutching on to Imogen’s neck to pull her closer, pull her tighter.

Imogen lost herself for a while, mapping constellations sealed in kisses over every inch of Laudna that she could reach. She had slowed the pace, in part, to ground herself: to slow the rising tide of dark emotions that tried to overwhelm her. But she felt the desperation start to build inside herself again, a different intensity and hunger but just as all-consuming. And so she built the pace intently, hands roving further, fingers gripping tighter, kisses hard enough to bruise trailing over every expanse of skin she could reach.

Laudna was seated firmly in Imogen’s lap, head thrown backwards as Imogen buried her head in Laudna’s chest. Her tongue roved over the small, firm peaks of her breasts, and Imogen couldn’t keep the satisfied grin from her face as she felt a nipple harden beneath her touch and the accompanying gasp from the recipient. One hand splayed against Laudna’s back, holding her in place as her other hand roamed down, down, until it found the coarse patch of hair between Laudna’s legs. A hungry growl escaped Imogen’s throat as she felt the cool ichor that already pooled there for her. A filthy image popped into her head, of Laudna on her back with ichor smeared across her skin, but she held onto that for herself - for now - using it to fuel her craving for Laudna, carefully building the intensity of her ministrations.

Imogen reached out with her mind, silently asking for permission, and it felt like fireworks were erupting between her temples, so enthusiastic was Laudna’s assent. Smirking, Imogen reached down between them, fingers brushing against the soft folds between Laudna’s thighs. The look on Laudna’s face was almost feral as she watched Imogen’s fingers eagerly, before her eyelids fluttered shut and an unearthly groan burst from her lips as she threw her head back as Imogen’s digits found their mark.

You like that, don’t you, sweetheart?

Fuck, Imogen, yes - the words dissolved into nothing as pleasure washed through Laudna’s mind, redoubling and bursting into fractals as Imogen pressed another lazy kiss to the skin at at the base of Laudna’s neck, now damp with sweat. She inched her fingers down further, grazing them against Laudna’s centre as she thrusted up lightly with her hips for extra friction. 

Laudna’s head lolled in slow circles. Black hair streaked with white tumbled down her bony shoulders and splayed beautifully down to tickle Imogen’s breasts, so close were their chests pressed together. Imogen hummed in contentment at the sensation - gods, Laudna was so beautiful like this. Laudna’s hips began to twitch as she tried to match Imogen’s pace, rutting herself inelegantly as her back arched to push herself more firmly into Imogen’s touch. The movement rocked Imogen against one of Laudna’s thighs and she felt her own slick trickle warmly onto the mattress below. Laudna, however, seemed too caught up in her own pleasure to notice - not that Imogen minded.

As their pace steadily increased, a single clear thought ricocheted from Laudna’s mind to Imogen’s: more.

Imogen complied, curling her fingers against Laudna’s cunt as she stared directly into Laudna’s eyes. She looked drunk, eyes struggling to focus as a maroon flush crept high up her cheeks and collarbones. As their eyes locked, and a grin spread like the petals of a flower opening in the sun, Imogen’s mind was suffused with a wash of warm, clear light. A wave of love and gratitude radiated from Laudna, as well as a deep sense of incredulity that Imogen wanted to be with her like this - wanted to be in her thoughts, to be touching her in this way.

A lump formed in Imogen’s throat and she was desperate to quash Laudna’s baseless self-deprecation. It hurt that Laudna didn’t see herself how Imogen did, that she couldn’t understand why Imogen needed her so devastatingly.

Oh darlin’, that doesn’t even scratch the surface of how much I adore you. 

Laudna whimpered, and Imogen descended. In one fluid motion, Imogen flipped Laudna onto her back and began working her way over every part of her, leaving no surface of her skin unclaimed. She breathed in the cool, earthen scent of Laudna’s body as her nose trailed down every inch of her, placing frantic kisses punctuated with the faintest nibble of teeth and chased down with a stroke of her tongue. Laudna writhed deliciously beneath her as she made her way down - down, between the peaks of her breasts, the pale, silken skin of her abdomen, further still, until Imogen wound up exactly where she wanted to be.

Her nose wandered unhurriedly through the curls of hair at the juncture of Laudna’s thighs, and Laudna twitched again as kisses were planted on the inside of her thigh. Imogen felt the surge of passion across their mind link as if it were her own body, and with a wicked smile she continued her teasing at an agonising pace. She hovered over Laudna’s entrance, hot breath spilling from her lungs, feeling the tickling sensation send spikes of pleasure and frustration through Laudna’s mind.

