All content of this story is copyright {2014} by Returning_Writer_Guy and is my intellectual property. This is purely a work of fiction and fantasy and not based on any truthful events. No individuals were harmed as none of the individuals in these stories exist. This story is not to be redistributed under any circumstances without my express written permission.
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Rael sank back into the large brass tub sitting in the middle of their room. The room's furnishings were modest, but the bed was large enough for them both to settle into comfortably as long as Silmaria curled in tightly to him, and the room was clean and tidy. The bedding was simple cotton spun, with a thick wool cover and soft, fresh straw stuffed into the mattress. There was a small ash wood table and two small chairs set under a shuttered window. A patterned rug made the room a bit more cozy, on which the brass tub sat.
Surprisingly, the tub was large enough that Rael could really stretch out his long legs and recline back in a comfortable way, which was something rare indeed. The water from Silmaria's bath had been drained and refilled with fresh, steaming hot water. He gave himself over to the hot water's soothing embrace.
Allowing himself a rare unguarded moment, the Nobleman shut his eyes and willed himself to relax. It was more difficult than it seemed; being alert and on guard, ever ready for trouble had become a part of his life. His vigilance had kept them alive through the long weeks of their journey, true. But even he couldn't keep his guard up, always; his constant watchfulness was exhausting.
"Hey, handsome," Silmaria called softly.
Rael cracked one eye to peek at her. Then both eyes opened wide.
His Gnari love stood before him, gloriously naked, her hands resting on the sumptuous curve of her lush hips while she regarded him with a curious expression. Rael hadn't realized just how much the toll of life on the road had changed her until just that moment. The rigors of their dangerous journey had transformed her, just as finally washing the road off had done likewise.
Silmaria had always been fit and strong, but living on the move, walking for miles on end every day, climbing and hiking through hills and valleys and treacherous mountain passes and all manner of other hardships had trimmed and sculpted her body well. Silmaria was still amply curvaceous and soft in all the most delicious of places, but now her flat belly was taut with gently defined, feminine muscle, and her smooth legs were solid and strong, well-muscled in her shapely thighs. Her ass was sculpted and round. Two solid, tantalizing globes of fit, firm, grab-able flesh. She was still the same little slip of a woman she'd ever been, but her small stature and deliciously sensual curves were now complimented with an athletic sense of vitality and feminine strength.
Even more evident, she was glowingly beautiful now that she was clean. Which was not to say she hadn't been beautiful and alluring when covered in trail dust and the wear of the wild, of course. He'd found her every bit as desirable then. But now, freshly washed and brushed, her abundant black curls were light and silky soft with health, the true depth of their darkness revealed and begging to be twined around his fingers. Likewise, her pelt was healthier than it had been in some time, glossy and satin, with the richness of the whites and orange and black all mingling together in stark, exotic contrast. Even her face seemed refreshed, and her smile was radiant and proud when she noticed his eyes on her.
Silmaria came to him, her steps a purposeful feline slink. For a moment Rael's eyes didn't know where to go, so they settled on going everywhere.
"Have I told you lately how heartbreakingly beautiful you are?" Rael asked her softly as she perched lightly on the edge of the tub.
"You're just saying that because I'm not a dusty, dirty wildcat anymore," Silmaria laughed softly, the sound of smooth stones falling into a deep pool.
Rael smirked lightly. "Clean wildcat, dirty wildcat. Beautiful all the same."
"Sure I am," Silmaria said with a smile, and flicked droplets of water at him with her fingertips.
Then the Gnari bent to kiss him, soft and slow. After, naked still, she knelt beside the tub. Her movement was purposeful and careful, and Rael senses a shift in her demeanor. He had trouble placing the expression on her face, but the closest he could equate it to was focused. Calm, and somewhat reverent.
Silmaria grabbed the lump of soap they'd been given. She took one of Rael's large feet, dripping from the tub, and began to wash it.
Rael's brow rose. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously.
"Washing you, what does it look like?" Silmaria said with a light smirk before her seriousness returned. "May I, please?"
"I've never had someone else do it for me," Rael admitted with an awkward smile. Though it would have been well within his right and privilege as a Noble, Rael had never had anyone else wash him since he was old enough to do it himself.
"Please?" Silmaria repeated.
Rael paused, noting the tone of her voice. And he realized then that this was as much for her as it was for him, if not more.
"Go ahead," he acquiesced.
Silmaria gave him a soft smile of thanks, and continued.
The girl handled her Master's body carefully, soaping up his sore foot with careful hands, getting it thoroughly sudsy and clean before beginning to massage his foot with surprisingly strong, small fingers. She worked her fingertips and thumbs, even her palms into his foot, the arch and heel, the top. Even his toes she paid special care to, thoroughly massaging him with that same focused, calm, if somewhat determined look on her face. Then she rinsed the soap from his foot, and moved her soapy hands up to his taut, hard calves. Her fingers worked at the thick bundle of muscles there in a slow, purposeful way, and then up to his knee, and the powerful swell of his thighs before switching to his other leg and repeating the process all over again.