Chapter Nineteen
Wanda
Wanda woke early, heavy-limbed, and with a wonderful sense of contentment running through her. For a moment, she could almost believe that her panic attack had never happened. Only it had, and Christa had made a promise to Wanda. Did she really mean it?
Wanda, now without her thoughts clouded with desire, couldn’t see how Christa could make such a promise. To look at the woman sleeping beside, her arm wrapped around Wanda’s waist as they lay facing each other, she didn’t doubt that Christa had meant it, at the time. The hours Christa had spent cherishing every inch of her until she’d lost count of how many times she’d brought her to climax, was about making her forget. And for a short time, Wanda had.
She spoke the truth. The whisper from her trees drew her attention.
I know she believes it.
But you do not?
Wanda sighed at the feeling of disappointment that came from her girls. I want to, but she has a life beyond the forest. A family in the demon realm she will wish to see. To spend time with.
They will come here.
Wanda’s heart leapt at the possibility of that. Is it that simple? I… I would not want anyone else to come inside my trees.
It can be simple. You have a home close by.
Wanda frowned and considered if that was an actual option. It is derelict.
Christa has the power to change that.
“Your mind is very busy this morning, my love,” Christa murmured sleepily.
So focused on the trees, she hadn’t noticed Christa watching her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Christa kissed her softly, the hint of peach sweetness lingered from the meal they’d eaten before falling asleep. “I don’t mind.” She nuzzled along her jaw to her ear, a hand pushing the hair away to reveal the sensitive skin behind it. She placed a kiss on her madly beating pulse. “Talk to me.”
Wanda sighed in pleasure at the tongue stroking over her skin and struggled to think. “I don’t know… how you can keep your promise.”
The tongue disappeared, and Christa pulled back to give Wanda a look that came with a feeling that Wanda didn’t know how to interrupt. “I would never make a promise I could not keep.”
Hurt.
She had hurt Christa with her lack of faith. Yet Wanda couldn’t just set aside the reality of such a promise. “I believe you.” She ran her fingers over Christa’s cheek. The softness of her skin belied the warrior inside. My warrior. “But you have a family in the demon realm, friends I expect, too. I can’t ask you to—”
“Wanda, you don’t need to ask. We can build a life here. Together.” Christa’s hand came up and cupped the back of Wanda’s. “I was going to talk to you about the—”
“House,” Wanda finished, her lips quirking up, suspecting her trees had picked up Christa’s intentions to talk about the house and fed them to her on purpose.
“Yes. I went down through the orchard to look at it. I wanted to see what was inside.”
Her brows arched in wonder. “You did? When?” Wanda had no recollection of Christa leaving her alone.
“Yes, a few days back while you were sleeping one morning. I could see you the whole time, my love, and your trees kept watch for me, too.” There was hope coming from Christa and Wanda clung to it. Clung to the idea that whatever was coming, they would find a middle ground. “It’s got so much potential.”
The house was rotting away from neglect. “Potential? What do you mean?”
“With a little bit of love and a big dose of magic, we can return the house to its original state. We could also move the house closer to your trees, like Silas’s. Or leave it where it is,” Christa rushed on to say, most definitely picking up Wanda’s dislike of the house encroaching on her trees.
What if Christa chose the house over their trees? “Do you want to live in the house?” Wanda had never lived in one before and she wasn’t sure she wanted to, even for Christa. She wasn’t like Silas.
You must not be selfish, beloved.
I don’t want to be.
Then wait for Christa to explain.
“I love our trees,”—she cast her arm up—“and being this close to them.”
Wanda knew Christa spoke the truth, and it eased the knots of tension gathering in her stomach. However, she sensed the ‘but’, even though Christa said nothing more. “Yet, you would like some aspects of living in a house?”
She watched Christa closely, seeing a moment of indecision before she nodded. “I would love a proper bathroom. Hot water to soak in. Scented bubbles. I love the lake, but nothing beats a hot bath to ease one's soul.”
It was not what Wanda expected, and a giggle escaped at the answer. “A bathroom. Is that it?”
Christa pressed her lips softly against Wanda’s. “Yes. I have everything else here with you. If we had the house repaired, then family and friends, whom you rightly pointed out I’d want to see, could come to the house, keeping our trees just for us.”
The surrounding rustling suggested the trees approved of this idea, too.
Christa grinned. “It looks like our girls approve. So what do you say, my love?”