Gods, I want you so much, honey, Imogen thought. She dipped down as if she were about to take a taste, and felt Laudna’s body tense in blissful anticipation - before turning her head to the side, placing a kiss to the inside of her other leg.

You can have me, please, Imogen… Laudna’s thoughts were ragged as she squirmed beneath Imogen.

Would you like that, baby? She continued her leisurely path across Laudna’s skin, arms hooked loosely behind the other woman’s thighs, fingers tracing slow circles as she held Laudna close - not close enough, clearly, as she felt Laudna straining towards her, desperate for contact to relieve the pressure where she was most sensitive. Imogen could feel it swirling through her mind, and it took every ounce of her own self-control not to dive in and give her exactly what she wanted.

Not quite yet.

Gods yes, Imogen, please, I need you - need you to touch me, need you on me - Imogen could feel the ichor dripping from Laudna’s cunt and onto the mattress between them, and the heady scent filled Imogen’s nostrils and sent heat shooting to her core.

And just how much do you want it, Laudna? As she whispered her name into Laudna’s head, she pressed another kiss into her quadriceps, sucking the thin muscle into her mouth and using just the gentlest graze of her teeth, but she felt how even this barest of touches drove Laudna wild. Electricity burst inside her mind and Imogen felt cool fingertips sliding into her hair, desperate for contact and trying to pull her closer to where Laudna needed to be touched. Spidery fingertips grazed the outer shell of her ears, and the cool sensation almost burned Imogen as lust crackled through her violently. She wasn’t sure she could keep this up for much longer herself.

SO much, Imogen - please, darling, please, I love you, I need to feel you… Laudna’s thoughts trailed off into an incoherent babble, and through the desire and longing Imogen felt the full force of Laudna’s adoration for her. She couldn’t deny her any longer.

“Well, since you asked so nicely, baby,” Imogen spoke aloud, hot breath pooling against Laudna’s cunt once again, and the gasp that it elicited was swallowed by a sharp cry as Imogen pressed her mouth against Laudna.

The wave of pleasure that battered into Imogen’s consciousness must surely have shaken the earth beneath them with its intensity. So she tightened her grip on Laudna more as she drank her in, hooking her arms securely beneath Laudna’s ass and digging her fingernails into the skin on top of her thighs. Laudna’s legs fluttered against Imogen’s back as she bucked into Imogen’s mouth, and shivers rolled over her skin as she felt Laudna try to pull her closer with her heels.

It was impossible to restrain herself at the agonising pace she’d started, so addictive was the feel of Laudna beneath her tongue. Slick coated Imogen’s chin as she laved her tongue over Laudna’s entrance, drawing ichor into her mouth with every stroke and getting high off the sweet, musky taste. With every motion she increased the pressure, and she felt herself growing dizzy with desire, the sounds of Laudna’s moans music in her ears, drowning out the world around her. Imogen wanted to stay here forever, and she sent the thought across their mental link, desperate for her lover to know how vehemently she was needed.

Laudna’s voice was a feeble whimper, even telepathically, as she writhed at the physical sensation and mental contact.

Yes, I’m yours, Imogen - 

The jolt that wracked Imogen’s nervous system was so violent she let out a moan and had to pause to draw breath into her aching lungs. Something burned in her core, and a new flame flickered. She stuttered as a wicked, twisted thought crossed her mind, and for a second she recoiled. And yet it turned her on so much she thought she might implode on the spot.

She paused for a moment, panting with her lips still pressed loosely against Laudna’s clit, ichor dripping down her chin as her eyes opened and stared off into the darkness.

She couldn’t.

No.

It was too much, too personal, too dark -

But this was Laudna.

Laudna knew the darkest parts of her.

Laudna wouldn’t judge; wouldn’t be repulsed.

Surely?

That fire sparked in the depths of her mind again, and she shivered as another pulse of lust rippled though her.

Laudna’s squirming began to slow, and she tried to pull herself up onto her elbows to look down, noticing Imogen’s sudden drop in pace and sending out a half-thought to check in, before -

She had to ask. 

As Laudna hauled herself semi-upright to look at Imogen, swirling onyx eyes filled with love and lust and trust and devotion, Imogen bit her lip and stared back earnestly. She timidly sent a picture and a probing thought across their mental connection and braced for the reaction.

A strange series of emotions flickered across Laudna’s face - confusion, then understanding, then, for a second, shame - followed by curiosity.

Laudna wanted her to do it. To see if she was even able to.

Imogen felt a pang shoot through her as Laudna’s thoughts turned inward, the quiet thrum of self-hatred that Imogen had tried so hard to quell. For Laudna now knew one of Imogen’s darkest thoughts - Imogen had dared to voice it, quietly, for the first time earlier that evening - and felt responsible.

