Nova found the pattering of the rain on the postern’s roof to be rexing as she traveled through the gate’s small hall. When she got to the end of the hall she hesitated not wanting to go back in the rain. Sapphire grabbed Nova’s hand and gently pulled. Nova winced as she walked through the rain holding onto Sapphire’s soft hand. She gave the wolf-kin an appreciative smile. Sapphire shyly shrugged her shoulders as if to communicate it was not a big deal, but her happily wagging tail gave away her excitement.

  As they followed the huskarls through the town street Beornia stayed alert; her expression grew more disconcerted as the huskarls dealt with little resistance. “What’s wrong?” Nova asked.“There is no way the demon is not aware of our presence yet I have not seen hide nor hair of a hob goblin or troll yet,” Beornia expined.“Should we inform the thane?” Nova asked.“He is an experienced leader. Look at how alert all the huskarls are,” Beornia pointed out.Nova noticed that the archers turned shield bearers had traded their skull caps for the more protective great helms.

  The acropolis soon came into view. The temple still shone with holy light. The huskarls didn’t let their guard down as they slowly advanced toward the acropolis. A few stray monsters ran away from the approaching company.“The monsters are acting skittish. Did the demon retreat?” Sapphire wondered.“Stay alert, assume the worst,” Beornia reprimanded.Nova took the padin’s advice to heart. She spped her cheeks and refocused her mind.Sapphire looked serious as she bounced on her toes. She seemed ready to move at a moment's notice.

  The head priest descended from the temple to meet Wilfrith. After a short exchange he returned to the temple. Climbing the hill on the slippery cobblestone street was hard on Nova, her physique did not have as much stamina as the warriors she was surrounded by. Sapphire’s wolf-kin biology affords her a lot of stamina. Not to mention she works out hard everyday to pleasure clients. What even is biology? Nova stopped that train of thought as she felt a headache coming on. She could carry me up the hill. Nova shook her head. We need to stay focused and not think about pretty strong girls. Nova slipped on the wet cobblestones she would have fallen over if Sapphire had not quickly moved to intercept her fall. “Your head is in the clouds,” Sapphire noted with concern as she helped Nova steady herself.“I-I will b-be f-fine,” Nova responded flustered.Beornia turned around and faced Nova with a scarily serious expression. She let her kite shield hang from her shoulder. Nova hung her head in shame, but Beornia put her hand under the succubus’ chin and forced her head up so she could viote Nova’s eyes with her hard eyes. “Look at me,” Beornia ordered as Nova’s eyes shied away from the padin’s intense gre. Nova forced herself to look into the padin’s pretty green eyes. “You are central to our strategy people will die if you don’t focus me or Sapphire might die, and if you survive you will carry that guilt to the grave,” “I-I will t-try my b-best,” Nova forced out then looked away from Beornia’s intense eyes.“That is not good enough,” Beornia responded harshly.With renewed conviction Nova looked back into Beornia’s gre, “W-we w-will all survive. I will make sure of it,” Beornia’s face softened as she gave Nova a reassuring smile, and caressed her cheek before withdrawing her hand. The flustered succubus turned away and scanned the town from the hill. The dense fog obscured most of the town even the path they took was getting recimed by the fog.

  The sanctuary spell on the temple blinked out. A throng of townsfolk forced themselves out of the temple. Some of them pulled carts of food. Most of them just carried what they could on their backs. All of the people looked exhausted, but their faces had a flicker of hope on them. Many of the people carried improvised weapons. The huskarls split off into four detachments one on each side one in the front and one in the back. Nova stayed with the detachment on the left side of the crowd. Marching out of the town was much slower than marching in. To Nova’s relief the rain let up to a drizzle. Halfway to the gate the column stopped abruptly. Hobgoblins forming a shieldwall stretched across the road. Behind them were trolls with rocks in their slings.

  “They are behind us too,” Sapphire noted A horde of goblins with some slimes and dire wolves blocked the other end of the road.Nova unched a volley of holy javelins at the trolls. A strong wind blew most of the power out of the javelins. The trolls roared in discomfort and one of them colpsed only to get back up.