“I’ve never had a bubble bath.”
Christa’s laughter shook her body as she brought Wanda closer, their naked skin sliding against each other, the residual oil making Wanda tingle between her thighs. “Then that will be the first thing we do once the king has protected the forest for us and the house is restored.”
Not having forgotten about the visit, Wanda had worked not to dwell on it with so much else to think about. Left with no choice now, she sighed heavily.
“When will he arrive?” She wanted what he offered, she just wasn’t sure what to expect. What to imagine he would be like. He wanted to meet her, but she wasn’t sure if the meeting would include Christa.
“Later this morning. I will know when he decides to come.” Christa claimed her mouth in a soul searing kiss that left her wanting more. They rolled on the bed of soft leaves until Wanda lay beneath Christa, limbs entangled, mouths never parting. Wrapped in each other's arms as they were left Wanda unable to think when all she could do was feel. Feel the love Christa gave willingly. The love of her warrior.
“Yes, my love. A warrior for you, always.”
Her dress was simple. Peach with cream trim around the arms and across the bodice, that she tugged at it, looking down at the hint of exposed cleavage. Wanda wondered if it was too revealing. She didn’t have any other that differed in style. She huffed out a breath, glancing at her bare feet which peeped out from the bottom of the hem of her dress. Should she have shoes on?
“You look beautiful,” said Christa, as she returned to their trees. She had gone outside minutes ago to make sure they were ready for the king. Ready how, Wanda had no clue. She stood at the entrance of their nook, looking stunning in a forest green silk dress and black, six-inch heels, in her demon form.
There was Wanda’s warrior. Red skin gleamed in the sunlight, as did the silver tips of her horns. Inky black hair flowed over her breasts, reaching her waist.
Christa, in either form, was clearly biased. “Should I put on shoes?”
She squeaked aloud as Christa plucked her out of the tree and kissed her. They had not long bathed and eaten after Christa had kept her occupied using her very talented mouth and hands. “You are perfect as you are.”
“It seems you are as smitten as your brother,” rumbled a deep, menacing voice behind them.
Wanda’s heart slammed against her chest, fear prickling her skin at the sound as she forced herself to glance over her shoulder. The air caught in her throat at the huge demon wearing an expression that chilled Wanda. The attire was more casual than Wanda expected of a king. Dark trousers and shirt covered a massive chest, bulging muscles and powerful thighs.
Wanda gulped in fright. Christa was tall, even in heels, but the king towered over them by at least another foot-and-a-half.
Christa didn’t seem intimidated as she lowered Wanda to the forest floor, thankfully keeping her right next to her side. “She is my blissful one. My beloved.”
The king turned his attention to Wanda as he stepped closer, moving silently. His thick, black brows drew together, his full lips pursing. “You are… such a small thing.”
The trees behind her stroked down her back, giving her courage. “I’m a dryad. None of our kind are big.”
Offer him a drink.
You think that’s wise?
Yes.
Listening to the trees, she bravely took a step towards the giant. “Would you like a glass of peach juice?”
The king’s gaze shifted to her trees, and Wanda heard them waving as branches clicked together, witnessing the king’s amusement. “Your trees are…”
“Saying hello. My girls are friendly.” They were with those they trusted. And Wanda took solace from that. She trusted Christa implicitly, but her bond with her trees had formed many years ago.
He didn’t reply, and he wore an intrigued expression as he walked past Wanda. Christa clutched her a little tighter as they turned to watch the king stop at the closest tree. He easily reached up and plucked one of the peaches he was offered. He brought it to his nose, but Wanda couldn’t see his face to figure out what he thought about the gift.
Seconds ticked by and Wanda wasn’t sure what to make of the fact her trees had shut her out or that Christa chuckled and the king continued to stand looking up at her girls. Was he talking with them?
A moment later, he swung around, holding a glass of juice in his other hand. “Would you like to take a seat?” Wanda enquired like a good host.
He motioned for Christa and Wanda to lead the way. Wanda walked to the old fallen tree they used as a seat. One look at it and Wanda could see it would not accommodate the king’s bulk. Then a large wooden seat appeared, and Wanda wasn’t sure if it was Christa or the king who had materialized it. He took it and Christa guided Wanda to the log.
Sitting, Christa reached for Wanda’s clammy hand and squeezed it gently, giving her a reassuring smile.
“Leave us Christa.”
Wanda started at the command, her fingers tightening around Christa’s.