Immediately, Imogen crawled up Laudna to take her face in her hands and kiss her passionately.

It ain’t like that, I promise. 

Another kiss, sloppy and frantic in the heat of the moment.

I love you, Laudna.

Again, lips pressed together coated in ichor and saliva and something else warm and wet - were they tears? Imogen couldn’t be sure.

If it’s too much, or we need to stop, you tell me, okay?

Laudna nodded, smiling brightly at Imogen.

I love you.

And I you.

Imogen shimmied back to where she had been, trailing kisses down Laudna’s length once again, and positioned herself comfortably. She took in a deep, steadying breath before picking up where she left off, eating Laudna out with renewed vigour. Laudna’s fingers curled comfortingly into her hair now damp with sweat, and the familiar touch encouraged her. She closed her eyes, and opened her mind.

The final piece had become clear to Imogen in that moment. A single thread in the roiling void that had battered her insides earlier, one feeling crystallising out above the rest as she untangled the knot of emotions. It was new, and curious, but as ineffaceable as the rest. 

Jealousy.

Jealousy that she had to share the ravishing woman in front of her, that Laudna couldn’t be hers utterly and completely, because of her unwanted passenger, lurking somewhere in the depths of Laudna’s consciousness. She raged at Delilah for her presence alone, spying on private moments and twisting in dark corners of Laudna’s mind and waiting to spring up and ruin everything.

The jealousy hurt less than the anguish, the bitter despair, and the impending sense that Laudna might be ripped away from her at any moment. And so she focused on that, letting it fuel her.

Imogen tried something new.

She reached out with her mind, reaching for Laudna but delving past her, too.

Listen, you meddlin’ bitch.

She addressed Delilah directly, searching the deepest corners of Laudna’s mind to find where she lurked. Hesitant for a moment, Imogen glanced up at Laudna, but she was still falling apart beneath Imogen’s tongue, and she could feel in her mind that Laudna wanted her to do this as much as Imogen did. All the while, she kept up her relentless pace on Laudna’s clit, tongue swirling and fingernails raking down whatever exposed flesh she could reach. She could feel Laudna getting close.

Imogen wasn’t sure if she wanted an answer, or a confirmation that the evil witch was watching, but something swelled in her chest as she sought her out, her internal voice rising in a slow, menacing crescendo which seemed to make Laudna writhe even more desperately.

You in there? Watchin’ us? Or tryn’a find some dark hole to crawl into? Well, you won’t find it in here. Laudna’s too good for that.

Imogen increased the pace of her ministrations. She unhooked one arm and brought a finger to Laudna’s entrance. She reached out mentally again, checking in with Laudna that this - all of this - was okay, and was met with a frantic nod and soft whine.

With a devilish smile, Imogen sank two fingers up to her knuckles inside Laudna, revelling in the way the warlock’s entire body arched with pleasure. Laudna let out a feverish wail, and it was musical, the way it crashed around Imogen’s ears. She hooked her fingers ever so slightly, using Laudna’s kaleidoscoping thoughts to guide herself and find the sensitive spot she hungered for. All the while her tongue circled relentlessly on her clit, open mouthed and greedy. She felt Laudna’s desire coursing through her mind, through her body, reflecting her own desire right back at her and making her feel dizzy with want.

This time, she was almost shouting inside Laudna’s head.

You don’t understand, see. You may think you’re bound to her, but she’s tethered to someone else.

Imogen saw tears spilling from Laudna’s scrunched eyes as her hands flailed wildly to the sheets, desperately trying to grasp for purchase as the wave of pleasure built irreversibly inside her, and so she pushed harder still with her tongue, dug her nails in a little deeper - 

Sometimes she wondered what moments like this were like for Delilah - how much of Laudna she got to have. Was she watching: disgusted, bored? Was she simply an ethereal, floating voice existing in a liminal space, or more? Did she feel Imogen’s touch as her fingers sent Laudna writhing beneath her? Did it repulse her, or worse - did she enjoy it, imagining her dead lover? Or did it fill her with sadness, jealousy, rage. Perhaps that was why she was so determined to stop Laudna enjoying life.

Did Delilah try to stop these feelings flooding in, or let it take over her altogether?

Imogen faltered for a moment, anger and revulsion at Delilah creeping in. Because how dare she be present for these sacred, singularly intimate moments? How dare she try to lay a claim to Laudna - her Laudna.

It wasn’t fair.

But Laudna sighed Imogen’s name as she slowed - ravenous, pleading.

Asking for her.

Begging, even.

So Imogen decided she didn’t care.