  An ash gray demon flew out of the fog. They hovered above the trolls. They wore a mail hauberk and a sword hung from their belt. Two bck horns came out of their head.“Instead of fighting, why don’t we come to an agreement,” The demon said with a soft voice carried to everyone’s ears by their wind magic.“I, Wilfrith, priest of the Goddess and thane of his grace the bishop of Nothscir do not treat with demons,” Wilfrith decred even his words were carried to everyone’s ears by the demon's magic.“How rude I forgot to introduce myself. I am Liam, the new ruler of these nds,” The demon said with a confident smirk.“What kind of deal do you want to make?” Juniper asked intrigued. “You have something I desire, and I can do something for you. Turn over the demon you kidnapped, and I will let all of you leave the town unmolested,” Liam offered.There were murmurs among the townsfolk specuting on where the demon was.“Over my dead body,” Juniper decred.“I will take you up on the offer. This demon has been a thorn in our side for a few days now take them and let us begone,” The head priest agreed.“It seems you are all not in agreement. Tell me more about this demon,” Liam said as he used his wind magic to only elevate the priest’s voice and his own.“Her name is Nova. She terrorized our suppression force into desertion, and she destroyed the shrine of the Maiden Goddess allowing you demon filth to have a foothold. She even threatened to force the town council members to viote each other in the town square!”

  The townsfolk exploded in a commotion until all of them looked toward Nova. Beornia’s spear was the only thing that kept the townsfolk and huskarls from seizing Nova right then. The succubus threw her helmet off then broke out of her illusion like a chrysalis. This feels good she thought as she whipped her now free tail around. I expected to be scared or anxious after being exposed like this, but I just feel relief. “I will accompany Liam willingly,” Nova said, her words carried to everyone’s ears.

  “I will stay with you,” Sapphire decred with resolve as she put her hand on Nova’s“Are you sure? It might not be safe?” Nova asked concerned“You're my friend I will support you through any danger,” Sapphire decred fiercely “I will accompany you as well. I can’t let some demon corrupt the Goddess’ champion,” Beornia said as a faint smile graced her lips. “We also need to talk about something,” Beornia said with a grimace

  With determination the three women walked toward the demon.“I will accompany you on the condition that my friends can stay with me unharmed,” Nova said as she reached the front.“Do you take me for a fool Beornia the butcher would take my head at the first chance,” Liam spat out with derision, “The wolf-kin can stay with us. Everyone else must go,” Liam finished while staring at Sapphire with an unnerving smile.Nova held Sapphire protectively while gring at the demon. Liam’s smile only got bigger. Uncomfortable shivers went down Nova’s spine. What have I gotten into? She squeezed Sapphire’s soft body tighter.“You-” Beornia whispered in Nova’s ear.“Eeeep,” Nova jumped in surprise as sudden shivers of pleasure washed over her body.“Sorry didn’t know you were that sensitive,” Beornia began talking softly and quietly.Nova nodded, biting her lip, and trying to stay still as she listened.“You should be able to handle him. Mind magic can be-” Beornia whispered“Your lover has had enough time to say goodbye. Get out of my sight humans,” Liam cut off Beornia with a threatening voice.The hobgoblins ran into the buildings lining the streets while the trolls found any open area to get out of the way. The human horde advanced down the road. Beornia and the huskarls remained alert as they passed the docile trolls.

  Liam ushered Nova and Sapphire into one of the abandoned artisans workshops that lined the main road. Nova could see decently well in the darkness as all the windows to the workshop were shuttered. Stacks of cloth were stored on dispy in the front of the workshop. And in the back were looms and a spinning wheel.“I need privacy can you go somewhere else,” Nova said “You are a strange succubus. Are you sure you don’t need to feed?” Liam asked.Sapphire put herself between the demons. She bared her teeth and growled at Liam. “I was asking the succubus not her guard dog,” Liam spat out angrily. “Just leave us be,” Nova replied forcefully. Angry that the demon was insulting her friend.“I will be just outside guarding the door,” Liam said, upset. After the annoying demon left Sapphire grabbed Nova by the hand with her extremely warm hand, and led her up a creaky staircase. The upstairs was one room, there was a hearth, a decently sized bed and a huge chest.

