Chapter 12: Pride (4)
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence pursued the couple as one sank further into the water, her large 'fruit' slightly hued pink on the water's surface. The dragon's eyes searched for any signs of discomfort or regret in her friend's expression, but Demond remained stoic, though the tips of her ears were faintly red.
"...if this is some weird attempt at calming me down, congratulations. You have utterly failed." Demond's voice was a mix of irritation and bemusement as she tried to avert her gaze from Adrei's naked form, the cold water failing to mask the heat of her embarrassment.
"But if even that failure will ease the burden in your mind, I will do as much as needed, my love." Adrei's voice was gentle, filled with affection, as she leaned back into the icy water, not minding her wife's discomfort. The dragon's eyes closed, feeling the soothing chill envelop her body as she let out a contented sigh.
"This is healing at its finest..." Adrei's words trailed off as she sank deeper into the frigid water, the coldness seeping into her bones, yet not reaching the warmth of her soul. Demond watched her, amazed at the shamelessness, but also weirdly touched by the gesture. The witch's eyes searched for any sign of discomfort in Adrei's expression but found none, only a serene calm that seemed to radiate from her core.
Careful not to glance at the 'pink', Demond focused her eyes on Adrei's face, which remained unflinching and serene despite the cold. The witch felt a mix of emotions, from irritation at the dragon's lack of modesty to a warmth that spread from her heart to her cheeks, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a very long time.
"Adrei." The witch's voice was a soft whisper, cutting through the silence like a warm knife through butter. The dragon's eyes snapped open, her gaze meeting Demond's. The witch looked at her with a mix of confusion and fondness. "What has Leona told you?"
The dragon's smile was gentle. She did not intend to lie for the wolf, not a single bit. Though she did have her own pride to finish the matter the way she herself desired, she knew Demond's heart was not in the mood to accept her proposal, not yet.