She pulled Laudna down onto her fingers, pulling her into her mouth, starving herself of the oxygen which seemed inconsequential compared to how much she needed Laudna. Her bicep wrapped around Laudna’s thigh, fingers digging in and leaving tiny red semicircles - marking, claiming - 

She was deeper in Laudna’s mind than she’d been in a long time, deeper than she’d ever been. More closely entwined with another person’s thoughts than she had ever thought possible. All her focus was on chasing Delilah out, of banishing her from this precious moment. Her singular goal to fill Laudna’s whole being with warmth, with trust, with love. 

As Laudna’s whole body began to coil beneath Imogen like a spring, her mind was filled with nothing but purest white light.

You’re mine, Laudna - and I don’t like sharin’.

Imogen felt like she’d been hit by a lightning bolt, so intense was the blast of raw, blinding gratification that crashed through Laudna. Her scream was animalistic and hungry, and that sound alone was almost enough to tip Imogen into her own orgasm as she felt wave after wave of bliss cascade across their mental connection. But she pulled her thoughts together and focused, guiding Laudna through the aftershocks as she quivered beneath her touch. She slowed down a little, withdrawing her fingers but carrying on tracing soft circles with her mouth. Laudna became limp and boneless with exhaustion, but the whimpers that escaped with every shuddering breath reassured her that they weren’t done just yet.

As Laudna came down from her orgasm and basked in the comfortable afterglow, thoughts floating aimlessly like motes of dust in a sunbeam, Imogen reached out again, pulling the pieces closer together to impress her desire onto the other woman.

I think you’ve got more in you than that, baby.

Immediately the gears in Laudna’s mind shifted and the pieces snapped back together as Imogen began to move again. She repositioned herself on her side so she could kiss Laudna, slow and deep and languid at first, before urgency began to crackle between them once more. Laudna's fluttering hands became firmer against her sides, clinging onto Imogen like a lifeline - a thought which sent exquisite waves tingling straight to Imogen's navel. Laudna’s thigh grazed against Imogen’s centre as they sank into this second phase, and even the tiniest bit of friction sent bright lights sparking in front of Imogen’s eyes.

She took a deep breath to compose herself. Though she had barely been touched herself, she was so intensely turned on by what was in Laudna’s mind that she walked a dangerous line. But she wasn't done quite yet.

For the second time tonight, Imogen wandered into unknown territory, spurred on and grounded by the reforged tether between them. With a deep breath - pulling the air straight out of Laudna’s lungs into her own - she opened the barriers of her mind both ways, for the first time. Imogen’s own thoughts ebbed against Laudna’s and across their mental connection like the ocean, vast and unfathomable and beautiful and terrifying: not just her words, like usual, but her deeper thoughts, her subconscious itself. The deep font of desire that flowed in her veins, focused entirely around Laudna, spilled over like water, diffusing through and around Laudna's mind. Laudna’s eyes widened with a gasp as she realised what was happening, and Imogen felt that spark inside Laudna ignite by tenfold.

Imogen chased that burning fire down, redoubling her efforts both mentally and physically. One hand palmed Laudna’s breasts insistently, nails digging in just enough to make Laudna whine. The other  curled between Laudna’s legs, two fingers pushing inside effortlessly as Laudna began to shudder again. Her leg grazed against Laudna’s, pulling her closer with everything she had, and the sensation was dizzying, feeling lust ricochet from Laudna into her own mind and back again, and it was so much, so good - 

Imogen’s tongue roved frantically, over Laudna’s shoulders, her chest, her neck, the bruises she must be leaving behind asserting that Laudna was hers, irrevocably. She concentrated on reflecting her own desire back to Laudna, minds more intermingled than ever. It had never been like this before, this good - Imogen wasn’t even sure what magic she was accessing to make it happen, but she didn’t ever want it to stop.

Because this was irrefutable, this love. Laudna could see into Imogen’s deepest thoughts the way she could see right back. And there was no denying Imogen’s devotion to Laudna - how much she was needed, how much she was desired - and with every thrust of Imogen’s fingers Laudna’s thoughts became more muddled as everything rippled between them in a dizzying mirrorred cavalcade, but they glowed with a radiant happiness, with a terrifying hope that Imogen tried to stoke with everything she had.

I think you’ve got one more in you, Laud -

And one of Imogen’s hands - the one that was not buried desperately inside Laudna’s cunt - roamed to grab Laudna’s hair at the back of her neck, roughly, forcing the other woman to look into her face. Imogen’s lavender eyes were clear and bright as they pierced into Laudna’s, impressing all the love and lust and desperate need she could with a single look as her thoughts flowed without resistance into Laudna's, enveloping her with the love she hoped would be enough to change their path, to alter fate and the fabric of the earth itself - 

For me.

