That night, back in the cottage, Liana let the hot water ease away the day's aches and pains. Although she was tired from walking, that wasn't anything unusual; the deep burning between her legs and up into her body, that was a different matter. She knew it wasn't good for her, after the first time she'd tentatively agreed to let Kurn take her, she had suffered for weeks. It was only her skills as a herbalist allowed her to brew a tea that had brought peace to her insides. After much research and experimentation, she had even managed to create a cream which restored her opening the state it was before she had even fully known a man. It was a mixed blessing. Of course, she loved to be pristine and it meant that anything inside her gave even more intense pleasure than it should but it meant she continued to pursue Kurn in the knowledge she would be able to heal any ill the beast should bring upon her during its primal rutting. She applied a little of the cream to her finger and lifting her hips out of the bath water ran a finger along her red, swollen lips. Almost before her eyes, the angry colour lessened and she could feel the pain subsiding. But even that brought with it a sadness. The pain was part of the pleasure, the feeling of being forced open was unlike anything else, without it the act did little for her. It was enjoyable, but orgasms never came.
"What are you doing?"
Liana gasped and looked around to see her brother, Silus, standing in the doorway of her room. He was not yet a full man in the eyes of the village. She dropped her hips back into the water with a splash and grabbed a towel to cover his breasts.
"What the hell are you doing? Get out!"
"Dinner's ready. Mother said to come and tell you."
"You could have knocked."
Silus grinned, "Yeah, I could 'ave. But then I wouldn't have seen that would I?"
Liana scowled.
"Get out you little shit, I'm on my way."
Silus lingered a moment, taking in what parts of his sister were above the water, then grinned again and left, closing the door behind him. Liana stood up in the metal tub, towelled herself down and before dressing, applied a little more of the cream to herself. It was soothing, but as the pain ebbed, all she could think of was what excuse she could use to spend the day in the forest again.
Dinner was a simple affair, vegetable stew with fresh bread, but it tasted good after such a tiring day. Silus ate like a horse, which made Liana smile. Her father, Therin, sat at the head of the table, a solid dependable man with the first flecks of grey appearing in his thick dark hair. He was a handsome man and had had his pick of women. It was no surprise that he'd chosen a beauty like Karin - Liana's mother - and even less surprising that they'd given birth to such as beautiful daughter. How they'd created such as little brat as Silus was a mystery, though to be fair to the boy, he was filling out in the shoulders and would probably have the same good looks as his father when he came of age.
Therin swallows a spoonful of stew and holding his spoon out addressed Liana. "You know my girl, much as I love you, it's not right for me to go on supporting you. There are least a dozen men who are suitable for you and coming from me, that's saying something. I know you help around the house and so on, but it's just not right."
Liana placed her spoon on the wooden plate. "I don't care for them, father."
"But they will care for you, and that's the point. There are traditions to follow, and much as it pains me, I am giving you a week to get yourself sorted out. Go around the village, chat with them, you never know. I'll say no more about it until seven days time."
