> 
> >She ran to the only haven she ever felt safe in....her garden. 
> >She then collapsed to the ground, sobbing.

Trinale felt someone stroking her softly on the back.

She heard Aradia's soft voice whispering in her ear softly "I'm so sorry."
Trinale almost flinched away. 

Trinale tried to relax and soon her sobs had stopped and she looked up at 
Aradia. Aradia reached out and stroked and then kissed her cheek. Trinale 
was so surprised at the gesture she didn't know what to do.

> "He didn't mean to upset you. The morals of our tribe are... were... much
> different than they are here," Aradia explained.
> 
> Trinale wiped away a tear and looked at Aradia curiously.
> 
> "More open, we don't know of sexual shame like they do in the cities. And
> as much as I love Pa'gan, my heart is big enough to love more than one,"
> Aradia continued, answering Trinale's questioning look. 

Trinale puzzled over this. She didn't understand how you could take more 
than one person as your mate. She loved seeing her parents together and 
the love they felt, and no matter how many times they were with others 
during mating flights, they always returned to each other. How she longed 
for a relationship like that herself.

> "And Pa'gan, he celebrated way too much tonight," Aradia explained
> apologetically.

"Thats no excuse" Trinale thought bitterly to herself. Pa'gan had just 
turned a sweet wonderful memory into something sordid.

> Aradia stroked Trinale's hair and noticed her embarrassment as she first
> flushed, her eyes twinkling with a hint of desire, and then looked away
> from the young priestess. The look of Trinale's only served to intensify
> Aradia's own burning passion.

Trinale's senses were on edge and all mixed up. First what she had had to 
drink, then Aradia teasing her hair and then Pa'gans kiss and the 
memories it had invoked. Anxiety and desire rose in her as all these 
things came together.

> Aradia moved her other hand to gently tilt Trinale's head so she looked at
> her.
> 
> "Trinale," Aradia spoke softly, looking deeply into her eyes, "I can sense
> your desires, and your fear of them. Truly, you have no need to fear your
> desires, for they are healthy and honest."

Trinale's eyes looked into Aradia.s and she saw the desire burning there. 
Her eyes widened and Aradia moved towards her, planting her lips on 
Trinale's half open mouth. She felt her tongue slip lightly in between 
her lips and Trinale closed her eyes and felt the desire rise in her.

Then she realized who it was kissing her.

"No!" she screamed, pulling back suddenly, her hand lashing out quickly 
and striking Aradia across the face. "Leave me alone!" She lept to her 
feet and raced away from the scene, not getting but a few feet before 
running straight into someone. As strong arms steadied her, she was 
afraid to look up and see who it was until she heard his soft strong 
voice "Easy now, I am here." His arms went around her and she looked up 
into Derry's concerned eyes. She almost sagged in relief.

"Keep them away from me....please." Trinale was almost hysterical and she 
could not deal with all the feelings flowing through her. "Just keep them 
away!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: Whoops......*grin*

Much as I love this storyline, I think all of us need to slow our pace 
just a tad so that others can catch up and join in.....damn, I hate to 
say this, cause I log on everyday anxious for another installment! Damn, 
I love this warren! *grin*

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                        Kat Harris: catwoman@indy.net


Sysop of Circus of the Mind BBS (317) 888-8755  (Katmandu)

http://www.indy.net/~catwoman