And with a final thrust, Laudna snapped beneath Imogen’s fingers; the second wave slammed into Imogen across their mind link so forcefully that she nearly recoiled, an overwhelming barrage that threatened to incapacitate her in the best way possible. But she fought hard to focus on working her lover through. Imgoen's name was a choked sob escaping from Laudna's lips as she came again, her release fizzling through every nerve in her body and bleeding delightfully across into Imogen. Imogen pressed another sloppy kiss to Laudna’s lips before burying her head into the crook of Laudna’s neck, panting hard.

As her movements slowed, her own pent up desire finally became too much to bear; Imogen reached for herself with her free hand for relief, the other still rubbing slow, gentle circles into Laudna’s clit,  only for Laudna’s slender fingers to flutter towards her. Laudna's bleary eyes refocused, clearer than they had been all evening. Imogen felt the mental effort it took to get her quivering muscles to comply, but it was important, so important, that she showed her love what this meant to her, how devoted she was to fighting this, to Imogen, and then Imogen couldn't figure out which thoughts were hers and which were Laudna's and oh, Laudna's hands were on her exactly where she needed them, more than she had needed anything in her life.

Laudna's lips opened in a quiet "O" as "yours" breathed across Imogen's face and echoed into the deepest recesses of her mind, the word etched enduringly on her very soul. 

It barely took anything at all, so intensely turned on was Imogen by this point. Laudna knew exactly what she needed, linked as they were. It didn’t take much - just a few strokes of cool slender fingers, so different to Imogen’s own but entirely perfect - before an explosive orgasm expelled Imogen from her exhausted body.

Her mind fractured into a brilliant, dazzling mosaic of passion and pain and longing and anguish and rage and love - zealous devotion to the woman entwined with her. And when she came back to her senses, to her body, and put herself back together, as their minds swirled in fractals around each other, Imogen picked up tiny pieces of Laudna and rebuilt herself anew. An irrevocable, indelible part of each other.

And as Imogen collapsed back into the pillows, arm thrown haphazardly around Laudna’s shoulders, Delilah was silent. Chased away, for whatever sacred moment they could cling on to.

Good.

Imogen’s voice was hoarse as she finally spoke out loud.

“You’re mine. I mean it, Laud,” she growled.

“I’m yours,” Laudna replied, helplessly.

Laudna turned her head weakly to rest against Imogen’s shoulder, the sheen of sweat over both of them starting to bring a chill to her skin. Imogen folded her arm protectively around Laudna and tugged the tangled bedsheets over them both as warmth trickled down her spine and across every nerve ending to where her skin brushed against the other woman.

“And I belong to you just the same.” Laudna snuggled more closely under Imogen’s arm. Waves of bliss washed between them, mental connection still open and thoughts bleeding indiscriminately between their minds until Imogen wasn’t entirely sure where her thoughts stopped and Laudna’s began. Not that she cared: she would happily stay this intimately linked forever.

Though her arms shook with exhaustion, Imogen managed to pull herself up onto her elbows for a moment to cup Laudna’s cheek and pull the other woman’s eyes up to meet hers, gaze boring into Laudna’s once more.

“We’ll fight all this, together.” Her lips ghosted against Laudna’s, weak and kiss-swollen and pillowy soft. Imogen drew back and smiled, before a more pensive, intense look crossed her face. She held Laudna’s gaze for another second, for what could have been another eternity.

It went unspoken, but she knew Laudna heard.

Love me.

Love me more than you need her.

Please.

And Imogen knew, she knew how possessive she sounded, but she was too love-drunk to care.

Another shuddering breath, and Laudna pressed another kiss into her lips.

A searing kiss, sealing an oath to be sworn evermore.

Promise me.

The waves of deep, quiet affirmation and sworn devotion that spilled between the two witches was enough to keep them warm against the relative cold of the Whitestone twilight. Eventually, overwhelming sleep started to claim them. Imogen was so tangled around Laudna by this point that she couldn’t tell whose limbs were whose, but she didn’t care. She needed to be this close to Laudna or she felt she might float away into the night itself. She pulled the blanket to cocoon around them both, protecting against the chill whilst still needing to be touching Laudna in as many places as possible. 

She couldn’t tell where her mind and body stopped and Laudna’s began as they finally drifted off. As the first hazy rays of dawn began to soak through the castle window, dreams of a cosy cottage and a meadow melded together gorgeously with cacophonous flashes of their love-making.

Imogen wasn’t sure if the cottage had started off as her dream or Laudna’s, as they lay entangled - but she held onto it with every last thing she had.