  Nova walked into the middle of the room by a table with a few stools around it. She turned away from Sapphire as she fiddled with the straps of the gambeson. Her cold hands could not untie the knots. Warmth soon enveloped Nova as Sapphire wrapped her arms around Nova resting her warm hands on Nova’s.“How are you so hot?” Nova asked. I hope she doesn’t take it that way. I didn't mean it that way.“It’s basic fire magic. I cover my whole body in a thin film of low heat fire. It takes some control to keep the fire from spreading to my clothes or my surroundings. It was the first spell I learned. It’s as easy as writing for me. Anyway let me help you out of those wet clothes before you get sick,” Sapphire offered.“Mhmm” Nova nodded in assent while she pursed her lips. Nova wrapped her tail tightly around Sapphire’s body. The warmth just felt too good. The succubus let out a sigh. Her tail was more sensitive than her fingertips; she could feel in detail the texture of Sapphire’s robes. “Ahh, your tail feels really nice, but can you release me so I can help you?” Sapphire asked.Nova reluctantly let go of Sapphy. Her tail along with her slime explored the room they were in. The succubus turned toward the wolf-kin. Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared into Sapphire’s bright colorful eyes. Nova unconsciously held her breath.“You really light up the room Sapphy,” Nova remarked after she remembered to breathe out.“I don’t like hiding my true self from you,” Sapphy decred.Enamored Nova cupped Sapphy’s face while admiring her glowing freckles. Sapphire's freckles got brighter as blood flowed to her face. “You are beautiful,” Nova said.“Can you stop? You are making it hard for me to undress you,” Sapphy asked.“Sorry,” Nova sheepishly said as she let go of Sapphy’s face.“Hey I enjoy your touch it’s just these knots are giving me some trouble,” Sapphire gave Nova a reassuring smile.Nova nodded, still embarrassed.

  Eventually Sapphire finished untying the leather straps. The waterlogged gambeson thunked onto the table. Nova’s wet tunic clung to her and since it was white her dark skin could be seen through it. Sapphy peeled the tunic off of a shivering Nova, and pulled her into a full body embrace. “I will keep you warm,” Sapphire said as she picked Nova up in a princess carry.“Wuhh,” a sound of surprise left Nova’s lips. She clung tightly to Sapphy scared about getting dropped. “I-I can w-walk myself,” Nova put up a token resistance as she enjoyed the mage’s warmth.“I know, I just want to carry you,” Sapphy replied.Nova buried her face in Sapphy’s chest as she felt like disappearing. Soon a comfy bed repced Sapphire’s warmth. Nova pouted, missing the energetic wolf-kin’s warmth. Sapphire stripped off her dirty damp tunic. She hung it off the table with the other clothes.“I hope that gambeson doesn’t get moldy,” Sapphire mused. She picked up slime Nova who was dissolving one of the stools.“I got hungry okay,” Nova defended herself.“I’m hungry too. I can't eat wood though,” Sapphire teased.Nova stared entranced as Sapphy’s body reminded her of the night sky. Sapphire id herself right next to Nova. The cold succubus melted into the hot wolf-kin’s embrace. Nova traced the glowing consteltions that covered Sapphire's body. The half dark elf giggled.“I’m a little ticklish,” Sapphy confessed.

  Something stiff and warm pushed itself against Nova’s thigh.“Um uh” Nova voiced her discomfort as she rolled away from Sapphire’s warmth.“Don’t mind that it’s just my body’s natural response to being close to an attractive person. Many people assume beast-kin aren’t that intelligent, but I’m not foolish enough to make us a crater. It’s actually very nice to hold a woman that doesn’t expect me to penetrate them. I can actually rex around you…” Sapphire paused for a moment with a complicated expression. “I-I know we just met a few days ago, but-but-” Sapphire paused again and buried her face in her hands.Nova leaned over to pet the wolf-girl’s head. She felt the firmness of Sapphy’s forehead and the softness of her hair.“It’s okay just tell me when you are ready,” Nova cooedSapphire soon calmed down. “I might want to stay with you for the rest of my life,” Sapphire said quietly in almost whisper as if scared of how Nova might respond.“You are very sweet,” Nova responded, pnting a kiss on Sapphy’s freckles. “This is too fast for me. I’m unsure of a lot of things. I don’t know what I want, and I’m not sure when I figure out what I want if you will want it too,”“I just want to be close to you, and for us to support each other. I will accept anything you want,” Sapphire responded earnestly.“No Sapphy, my instincts tell me that setting a boundary is good. There are some things you will never want to do, and doing one of those things for me might make you resent me. I don’t remember my past self, but my instincts seem to be vestiges of those memories,” Nova shut Sapphire down.

  Tears leaked out of Sapphire’s eyes. Nova snuggled up to her friend in an attempt to comfort her. She nuzzled her face into the warm softness of Sapphy’s breasts. Sapphire put her arm under Nova, and with her free hand she squished slime Nova. The succubus drifted off to sleep with a blissful feeling welling up inside her.