Author's Note(s)
:
If you're here for Slither, part 2, welcome back! If you're picking up Slither for the first time, please read Slither, part 1.
As I edit a part, I'll release it until it's finished--enjoy!
Thanks for reading--I appreciate you all <3
--Ameranthus
****
A few days passed before the graze on Valko's shoulder was nearly closed, and he helped Sura settle into her new quarters. Valko opened the storm shutters on the windows to let warm, fresh daytime air in, while Sura aired out some blankets that had been stored away in one of her delivered trunks.
The large, arched alcove led into a sleeping nest and there were a few shelves built in for personal items. There was a small nook higher up on the back wall to hang a lantern in. The alcove was slightly elevated to make room for two drawers underneath and the arch was hung with russet curtains that could be pulled shut against the chilly mountain nights.
Sura stored lighter muslin blankets in the large drawers below and left out a heavier sky blue quilt with a leaf green backing. She crawled in on the large, terracotta sleeping cushion to arrange pillows of soft browns, rust oranges, ocher yellows, and slate blues. Some where intricately embroidered while others were plain or bore a patchwork of different shades.
"I like the colors," Valko observed, poking his head into the alcove. "It's quite warm and inviting -- the kind of place I would adore spending nights curled up with you."
Sura hung a lantern in the small nook above and turned to see Valko there at the arch of the alcove leading into the nest.
"Come in," she smiled, holding out her hand to him.
Valko eagerly took Sura's hand and slithered into the alcove, settling himself into the comfy nest among the pillows. Sura was still on her knees, looking up at him and his breath momentarily caught in his chest at the sight of her. Her bright, beautiful gray eyes were full of adoration for him. Valko couldn't remember a time when someone had looked at him like that. He curled his tail around Sura's waist and drew himself closer to her. Valko lowered himself more to her height and Sura slipped her arms around the swell of his human hips, her hands idly caressing the transition between skin and scale.
"Ah... my star," Valko murmured, and kissed Sura deeply. He gently wedged the
thicker part of his tail between her knees and when she open to him, Sura gasped and giggled softly as he pulled her up to straddle his lower abdomen.
He reclined against one of the plump pillows, a content rumbling escaping his chest. Sura gently stroked his face, and the sides of his scaled neck, occasionally kissing it, as she sat astride him. A shiver of desire ran through him at the touch of her soft lips to hollow of his neck.
"Comfortable?" Sura asked, dipping down to kiss the center of his ashen chest.
"Mmm...quite." Valko purred, as he stroked Sura's hair. "I don't think I wish to leave. This is much more intimate and private; not that I objected to sleeping near the hearth with you in my coils."
"We should enjoy this while we can, then." Sura sighed softly. "Your shoulder's practically healed and Rylin will have no choice but to accept me into the infirmary. I expect to be rather busy very soon."
"I intend to enjoy every moment I have with you." Valko said, kissing her forehead. "As for my shoulder, I've had an excellent standard of care--I'm not surprised that it's healed so well."
"I don't think getting each other off counts as a standard of care." Sura giggled.
"It does for me, dear one," Valko grinned, grabbing her hips and undulating his tail between her legs. "I adore making you come and being made to come."
"Well, I'm just going to leave that part out when I present my case studies to Dathan, hmm?"
Valko let out a throaty chuckled and kissed Sura softly. There was silence for a moment as Sura rested against Valko's chest and he sighed, content as she grazed his neck with the tip of her nose.
"Will you allow me to stay with you tonight, my star?," Valko asked, one hand stroking Sura's hair, while the other wandered down her back, to her hip, and finally settled across the small of her back. "I wish to be near you, to feel your soft, warm body against mine."
"I would love for you to stay.," Sura said. "I miss sleeping with you in your coils--I find it relaxing."
"It pleases me to hear that," Valko growled softly. "I adore having you in my coils, feeling you wrapped in them. But first, a bath for you, I think. No doubt you're going to be a bit sore from moving things around..."
"It doesn't feel too bad now, but I might regret it later if I don't," Sura said. "If you're doing the bathing, I would very much enjoy that."
"Yesss," Valko hissed lightly, "My hands are eager to feel you once more. Go and close the storm shutters and I shall prepare your bath. We'll see if the former mage left anything interesting in the wardrobe as well."
****
Sura joined Valko behind an intricately carved screen when the bath was ready. Valko was there, next to the steaming tub, his tail undulating and flipping back and forth with anticipation. He'd set out a towel and soap on a nearby table.
"I haven't looked in the wardrobe yet," Sura said as she opened it up. "I have no idea if there's anything in it."
There were hooks on the inside of the doors and two long rod across for hanging garments. Otherwise, it was empty. There were four drawers below, the top two of which where empty of towels and bath items that Valko had taken out. Sura opened one of the bottom drawers. In it, was a carved comb of ebony with wide teeth, a brush, a large hand mirror and a few bottles that contained lotions and oils.
Sura took one out and inspected it for a moment. She uncapped the cobalt blue bottle and put her nose to it.
"What have you found?" Valko asked, coming behind her and scenting the air with his tongue.