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Rue pulled away and took his face in both her hands "Dear boy, I change shape regularly There is nothing more painful than shift"

He looked miserable "It’s still not exactly fun for "

Rue, in the end, rolled her eyes, flipped him over, and took matters into her own hands… so to speak

It did indeed hurt, but as she had said, not nearly soshape After a bit, it was decidedly fun, and Quesnel was perfectly sweet Having established that she was enjoying herself – she had to nibble his neck to convince hiave over sweet for fierce and intent, his violet eyes dilated Hethose o at all Rue loved the way his face twisted, almost wolflike, and that he was careful all the way to the end Ensuring her satiation before taking his own and pulling out so as to minimise any chance of a future inconvenience

"Most excellent" Rue lay staring up at the ceiling for a long time after, exhausted and happy

Quesnel’s voice came sleepy soft "Battle fever I’ve read about it"

"You mean it’s not always that fun?"

"Chérie, I shall atteance now that she was safely deflowered "It’s usually not so intense They say there is so down death that drives a body to ecstasies after"

"I shouldn’t worry Given the way I run things, we’ll face death again soon"

Quesnel rolled to his front and up on one elbow With his free hand, he traced a pattern on the skin of her stomach "I’m not sure whether to be consoled or terrified"

There was silence for a bit while he continued stroking

Rue closed her eyes and let herself drift, dirigible-like, under his ministration His hand ainst her cheek, nowfor ladybugs to wear, Rue felt, as it see with the slightest provocation

Rue opened her eyes

There was so serious and frightening Did it herald rejection or declaration? Rue was fairly convinced she couldn’t withstand either, so she wilfully misinterpreted his focus as critique

"What’d I do? Was it not good? Is there a se on my face?"

He smiled but remained intent "No, chérie It’s only that I am so none of that "Only sometimes?"

He kissed her softly, as if she were skittish She was a bit

"You knohat I mean"