The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

INCOMPLETE

Sehira sat by the fire, watching the flames dancing rhythmically while they rested after another long day's ride. They were almost at the end of their journey, and soon they should be arriving at Mavaer, so she was feeling anxious.

The thought of crossing paths with Njál once again filled her with as much dread as it did with blood-thirst, and she was not even sure that she would be able to control herself if she ever encountered him at point-blank range.

-Well, we are going to hit the sack – Yoe announced, standing up after finishing the last piece of his ration – Are you sure you guys are good with keeping the first watch?

-We are. Get some rest – Sehira responded, nodding at him, then switching her attention towards Dabe – You are going to need it. See you in a few hours.

The two men walked inside the small tent that they had set earlier a few feet away from the fire-pit, and it took almost no time for the sound of their loud snoring to faintly reach their ears, making them smirk.

-Are you nervous about the mission? – Iktan asked, his eyes darting briefly from the fire to the girl's illuminated face – After all, we don't even know what kind of scene we are going to find.

-I just want it to be over… I just want them to be crushed below our heels -She confessed bitterly.

-It is not that simple, and you know it. There is a plan in motion, and we need to stick to it – The young, tall man reminded her in an appeasing tone.

-Yeah, tell that to the ones that have already perished under their brutal advance -Sehira scoffed, hugging herself and shuddering at the chilly wind that blew persistently through her clothing.

-Are you cold? – The always courteous ex-priest asked, ignoring her statement, and standing up.

He walked up to where she sat, removing his heavy cloak from his shoulders, and he carefully wrapped it around her trembling frame. His finger accidentally brushing the exposed skin of her neck briefly before he clumsily started motioning away.

-I… I'm sorry – He whispered, nervously starting to retreat. The sudden weight of her hand against his startling him and making tingles run all the way up through his arm.

She wordlessly tightened her grip around his cold limb and pulled him down, making him sit beside her, which he awkwardly did. Keeping his eyes forward and seemingly fixated on the slowly consuming logs before them.

After a couple of silent minutes, he almost choked at the feeling of her head leaning on his shoulder, his body tensing up as he tried his hardest to remain immobile, sensing an unexpected heat rise quickly from his chest up to his cheeks.

-Iktan? – He dimly heard his name being called out over the maddened sound of his own heartbeat, and he realized in shock that the girl's face was just a few inches away from his as her hand drew indefinite figures all over his chest, her mouth dangerously approaching him and grazing his dry lips slightly.

He let out a surprised yelp as his eyes broadened in distress, his frozen state finally giving way to a graceless shuffle of limbs while he tried to back away in an agitated escape from the intoxicating warmth of the girl's embrace.

-Oh… - Sehira mumbled, his discomfort making her blush and look down at her lap, embarrassed – I am sorry… I just… It felt like…

-It's not that – The flustered man rushed to say, his hand vacillating over her forearm – I… I told you. I am an incomplete man. They made me that way in the temple.

-What does that mean? – Sehira asked, reaching for his indecisive hand, and holding it tightly.

-They took my manhood. I knew they would… I even wanted it back then – Iktan sighed sadly – I was a lonely teenager, and I was hurting. The girl I loved had just been ripped away from me by the black fever and I just wished to be numbed. I had always thought that the Gods held every answer. So, I joined the Elders… And they took them away.

-Everything? – The girl frowned, rubbing his palm distractedly – Why would they do such a cruel thing?

-No, not everything. The... hum... pillar is still intact, it is the source of virility that they get off the way – He grimaced, avoiding her sight – It is supposed to help us detach from our bodies and connect with the celestial plane. But of course, as you know… We ran out of Elders shortly after I joined the temple and I never even had the time to learn how to do that… So now, here I stand. Useless, mutilated, and helpless to provide you with what you seek.

-How would you even begin to comprehend what I truly seek, Iktan? – Sehira whispered, irate – I am also incomplete. My scars might not be visible, but they are still there. All I want is to feel something with as much force as you once wanted to be numb. All I want from you is a connection. You don't need your balls for that at all!

-Fine– He conceded, gulping down audibly – Tell me what to do then.

-Hold me – She requested, closing her eyes, and sitting motionless – You have been the only person so far, besides Souna and the weird child, whose touch I am able to stand now without wanting to rip my skin off. It has been getting progressively worse with time and I just don't want to be isolated anymore.

-Good – Iktan sighed, slowly approaching, and carefully placing his arms around her – Let me know if it becomes too much to bear.

They remained silent for a while, Iktan holding her from behind as she listened to his heartbeat with her eyes shut tightly.

-Are you all right? – He tentatively asked, adjusting his position slightly – Do you want me to let go?

-No, please don't – Sehira pleaded, placing a hand against his own – It is actually very nice. Just stay this way for a little longer.

And so he kept his embrace, mindlessly inhaling the floral scent emanating from her hair. Time slowly dripping as the stars shone bright in the sky and the fire creaked softly, consuming the bark that fueled it.

-Would you kiss me? – She asked timidly after a while – I have never been properly kissed before, except for Njál´s disgusting version of it. Would you…?

The tall man turned her swiftly around to face him and drove a finger against her lips, making her hush. His almond eyes scanning her own deeply as he tenderly cupped her cheek. His face inching towards hers as he bit his lower lip pensively, before gently placing a small peck on her still closed mouth.

He paused for a moment, drawing back a bit and studying her reaction, before resuming the advance and gently driving his tongue inside her mouth, exploring it unhurriedly and keeping watch for any signs of discomfort, before finally relaxing somewhat and deepening his exploration with a relieved sigh.

They stayed that way, silently interlacing each other's tongues, their breathing becoming increasingly uneven, until Iktan broke apart and looked at her with a mix of decisiveness and caution.

-Listen, there is another type of kiss I learned in my previous life – He timidly explained, staring intently into her eyes – It occurred to me that maybe… I don't know. Would you like me to try it on you?

-Yes – She nodded with conviction after a brief silent moment - Please do.

He reached for her with uncertainty at first and slightly pushed her down, making her lie on the ground before reaching between her legs and feeling her immediately tense at his action.

-It is not what you think – He rushed himself to say, halting his movement and searching for her sight – I won't hurt you, I promise.

Sehira took a deep breath and nodded at him, consciously loosening her muscles a little and staring at him with approval.

Iktan´s hand darted gingerly towards her thighs again, latching onto her garments carefully and pulling them down, his finger shortly probing her entrance before stealing a final glance at her and burying his head between her legs, running his tongue artfully over her folds.

He felt her let out a marveled moan and her body undeniably surrendered below him as he kept licking her external crevices and finding the triggering spots, her legs tightening around his head as she jolted and breathed out loudly while he continued to savor her taste.

A noticeable moisture soon emerging from her as her whole being stiffened and trashed around uncontrollably under him, a restrained squeal escaping her lips, and making him smile.

Rising from within her, he sat back, wiping his glistening mouth with the back of his hand, his bright eyes staring proudly at her while he extended a hand and helped her sit. Subtly taking note of her speechless state. His heart secretly bursting with immense joy.

She had already pulled her garments back on, and they were silently staring at the flames while Iktan fed a few twigs into the fire when Dabe came out of the tent, lazily stretching his limbs and being followed by a sleepy Yoe.

-All right guys, we'll take it from here – Dabe cheered out obliviously – Go get some rest.

-Iktan – Sehira had muttered against his neck as she held onto him that night - You may be a lot of things surely, but incomplete is not one of them.